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There are a lot of factors to consider when selecting a roofing contractor for a roof installation. It goes without saying that you want a roofer with plenty of experience. It’s also important that you select a roofer with a good reputation in your community and a proven track record of doing high quality work. Of course, the quoted price also has to be taken into consideration. One factor that many homeowners overlook when choosing a contractor is the roofer’s warranty. Don’t rely solely on the manufacturer’s warranty When you have a new roof installed, the roofing materials come with a warranty from the manufacturer. This protects you in the event the roofing materials fail prematurely. But sometimes, a problem with the installation itself can cause the roof to fail sooner than it should. Many manufacturer’s warranties will stipulate that a problem in the first two years isn’t covered. When the problem is with the installation, the manufacturer’s warranty won’t be any help. In this situation, you hope that the roofer will stand by their work and fix the problem. Check the fine print Any reputable roofer will offer some kind of warranty on their work, but not all warranties are equal. When selecting a roofer, it isn’t enough to just ask if the roofer offers a warranty, you need to pay attention to the details and read the fine print when comparing roofing warranties. There’s a big difference between a warranty that promises to “fix all defects” and a warranty that says it will “keep the roof watertight.” Pay attention to the language used and be wary of warranties that use exclusive language to limit what the roofer will fix. Also see how long the roofer’s warranty is. Some will offer free repairs for the first couple of years and a discounted rate thereafter. Other considerations Even the most generous warranties can be voided if you don’t properly care for the roof. If you never have your roof inspected, or if you don’t clean out the rain gutters and allow debris to accumulate in the roof valleys, you can’t expect the roofer to honor a warranty since a lack of roof maintenance could be to blame for roofing problems. To be safe, only work with a roofing contractor who has a brick and mortar location in the area. If you have a fly­by­night roofer or storm chaser install your roof, there’s a good chance they won’t be available to make repairs down the road. A local roofer with a good reputation in your community, however, will be there to honor a warranty should it be needed. Home improvement news brought to you by bartonroof.com Source: everybodyneedsaroof.com/News/Details/2040

Most homeowners don’t give their roof a second thought until it’s too late and water is pooling up above their ceiling and causing it to bulge. By the time leaks are manifesting themselves inside your home, the damage to your roof and your home’s interior is significant and repair costs will be high. Amuch better option is to regularly inspect and maintain your roof so that any problems are caught before they start.Spring is always a great time to inspect your roof because it has just endured the harshest weather it will face all year. It’s a great time to make sure your roof is in top shape to continue protecting your home for the following year. Here are some tips for inspecting your roof for damage. Start inside Believe it or not, the best place to start looking for roofing problems is actually inside your home. After the next good rain, head to your attic, take a flashlight if needed, and inspect the underside of your roof for signs of a leak. You can inspect your insulation to see if it is damp. Look for water stains on your ceilings as well. If you see signs of a leak, don’t wait and call a roofer immediately. If you don’t see signs of damage, head outside with a pair of binoculars to continue your roof inspection. Inspect your roof from the ground Before making the effort to get on your roof, you can inspect your roof without leaving the ground if you have a decent pair of binoculars. Scan your shingles looking for any signs of damage. Shingles that are cracked, warped, curling, or missing altogether need to be replaced. You can also look at the flashing in the valleys of your roof and around your chimney, vents, and skylights. If the flashing is warped, water is getting underneath somehow. Once again, if you spot any signs of damage call a roofer immediately. Getting on your roof If you still haven’t spotted any signs of damage, the last step is to take a closer look by getting on your roof. If you don’t feel comfortable getting on your roof, or if your roof is especially steep, play it safe and have a professional do the inspection. A thorough inspection conducted on the roof itself can uncover problems that weren’t otherwise visible. Home improvement news brought to you by bartonroof.com Source: tctimes.com/living/featured_sections/h

Solar panels seem like they are the new thing. Everyone is getting them and claiming they save so much money, but are they really worth it? There are many factors to consider when deciding whether or not to get solar roofing, but Google is testing an online tool that will help you decide. Google’s new tool ­ Project Sunroof The cost of putting solar roofing on your home can be quite expensive. Most people believe that the costs outweigh the benefits, but Google wants to show you that isn’t true in many cases. It is testing a tool online called Project Sunroof that will show you exactly how much money you can save by putting solar panels on your roof. All you need to do is look up your address, and Google will bring up a picture of your roof showing different thermal colors on it. These colors will indicate how well and how often the sun hits your roof. If your roof is all purple for some reason, you probably aren’t going to save much money, but a completely yellow or white roof is getting a lot of sun and could save a lot. Then,Google shares just how much money you could save on a standard 20 year lease, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. How Google benefits Many people often wonder how Google makes money off its mass sources of free online tools available to anyone with the internet. In this case, Google will have a list of referals for solar panels onyour home after showing you how much money you can save by getting them installed. It will take a commission from each of those referral sources, just like the company might get from you clicking an ad while browsing. So, the big question So, the question is, should you get solar panels? People who use the tool are being shown a lot of savings over 20 years, but the upfront cost of getting solar panels can be pretty steep. The cost alone is expensive, and you may need to get new roofing beforehand if your roof is starting to look a little beat up. Many people get them because of cost savings in the long run, for a chance to be self sufficient from electric companies, or because they truly care about protecting the environment and feel they should do their part. Whatever your reason, it will only be worth it if you have the funds for the large upfront cost. Home improvement news brought to you by bartonroof.com Source: sfchronicle.com/business/article/Solar­curious­Google­your­roof­6449439.php

Green living is the new craze. As people learn more about the ways humans have a detrimental effect on the environment, more and more people are looking to minimize their carbon footprint. From energy­efficient appliances to water­saving dishwashers to roofing solar panels, homeowners are finding all sorts of ways to be more environmentally conscious. When it comes to roofing, though,installing solar panels or growing a green roof aren’t always practical options, especially in cooler climates that don’t get enough sunlight. Fortunately, there are other ways to have an eco­friendly roof. Here are some tips for homeowners looking to get an eco­friendly roof. Hire a pro Roofing isn’t a job that an amateur can do properly. And an improperly installed roof will cause all sorts of problems, including air leakage. An improperly installed roof is going to let warm air escape the home during the winter and cool air escape during the summer. This means higher energy costs year round. It also means wasted resources that aren’t renewable. A skilled roofer will make sure the roof is installed correctly and has good ventilation. Choose the right roofing material Which material you use has a huge environmental impact. There are a few factors that determine the environmental impact of a roofing material. Because roofs require a lot of materials, each time a roof needs to be replaced, it impacts the environment. Another factor is its reflectivity. Roofs that are more reflective are more energy efficient as they don’t absorb heat and drive up cooling costs. Here’s how some of the most common roofing materials stack up when it comes to environmental friendliness. • Wood shake roofs are not as popular as they used to be. Because they’re flammable, they’re not allowed in some communities. If you’re set on wood shakes, however, look for a roofing product made from reclaimed or FSC­certified lumber so you’re not contributing to the cutting down of old­growth trees to make your roof. • Tile roofs are made from natural materials and is extremely long­lasting, so in that respect it’s environmentally friendly. However, the mining and transportation involved is energy­intensive.If going with tile, choose a light color so that it’s cooler in the summer. • Metal roofing is a great eco­friendly option. It’s extremely durable and long­lasting and can be made entirely from recycled materials to minimize its environmental impact. While metal roofing isn’t considered a cool roof, it can be painted with a reflective coating to make it cooler. • Asphalt shingles are the most common roofing material. Because they don’t last as long as other materials and they often end up in landfills, asphalt shingles are typically seen as the least environmentally friendly option. However, if the asphalt shingles are made from recycled materials, they can be very eco­friendly. Make sure when it’s time to replace your asphalt shingle roof that the roofer recycles the shingles rather than sending them to the landfill. Home improvement news brought to you by bartonroof.com Source: earth911.com/home­garden/how­buy­eco­friendly­roof/