The Pros and Cons of Metal Roofs in South Florida

The Pros and Cons of Metal Roofs in South Florida

See our list of pros and cons below to determine a metal roof is the right solutions for your home

Choosing a roofing system for your home is a big decision. A metal roof is often seen as superior to shingles due to their quality performance in all types of weather. But is metal the right choice for your home? Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of metal roofing systems.

Metal Roof Pros

Weather Resistant
Palm Beach may be paradise, but Florida summers can really test your home’s roof. Regardless of the material, installation is the key factor in determining how well your roof will hold up to a hurricane or rainy season. A trusted roofing company like Advanced Roofing, Inc. ensures installation adheres to all building codes and a solid deck and foundation is installed.

Metal roofing has an advantage against storms due to its resistance to extremely high winds. According to FloridaDisaster.org, metal roofs in Florida received little to no damage from storms and hurricanes in the last few decades. Damage to metal roofs was usually caused by faulty installation (lack of fasteners, failing of internal pressure from other openers).

Allow for Protective Coatings
A roof coating is a fluid applied to the roofing membrane with elastic properties that allow it to stretch and return to its original shape without damage. Coatings can prolong the life of your roof for up to 10 years. To minimalize damage from constant sun exposure and rainfall, and prolong the life of your roof, a rubber coating is an ideal choice. SEBS Rubber Coating is a synthetic rubber liquid membrane coating specially formulated for use on metal roofs and sidewalls such as entranceways, cement roofs or for aesthetic appearance. It is a low permeable, wash-off resistant product with greater adhesion, resists algae and fungi from forming, and provides a strong bond on roofs subject to ponding water.

Cost Savings
Metal roofs and coating systems are a perfect match because they can save you money on your monthly electricity bill and taxes. Rubber coating systems are Energy Star rated for their high solar reflectance, keeping the air inside your home regulated while protecting your roof from radiating heat. Choose a white coating since they reflect more than 80% of the UV rays. Metal roofs protect against heat and light by reflecting both away from the roofing system, keeping your home cool. To ensure energy efficiency, your roof must be properly vented with quality reflective and radiative products, which also offer “Cool Roof” tax benefits for Florida homeowners.

Insurance Savings
Metal is preferred over traditional systems since its resistant to damages caused by weather and fire, so check with your insurance company to see if they offer savings for using superior materials.

Weight
Metal is a lightweight roofing material which often does not require additional support if your current roofing structure is up to par. Metal roofs also prevent against additional weight over time from absorbed water.

Eco-Friendly
Metal panels can be recycled.

Metal Roof Cons

Cost
The price of a new roof is always a key factor in upgrading your roofing system. A metal roof will cost more than a typical shingle roof (typically double the cost per panel) due to its outperforming qualities mentioned above. Metal roofing is a premium material so you will pay more upfront but will save in the long-term.

Sound
Metal roofs can be loud during storms, especially those with heavy winds or hail. Poor ventilation or loose materials can be a cause for the noise. Applying a layer of insulation over a solid plywood deck should prevent this.

Oil Canning
Oil canning affects all types of metal and looks like waves on the metal’s surface. Although it may be unsightly for some, oil canning does not have an impact on how well your metal roof will perform. It can be caused by installation over an uneven roof decking, improper handling or storage or panels, over-tightening the fasteners, and normal thermal expansion and contraction. To prevent this from happening, choose a panel design with striations as opposed to a flat panel, and select an experienced metal roof installer, like Advanced Roofing.

For a complimentary, no-obligation metal roof estimate, call (561) 571-5556  or click here to submit an online quote request.

Hurricane Preparation Tips for Homeowners

hurricane-preparation-tips-for-homeowners

Hurricane Preparation Tips for Homeowners

Learn how to prepare your home for the Florida Hurricane Season

With Hurricane Season in full swing, we’re reminded of the arduous work it takes to prepare a home for an approaching hurricane. From hanging shutters to gathering supplies, hurricane preparation can be a stressful and daunting task. But taking action before a storm hits can help protect your family and reduce property damage.

Here are a few ways you can reduce damage to your home as a storm approaches:

Close All Doors and Windows

A hurricane’s high winds can tear through a house and build upward pressure on the roof. Closing all interior and exterior doors and windows will help corral the pressure inside of the home and reduce the pressure on your roof, helping keep your house intact.

Shutter All Openings

Another way to prevent wind pressure inside your home is by securing shutters on all windows and exterior doors, including garage doors, or installing impact-resistant windows which provide protection without the need for shutters. Make sure that one or more doors are accessible exits should they be needed. Like many critical supplies, shutters are difficult to purchase once a starts heading your way so it’s important to purchase and install shutter hardware prior to the start of Hurricane Season. Labeling all shutters will speed up the installation process.

Plywood can provide protection in the event shutters are not available, if installed correctly. (However, taping windows will not provide any protection and should be avoided.) When using plywood, purchase ½ to ¾-inch CDX plywood in 4 ft. x 8 ft. sheets. Plywood should not be used to cover openings larger than this unless additional framing is added. Note: Two layers of 3/8-inch plywood will have the same effect as one ¾-inch layer. Orient Strand Board (OSB) is not recommended. The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety provides helpful guidelines when selecting shutters and other protective materials for your home.

Remove Debris and Trim Trees

During a hurricane, anything left outside that is not secured has the potential to be a projectile. This includes tree branches. Trimming damaged or dead branches, and branches near the roof eliminate the risk of damage. If you notice branches close to power lines, contact FPL to trim these branches as they are often the main cause of downed power lines during a storm. Never attempt to trim a branch near a wire. All debris should be collected, and outdoor furniture should be brought inside.

Trees should also be checked for their resistance to potential storms. Decayed or shallow-rooted trees can easily become uprooted during a storm. Here are a few tips on how to determine if a tree is at risk of being a threat during a storm.

Inspect Your Roof

A sturdy, strong roof is a safe roof. Wind and rain can get through a damaged roof, seeping into your home and potentially causing harm. Determine the strength of your roof by inspecting the roof cover, penetrations, off-ridge vents, ridge vents, and look for leaks in areas outside of the home, like the chimney, and from inside the house. Use this list to see what you should look for in each of these areas.

If your roof is in need of replacement, here are a few steps to take from the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety to make sure you’re getting the strongest roof possible:

  • Remove the original roof covering and underlayment to expose the roof deck.
  • Inspect the roof deck for damage, replace damaged sections to provide a durable nailing surface.
  • Re-fasten the roof deck (staples are not permitted; ring shank nails are ideal).
  • Seal the roof deck. A roof deck with the seams sealed helps keep water out if the roof cover is lost or damaged.
  • Replace roof-mounted vents with vents that meet Florida Building Code Test Standard TAS 100(A). These vents resist wind and water intrusion.
  • Install metal drip edge at all eaves and rakes to keep wind-driven rain out.
  • Install flashing.
  • Install new, high-wind rated roof covering per the manufacturer’s high-wind installation requirements.

Take action now to perform preventive maintenance inspections and repairs on your roof before and after a major storm hits. Advanced Roofing, Inc. is here to help. Call us at (561) 571-5556  or click here to have your roof inspected and documented so you are prepared this Hurricane Season.

Pros and Cons of Tile Roofing

tile-roof-installation-west-palm-beach

Pros and Cons of Tile Roofing in Palm Beach

Everything you need to know about tile roofing in Palm Beach

A tile roof is a perfect solution for homeowners in the West Palm Beach area looking to replace or upgrade their old shingle roofs. Tile roofs have aesthetic appeal, energy efficiency, Class-A fire rating, and can withstand hurricane-force winds better than other most other roofing products. The majority of tile roofs in Palm Beach come in two types: Clay and Concrete.

Clay Tile

Clay roofing tile come in many types such as Spanish S, barrel, and flat. Spanish S is the most popular choice in Palm Beach County. Clay tile is available in many colors with terracotta being the most popular in South Florida. Clay tiles are more expensive than concrete because they harder to make and install. Clay tiles can last up to thirty years with proper maintenance. Clay tiles also have the benefit of having superior waterproofing capabilities making them impenetrable to water which can help the roof stay free from algae. However, one downside to clay tiles is they are known to break from storm debris or people walking on them.

Concrete Tile

Concrete roofing tiles are much stronger than clay and can last up to fifty years. Concrete roof tiles are available in many colors and styles. A downside to concrete is the color can fade over time and develop algae growth. When this happens, homeowners typically use a pressure washer to clean the roof, which can be a bad idea because it can strip away the waterproofing capabilities as well as fade the color of the roof. We strongly recommend calling a professional roofing contractor to perform maintenance on this type of roof to avoid issues.

Tile Roof Prices

On average, tile roofs in South Florida cost between $4.00 and $15.00 per square foot depending on the product type. It’s best to have a professional roofing contractor inspect your roof and provide you with an accurate quote for the needs of your home.

Although tile roof systems can be more expensive upfront versus shingle roofs, the added benefits of having a longer lifespan and aesthetic appeal make this roof system an excellent choice for homeowners looking to replace their old roof.

Pros and Cons of Tile Roof Systems According to Home Advisor Pro:

Read the full article, click here.

Concrete: $4.00 to $9.00 per square foot

  • Pros – Lower cost both per tile and in maintenance, can be made to any shape or color; can be made very light-weight, very long lasting.
  • Cons – Will fade with time, can be difficult to install, takes longer to install than asphalt shingles.

Clay: $5.00 to $10.00 per square foot

  • Pros – Very attractive especially with Spanish or Italian style architecture, extremely long-lasting, easy maintenance.
  • Cons – Heavy (about 8 to 10 pounds per tile), difficult to install correctly, will darken with time which can affect your interior temperatures.

Terracotta: $6.00 to $15.00 per square foot

  • Pros –Extremely long-lasting, heat-reflective, won’t change color with time.
  • Cons – More expensive than most other tiles, very heavy, difficult to install correctly without proper tools

For more information on tile roof systems or to receive a complimentary project quote, call us today at (561) 571-5556 or click here. 

 

5 Must See Roof Maintenance Tips for West Palm Beach Homeowners

Roof Maintenance Tips for West Palm Beach Homeowners

Repairing your roof can be a big hassle. Having semi-annual inspections to look more closely at your roof can help you identify issues before they start and can help prevent costly repairs later. It’s also important to check your homeowners insurance annually to make sure there are no changes to your policy in regards to roof and storm damage.

It’s important to inspect your roof before and after the Rainy Season in West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, and all of South Florida. The five-month rainy season runs from June through October, when 70 percent of the year’s rain falls. And not to mention the dreaded H-word… Hurricane!

If you see any signs of a leak, like stains on the inside of the roof, or mold in the attic, call a licensed Palm Beach Roofing Contractor like Seabreeze Roofing immediately before it’s too late. Roof leaks get worse and worse, and it’s best to spend the time and money on preventive roof maintenance rather than a big repair, or worse have to replace the entire roof.

Signs to look for:

Damaged Shingles: look for missing or damaged shingles and any other signs of breakdown. They are cheap to replace.

Plant Algae: Look for fungus and algae. If your roof is starting to collect algae, install zinc or lead control strips.

Damage Flashings & Fascia Boards: Examine the flashings to make sure there is no damage.

Roof Debris: Remove excess debris from the roof. Tree branches, leaves and other garbage can damage the roof, cause algae to grow and clog gutters.

Overgrown Trees: Trim tree branches, at least, four-feet away from the roof to prevent damage from falling limbs, and to help keep critters from making your roof their new home.

Roof maintenance is often an out-of-site, out-of-mind task, but small issues with your roof can lead to some the most costly and annoying home repairs around. Get proactive, and schedule roof maintenance for your home or business today and make sure it’s in tip-top shape for this year’s rainy season.

To schedule roof maintenance or for a free project quote contact us today at (561) 571-5556, or click here.

 

Welcome To Our New Mobile Friendly Website

American Elite Roofing Company New Website 2015

Welcome to our new website and blog. After months of planning, we’re excited to announce the launch of our new mobile friendly website.

We wanted a website to best serve our customers on that which we are most passionate about: sharing our ideas and perspective on key issues in the South Florida Roofing Industry.

We hope you like our new website and the easy to use navigation that can allow you to find what you need fast.

We will continue to update the website as well as, completed projects and news with valuable information on roofing related issues, so please come back.

We value your feedback

Please let us know what you think of our new website and how we can better serve you- all comments and feedback are welcome.

Thank you for stopping by and we look forward to working with you.