Every homeowner requires a trustworthy roofer whom they can count on when they need roof repairs. Finding the best roofing expert can be challenging if it’s the first time you are hiring. Roof replacement isn’t a frequent activity, and thus many companies do not care about offering quality services. Therefore, a homeowner should be careful while settling for a roofing contractor. Services from a good roofing company will give you peace of mind and help you save money on constant repairs. Check the following qualities of a good roofing company. Use of Quality Materials A good roofing company will ensure the client uses the best quality materials when roofing. Many companies are after money and not the client’s interest. Cheap is expensive, and if the roofing materials are substandard, the homeowner will be at a loss. Good Communication Skills A homeowner should know the progress of the roofing project. Therefore, a reputable contractor should be transparent and honest. They should also be available to answer questions at any time with relevant facts. A good company should also have a website where you can reach them when not at the site. Check how they respond to other clients and their reviews. Do they have positive or negative reviews on customer service? From there, you will be able to gauge them. Local Referrals Hiring a local company comes with lots of benefits. First, the company is well known in your area and so is its reputation. The company is also aware of the area’s weather conditions, so they are best in advising you of the right roofing materials. In addition to that, a local company will be easy to follow in case something comes up. On the contrary, a far company may not always respond to problems quickly. Lastly, a good company that offers services for roofing Edmonton has a reputation to maintain, and therefore, quality roofing is what they strive to offer to their clients. Experience Experience is non-negotiable when looking for a roofing company. Poor installation is the leading cause of roofing problems. You may buy standard materials, but if the contractor is inexperienced, your roof will have issues. Check the number of years the company has been operational to determine its experience level. Consider companies with more than five years’ experience. License and Insurance A good company should have insurance for its employees and subcontractors. You can ask for a copy of the insurance certificate for validation purposes. Uninsured employees can cause extra charges to a homeowner in case he/she gets an accident at the site. Most states require licenses from roofing companies. If you are in such a place, ensure the company has a valid license. Warranty A roofing project is an expensive venture. Therefore, a good company should provide a warranty on material quality and workmanship. It is advisable to know the number of warranty years a company is offering. You can always shop around and compare with other companies before making a decision. You will have peace of mind and assurance that the company will provide nothing but excellent installation.

Sika’s Roofing team has appointed Tim Halls as National Sales Manager for New Build roofing in England and Wales. Tim returns to the UK after spending the last 10 years working for Sika globally in Saudi Arabia, China and Vietnam. Throughout this period he has promoted Sika’s roofing products, systems and technologies to a vast number of worldwide customers. “Sika is a global company that has allowed me to have some wonderful adventures. I have worked with some of the world’s largest consultants and contractors while at the same time experiencing other cultures and Sika businesses. But this position in the UK was a great opportunity and one I couldn’t refuse, I’m looking forward to working with our strong team of 11 salespeople in the new build sector,” commented Tim Halls. Sika’s Roofing team in the UK provides three distinct roofing solutions for its customers: single ply membranes, liquid applied membranes and bituminous membranes from its leading brands – Sika Sarnafil, Sika Liquid Plastics, SikaBit and Sika-Trocal. As well as market leading technologies, Sika has expertise within its technical and applications support for both new build and refurbishment flat roof construction. “It’s been a challenging year for us all, but we’ve come together as a team and worked extremely hard to achieve encouraging results, especially in these difficult times. It is now more important than ever that we stay close to our customers and provide them with the support and products they require. Tim is well-placed to use the experience he has gained while working in the wider Sika global arena to enhance our offering. We are looking forward to his contribution and he will have a large part to play in the exciting developments we have planned for 2021,” Pete Hollingworth, Business Unit Manager – Roofing and Flooring, welcomed the return of Tim Halls to the Sika UK team.

Starting your own roof repair company can turn out to be an excellent venture. Besides, all buildings have roofs and, in time, roofs can become damaged or worn. Owners would call contractors to fix their roof rather than have them replaced immediately because roof replacement can be costly.   Roof repair as a business can be both easy and very profitable as long as you follow the fundamental steps in starting and maintaining oner. If you’re thinking of putting up your own roof repair company, here are some tips you can follow:   1 Learn Important Business Skills  If you want to be a successful business owner, you need to know the essential skills in running a business. For a successful roof repair company like Johnson Exteriors, here are three skills you need to master:   Strategic thinking: This can be used to improve your company’s profitability and help you make critical business decisions. For example, you might want to consider a new marketing strategy that will enable you to expand into a new area, which will bring more revenue into your field.   Technical competence: This includes the ability to use software and computer systems effectively, such as Microsoft Office applications, understanding web-based customer service software, scheduling appointments, and creating marketing materials that have good graphics.  Interpersonal communication skills: As a business owner, you’ll need to effectively communicate with your employees, customers, and suppliers. You can only make this happen if you have both good conversation and listening skills.   There are also other helpful business skills involving finance, marketing, and leadership. These skills are also essential because they help you run your business smoothly and help you make sound decisions that would let your business grow.   2 Create A Business Plan  Once you know the necessary business skills, you’ll need to develop a business plan. This is essential if you want to attract investors to add capital to your business. As an entrepreneur, you need to have a well-written, well-thought-out plan that will show investors how the company will be organized, how it will market itself, and how the company will make money in the future.  A business plan is simply a map for you and anyone interested in joining your business to follow. It details all of the pros and cons of your business idea, as well as explaining how your roof repair services will provide a unique benefit to consumers. A quality business plan will also help you secure funding for your business in the future.  3 Gather Tools And Supplies  Once you have a business plan in place, you need to gather essential tools and materials. Without these, you won’t be able to begin a roof repair job. Having the equipment you need ahead of time will make things go more smoothly when setting up shop.  After you have the materials and tools you need, you’ll need to decide what type of roofing system you want to repair. There are several different roofing systems, including asphalt shingles, metal roofing, wood shakes, slate, ceramic tile, and synthetic membrane. Be sure to choose a design that you feel most comfortable repairing.   4 Marketing And Advertising  Now that you have everything you need, it’s time to get started. The most common things businesses forget to include in their plan is their marketing strategy and how to make their business visible to attract more customers. You can set up a shop right away, or you can build a website and advertise. You need to take a proactive approach and market your business to determine what area you will serve first.   Prepare a business card with all your contact information, which includes your business name, your full name, address, phone number, and email address. Next, you need to list all the services you will offer in your new roofing company business plan. You must mention the products that you’ll be selling in your brochures and advertising.  5 Customer Service  Quality service is essential if you want to succeed at roofing. Be sure to offer quality products and services. Customers will keep coming back to you if they like your work and are satisfied with your work. Be ready to answer queries and provide information that your customers can use to repair their roofing system. You can hire one or two people for this job, or work with a third-party customer service provider if you want to save some money.   Summary  Starting a business is not easy, but it is possible. What makes it possible is having a good business plan and a defined set of business skills to help you run your business efficiently. Having a business plan is very important for any new business as it determines your business’s future success. Once you secure your capital, you should start gathering supplies to begin your roofing repair company.   Don’t forget to also have a plan when it comes to marketing and advertising your business. Lastly, focus on customer service and providing vital information that will help your customers, which can earn their trust and build a positive reputation for your business.  

Smartroof, UK manufacturer of offsite, panelised ‘room in roof’ systems, has completed a £1.2 million investment in its Derbyshire production facility to drive efficiencies, improve quality and meet the growing demand for its modular roof system. The company is an award-winning manufacturer of ‘room in roof’ systems, providing a cost effective, safer and more efficient method of constructing roof structures. The investment at the company’s Swadlincote facility will see manufacturing capabilities increase by an impressive 150%. It means they will have the ability to produce up to 25 plots per day. As part of the investment at the 48,000 ft2 production facility, attention has been paid to layout and flow of materials. Five state-of-the-art fabrication bays have been installed along with 18 new overhead cranes. To further increase the efficiency of production processes, new automated CNC saws enable safe, accurate and fast cross-cutting, while new roof and spandrel benches have been constructed to incorporate retractable airline hoses for improved safety. Whilst improving staff safety and reducing waste, the investment has dramatically increased the company’s production capability. Speaking about the company’s investment in its UK manufacturing operation, Kevin Sherlock, Managing Director at Smartroof said: “Following the continuing growth of our business it became clear we needed to further invest in our production facility to match the expectation and growth in demand from our customers. With housebuilders turning to ‘room in roof’ systems, this investment has allowed us to improve our output and support the delivery of UK housing programmes with an innovative system that meets the requirements for quality, safety and performance.” The Smartroof system is a complete roof solution, designed to offer housebuilders and developers a solution to maximising sellable space by creating rooms in roofs. Comprising a series of factory produced panels incorporating insulated roof panels, spandrel wall panels, dormers, roof windows, GRP chimneys, soffit and fascia, it is delivered to site and craned into place. Once in place, the roofs simply require roof tiling. The system has many benefits – less waste, better control of quality, safer to install – and meets the industry’s demand for solutions that allow us to build better quality homes, more efficiently. The investment programme has reinforced Smartroof’s position as one of the UK’s leading offsite manufacturers of ‘room in roof’ solutions, enabling the company to meet the housing sectors growing demand whilst improving working conditions of its growing workforce.

A lovely roof and beautiful home exterior combination can strengthen a house’s charm for years. That’s why it’s crucial to look for the right blend which will suit your home’s distinctive personality.   Whether you’re installing a new roof or replacing the ones you have, read first the following four tips for choosing the best roof colour to guarantee you’re selecting the right shade for your home.   1 Search for Real-Life Models The optimal way to begin your search for the best roof colour is by checking existing roofs in your neighbourhood.  Likewise, you can google images of charming ceilings to kickstart your creativity, but remember nothing compares to observing the real thing.   Additionally, you’ll be seeing excellent colour combinations and those which are unsuitable. When you go around your area, you’ll also discover the prevailing theme in your location, which can be a huge factor in your decision. Typically, expert roofer recommend homeowners to select a shade that merges with the rest, but, at the same time, shines on its own.  2 Consider Your Home’s Climate Do you reside in an area that perpetually showcases hot weather? If your home features an attic, take note that the shade of your roof shingles can influence the attic temperature by roughly 20° to 40°. This fact can significantly impact the cooling or heating expenses of your home.   Remember that dark shingles draw in heat and help houses remain warm during wintertime. On the one hand, light shingles block the sunlight and reduce the temperature when the weather is hot.   3 Determine Whether to Revitalise or Tone Down Colour Meanwhile, if the exterior of your house features a variety of shades, it’s best to stick to low-key hues to defuse the splash of colours. But, if your home exterior is somewhat on the minimalist side, choosing a revitalising shade can do wonders for your structure. If you need help deciding whether to tone down or select a revitalising paint for your roof, consult a local roofing company near your area.  4 Match Colours Lastly, when choosing the best roof colour, keep in mind to match your shingles’ shade with the hues present in the trims, stones, tiles, stucco, or siding of your home. As an example, a black or dark grey roof combines well with a blue or grey home.   On the other hand, a blend of cream or brown shingles will look excellent in a tan, brown, or cream-coloured house. In case you own a yellow, green, or red home, these shades are more adaptable, and you can accentuate them with grey, brown, or black.   Final Thoughts Choosing the best roof colour can be a challenge when you consider all the available factors. Some homeowners prefer envisioning the result to help them make a decision. They try to visualise their roofs with metal, shingles, or tiles. Then they picture their preferred roof colour after the installation. Exploring many alternatives can be stressful. Hence, picturing the outcome can, in effect, remove unsuitable choices.  Please note that while some contractors recommend applying trendy shades to your roofs, those colours will not be attractive anymore in the future. Understand also that roofs last between 20 to 30 years. If you’re planning to market your home in the following 20 years, it’s best to adopt a subdued design. Remember, the majority of homeowners favour timeless charm rather than trendy styles for their houses.  

Construction managers overseeing domestic and commercial projects incorporating green roofs are being reminded to plan especially carefully over the coming months to best manage supply chain issues created by Brexit.  Many of the roll-out green roof systems popular in the UK are European imports of sedum and wildflower blankets and rely upon delivery within a set timeframe to ensure the sedum arrives in a suitable condition for the roof to establish successfully. However high levels of freight traffic in ports, compliance with new import regulations and border disruption could delay deliveries, creating issues in the supply chain and potential delays on-site. “Maintaining close contact with your green roof supplier or manufacturer will be critical over the coming months for two reasons,” said Julian Thurbin, Director of UK grower and system supplier Wallbarn. “Firstly, the sedum element of roll-out green roofs is usually delivered to site on a ‘just in time’ basis because the plants are delicate and should not, we believe, be left rolled up for longer than 72 hours. If the blankets are held up at borders it could impact their long-term performance and create delays on-site. Clients therefore need to know how their supplier is managing the situation and the plans in place to ensure on-time deliveries.  “Secondly, many British producers such as ourselves are already seeing higher than normal levels of enquiries from specifiers and purchasing departments looking to secure a home-grown green roof supply through the first quarter of 2021 and onwards. We don’t foresee demand outstripping supply but we are advising customers to plan well ahead. They should also keep dialogue open and frequent with their chosen supplier especially for larger projects or where timescales are particularly critical,” added Julian. Green roofs are a buoyant sector of the construction industry and bring huge benefits to environments they are installed into, encouraging and supporting pollinators and wildlife, controlling stormwater run-off, regulating city centre temperatures, improving air quality and being great to look at. Research has confirmed they also prolong the life of flat roofs, making them an environmentally friendly, long-lasting roofing solution. Wallbarn pioneered the M-Tray modular green roof system which contains all elements of a roll-out green roof within a portable tray that can be hand lifted into position on-site. M-Tray sedum and wildflower plants are grown in Hampshire and Wallbarn endeavours to source all elements of the system as locally as possible to maintain a low environmental footprint. 

Metal roofing has now become a viable option for almost all homes. If you are interested in the benefits of metal roofing, here are some things you should know. Replacing a roof is an expensive project and requires immense work. We interviewed a Sydney based roofing company, Exclusive Metal Roofing to get their take on all things metal roofing. We learnt that there are cost efficient ways for you to get a metal roof installed that provide you complete protection from the elements. In some cases, a metal roof can be a big advantage. In other cases, the negative factors outweigh the positive factors. Let us learn more and discuss the advantages and disadvantages, so you can determine if a metal roof is right for you. What Are the Types of Metal Roofs? The metal roof is made of copper, steel, aluminum, and other metals. Every component has its distinctive features, and roofing systems generally come in two distinctive forms: metal panels and metal tiles.  One seems to have an unique appearance, obviously with a metal roof, while the other is more traditional. The good news is that you can choose between traditional and modern styles because the two styles are so different. Metal sheet roof: This style does not obscure its essence. Long metal plates are stitched together vertically to give a stylish and modern look. This works best in modern style homes and keeps the look fresh and linear. Metal tile roof: This style has been carefully designed to look like a traditional roof and is available with Spanish tiles, wood, or slate.  They usually have multiple factory finish layers, including granular stone topcoats, to give them a realistic look. From ground level, this appearance may not differ from the traditional appearance. The function is the same as that of the metal panel. Check out the repairing and replacing guide of the tile/shingle roofing system. What Makes a Metal Roof a Great Choice? From durability to a clean look, there are many options for metal roofs. This new roofing method uses modern materials and technology to provide you with an excellent product. So let’s see what the benefits are and see what will help you. Life expectancy: The life expectancy of a metal roof can be the same as that of your home. Most companies support their products for 20-50 years.  Besides, if you paint on a metal surface, there is usually a 30-year limited warranty. This way, you can enjoy the benefits of your roof for a long time without having to worry about repairs or replacements. Complete protection: The metal roof can be sealed against water, strong wind, and snow. If you live in a snowy climate and want to hold an ice dam permanently, this could be your solution. Sustained resistance: A smooth surface avoids some of the risks that traditional roofs face. They are more resistant to mold, insects, and rot. If you are concerned about a fire, the metal roof can also achieve a fire rating of class A, the best possible rating.  However, if a metal roof is placed over existing shingles, the rating may drop to C, depending on the baseline conditions. Easy and quick installation: The metal roof is easy to install and can be quickly prepared. Sometimes they can be mounted directly on top of an existing roof, saving time and money.  Metal panels are surprisingly light as well, which means that savings can be made on technical projects and apartment supporting structures. Eco-friendly: Metal roofs can be made up of 95% recycled materials. Then, when the roof reaches its end of life, it can be 100% recycled. This means that it starts and ends in an environmentally friendly way! Heat conductivity: The metal roof reflects the radiant heat of the sun. The addition of specially formulated paints and cool pigments increases the effectiveness of heat reflection.  This means you need less energy for air conditioning. If you want to increase performance in the colder months, increasing the dead space between the roof and the roof covering can increase insulation. Effectively prevents rain and snow: Metal roofs perfectly prevent rain and snowfall. Their interlocking panels are combined with a hard and smooth surface that effectively prevents moisture from entering the house during rain and snowfall. Why a Metal Roof Might Not Be Right for You Professionals make the idea of a metal roof sound brilliant, especially when you know you can buy roofs that look like traditional roofs.  However, there are some disadvantages, ranging from initial cost to concern about whether repair or construction of additional parts is required. Let’s look at some areas that can be of concern. Expense: Metal roofs can be expensive. According to rough estimates, the cost of metal roofs is about two times higher than that of asphalt shingles. This has a longevity side to it, but sometimes the initial expense is not feasible. Noise: A problem you need to consider that metal roofs can be very noisy sometimes, and if hail or rain bothers you, it is not a great idea to have a metal roof. If you really want a metal roof, adding a concrete barrier minimizes noise and gives you the outcome you desire. The durability of Paint: Although most painted metal roofs come with a 30-year warranty, walking on them can cause additional wear. Scratches during installation will shorten the life of the paint.  To increase the durability of the varnish during installation, the panel should be handled with care. Modifications: Since the metal is large, small repairs can be a challenge. Also, if you build a house yourself, it is not easy to find the right materials. Check out the evolution of roofing maintenance. What to Consider if you Decide to have a Metal Roof? If you have weighed your options and decided that a metal roof is right for you, it is time to start shopping. We provide some important features to help you choose a great product that will get you the results you want. Warranty: Please note the guarantee and its source. It

What can a family do when their home roof starts making scary noises? Which noises are a concern and which ones are just a normal part of roofing? There are 4 types of roof noises that can happen for different reasons. Some noises happen in new homes and others are part of a home aging. If the noises are causing the family concern, call a roofing contractor to inspect the roof and find the causes of the roof noises. Finding Out What Those Noises Are and If Something Needs to Be Done About Them How is a homeowner supposed to know what is causing strange noises on their roof? The best way to solve the mystery of roof noises is to contact someone such as https://eriemetalroofs.com/ or another local roofing contractor for a roof inspection. Keep track of where you hear the noises and when you hear them. Keeping a roof noise journal for a while before getting a roof inspection can be very helpful to the roofing expert inspecting the roof. The local roofing expert can tell the homeowner what the noise is caused by, how serious it is, and if repairs are needed to get rid of the noise. Some noises are an irritation, but not serious and require no repairs. These noises might have to be lived with as part of the house. 4 Types of Roof Noises and Their Causes There are 4 basic types of noises the roof can make. 1. In a new home roof or a recently replaced roof, new wood materials might have some residual moisture that dries out with time and makes cracking noises. This problem will solve itself in many cases but it is best to have a qualified roofing contractor check it out to make sure there are no repairs required. Metal roofing if improperly installed can make noises. 2. If the house has an HVAC unit such as a swamp cooler on the roof or if ductwork runs through the house’s attic, noises can occur with changing temperatures or moisture levels around the system. Dirty ductwork can also cause noises. A malfunctioning HVAC unit can even dump water on the roof causing damage to the roof and attic or a mold problem. Fans, chimney caps, and other roof-mounted equipment can be loose or improperly installed causing noises. Skylights can cause or transmit noise. 3. The outside temperature can cause the roof to make noises if it changes too quickly which causes the roofing materials to expand and contract. The expanding and contracting can cause the roof to make noises such as banging. In this situation, a roofing specialist can check the roof to make sure it has not sustained damage from extreme temperature changes. Metal roofs and other roofing materials can be affected by these temperature changes. The wind can cause roofing to make howling noises when it blows from certain directions. 4. The environment and leaks in the roof can cause noise such as dripping or plopping noises. Roof leaks can be caused by storm damage, tree branches, roof materials breaking down with age, wind damage, or missing roof tiles. There can be noise from a tree branch rubbing against the roof doing damage even before it causes the roof to leak. Trees overhanging roofs can drop small branches, leaves, and acorns on roofs causing noises. Trees can also host animals that go from the tree to the roof making scampering noises. It Is Important To find the Cause of Roof Noises It is important to find out the cause of roof noise so that it can be avoided or if there is roof damage, it can be repaired. Regular roof inspections after bad storms, or when new noises develop can help roofs to last longer and make less noise.