Charlotte’s top-rated roofer explains choosing roof vents

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Roofer helps install the right vents for quality air circulation

Charlotte’s top-rated roofer can help you select proper ventilation for your roof. The method we must choose for our ventilation is evolving along with home design. To make sure you select the proper ventilation for your home, follow these simple steps.

Depending on roof type

You have choices if your rooftops feature gables, hips, and valleys. Use square vents at your roof’s peaks for an entirely open attic space. If the area is enclosed, you might need to add square vents to each mixed-use area of the roof. A gable-style roof also gives you the choice of using ridge vents rather than square ones at each peak.

You’ll want your roof vents to be taller the higher the peak. It’s crucial to avoid placing two tall vents across from one another, as when you need them to cover your attic space. By doing so, you can make sure that air is being drawn from the soffits rather than being exchanged.

Depending on roof color

It’s a smart idea to coordinate the roof vent color with the color of your rooftop. Your home will look better as a result of this. Four colors that complement common roof types are available for roof vents:

  • Black
  • Brown
  • Weather wood
  • Grey

Vent number

Installing the proper number of vents is crucial to preventing moisture buildup and property damage. It’s not required to employ various vent styles or mix different vent kinds in order to properly vent your home. In order to maintain proper airflow throughout your property, we also advise that 50% of your vents be exhaust vents and 50% be soffit vents.

Climate

Despite all of the aforementioned characteristics and fashions, ventilation needs vary depending on the climate. Snowfall in northern climates is often heavier than in many other American locations. We typically advise installing taller vents that will remain above the snow line because this heavy snow stays on rooftops for a longer period of time. Your square vents should make a path in the snow for air to flow through if they’re functioning properly.

Work with Charlotte’s top-rated roofer

Installing roof vents properly can help improve air quality inside the house. Work with the best roofer in Charlotte NC for outstanding results.

Steele Restoration is a fully licensed and insured Charlotte NC and Greenville SC-based general contractor and roofing company specializing in roofing, siding, and storm damage restoration for single-family homes, multi-family complexes, and commercial and industrial sites. We service Charlotte and surrounding areas, including Rock Hill, Lake Norman, Steele Creek, Matthews, Ballantyne, and Blakeney, along with Greenville and Spartanburg SC areas.

Roofer

Roofer in Charlotte explains the need for roof coating  

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A Roofer will coat the roof because coating it avoids leakage, it also slows down mold growth and moisture’s buildup that destroys roof membranes slowly. A roof coating can be defined as an enhancement to prevent roof fading and damage.

The sun being a powerful source of energy, its UV rays and the extreme heat it spews is as powerful as to cause damage to roofing’s topcoat. The reason why roofers coat the roof to fortify its integrity. This prevents leakage, moist buildup, and mold growth. A roofer will explain that waterproofing a roof is vital for its lifespan and the whole structure of the property.

Top Charlotte roofer talks about the benefits of roof coating

Your Charlotte roofer will explain that there are different types of roof materials and each type of these materials requires different roof coatings. Roof coatings are thicker than paint. These coats have elastomeric properties that enhance a roof’s surface which produces a thick film that seals cracks between gutters, flashings, and tiles. For example, metal roofs and other types of roofing materials such as bitumen, EPDM, tar, or spray polyurethane are perfect examples of roofs that require a roof coating. With time, various factors can degrade the quality of a roof. Talking about factors, natural hazards can be mentioned. And these include snow, UV rays, strong wind, storm, and water.

Your roof can become an impeccable piece if it is coated during its installation. Altogether, a roof maintains its integrity if coatings are applied because of the coat’s protective properties. A coated roof becomes impermeable to water no matter how long or strong rain could be. But without an effective coating of a roof, the roof is vulnerable to all kinds of damages.

Roof coating types

As mentioned above, there are different types of roof materials and each roof requires a certain type of coating. Coatings are produced with various formulas that apply to each type of roof material. A professional roofer knows the roof coating that is suitable for your roof’s surface.

Best roofers for roof coating in Charlotte, NC

Your roof serves as protection over your heads and they should be also taken care of. Not coating your roof could easily damage the roof membranes. If you need a reliable roofing contractor where professionals execute jobs with excellence, Steele Restoration is your best roofing plug! We’ll take care of you!  Steele Restoration is a fully licensed and insured Charlotte NC based general contractor and roofing company specializing in roofing, siding, and storm damage restoration for single-family homes, multi-family complexes, and commercial and industrial sites. We service Charlotte and surrounding areas including Rock Hill, Lake Norman, Steele Creek, Matthews, Ballantyne, and Blakeney. Contact our roofing repair company today to schedule an appointment.

Roof repair

Need roof repair in Charlotte, NC- find the best roofer

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Roof repair is one thing you should constantly do as a resident of Charlotte, NC. Many believe that they should only do a roof repair when their roof is totally damaged. That is not meant to be so. You should perform roof repair regularly as a form of maintenance. If you are having doubts about it, you should educate yourself about it.

Benefits of having regular roof repair

As earlier mentioned, as a resident of Charlotte, NC, you should always conduct repairs regularly. If you are yet to have a change of heart about it, educating yourself about the benefits that you would derive from it would make you consider it. Here are some benefits:

  • It extends your roof lifespan: This, of course, is the general advantage of conducting maintenance on any product. Quality roofing materials have a useful life of 15-25 years. However, roofing lifespan is not a stable count. If you live in an area where there are harsh weather conditions, then it is important to schedule maintenance frequently. Maintenance would add a couple of years to the lifespan.
  • You would able to know the weak points of your roof: Performing a roof repair would help you to know the weak points of your roof. You would know the places that are more vulnerable and likely to troubleshoot. With regular roof repair, you can, through the help of a contractor, determine which area of your roof may need fixing or replacing. It means that you can avoid more expensive damages and repair them immediately you detect before it worsens. Experts use different methods to detect if parts of your roof are in bad shape. Sometimes, you won’t have to fix it immediately, but knowing the task which needs to be fixed means you can prepare for it financially and repair it at the right time.
  • Protects your house generally: The roof does plenty of things; at the same time, it also protects your entire house from damage. A water leak can easily damage insulation, ceiling materials, walls, and floors if left unattended. Regular assessments can help you detect unseen and hard to spot issues with your roof.

Getting the best roofing contractors in Charlotte, NC

Now that you know the importance of getting a regular roof repair, you should be ready to get one. As a resident of Charlotte, NC, you need not look for contractors as they are not far away from you. At the same time, it is risky to try to repair on your own as it could lead to more damages. Contact the best contractors. Steele Restoration is a fully licensed and insured Charlotte, NC based general contractor and roofing company specializing in roofing, siding, and storm damage restoration for single-family homes, multi-family complexes, and commercial and industrial sites. We service Charlotte and surrounding areas, including Rock Hill, Lake Norman, Steele Creek, Matthews, Ballantyne, and Blakeney.

What to Check When Renovating a Historic Home

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Are you renovating a historic home? Many consumers don’t realize that owning a historic house has a downside. Any renovations and modifications that are done to the property must get approval from the city where the home is located regardless of which registry the house is included on.

Most historic homes are over 50 years old, but keep in mind that an old house isn’t necessarily a historic house. The National Park Service manages the National Registry of Historic Places. This is the official list that makes a home historic, rather than just old. Homes are placed or registered on this list due to age, architectural style, and/or overall significance. In some cases, entire neighborhoods have been designated as historic, and all the properties within are subject to certain restrictions.

Local Laws for a Historic Home

Laws governing the maintenance and restoration of historic homes are at the local level. Some of these rules and regulations are quite restrictive, and owning a historic house can often be a frustrating and expensive experience. It’s impossible to detail every rule/regulation. The final word on what can/can’t be done lies within your specific locality’s rules governing historic homes.

Start by contacting the city where you live. Be aware that if it appears on multiple registries, there may be multiple sets of rules to conform to. If you’re going to live in the home, it also must be brought up to code once work begins. This occurs as part of the permitting process.

Permits

Any modifications to a historic home will likely require permits. Most of the local rules/restrictions revolve around maintaining the aesthetics of the exterior of the home, sometimes even down to the type of landscaping that can be installed. Your city’s development office will be able to provide you with the guidelines and permitting process.

You should be prepared for some of your permit requests to be denied by the city. Understand that you don’t have control over what your house will ultimately look like; in fact, the governing authority has the final word. This means that any additions, changes to architectural style, color palette, and all exterior details will have to conform to current guidelines.

What Kinds of Renovations Are Allowed?

In general, interior renovations that do not impact the exterior appearance of the home may be allowed. It is still best to check with the city before proceeding with your project. Contact Steele Restoration, your local Charlotte roofing contractor for more information about renovating your historic home.

What Is the Cheapest Type of Roof?

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Need the cheapest type of roof? Your roof needs repair or replacement and your budget is limited? Are you building or renovating your roof while on a tight budget? If you are, you’ll want to select a roofing style that is affordable and energy-efficient and whose materials are sustainable. You’ll also need the various roofing components to be able to withstand harsh weather elements without running up your utility bills. Finally, these types of roofing should have a robust installation design that will keep them intact for years to come. For all of these advantages, which is the most affordable type of roofing to fit your slim budget? Here is a quick guide.

Roof Shingles

Shingles roofing features overlying materials that offer adequate cover from the elements. Further, it is available in at least 17 unique categories. These include metal, shakes, slate, tile, cedar, and asphalt types. The wooden and asphalt shingles are the cheapest and have the following attributes.

1. Asphalt Shingles

The asphalt shingles rank the best in appearance, affordability, environmental friendliness, ease of installation, longevity, and energy efficiency. Asphalt shingles are the most popular, lightweight and fire-resistant shingles with a lifespan of at least 30 years. More so, most manufacturers will offer a warranty of up to fifty years.

Then, when shopping for asphalt shingles, price is only one of the factors. Compare the hail ratings from the various brands in the market. This rating will give you a clue on the roofing’s durability and resistance. For example, a class 4 rating means your roofing will withstand strong winds or a hail storm. The UL2218 is the highest hail rating available. Asphalt shingles with this rating will remain intact amidst winds blowing at 110 mph.

Pros

  • Available in a variety of colors and styles to complement the style and appeal of your home.
  • They can last up to 30 years.
  • They offer adequate protection at an affordable price.
  • They are environmentally friendly.
  • They are easy to install.
  • They require minimal maintenance after installation.
  • They are energy efficient.

Cons

  • They are not ideal for flat roofs.
  • They may crack due to extreme temperature fluctuations.

2. Wooden Shingles

Do you prefer a home with a natural look at the lowest price possible? Then, go for wooden shingles. Typical wooden shingles use the fire-resistant redwood or cedar materials. Plus, you can spray a fire retardant on the materials. Once installed, wooden shingles can last up to 50 years and require minimal maintenance.

Now, if you spend a substantial budget on insulation costs, you’ll be glad to know that wooden shingles are natural insulators. Hence, opting for this energy-efficient roofing can help you manage your utility bills during winter.

Like asphalt shingles, always confirm the hail rating when shopping for the best wooden shingles brand. Further, check for the wind and fire resistance ratings.

 

Pros

  • They give your home a timeless rustic touch.
  • They offer additional insulation.
  • They use fire-resistant cedar and redwood materials.
  • They are budget-friendly.
  • They are quite resistant to insects.

Cons

  • They are prone to cracking due to extreme weather fluctuations.

 

Conclusion

Both the wooden and asphalt shingles roofs give you great value for the money. Even so, wooden shingles excel in resisting strong winds. And, asphalt shingles offer you better protection against rain and moisture. The roofs will serve you for a long time with minimal maintenance. Need a new roof but also need the cheapest type of roof? Contact Steele Restoration, your local Charlotte roofing contractor for more information on how to get your roof repaired or replaced and stay within your budget.

Reasons to Replace Your Asphalt Shingle Roof With Metal

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Asphalt Shingle Roofs compared to Metal roofing. When you’re upgrading or repairing your home, you’ll need to decide on a roofing material. Although asphalt shingle roofs are the standard in many neighborhoods around the United States, metal sheet roofing is growing in popularity. There are many good reasons to replace your asphalt shingled roof with sheet metal. Today’s sheet metal roofing systems are not the same as yesteryear’s. Here are some reasons to choose sheet metal for your new rooftop.

Authentic Rain Sounds

If you have trouble relaxing in order to fall asleep at night, you might turn to a noise machine. The sound of rain is one of the most popular choices for soothing sounds that help people fall asleep. With a new sheet metal roof on your home, you’ll be able to hear the natural sounds of rain. The engineering used to make sheet metal roofs lead to improved sound effects when it rains outside. You hear the rhythmic tapping of the raindrops. The sound isn’t too loud, but it could lull you into a restful nap or night’s sleep.

 

Aesthetic Appeal of Asphalt Shingle

Sheet metal roofs are available in a rainbow of colors. Perhaps you have a historic home, and a green or red roof would match its architectural details with an Asphalt Shingle roof. Maybe you have a mid-century modern home. There are neutral and bright colors to coordinate with it. If you have a southwest style of home, sheet metal roofs in a deep orange, warm brown or terra cotta color would complement it. Sheet metal roofs are also available in a range of textures. You could select one that resembles wood shakes, slate tiles or a vintage barn roof.

Longer Lifespan

An asphalt shingle roof has a lifespan of about 15 to 20 years. They also require a lot of maintenance. A missing shingle or a couple of popped nails can quickly lead to a roof leak. With sheet metal, the lifespan with proper maintenance is at least 50 years. A sheet metal roof might be the only roof you ever need to install on your home. The ceramic coatings used in the paints enhance the roof’s durability and help reflect the sun’s energy back into the environment. By installing sheet metal roofing, you can save on your monthly utility costs and the expenses of maintaining your home’s exterior. Make sure to choose a local roofing company.

Environmentally Friendly

Sheet metal is infinitely recyclable. The metal is often made from recycled materials, which requires fewer resources to make compared to an asphalt shingle roof. When a sheet metal roof needs to be removed and replaced, the metal can be recycled into other materials. With an asphalt shingle roof, the underlayment, waterproofing paper, and shingles themselves are typically not recyclable. By choosing sheet metal, you are helping conserve the Earth’s resources. Because the metal reflects the sun’s energy back into the air, your home’s attic or upper floor won’t get as hot. This leads to lower summertime cooling costs and a smaller carbon footprint. Contact Steele Restoration for more information about a Asphalt Shingle Roof for your home.

roof

Make a More Educated Decision About Your Next New Roof

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Your next new roof should be a major decision, and one that should not be made lightly or without a bit of thought, brainstorming, and comparison. Making a more educated decision can help you to feel comfortable with and confident that the choice you make is right for your home or commercial property. Comparing various types can help you to make an informed decision, even if you have never worked with roofing in the past.

Asphalt Shingle

Asphalt shingles are the most common solution not only throughout the U.S. but also around the world. Some of the advantages of working with asphalt shingles include affordability as well as ease of installation. Unfortunately, although asphalt shingle are affordable and easy to find and to install, they often have a shorter overall lifespan and are much more susceptible to high winds, storms, and other natural disasters.

 

Wooden

Opting for wooden is much more uncommon than going with traditional asphalt shingles. However, wooden roofing lasts much longer than traditional asphalt, sometimes upwards of 25 years in total. It is important to note choosing wood is much more expensive than alternatives on the market, including both asphalt shingles as well as metal solutions. If you are living in an area that is prone to wildfires or any type of fire, it is best to steer clear of choosing a wooden roof for your home or place of business.

 

Metal Roofing Solutions

Metal roofing options have become increasingly popular and in-demand in the past few decades alone. Choosing metal may not be the first solution you think of when you are considering investing, but it may be the right choice depending on your property as well as your roofing needs.

Metal roofing solutions are extremely appealing and attractive to homeowners and property investors as they have a lifespan of 60 years or more, depending on the type of metal roofing you have chosen. Additionally, metal roofing can help you lower insurance rates because they are less likely to catch fire or to become damaged in high winds, storms, and other natural weather disaster instances. Investing in metal is optimal if you are interested in getting creative with your roof choice since there are hundreds of color swatches and options available.

Before opting for metal roofing, it is important to note that you may require specialized roofers. Additionally, metal roofing is costly and will require much more investment than standard and traditional roofing jobs.

Understanding the different types of roofing can help you to make your next roof decision that is right for your home based on your current location, your home’s structure, as well as your budget and long-term plans you have for your home. With the knowledge and education of roofing and types, select the roofing that provides the highest return on investment for your home and future plans. Call Steele Restoration for help with this important decision.

3 Common Roof Problems and DIY Ways to Fix Them

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Keeping your roof in excellent shape is important in avoiding costly repairs in the future. However, your roof may eventually have a few problems, so it is a good idea to understand how to fix these problems yourself before they turn into more significant issues. Here are a few tips for how to repair common roof problems yourself.

 

1. Leaky Roof Problems

 

A leaky roof is an all-too-common problem for many homeowners and businesses. Getting the leak fixed as soon as possible is essential in limiting damage inside your home or building. A roof can be leaking due to a variety of reasons, whether it is due to damaged shingles, flashing issues, or curled shingles. You can re-secure a curled back shingle by coating it with asphalt roofing cement, and you can replace a damaged shingle. You can easily repair the metal flashing around your chimney by using a caulk gun to reseal the joints to prevent additional leaks.

 

2. Missing Shingles

 

Severe weather conditions can cause your shingle to blow off your roof. These missing shingles can cause significant damage to the structure of your roof if you do not replace it in a timely manner. All you need to do to replace a shingle is to purchase a new one and put it in the place of the missing shingle by using roofing nails. Applying a small amount of roof cement is also important to help you seal the shingle to the roof.

 

3. Roof Punctures

Fallen tree limbs during a storm can create significant punctures in your roof. Getting a tarp to cover these holes is critical in limiting further damages to your home. You can nail several pieces of lumber to secure the tarp on the roof to keep your home temporarily protected. Typically, it is a good idea to reach out to a professional roofing contractor to handle significant damages to your roof unless you have experience working in the roofing industry.

 

Understanding how to handle these common roofing problems is important for extending the lifespan of your roof and avoiding costly repairs. The average lifespan of an asphalt shingle roof is around 20 years, a wood roof can last up to 30 years, and a metal roof can last nearly five decades. While it is a cost-effective investment to fix minor roofing issues yourself, it is always a good idea to reach out to a professional roofing contractor for more complex repair work. Contact Steele Restoration for more information.