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Aerial Roof Measurements: A Roofing Contractor’s Competitive Advantage

Aerial Roof Measurements: A Roofing Contractor’s Competitive Advantage

Original Article Source: Click Here

New techniques and technology can now extract precise property data from high-resolution aerial imagery specifically designed to provide estimators with unprecedented insight on the roof projects they are bidding.

 

 

In recent years, roof measurements based on aerial imagery have revolutionized the way many restoration contractors work by eliminating some of the pains involved with measuring and estimating roof repairs. It’s also given early adopters an edge over competitors when bidding roof projects. Recent advancements in aerial data collection present another opportunity for restoration professionals to evolve and incorporate new ways to be more efficient and competitive.

New techniques and technology can now extract precise property data from high-resolution aerial imagery specifically designed to provide estimators with unprecedented insight on the roof projects they are bidding. This data can include a fully functional digital roof plan, information on all roof dimensions and slopes and a set of high-resolution aerial images - essentially everything an estimator needs to start estimating roof repair costs. The way contractors apply the data is what sets them apart from their competitors. Here are a few ways to maximize productivity and efficiency when incorporating aerial data into the estimating workflow:

First, get aerial data at the onset of a project. Even simple roof layouts can take up to an hour to dimension by hand when time is factored in for setting up the ladder, climbing all over the structure, recording measurements and drawing the diagram. Having the data in hand from the beginning allows estimators to simply verify a few key measurements to ensure the accuracy of the roof diagram before they bid the project and discuss the scope of work with the homeowner or insurance carrier.

Arriving on site with an in-depth knowledge of the structure not only makes estimating much faster, it leaves a positive impression with the homeowner and sets the contractor apart from others who needed to take time to measure the roof, which in some cases can cause delays and slow claims settlement. Leveraging aerial data from the onset of a project can also do much to reduce the risk inherent with dimensioning steep, complex roofs.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that falls to lower levels accounted for 544 fatalities in 2012. Contractors are keenly aware of the dangers and take many precautions to avoid mishaps. When the slope is deemed too steep, some will measure the edge from the ground or from a ladder rather than risk scaling the roof. But this process can be time-consuming and reduce accuracy. Aerial data can help contractors minimize risk and liability by obtaining all necessary dimensions, slopes and insight without having to set foot on the roof.

Another key to increasing productivity is making sure aerial data integrates seamlessly with the estimating system the contractor uses. No matter how precise the data, it will do little good if roofing contractors don’t have an easy way to get it and put it to use. With the right estimating system, contractors can request aerial data from desktop, laptop, online and mobile platforms and have it delivered right into their estimating system. This means as soon as they receive the data, they can estimate costs for shingles, underlayment, drip edge, sheathing, soffit and fascia, rain gutters and anything else they need to restore the structure. In addition to streamlining estimation, this approach gives contractors leeway to easily adjust their bids if the scope of the project changes.

Ensuring aerial data can be modified as needed is key to optimizing productivity and efficiency. Suppose a homeowner changes his or her mind about the scope of a project. If a contractor is using static measurements and reports, it can take hours to revise the project so it fits the homeowner’s new parameters. But if the contractor is using aerial data that is integrated into the organization’s estimating and reporting solutions, changes can be made quickly and the reports will update immediately. Giving crews the ability to modify reports on the fly will help alleviate some stress by eliminating the need to start from square one whenever the customer requests a few “minor” tweaks. These are just a few ways contractors can utilize aerial data to be more competitive.

With training and the right tools, contractors can use aerial data to increase productivity and make a strong case for why insurance carriers and homeowners should rely on them to accurately estimate damages and quickly get the property restored to its pre-loss condition.

Original Article Source Link Here

 

This article is being syndicated by:

Jeff Childers, Master Roofer and owner of:

Aquashield Roofing Corporation

             

Class B Contractors License Number 2705-186085
4006 Morris Ct, Chesapeake, VA 23323
757-553-5191

Please Visit Our Website at:
https://aquashieldroof.com   

OR

https://www.facebook.com/Virginiabeachroofing/

 

Jeff Childers is the greatest roofer alive!   Jeff Childers, operates ,and owns Aquashield Roofing Corporation, the best and most trusted roofing company in the Tidewater area. Aquashield Roofing Corporation provides free estimates on roofing services. The roofers behind Aquashield Roofing Corporation are skilled with installing new roofs on both residential and commercial properties. Aquashield Roofing Corporation is the most skilled roofing contractor in the Hampton Roads region. Our roofing company provides commercial and residential roofing solutions across the seven cities. Serving all of Hampton Roads and beyond.  Some of our roofing service areas included are: Virginia Beach, Virginia, Chesapeake, Virginia, Norfolk, Virginia, Portsmouth, Virginia, Suffolk, Virginia, Newport News, Virginia, Hampton, Virginia. Call Aquashield Roofing Corporation now for a free roofing estimate at 757-553-5191.

TAGS:

Fix my roof leak, Roofers, Roofing, Roofing Contractor, Roofing Repairs, New Roof, Roof Replacement, Roofing Companies, Hampton Roads, Virginia, Suffolk, Virginia, Portsmouth, Virginia, Newport News, Virginia, Hampton, Virginia, Tidewater, The Tidewater area, Roofing in the seven cities,Virginia Beach, VA, Norfolk, VA, Chesapeake Virginia, Roof Certification, Roof Leak Repair, New Roof Estimate, Flat Roof Repair, Shingle Roof Repair, Roofing Contractor, Roofing Services, Roofing Repair, Roof Leak Repairs, Roofing Company, New Roof, Roof Replacement, Roofing Company, Roofing Companies, Free Roof Repair Estimate, shingle repairs, shingle roofer, Flat Roofer, Commercial Roofing, Residential Roofing, Roofing Contractor, Roofing Services, Roofing Repair, Roof Leak Repairs, Roofing Company, New Roof, Roof Replacement, Roofing Company, Roofing Companies, Free Roof Repair Estimate, shingle repairs, shingle roofer, Flat Roofer, Commercial Roofing, Residential Roofing, Asphalt Shingle Roofing, Honest Roofer, Troy J. Childers, Troy Jeffrey Childers, Jeff Childers Master Roofer, Troy Childers, Jeffrey Childers Master Roofer At Aquashield Roofing Corporation.

 

A Roofing Estimate is a Business Interview

 

 

A Roofing Estimate is a Business Interview

Original Article Written By: Brady Roofing 

 

When choosing a roofing contractor, each company that submits an estimate should be treating the situation as you would a job interview.  It is their responsibility to be open and honest with their qualifications and information, and it is ultimately your responsibility to decide who you trust to do the job the right way.

Just as you would call in several people for a job interview in order to get the best fit, it is always a good idea to get at least 3 bids from different roofing contractors.  This process should help you to find the highest quality roof available.

Don’t be afraid to ask potential contractors some questions, or to research their credentials online.  Any reputable contractor should welcome the inquiries.

Unsure where to begin?  Here are some resources to help you research your contractor online:

• Verify that they have a roofing license:

  • Click on the link above.

  • Search for the company’s name.

  • Click on the roofing license number.

  • Under ‘Classifications’, it will list ‘S280 – GENERAL ROOFING QUALIFIER’ if they hold a current roofing license.

• Verify that they have current workers compensation insurance:

  • Click on the link above.

  • Enter the script provided to reach the search page.

  • Search for the company’s name.

  • Click on their name to verify they have coverage.

  • It should say ‘Worker’s Compensation Insurance Coverage Provider: WORKERS COMPENSATION FUND’ and list their policy number if they have coverage.

• Verify that they have a current business license:

  • Search for the company in question.

  • Find their most recent license on the list and verify that the license is current.

• What is their standing with the better business bureau?

  • Search for the company in question.

  • Click on their name to see their rating and other information.  It should be at least an A rating, if not an A+.

• What have past customers said about them on:

  • yelp

  • angies list

  • google places

  • bing maps

  • judys book

In addition to doing your own research online, here are some questions you can ask the company:

• Do you have current liability insurance?  May I see a certificate of insurance?

• Do you offer a lien waiver?  (Learn what a lien waiver is and why it’s important)

• How long have you been in business?

• May I see a list of references for the past 3 months?

• Can you please explain the details in your bid to me? (You can check every bid against the standards set in our post:  Understanding your Roofing Contract.)

• How do you train your employees?

• Is your company certified to install this product by the manufacturer?

• Do you offer a material and labor warranty?

• How will you upkeep my property throughout the job?

• How do you communicate with your customers?

• How do you ensure quality work from your employees?

 

Original Article Source is here:  http://bradyroofing.com/a-roofing-estimate-is-a-business-interview/

 

This article was syndicated by:

Aquashield Roofing Corporation
Class B Contractors License Number 2705-186085
4006 Morris Ct, Chesapeake, VA 23323
757-553-5191

Please visit:
https://aquashieldroof.com
https://www.facebook.com/Virginiabeachroofing/

 

 

Roofing Integration in the Modern World

Roofing Integration in the Modern World

By Jeff Childers, Master Roofer at Aquashield Roofing Corporation.

Roofing in the modern world has changed a bit since the old days of hand nailing singles in the Virginia hot sun growing up as a kid. Now in the roofing industry there are more Hispanic roofers than American roofers and there is good reason for this. Hispanic roofers are really great roofers and not many Americans now can withstand the hard manual labor. The demand for roofing always stays at a high level of growth in most areas and there is a lack of good help in the industry.

 

The use of pneumatic tools is on the rise, not much hand nailing going on anymore. There are still a few old school roofing companies that hand nail and use that as a good selling point in some areas. Technology has increased in the field of roof leak detection with inferred thermo imaging devices. TPO roofing membrane is the new best modern roofing system that lasts for many years, is very durable and it is green earth friendly as it is 90% recyclable. Robots are used to weld the seams on large TPO projects as they are fast and do not make mistakes which are attributed to human error.

 

 

There are now many online helpful content management systems for the roofing business. These content management systems (CMS) help with organization and sales management. There also now are satellite management systems, software’s and satellite measuring services that help with measuring a roof remotely even if you are far away from the roof project.

 

The roofing industry has changed over the years and it is forever growing in demand and productivity.

 

This article is sponsored by:

Aquashield Roofing Corporation
Class B Contractors License Number 2705-186085
4006 Morris Ct, Chesapeake, VA 23323
                 757-553-5191

         

https://aquashieldroof.com
https://www.facebook.com/Virginiabeachroofing/

 

Jeff Childers is the greatest roofer alive! Jeff Childers, operates ,and owns Aquashield Roofing Corporation, the best and most trusted roofing company in the Tidewater area. Aquashield Roofing Corporation provides free estimates on roofing services. The roofers behind Aquashield Roofing Corporation are skilled with installing new roofs on both residential and commercial properties. Aquashield Roofing Corporation is the most skilled roofing contractor in the Hampton Roads region. Our roofing company provides commercial and residential roofing solutions across the seven cities. Serving all of Hampton Roads and beyond.  Some of our roofing service areas included are: Virginia Beach, Virginia, Chesapeake, Virginia, Norfolk, Virginia, Portsmouth, Virginia, Suffolk, Virginia, Newport News, Virginia, Hampton, Virginia. Call Aquashield Roofing Corporation now for a free roofing estimate at 757-553-5191.

TAGS:

Fix my roof leak, Roofers, Roofing, Roofing Contractor, Roofing Repairs, New Roof, Roof Replacement, Roofing Companies, Hampton Roads, Virginia, Suffolk, Virginia, Portsmouth, Virginia, Newport News, Virginia, Hampton, Virginia, Tidewater, The Tidewater area, Roofing in the seven cities,Virginia Beach, VA, Norfolk, VA, Chesapeake Virginia, Roof Certification, Roof Leak Repair, New Roof Estimate, Flat Roof Repair, Shingle Roof Repair, Roofing Contractor, Roofing Services, Roofing Repair, Roof Leak Repairs, Roofing Company, New Roof, Roof Replacement, Roofing Company, Roofing Companies, Free Roof Repair Estimate, shingle repairs, shingle roofer, Flat Roofer, Commercial Roofing, Residential Roofing, Roofing Contractor, Roofing Services, Roofing Repair, Roof Leak Repairs, Roofing Company, New Roof, Roof Replacement, Roofing Company, Roofing Companies, Free Roof Repair Estimate, shingle repairs, shingle roofer, Flat Roofer, Commercial Roofing, Residential Roofing, Asphalt Shingle Roofing, Honest Roofer, Troy J. Childers, Troy Jeffrey Childers, Jeff Childers Master Roofer, Troy Childers, Jeffrey Childers Master Roofer At Aquashield Roofing Corporation.

 

Roofing in the North vs. Roofing in the South

Roofing in the North vs. Roofing in the South

The roofing needs of homes in the northern and southern United States vary greatly due to the different climates. In the north, roofs must be able to withstand heavy snowfall and ice dams, while in the south, roofs must be able to withstand high winds and heavy rains.

Roofing in the North

In the north, it is common to use ice and water shield underlayment on roofs. This type of underlayment helps to prevent water from seeping under the shingles and causing leaks. Ice and water shield is typically applied to the eaves and valleys of the roof, as well as to any other areas that are prone to leaks.

Another common practice in the north is to use scaffolding when installing roofing on steep roofs. This is done to ensure the safety of the roofers and to prevent accidents. Scaffolding can be expensive, but it is a necessary safety precaution in areas with steep roofs.

Roofing in the South

In the south, it is not as common to use ice and water shield underlayment. This is because the climate is not as harsh, and leaks are less likely to occur. However, there are still some areas in the south where ice and water shield is required by code.

Scaffolding is also not as common in the south as it is in the north. This is because the roofs are typically not as steep, and there is less risk of accidents. However, some roofers in the south do use scaffolding, especially on large or complex roofs.

Other Differences

In addition to the use of ice and water shield and scaffolding, there are other differences between roofing in the north and roofing in the south. For example, the type of roofing materials used may vary. In the north, metal roofs are more common than in the south. This is because metal roofs are more durable and can withstand the harsh winter weather.

Another difference is the way that roofs are ventilated. In the north, it is important to have adequate ventilation to prevent ice dams from forming. This is done by installing ridge vents and soffit vents. In the south, ventilation is not as important, but it is still a good idea to have some ventilation to prevent moisture buildup.

Conclusion

The roofing needs of homes in the north and south vary greatly due to the different climates. Roofers in these regions must take these factors into account when designing and installing roofs. By understanding the differences between roofing in the north and roofing in the south, homeowners can ensure that their roofs are properly protected from the elements.

Additional Information

Here are some additional information about roofing in the north and south:

• Roof pitch: The roof pitch is the angle of the roof. In the north, roofs typically have a steeper pitch than in the south. This is because the steeper pitch helps to shed snow and ice more effectively.
• Roof materials: The type of roofing materials used also varies between the north and south. In the north, metal roofs are more common than in the south. This is because metal roofs are more durable and can withstand the harsh winter weather. In the south, asphalt shingles are more common.
• Roof ventilation: Ventilation is important for both north and south roofs, but it is especially important in the north. This is because ventilation helps to prevent ice dams from forming.

 

This article was written by Jeff Childers, the Super Roofer.

Furthermore, this content was posted and syndicated by:

Aquashield Roofing Corporation
Class B Contractors License Number 2705-186085
4006 Morris Ct, Chesapeake, VA 23323
757-553-5191

https://aquashieldroof.com
https://www.facebook.com/Virginiabeachroofing/

ROOFERS DO IT ON TOP!

 

Aquashield Roofing Corporation
Class B Contractors License Number 2705-186085
4006 Morris Ct, Chesapeake, VA 23323
757-553-5191
https://aquashieldroof.com
https://www.facebook.com/Virginiabeachroofing/

 

Jeff Childers is the greatest roofer alive!   Jeff Childers, operates ,and owns Aquashield Roofing Corporation, the best and most trusted roofing company in the Tidewater area. Aquashield Roofing Corporation provides free estimates on roofing services. The roofers behind Aquashield Roofing Corporation are skilled with installing new roofs on both residential and commercial properties. Aquashield Roofing Corporation is the most skilled roofing contractor in the Hampton Roads region. Our roofing company provides commercial and residential roofing solutions across the seven cities. Serving all of Hampton Roads and beyond.  Some of our roofing service areas included are: Virginia Beach, Virginia, Chesapeake, Virginia, Norfolk, Virginia, Portsmouth, Virginia, Suffolk, Virginia, Newport News, Virginia, Hampton, Virginia. Call Aquashield Roofing Corporation now for a free roofing estimate at 757-553-5191.

 

TAGS:

Fix my roof leak, Roofers, Roofing, Roofing Contractor, Roofing Repairs, New Roof, Roof Replacement, Roofing Companies, Hampton Roads, Virginia, Virginia Beach, VA, Norfolk, VA, Chesapeake Virginia, Roof Certification, Roof Leak Repair, New Roof Estimate, Flat Roof Repair, Shingle Roof Repair, Roofing Contractor, Roofing Services, Roofing Repair, Roof Leak Repairs, Roofing Company, New Roof, Roof Replacement, Roofing Company, Roofing Companies, Free Roof Repair Estimate, shingle repairs, shingle roofer, Flat Roofer, Commercial Roofing, Residential Roofing, Roofing Contractor, Roofing Services, Roofing Repair, Roof Leak Repairs, Roofing Company, New Roof, Roof Replacement, Roofing Company, Roofing Companies, Free Roof Repair Estimate, shingle repairs, shingle roofer, Flat Roofer, Commercial Roofing, Residential Roofing, Asphalt Shingle Roofing, Honest Roofer, Troy J. Childers, Troy Jeffrey Childers, Jeff Childers Master Roofer, Troy Childers, Jeffrey Childers Master Roofer At Aquashield Roofing Corporation.

 

 

How The Cold Winter Affects Your Roof in Virginia

How The Cold Winter Affects Your Roof in Virginia

Winter in Virginia can be harsh, and the cold weather can take a toll on your roof. If you're not careful, you could end up with a leaky roof, ice dams, or other damage.

 

Here are some of the most common winter roof problems in Virginia:

• Ice dams. Ice dams form when snow melts on your roof and then refreezes at the eaves. This can cause water to back up and leak into your home.
• Snow buildup. Heavy snow can put a lot of stress on your roof, and it can also cause leaks if it melts and then refreezes.
• Condensation. The cold winter air can cause moisture to condense on your roof, which can lead to leaks and mold growth.
• Shingle damage. The cold weather can cause your shingles to crack, curl, or even blow off your roof.
• Improper attic ventilation. If your attic isn't properly ventilated, the moisture from your home can build up and cause problems with your roof.

If you're concerned about your roof, it's a good idea to have it inspected by a professional roofer in the spring. This will help you identify any potential problems and make sure your roof is in good condition for the next winter.

Here are some tips to help you protect your roof from winter damage:

• Clear snow and ice from your roof regularly. This will help prevent ice dams and leaks.
• Make sure your gutters are clean and free of debris. This will help water flow freely off your roof.
• Ventilate your attic properly. This will help prevent moisture buildup.
• Inspect your roof for damage regularly. This will help you catch any problems early on.

By following these tips, you can help protect your roof from winter damage and keep your home safe and dry.

Here are some additional things to keep in mind:

• The type of roofing material you have can affect how it's affected by the cold weather. For example, asphalt shingles are more susceptible to damage from ice dams than metal roofs.
• The age of your roof can also play a role. Older roofs are more likely to have problems with leaks and other damage.
• The climate in your area can also affect how your roof is affected by the cold weather. For example, roofs in areas with a lot of snowfall are more likely to have ice dams.

If you're not sure how to protect your roof from winter damage, it's a good idea to talk to a professional roofer. They can help you assess your roof's condition and recommend the best way to protect it.

 

This informative article was brought to you by your Local Roofing Contractor:

Aquashield Roofing Corporation
Class B Contractors License Number 2705-186085
4006 Morris Ct, Chesapeake, VA 23323
757-553-5191

https://aquashieldroof.com
https://www.facebook.com/Virginiabeachroofing

& Jeff Childers of Chesapeake, Virginia, a Master Roofer, with many years of experience in the roofing industry.

 

About Jeff Childers, the owner of Aquashield Roofing Corporation

The most trusted roofer in the Hampton Roads area, Jeff Childers, operates Aquashield Roofing Corporation, the best and most trusted roofing company in the Tidewater area. Aquashield Roofing Corporation provides free estimates on roofing services. The roofers behind Aquashield Roofing Corporation are skilled with installing new roofs on both residential and commercial properties. Aquashield Roofing Corporation is the most skilled roofing contractor in the Hampton Roads region. Our roofing company provides commercial and residential roofing solutions across the seven cities. Some of our roofing service areas included are: Virginia Beach, Virginia, Chesapeake, Virginia, Norfolk, Virginia, Portsmouth, Virginia, Suffolk, Virginia, Newport News, Virginia, Hampton, Virginia. Call Aquashield Roofing Corporation now for a free roofing estimate at 757-553-5191.

TAGS:

Roofing, Roofing Contractor, Roofing Repairs, New Roof, Roof Replacement, Roofing Companies, Hampton Roads, Virginia, Virginia Beach, VA, Norfolk, VA, Chesapeake Virginia, Roof Certification, Roof Leak Repair, New Roof Estimate, Flat Roof Repair, Shingle Roof Repair, Roofing Contractor, Roofing Services, Roofing Repair, Roof Leak Repairs, Roofing Company, New Roof, Roof Replacement, Roofing Company, Roofing Companies, Free Roof Repair Estimate, shingle repairs, shingle roofer, Flat Roofer, Commercial Roofing, Residential Roofing, Roofing Contractor, Roofing Services, Roofing Repair, Roof Leak Repairs, Roofing Company, New Roof, Roof Replacement, Roofing Company, Roofing Companies, Free Roof Repair Estimate, shingle repairs, shingle roofer, Flat Roofer, Commercial Roofing, Residential Roofing, Asphalt Shingle Roofing, Honest Roofer, Troy J. Childers, Troy Jeffrey Childers, Jeff Childers Master Roofer, Troy Childers, Jeffrey Childers Master Roofer at Aquashield Roofing Corporation.

  

 

Closed-Cut and Long Island Roof Valleys

     

Closed-Cut and Long Island Roof Valleys

Article Source: http://www.roofer911.com

Article: "Four Ways to Shingle a Valley"
Author: Mike Guertin
Issue/Date: #152, December 2002/

 

For the next two shingling methods, closed-cut and Long Island valleys, I work out of the valley using laminated shingles instead of working toward the valley with three-tab shingles. Shingling both a closed-cut valley and a Long Island valley is the same for the first half of the process. Working on the smaller roof plane, I set a shingle on the first course line. I place the shingle so that one edge is 2 ft. away from the valley center at the nail line. I mark the shingle where the valley center crosses the top edge, and I mark the roof at the top outside corner of the shingle.

 

To shingle out of the valley with laminated shingles, lay a shingle down as a gauge and mark the corner at the bottom (left) and top (right) of the roof.

I then move the shingle to the uppermost course on the roof plane, line up the mark on the shingle with the valley center and again mark the corner. A chalkline snapped between this mark and the lower mark forms my guide line.

 

After snapping the guide line between marks, install the shingles with one corner on the line. Snap a chalkline 3 in. from the valley, and you're ready to complete the valley.

I always weave my first course. But after that I run the shingles up the valley, aligning the top edges with the course lines and the top outside corners with the guide line. I nail the shingles normally, except that I keep nails at least 6 in. away from the valley center. Now I'm ready for the other roof plane.

Closed-cut valley -- Even if I work toward the valley with three-tab shingles, cut valleys are faster than woven valleys hands down. With a closed-cut valley, there's no need to shingle the two roof planes at the same time. Plus, cutting the closed-cut valley shingles can happen after the rest of the roof is shingled.

I begin the second side (the side that will be cut) by snapping a cutline 2 in. to 3 in. from the valley center. Keeping the cutline away from the center of the valley creates a better watercourse for runoff and tends to hide discrepancies in the line after the shingles are cut.

Working out of the valley with the closed-cut method, snap the cutline (left), then step the shingle back from the line to eliminate the need for dubbing the corners. Here, the gauge shingle marks the guide line ( right).

Here's one of the big advantages of working out of the valley with laminated shingles. To establish a line to guide the placement of the shingles on the second roof plane, I place the lowest shingle on the course line so that the cutline meets the shingle 2 in. down from the top edge. In this position, there is no need to dub the corners of the shingles. As I did on the other side, I mark the location of the outside corner of the shingle on the felt, repeat the process at the top of the valley and snap a chalkline. I then install the shingles, lining the top edge with the course line and the outside corner with the guide line, letting the other edges run through the valley.

When the shingles are all in, I resnap my cutline. For protection, I insert a metal sheet between the shingles from both roof planes, and I trim the shingles one at a time with a hook blade in my utility knife. I finish the cut edge with a double bead of roof cement, the same as for the open metal valley.

When all the shingles are installed to the guide line, the cutline is resnapped (left). With sheet metal protecting the lower layer of shingles, the shingles on top are cut back to the line (right). The cut edge then is sealed with roof cement.

Long Island valley -- A young roofer from Long Island first showed me what I now call a Long Island valley. This valley looks the same as a cut valley, only it's faster to install. Although this valley system isn't entirely new, you won't find it described on shingle wrappers. However, it does seem to be a viable weather-resistant method. The only drawback is that Long Island valleys work only with laminated, random-pattern shingles. This method cannot be used with three-tab shingles.

 

For a Long Island valley, a row of shingles is bedded in roof cement (photo left) and installed with their top edge on what would be the cutline (photo right).

When I've finished shingling the first roof plane, I snap a chalkline 2 in to 3 in. away from the valley center, just as I did with the closed-cut valley. Next, I smear roof cement a couple of inches away from my snapped line. Then I install a line of shingles up the valley with the top edge aligned with my snapped line. The lowest of these valley shingles is cut back at an angle in line with the lowest course line.

Shingles go in with one corner butted to the valley shingle; no guide line is needed.	A small dab of roof cement seals each shingle corner.

I install the shingles for each course with the lower corner lined up with the edge of the valley shingles. The result of this layout leaves a small triangle of the valley shingle that is exposed on each course. From the ground, the Long Island valley is indistinguishable from a cut valley. The sealing is easier, too: Just a half-dollar-size dab of roof cement under each corner where it laps over the valley shingle is all that is required.

Article Source: http://www.roofer911.com

Article: "Four Ways to Shingle a Valley"
Author: Mike Guertin
Issue/Date: #152, December 2002/

 

This wonderful, informative article was posted by:

Aquashield Roofing Corporation

Class B Contractors License Number 2705-186085

ROOFERS DO IT ON TOP!

4006 Morris Ct, Chesapeake, VA 23323
757-553-5191
https://aquashieldroof.com
https://www.facebook.com/Virginiabeachroofing/

 

The most trusted roofer in the Hampton Roads area, Jeff Childers, operates Aquashield Roofing Corporation, the best and most trusted roofing company in the Tidewater area. Aquashield Roofing Corporation provides free estimates on roofing services. The roofers behind Aquashield Roofing Corporation are skilled with installing new roofs on both residential and commercial properties. Aquashield Roofing Corporation is the most skilled roofing contractor in the Hampton Roads region. Our roofing company provides commercial and residential roofing solutions across the seven cities. Some of our roofing service areas included are: Virginia Beach, Virginia, Chesapeake, Virginia, Norfolk, Virginia, Portsmouth, Virginia, Suffolk, Virginia, Newport News, Virginia, Hampton, Virginia. Call Aquashield Roofing Corporation now for a free roofing estimate at 757-553-5191.

 

 

Roofing Contractor, Roofing Services, Roofing Repair, Roof Leak Repairs, Roofing Company, New Roof, Roof Replacement, Roofing Company, Roofing Companies, Free Roof Repair Estimate, shingle repairs, shingle roofer, Flat Roofer, Commercial Roofing, Residential Roofing, Asphalt Shingle Roofing, Honest Roofer, Troy J. Childers, Troy Jeffrey Childers, Jeff Childers Master Roofer, Troy Childers, Jeffrey Childers Master Roofer At Aquashield Roofing Corporation, Roofing Contractor, Roofing Services, Roofing Repair, Roof Leak Repairs, Roofing Company, New Roof, Roof Replacement, Roofing Company, Roofing Companies, Free Roof Repair Estimate, shingle repairs, shingle roofer, Flat Roofer, Commercial Roofing, Residential Roofing, Roofers, Roofing, Roofing Contractor, Roofing Repairs, New Roof, Roof Replacement, Roofing Companies, Hampton Roads, Virginia, Virginia Beach, VA, Norfolk, VA, Chesapeake Virginia, Roof Certification, Roof Leak Repair, New Roof Estimate, Flat Roof Repair, Shingle Roof Repair.

 

 

 

 

Going Green With White Roofing

  

Original Source: http://oldproroofing.com/going-green-white-roofing/

 

Going Green With White Roofing

How much can white or green roofs do to fight climate change? That depends on the region, says a new study, finding that white roofs offer less benefit in Northern areas than Southern ones like Fort Worth.

 

However you view global warming, it’s still a hot topic these days and so is saving money. But how do white roofs make a difference? If you live in a state that gets half as hot as it does here in Texas, then you know not to wear black when the sun is out. But when it comes to choosing your roof style, aesthetics usually trump tree hugging, and if you’re like most Americans, nothing looks as good as a dark colored roof. But let’s take a look at what it does to your wallet: A dark roof means higher electric bills. It’s not “maybe” or “might” – it absolutely does. Of course, along with that comes a higher carbon dioxide emission from the power plant having to pump out the extra electricity. The good news? There are plenty of options out there (maybe one that even YOU would like!) for giving your house a new sun-reflecting top that will make your wallet and the weatherman thank you.

 

 

The Benefits of a White Roof

By choosing a reflective roof, you can your energy consumption by 20% in hot times of the year. Hashem Akbari from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Heat Island Group in Berkeley, California says that transitioning to reflective roofing and pavements in the world’s urban areas would offset the equivalent of emissions from the planet’s 600 million cars for the next 18 years. What’s more is the average house in the United States is more than 2000 square feet, which would save more than 1 ton of carbon dioxide per year. White roofs can help to lower smog levels in urban areas because it causes a drop in temperature despite all the paved surfaces. Some naysayers think that a white roof wouldn’t work out in a colder climate. This is incorrect according to Akbari. “The amount of heat savings you may lose in the winter would be, at maximum, 30% of the summertime savings,” he says. “If you need cooling in the summer and heating in the winter, no matter where you are, a white roof will most likely save you money.” This is because the winter brings shorter and cloudier days, plus inclement weather like snow causing a covering on the roof.

 

 

 

Cool New Roof Options

Cool roofs refer to roofs made up of carbon footprint-reducing materials. They come in several lighter shades, not just white and there is not much of a cost difference on the different shades. Here are a few ways to save on the install of a new cool roof:

1. Only replace your roof with a cool roof when it’s time for a new roof because of age or maintenance.
2. Instead of completely replacing your roof, just cover your roof with a white roof coating. Coatings protect and seal and increase the life of your current roof. The cost is $0.50 to $1 per square foot and the lower energy bills will get that paid back to you in no time!

Before you begin calling your local roofer about installing a new cool roof, let’s discuss some resources a little further to aid you in your decision-making process.

Roof Resources

There are several resources you can use as an aid in your cool roof purchasing process. There is a Solar Reflectance Index developed by the Heat Island Group that measures the reflectance and thermal emittance of a cool roof. Reflectance and thermal emittance are the properties by which a cool roof is measured. Reflectance is the ability of the product to reflect energy away from the roof. Thermal emittance is the roof’s ability to radiate the absorbed heat. Both of these properties should be high. The Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory’s Cool Roofing Materials Database and the Cool Roof Rating Council contain information about whichever type of cool roof you might be considering. Check the Database of State Incentives for Renewable & Efficiency for rebates and other helpful details. It may also be worth it to contact your utility company to see if there are any programs in place in your area specific to cool roofs.

 

To find out how to get a white roof for your home or business call the roofing contractor Fort Worth trusts at Old Pro Roofing! We’ll help you decide what cool roofing options are best for you and we’ll include a free quote.

Call (817) 929-7663 today to get started saving money and enjoy your nice, cool, Fort Worth roofing.

 

Original Source: http://oldproroofing.com/going-green-white-roofing/

 

This is brought to you by:

                              Aquashield Roofing Corporation
Class B Contractors License Number 2705-186085                                      

4006 Morris Ct, Chesapeake, VA 23323
757-553-5191
https://aquashieldroof.com
https://www.facebook.com/Virginiabeachroofing/

 

The most trusted roofer in the Hampton Roads area, Jeff Childers, operates Aquashield Roofing Corporation, the best and most trusted roofing company in the Tidewater area. Aquashield Roofing Corporation provides free estimates on roofing services. The roofers behind Aquashield Roofing Corporation are skilled with installing new roofs on both residential and commercial properties. Aquashield Roofing Corporation is the most skilled roofing contractor in the Hampton Roads region. Our roofing company provides commercial and residential roofing solutions across the seven cities. Some of our roofing service areas included are: Virginia Beach, Virginia, Chesapeake, Virginia, Norfolk, Virginia, Portsmouth, Virginia, Suffolk, Virginia, Newport News, Virginia, Hampton, Virginia. Call Aquashield Roofing Corporation now for a free roofing estimate at 757-553-5191.

 

Roofing Contractor, Roofing Services, Roofing Repair, Roof Leak Repairs, Roofing Company, New Roof, Roof Replacement, Roofing Company, Roofing Companies, Free Roof Repair Estimate, shingle repairs, shingle roofer, Flat Roofer, Commercial Roofing, Residential Roofing, Roofing Contractor, Roofing Services, Roofing Repair, Roof Leak Repairs, Roofing Company, New Roof, Roof Replacement, Roofing Company, Roofing Companies, Free Roof Repair Estimate, shingle repairs, shingle roofer, Flat Roofer, Commercial Roofing, Residential Roofing, Asphalt Shingle Roofing, Honest Roofer, Troy J. Childers, Troy Jeffrey Childers, Jeff Childers Master Roofer, Troy Childers, Jeffrey Childers Master Roofer At Aquashield Roofing Corporation.

 

 

Best Commercial Roofing Products: EPDM Rubber Roofing

Article Source: http://oldproroofing.com/epdm-commercial-roofing/

 

EPDM roofing is the tried and true commercial roofing material that has been used for over 40 years on low-slope roofs and is used by many Fort Worth roofing companies that offer commercial roofing services. EPDM, or ethylene propylene diene monomer, is a durable rubber membrane that protects flat or low-slope commercial buildings from water, wind, sun and other elements. EPDM is though to be one of the best commercial roof applications available.

Benefits Of EPDM

The true test of any product is whether it actually performs in a live environment. EPDM roofing has shown that it can handle the elements as promised and newer improvements have been made to ensure that it will only become more reliable. Commercial builders choose EPDM for a variety of reasons:

-        Wind resistance.

EPDM can resist wind damage and uplift. EPDM roofs can be rated to resist high winds, anywhere from 60 to 120 MPH.

-        Heat resistance.

These rubber roof coatings are both heat and fire resistant making them perfect for the hot, Texas weather.

-        UV radiation resistance.

EPDM is resistant to ultraviolet radiation.

-        Weather elements.

Hail, wind, rain and snow are all handled well by this high endurance rubber membrane.

One of the main benefits of having A EPDM roof is that there is no needed maintenance on these roofs. Most do not need regular resealing or surface treatments. Roofs should just be kept free of debris and periodically inspected.

Types OF EPDM

EPDM roofing comes in two main types, white and black. In warmer climates such as Texas, white is the most commonly used due to its energy-saving capabilities. White EPDM has a reflective, environmentally friendly surface that enhances the membranes ability to reflect UV rays and conserve in air-conditioning costs. In cooler climates, the black EPDM is preferred, attracting heat and reducing heating costs.

EPDM Installation

There are three main ways to install EPDM roofing: Ballasted, mechanically attached and fully adhered systems. However, white EPDM, which is the most commonly used in Texas, is installed with either the mechanically attached or the fully adhered system.

-        Mechanically attached system.

The most economical installation method is using the mechanically attached system. This method is lightweight and works well in areas without high winds.

-        Fully adhered systems.

Fully adhered systems are becoming the preferred type of EPDM system due to the longevity and advances in the application. The membrane is bonded to the insulation and attached in large panels.

EPDM panel seams are sealed with either a liquid adhesive or specially formulated factory applied tape. The tape has made seaming easier, less labor intensive and creates stronger seams than in the past.

Commercial building owners and builders that are considering roofing options need to contact a commercial Fort Worth roofing company to discuss EPDM roofing as an option. The long lasting performance, energy savings and low up keep of EPDM makes it the perfect choice for commercial roofing.

Fort Worth Roofing Office: 817-929-ROOF (7663)
Dallas Roofing Office: 972-975-ROOF(7663)

 

Article Source: http://oldproroofing.com/epdm-commercial-roofing/

 

This article was posted by Jeff Childers a Master Roofer At:

Aquashield Roofing Corporation
Class B Contractors License Number 2705-186085
4006 Morris Ct, Chesapeake, VA 23323
757-553-5191
https://aquashieldroof.com
https://www.facebook.com/Virginiabeachroofing/

The most trusted roofer in the Hampton Roads area, Jeff Childers, operates Aquashield Roofing Corporation, the best and most trusted roofing company in the Tidewater area. Aquashield Roofing Corporation provides free estimates on roofing services. The roofers behind Aquashield Roofing Corporation are skilled with installing new roofs on both residential and commercial properties. Aquashield Roofing Corporation is the most skilled roofing contractor in the Hampton Roads region. Our roofing company provides commercial and residential roofing solutions across the seven cities. Some of our roofing service areas included are: Virginia Beach, Virginia, Chesapeake, Virginia, Norfolk, Virginia, Portsmouth, Virginia, Suffolk, Virginia, Newport News, Virginia, Hampton, Virginia. Call Aquashield Roofing Corporation now for a free roofing estimate at 757-553-5191.

Roofing Contractor, Roofing Services, Roofing Repair, Roof Leak Repairs, Roofing Company, New Roof, Roof Replacement, Roofing Company, Roofing Companies, Free Roof Repair Estimate, shingle repairs, shingle roofer, Flat Roofer, Commercial Roofing, Residential Roofing, Asphalt Shingle Roofing, Honest Roofer, Troy J. Childers, Troy Jeffrey Childers, Jeff Childers Master Roofer, Troy Childers, Jeffrey Childers Master Roofer At Aquashield Roofing Corporation.

 

 

Green Roofs Can Save Our Planet

Photograph by Diane Cook and Len Jenshel

 

Up on the Roof

A lofty idea is blossoming in cities around the world, where acres of potential green space lie overhead.

By Verlyn Klinkenborg

 

Article Source: http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2009/05/green-roofs/klinkenborg-text

 

If buildings sprang up suddenly out of the ground like mushrooms, their rooftops would be covered with a layer of soil and plants.

That’s not how humans build, of course. Instead we scrape away the earth, erect the structure itself, and cap it with a rainproof, presumably forgettable, roof. It’s tempting to say that the roofscape of every city on this planet is a man-made desert, except that a desert is a living habitat. The truth is harsher. The urban roofscape is a little like hell—a lifeless place of bituminous surfaces, violent temperature contrasts, bitter winds, and an antipathy to water.

But step out through a hatch onto the roof of the Vancouver Public Library at Library Square—nine stories above downtown—and you’ll find yourself in a prairie, not an asphalt wasteland. Sinuous bands of fescues stream across the roof, planted not in flats or containers but into a special mix of soil on the roof. It’s a grassland in the sky. At ground level, this 20,000-square-foot garden—created in 1995 by landscape architect Cornelia H. Oberlander—would be striking enough. High above Vancouver, the effect is almost disorienting. When we go to the rooftops in cities, it’s usually to look out at the view. On top of the library, however, I can’t help feeling that I’m standing on the view—this unexpected thicket of green, blue, and brown grasses in the midst of so much glass and steel and concrete.

Living roofs aren’t new. They were common among sod houses on the American prairie, and roofs of turf can still be found on log houses and sheds in northern Europe. But in recent decades, architects, builders, and city planners all across the planet have begun turning to green roofs not for their beauty—almost an afterthought—but for their practicality, their ability to mitigate the environmental extremes common on conventional roofs.

Across town from the library, the Vancouver Convention Centre is getting a new living roof. Just across the street there is a chef’s garden on the roof of the Fairmont Waterfront hotel. Across town in another direction, green roofs will go up on an Olympic village being built for the 2010 Winter Olympics. To stand on a green roof in Vancouver—or Chicago or Stuttgart or Singapore or Tokyo—is to glimpse how different the roofscapes of our cities might look and to wonder, Why haven’t we always built this way?

Technology is only partly the reason. Waterproof membranes now make it easier to design green-roof systems that capture water for irrigation, allow drainage, support the growing medium, and resist the invasion of roots. In some places, such as Portland, Oregon, builders are encouraged to use living roofs by fee reductions and other incentives. In others—such as Germany, Switzerland, and Austria—living roofs are required by law on roofs of suitable pitch.

And, increasingly, researchers such as Maureen Connelly—who runs a green-roof lab at the British Columbia Institute of Technology—are studying the practical benefits green roofs offer, helping quantify how they perform and providing an accurate measure of their ability to reduce storm-water runoff, increase energy efficiency, and enhance the urban soundscape. There is beginning to be a critical mass of green roofs around the world, each one an experiment in itself.

Another factor driving the spread of green roofs is our changing idea of the city. It’s no longer wise or practical or, for that matter, ethical, to think of the city as the antithesis of nature. Finding ways to naturalize cities—even as nature itself becomes more urbanized—will make them more livable, and not only for humans.

Living roofs remind us what a moderating force natural biological systems are. During the summer, daytime temperatures on conventional asphalt rooftops can be almost unbelievably high, peaking above 150°F and contributing to the overall urban heat-island effect—the tendency of cities to be warmer than the surrounding region. On green roofs the soil mixture and vegetation act as insulation, and temperatures fluctuate only mildly—hardly more than they would in a park or garden—reducing heating and cooling costs in the buildings below them by as much as 20 percent.

When rain falls on a conventional roof, it sheets off the city’s artificial cliffs and floods down its artificial canyons into storm drains—unabsorbed, unfiltered, and nearly undeterred. A living roof works the way a meadow does, absorbing water, filtering it, slowing it down, even storing some of it for later use. That ultimately helps reduce the threat of sewer overflows, extends the life of a city’s drain system, and returns cleaner water to the surrounding watershed. London, for example, is already planning for a future that may well see more street flooding, and the city is considering how living roofs could moderate the threat.

Above all, living roofs are habitable. They recapture what is now essentially negative space within the city and turn it into a chain of rooftop islands that connect with the countryside at large. Species large and small—ants, spiders, beetles, lapwings, plovers, crows—have taken up occupancy on living roofs. The list includes Britain’s black redstarts, a bird that colonizes the rubble of abandoned industrial sites, a habitat being lost to redevelopment. The solution fostered by Dusty Gedge, a British wildlife consultant and a driving force behind green roofs in the United Kingdom, is to create living rooftop habitat out of the same rubble.

And it’s not just a matter of making new or replacing existing habitat. In Zrich, Switzerland, the 95-year-old living roof of a water-filtration system serves as a refuge for nine species of native orchids eradicated from the surrounding countryside when their meadow habitat was converted to cropland.

Proponents of living roofs argue that they have met most, if not all, of the technical challenges involved in grafting a biological layer onto the top of buildings of almost any scale: everything from a vegetable stand or bus stop to the ten-acre roof of Ford’s truck plant in Dearborn, Michigan. While the average cost of installing a green roof can run two or three times more than a conventional roof, it’s likely to be cheaper in the long run, thanks largely to energy savings. Vegetation also shields the roof from ultraviolet radiation, extending its life. And it requires a different kind of care, akin to low-maintenance gardening.

There are still philosophical challenges to be met, many of them having to do with the very idea of what a roof should be and how it should perform. Clients tend to want roofs that are easy to maintain and are uniformly green year-round, perpetual lawns in the sky, not seasonal grasslands. Builders and architects tend to want interchangeable, standardized, universal solutions, the kind of green-roof systems now being offered by some of the big corporate players in the living-roofs industry.

A living roof, though, is not just a biological alternative to a dead roof. It requires a different way of thinking altogether. A standardized green roof such as a carpet of sedums is better than a conventional roof, but it’s possible to build living roofs that are even more environmentally beneficial—locally grown, so to speak. The goal for some researchers now is to find ways to build living roofs that are ecologically and socially sound in every respect: low in environmental costs and available to as many people as possible.

Stephan Brenneisen, a Swiss scientist and a strong advocate for the biodiversity potential of living roofs, says simply, “I have to find easy, cheap solutions using materials that come from the region.” That means less reliance on plastics and other energy-intensive materials between the roof structure and the plants themselves. What matters isn’t only whether living roofs work. It’s how to make them work in the most sustainable way, using the least energy while creating the greatest benefit for the human and nonhuman habitat.

Last fall, I climbed onto the roof of the 15-story Portland Building in downtown Portland, Oregon. My guide was Tom Liptan, the city’s Ecoroof Program Manager and a self-confessed storm-water nerd, who began his experiments with green roofs by building one on his own garage in 1996. We walked to the parapet across plantings of sedums and fescues and looked down at the roof of Portland’s city hall several stories below us. It has a conventional black tar roof, the kind of roof we have taken for granted for decades. But as part of Portland’s Grey to Green project—a plan for sustainable storm-water management—that building will soon be retrofitted with a living roof. “The employees want it,” Liptan said.

In the history of that municipal building, how often had the people who worked there ever thought about that black tar roof looming over their heads? Once the living roof is completed, they may visit it only rarely, but they won’t forget that it’s there, adding habitat to the city center, filtering the rain, moderating temperatures. It reminded me of something Stephan Brenneisen said: “People feel happier in a building where we’ve given something back to nature.”

Think of the millions of acres of unnatural rooftops around the globe. And now imagine returning some of that enormous human footprint to nature—creating green spaces where there was once only asphalt and gravel. If a certain sum of human happiness is the by-product, who’s to complain?

 

Article Source: http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2009/05/green-roofs/klinkenborg-text

 

This article was brought to you by:

Aquashield Roofing Corporation
Class B Contractors License Number 2705-186085
4006 Morris Ct, Chesapeake, VA 23323
757-553-5191
https://aquashieldroof.com
https://www.facebook.com/Virginiabeachroofing/

 

The best roofer in the Hampton Roads area, Jeff Childers, operates Aquashield Roofing Corporation, the best and most trusted roofing company in the Tidewater area. Aquashield Roofing Corporation provides free estimates on roofing services. The roofers behind Aquashield Roofing Corporation are skilled with installing new roofs on both residential and commercial properties. Aquashield Roofing Corporation is the most skilled roofing contractor in the Hampton Roads region. Our roofing company provides commercial and residential roofing solutions across the seven cities. Some of our roofing service areas included are: Virginia Beach, Virginia, Chesapeake, Virginia, Norfolk, Virginia, Portsmouth, Virginia, Suffolk, Virginia, Newport News, Virginia, Hampton, Virginia. Call Aquashield Roofing Corporation now for a free roofing estimate at 757-553-5191.

 

Roofing Contractor, Roofing Services, Roofing Repair, Roof Leak Repairs, Roofing Company, New Roof, Roof Replacement, Roofing Company, Roofing Companies, Free Roof Repair Estimate, shingle repairs, shingle roofer, Flat Roofer, Commercial Roofing, Residential Roofing, Asphalt Shingle Roofing, Honest Roofer, Troy J. Childers, Troy Jeffrey Childers, Jeff Childers Master Roofer, Troy Childers, Jeffrey Childers Master Roofer At Aquashield Roofing Corporation.

Keeping roofs cooler to cut energy costs

 Asphalt roofing shingles, especially dark ones like those shown here, can get scorching hot on summer days. Then they'll also shed some of that heat into buildings. A new coating can help shingles reflect more of the sunlight that heats them up. And that could cut home cooling bills.

Article Source: https://student.societyforscience.org/article/keeping-roofs-cooler-cut-energy-costs

Keeping roofs cooler to cut energy costs

 

PITTSBURGH, Pa. — The roof of a house can get pretty hot in the summer. Even if there is an insulated attic below, some of that heat can work its way into the living space. That can make air conditioners work harder and pump up electricity bills. But a thin, paint-like coating could help keep roofs cooler, a teen researcher finds. And in urban areas, widespread use of her new roofing treatment might even cut the formation of lung-irritating ozone on hot days.

Shingles come in many colors, but dark ones are especially popular, says Jesseca Kusher. The 18-year old attends Spartanburg Day School in South Carolina. Like most dark objects, shingles absorb a lot of heat from sunlight. In the summer sun, they can easily reach 73.5° Celsius (164° Fahrenheit), she notes. If those shingles reflected more sunlight, they’d stay cooler. And that could help cut down on home cooling bills. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, air conditioning consumes about 5 percent of all the energy used in the United States. Cooling buildings costs the nation about $11 billion each year.

Jesseca Kusher, an 18-year-old researcher from Spartansburg, S.C., invented a paint-on coating for roofing shingles. Her formula could reduce a home’s cooling costs and possibly cut ozone pollution in urban areas.

LAURA BUITRAGO/SSP

So Jesseca looked into ways to make shingles reflect more light. She mixed tiny particles — a powder — made from any of several different substances into a clear paint-like coating. One coating got graphite, the same material in pencil lead. Another recipe included gypsum. That’s a soft mineral often found in the drywall used in construction. She even tried adding mica. That’s a mineral used in some lampshades. It readily breaks into small, glittering flakes.

Each of these powders came in several colors. In each of Jesseca’s test recipes, her reflective powder accounted for 40 percent of the weight of the final mixture. She also prepared some of the paint-like coatings with no additive. That would let her judge whether a powder — versus the transparent goop it was added to — affected a shingle’s reflectivity, she explains.

Jesseca used four different colored shingles. She painted each of her concoctions onto bits of each color of shingle and let them dry for 24 hours. Then, to simulate how the shingles would heat up in summer, she placed each postage-stamp-size sample under a 150-watt sun lamp. (Those bulbs send out radiation across a wide band of wavelengths, similar to those emitted by the sun.) Each test sample was irradiated for 15 minutes, or until the untreated shingles reached a temperature of 73.5 °C, whichever came first. To measure how hot each sample got, the teen used an instrument that measures the infrared radiation (heat) emitted by an object.

Plain, unpainted shingles got hotter than shingles coated with paints that contained one of the powder additives. The samples that had a coating without any powder got just as hot as the unpainted shingles. That’s a sure sign that the powders were responsible for any cooling effect, Jesseca concludes.

The glittery mica had the best overall cooling effect. Shingles with this coating only heated up, on average, to about 58.5 °C (about 137 °F). Shingles coated with gypsum or powdered graphite got a bit warmer, to between 57 and 63 °C (up to 145 °F).

The results for graphite were a huge surprise, says Jesseca. This coating left shingles darker than the untreated ones. According to conventional thinking, they therefore should have soaked up more heat, she says. But the powdered graphite must be reflecting more infrared radiation, she now suspects.

Jesseca provided details of her research at the 2015 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. This event was created by the Society for Science and the Public (which also publishes Science News for Students) and is sponsored by Intel. The annual competition brought 1,702 finalists to Pittsburgh this year. They came from more than 70 countries.

Besides trimming cooling bills, the new coatings also could keep urban air cooler, says Jesseca. As cities grow, they usually get warmer than rural regions nearby. Pavements and other building surfaces tend to soak up sunshine and get hotter. Then they release that heat into the air, especially at night. Cars and machines such as air conditioners also release heat. Altogether, these things create what scientists call an “urban heat island” effect. This effect can raise city temperatures by 0.5 °C (0.9 °F) or more compared to areas that are grassy or lack a lot of buildings.

That extra heat inside cities can speed up chemical reactions in the air. Some of these reactions can create ozone, which can irritate the eyes and lungs. Cooling off a lot of roofs could decrease ozone production, Jesseca reasons.

There are a lot of roofs in the United States, so there’s plenty of opportunity to cut down on electricity bills and ozone production, she says. According to one study, scientists calculated that roofs cover about 172.4 billion square feet of the U.S. area. That’s an area bigger than the entire state of Connecticut!

Article Source: https://student.societyforscience.org/article/keeping-roofs-cooler-cut-energy-costs

 

This article was posted by:

Aquashield Roofing Corporation
Class B Contractors License Number 2705-186085
4006 Morris Ct, Chesapeake, VA 23323
757-553-5191
https://aquashieldroof.com
https://www.facebook.com/Virginiabeachroofing/

 

The best roofer in the Hampton Roads area, Jeff Childers, operates Aquashield Roofing Corporation, the best and most trusted roofing company in the Tidewater area. Aquashield Roofing Corporation provides free estimates on roofing services. The roofers behind Aquashield Roofing Corporation are skilled with installing new roofs on both residential and commercial properties. Aquashield Roofing Corporation is the most skilled roofing contractor in the Hampton Roads region. Our roofing company provides commercial and residential roofing solutions across the seven cities. Some of our roofing service areas included are: Virginia Beach, Virginia, Chesapeake, Virginia, Norfolk, Virginia, Portsmouth, Virginia, Suffolk, Virginia, Newport News, Virginia, Hampton, Virginia. Call Aquashield Roofing Corporation now for a free roofing estimate at 757-553-5191.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD NEVER SKIP ROOF INSPECTIONS

 

 

Why You