Roof framing is a challenging job. Like surgeons, all cuts should be accurate to achieve the desired result. Many Houston roofing contractors agree that roof framing requires more skills and knowledge compared to any other framing activities. There are several roof styles and mathematical equations carpenters have to use in order to build a wonderful house. Many experienced home builders admit even master carpenters who build different roofs are not experts in roof framing. This only confirms that the fine art of wood cutting is hard to master.

Simple Craft to Master

The craft of roof framing happened several years ago. Many tricks and refinements require long years of experience to master; however, some basic roof framing tricks can take only half an hour to master. The level of difficulty in framing depends largely on the roof. Many homeowners want to combine multiple roof types in a single roof. One of the most common is a hipped-roof mixed with gable dormers.

Framing Determines Roof Shape

The assembly of one or two roof types is one of the key elements in creating the architectural design of a house and oftentimes makes the craft difficult. Hips, overhangs and dormers add to its framing intricacies. Roof shapes command a degree of difficulty and will confirm the amount that should be spent for the building of the entire roofing structure. Gables, flat or shed roof types are more affordable; however, a combination of these is relatively expensive. Generally, shed is the easiest roof type to assemble.

Framing Factors

To create a beautiful architectural design, Houston roofing contractors must take into account several factors.

• Architectural parameter ? This includes building height, geographical location, materials to use for building construction, additional corners, and valleys.
• Advanced Technology ? Roof framing should be built using advanced techniques. Applied roofing technology determines the strength of the trusses to support all the roofing materials when they are ready to install.
• Attic ? In crafting roof shape, the carpenter should consider the attic since it can be used as a living room or just a simple storage room.
• Skylights ? This added structure creates a weak spot, so the carpenter must ensure that the framing is strong enough to support the additional structure.
• Materials to use ? There are several types of materials that can be used for crafting roof framing. Materials vary from plastics, metals, and solid woods and the latter is the material of choice by most roofers.

Roof framing ranges from simple to complex. Houston roofing contractors must have knowledge on framing irregularities and different roof shapes and the required knowledge for this kind of endeavor can?t be acquired overnight. Lawyers and physicians spend several years perfecting and learning their necessary job skills; the craft of roof framing needs the same time to master. With the modern advances in roof technology, ways were discovered to easily calculate and cut the desired length of rafters by determining the roof pitch and building line. Framing is not hard; however, it does require learning and practice to excel!

In a report by the United States Department of Energy (DOE), the primary reason for an increase in household power consumption is the use of central air-conditioning. This accounts for approximately 31 percent of the total energy consumed by every household. In fact, heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) is the major contributor to increased household utility expenses. National domestic power consumption rises during the summer due to the use of air-conditioning. One common factor that can be associated with this abrupt energy amplification is the absorption of heat by the home during sunny days.

When the roof absorbs radiant heat, that high temperature is transferred to the attic space which in turn causes the room temperature below the attic to increase. It is important for the warmth from the sun to be radiated back into the atmosphere to ultimately lower the room temperature. In short, every homeowner with a household air-conditioning unit should have radiant barriers installed to decrease high temperatures during the summer months. Roof company Houston contractors suggest that every homeowner should have at least some basic knowledge regarding these heat-reflecting obstacles.

Household Temperature Controller

Radiant barriers are types of aluminum foil installed in buildings to prevent the transference of reflective warmth between heat-radiating and heat-absorbing surfaces. This should help every household increase their energy savings during the summer. This material will block the infra-red energy emitted from the hot roof to keep the attic space cooler, therefore reducing the amount of radiant warmth in the rooms below the attic. There are several reflective barriers available on the market, including reflective chips, foil, and paint coatings.

Function

There are two factors that are involved in how radiant barriers function: emissivity and reflectivity. These two factors are the most important properties that make their obstructing capability more effective.

• Emissivity (0-1) ? This is also known as ?emittance?. It is the ability of the radiant barriers to emit thermal energy from hot surfaces.

• Reflectivity (0-9) ? This is also known as ?reflectance?. This is the capacity of the surface to reflect emitted heat from a hot surface.

The two properties of this material are essential in order to reduce energy consumption during the summer. These reflective barriers have low emissivity and high reflectivity.

During the summer, heat is absorbed in the roofing material when the sun strikes the roof. It will move into the attic surface by means of conduction and convection. At this point, the warmth will then be transferred from the attic surfaces to cooler surfaces (air ducts and attic floors) through radiation. If radiant barriers are installed, the increased temperature will be radiated back to the outside of the roof. Without such obstructions, the radiated heat will be absorbed by the interior surfaces which will hold the warmth, resulting in increased temperature levels. Local governments encourage every household to use radiant barriers to decrease energy consumption during hot sunny days.

Installation

The effectiveness and performance of radiant barriers is very dependent on how the material is installed by a certified roof company Houston contractor. Proper installation of these reflective obstacles can reflect heat by 97 percent; this provides homeowners with the opportunity to effectively reduce the electric consumption by the use of central air-conditioning.

Radiant barrier systems are different from roofing insulation which only slows down heat transfer. In contrast, reflective barrier systems not only slow down this transfer; they directly reflect the increased temperatures caused by the sun?s radiation. Roofing insulation does not have the capacity to stop this type of heat; therefore, obstructions must be installed to reflect these high temperatures. As an important part of the entire roofing system, it is essential for every homeowner to learn and gain valuable information about radiant barriers!

When it?s spring in Texas, that usually means we have several chances to experience powerful thunderstorms that can drop damaging hail and spawn tornadoes. Round One occurred on the night of April 3, as large storms struck Denton, Aubrey, Little Elm,aFrisco, Prosper, Celina, McKinney, Plano and several other areas. If you were a victim of hail damage to your home, it?s essential that you get your roof checked as quickly as possible to see if it needs to be repaired or replaced.

Storms Parade Across U.S. 380

At least three damaging storms struck along largely the same route, traveling across U.S. 380. Windshields were broken out by the hundreds in Denton as softball-sized hail peppered the city. However, residents of Denton and other areas that were similarly hit had to remain indoors because they were under tornado warnings as well. A twister, according to an article in theaDallas Morning News, touched down in Farmersville. Luckily, the article reported, damage was minor and no injuries had been reported ? although officials said it was to early to speculate how many people, if any, had been hurt.

The Damage Hail Can Cause

Hail is formed when frozen water droplets in a thunderstorm are lifted back into the clouds. As they continue to be buffeted by the turbulence, they get larger and larger until they are heavy enough to fall. Sizes typically range from about the size of a pea to the softball-size stones that fell in the April 3 storm. Typically, the flatter the pitch of a roof, the more damage it is prone to suffer because it will tend to take a direct impact. The more of a pitch a roof has, the better the chances it will only get a glancing blow.

It is extremely important to have your roof inspectedabecause hail damage may not always be readily apparent. If you do have damage and can?t see it, your home will be extremely susceptible to water leaks when it rains. These leaks can cause a great many problems that will be extremely expensive to repair.

Solar roof panels were once seen as a futuristic luxury?something reserved for rich homeowners in California or the desert (where it?s naturally sunnier) and only achievable with a willingness to install clunky, unattractive hardware atop your house. In other words, for D.C. and Maryland homeowners, going solar was often prohibitively expensive and practically unfeasible.

That was then. This is now: Solar roof tiles are not only reasonably affordable but also are not the beast to install that they once were. DMV homeowners can upgrade their roofs to include this fantastic, green feature without many of the technical headaches they might have encountered even just a few years ago. Here is a quick primer on going solar:

Rack-Mounted Systems

The solar roof tiles you likely are most used to seeing are part of rack-mounted systems. Brackets are attached to an existing roof, and the array is then installed atop the brackets. Rack-mounted systems seem like the simplest method to go solar, but the approach can result in some problems:

• If care is not taken, or if the installer isn?t also an expert with roofing systems, the roof can be damaged and require costly repairs down the line.
• Animals can nest underneath the arrays, again resulting in possible roof damage.
• The rack can interrupt the flow of water on the roof, thus creating a situation in which leaks might form.
• The array doesn?t look like part of the home but, rather, a bizarre add-on that sticks out like a sore thumb.

The image of a rack-mounted system usually is the deal-breaker (after cost) that keeps homeowners from installing solar roof tiles. Fortunately, a better alternative has emerged?.

Integrated Systems

Integrated solar roof tiles do exactly what the name says?they integrate into a home?s new roof. Low-profile (yet sturdy) tiles offer a sleek, barely three-dimensional look so that your house doesn?t appear as if you?ve added hardware to it. A black, monochromatic finish subtly blends into most roofs, unlike the multiple colors of traditional solar arrays that scream ?eyesore.? No wires are exposed with an integrated system, and a protected perimeter keeps out both moisture and critters. These modern solar roof tiles give homeowners peace of mind that their homes are protected, retain their aesthetic, and provide an energy benefit.

Finding a Qualified Contractor

An important factor that homeowners must consider when installing solar roof tiles is the expertise of the contractor. As already stated, an inexperienced installer may not take care to protect the integrity of your roof?particularly if you are adding a rack-mounted system. A nice benefit of an integrated system is that manufacturers prefer contractors they trust to install their solar roof tiles. These contractors already are experts with the manufacturers? other products, so turning to them to also install integrated systems is only natural.

hbspt.cta.load(1965781, 'c0c4224b-de7f-4557-b010-ae128e563498', {});

Affordability

Perhaps the biggest barrier that homeowners perceive about solar is that it will be prohibitively expensive. True, solar roof tiles do come with a cost, but at least with an integrated system, you are also purchasing a new roof at the same time. In other words, if you were already going to invest in a replacement roof, taking the next step to integrate the latest solar technology isn?t going to be quite the jump in price that you might think. Also, the federal government and Maryland offer rebates to homeowners who choose solar, thus adding to the affordability.

Other Considerations

The green factor is a significant reason why homeowners may choose solar roof tiles, but the return on investment is also attractive. Although your initial costs for solar are not minor, the savings realized in the form of lower energy bills are a clear benefit. Average homeowners can enjoy a 50 to 75 percent drop in their monthly energy bills with solar. With integrated systems, contractors handle everything, from each component of the roof to the electrical connections, so that all you need is a sunny day to begin harnessing energy. Contact a professional roofer that specializes in solar to learn more.

Have you investigated installing solar roof tiles on your home?

hbspt.cta.load(1965781, '10d0576e-3f5a-45c7-835f-a467e05263fb', {});

Spring has sprung. Hopefully, your roof has not sprung a leak over the last few months of a typically harsh Inland Northwest winter.

If it has, Spokane Roofing Company is here to help, whether for repair or for installation of a new roof, residential or commercial. But the window for roof work is typically a small one, from April to October. So, it is important to get on the schedule now. SRC?s schedule for the season usually fills up by the end of May, says owner Jeff Sitton.

Diligence in maintaining a roof is the best way to prevent future problems. March and November are the best months for inspection and maintenance. Dirt, dust, mud and pine needles should be removed from shingles, valleys, and gutters on residential roofs. Flat membrane roofs on commercial buildings are prone to puncture, and they should be repaired before further damage occurs.

New Roof Installation Tip

If your home does need a new roof, Sitton has an important tip for you. While repairs can be performed year-round, new installation should take place in the summer. That is when high temperatures will help seal the asphalt shingles, which melt together and prevent debris from lodging in between them. Over time, that attention to detail will prolong the life of a new roof.

Attentive homeowners and business-owners should be forward thinking when it comes to their roofs, says Sitton. Failure to clean is the No. 1 reason for premature failure on both sloped and flat roofs.

Homeowners who prefer to clean their own roofs should never spray from the ground, because roofs are designed for downflow, not the other way around. Leaks can develop from improper cleaning. That is another good reason to stay off your ladder and off your roof. Call a professional instead!

Residential Roof Cleanup

When Spokane Roofing Company performs a residential cleanup, its experts sweep or hose from the top down, thus:

• Removing dust and debris,
• Checking for cracked shingles,
• Cleaning valleys and gutters.

Gutter cleanup is often overlooked, Sitton says, but is every bit as important as shingle inspection in preventing problems.

Year-Round Roof Repairs

Although applying a new roof during winter months is not recommended, SRC is one of the few local roofing companies to stay open year-round for repairs and even emergency installations.

People need us when they need us. We?ll fix leaks and make necessary repairs during the winter. When someone has a big problem and will need a new roof soon, we?ll do our best to fix it temporarily. That buys time until we can do the new installation in the best possible conditions, when the weather warms up.