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While shingles have an expiration date, several factors such as moisture, UV rays, and geographic location, play a large role in your roof’s life expectancy. Not only does a new roof add curb appeal and value to your home, but it also provides proper insulation. When your home’s roof isn’t performing at 100%, your family can lose thousands on energy bills from poor insulation.
How Do I Know If I Need a Roof Replacement?
For your safety, it is best to remain on the ground when inspecting your roof. Ladders can lead to roof damage or personal injury. Symptoms of a failing roof can be observed both inside and outside of the home.
Inside signs:
Outside signs:
If you observe any of these signs, give Gregor Roofing a call. Our team is happy to help you determine if a roof replacement is right for you.
Factors to Consider
Flat roofs accumulate water and debris which can cause wear and tear on the shingles. Sloped roofs can form ice dams, leaving behind broken and torn shingles.
Proper insulation provides additional protection against leaks and water related damage to your roof.
Constant exposure to the sun and UV rays can lead to shingles becoming brittle, causing cracks. While your Pittsburgh roof may not have issues due to too much sun exposure, you may need to worry about excessive rain or snow fall.
Leaves, branches, and any other debris that may find itself on your roof for extended periods of time is another way to lessen your roof’s life expectancy.
Types of Roofing
Gregor Roofing is proud to offer a variety of asphalt shingles from standard to designer, and solar shingles. The type of roof you choose will determine its life expectancy. All GAF products work together for superior long-term protection.
These standard asphalt shingles provide classic or designer color schemes now with LayerLock®Technology and the StainGuard Plus™ Algae Protection Limited Warranty
These solar shingles take just days to install, unlike solar panels. These are the world’s first nailable solar shingle.
How Long Do Shingles Last?
GAF Timberline HDZ and Solar shingles are part of the GAF Golden Pledge Warranty. The Golden Pledge Warranty offers 50 years coverage of material defects and 25-year coverage on the workmanship.
Are you unsure if your roof needs replaced? Give us a call at 724-960-8002 and our team will help you determine the best solution for your home.
Citations:
https://www.gaf.com/en-us/blog/your-home/when-is-it-time-for-a-new-roof-281474979970414
https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-long-does-a-roof-last/
https://www.gaf.com/en-us/for-homeowners/lifetime-roofing-system
When it rains, it pours, and when your home’s gutters aren’t working properly, you may have pouring water in places you don’t want it. For all gable-roofed homes, properly installed gutters migrate water away from your home and keep you dry, but what happens if you need replacement gutters?
For an average gutter replacement on a typical house expect to spend between $1,000-$2000. Of course, it depends on the size of your home among other factors. Gutter installation prices can range easily from the mid $500s to $9,000 or $10,000.
A complete gutter overhaul isn’t always necessary. Sometimes heavier materials like copper gutters can come loose from wind or weather wear. Keep an eye out for the signs below to not over-react to mild gutter issues:
Repair your gutters if:
Replace your gutters if:
Paint problems are a high-profile indicator that gutters are nearing the end of their useful life. Examine areas where you might be noticing fading or peeling paint along siding or the gutters themselves, and chances are you’ll find a compromised gutter or downspout.
If you have seamless gutters and you notice any of these issues, or something has happened to compromise part of the gutter, then it’s best to replace the entire system because of the way they’re constructed.
Half-Round Gutters
With a half-round design, half-round gutters are available in 5- to 6-inch widths. Their downspouts are typically rectangular. Half-round gutters are commonly found in older homes built prior to 1960. It is common for local ordinances to require this style gutter for historic homes or neighborhoods.
K-Style Gutters
K-style gutters come in 5- to 6-inch widths with rectangular downspouts, similar to the half-round gutters. K-style gutters differ from half-round in that they feature a flat back and can be nailed directly to fascia boards without brackets. These gutters are the most common style of gutter.
Custom Fascia Gutters
Made from a custom piece of aluminum, custom fascia gutters provide a seamless contemporary look. The aluminum is custom-built according to your Pittsburgh home’s measurements and roof’s pitch. Because they are custom, this gutter option is likely to cost double that of k-style and half-round gutters.
Box-Style Gutters
It is common for commercial or industrial buildings to have box-style gutters; however they can also be used for residential homes. With 7 to 10 inch widths, box gutters are designed to handle heavy rainfall.
Vinyl Gutters
Vinyl gutters are made from PVC and plastics and are the most common type of gutter material lasting between 10 to 20 years depending on climate.
Aluminum Gutters
Aluminum gutters are a lightweight, rust-resistant option with an average lifespan of 20 to 30 years.
Galvanized Steel Gutters
Galvanized Steel Gutters are durable and sturdy, as they are soldered to the home. If maintained to avoid rust, these gutters can last up to 30 years.
Copper Gutters Copper Gutters do not warp, bend or rust, making them a very durable option. The natural color of these gutters offer a unique look to any home.
Gutters and downspouts are crucial to protecting any home’s siding, roof and foundation. These components help homeowners avoid leaks, flooding, corrosion, and other water damage. Choosing the correct gutters and having them professionally installed can stand between your home’s safety and the headaches that come with water damage.
To get an estimate, call 724-969-4145 or send us a message: info@gregorroofing.com
Citations:
https://www.manta.com/cost-seamless-gutters-pittsburgh-pa
https://www.homeblue.com/gutter-installation/pittsburgh-pa-gutter-installation-cost.htm
https://www.bobvila.com/articles/types-of-rain-gutters/
https://www.thisoldhouse.com/gutters/reviews/types-of-gutters
What is the Golden Pledge Warranty and how can you tell if it’s the best warranty in the business? Gregor Roofing is a GAF Certified Master Elite Contractor. We provide the Golden Pledge Warranty on every roof we install. This article will discuss the GAF Golden Pledge Warranty – what it covers, what it excluded, the duration of the warranty, and more.
The Warranty covers 100% of all workmanship, material, and labor. Not all warranties cover all three components; workmanship, material, AND labor. The Golden Pledge Warranty covers roofing products installed on your roof including:
These products are covered in the unlikely event that they contain a manufacturing defect. Misapplication of your GAF products and flashings at valleys, dormers, chimneys, and plumbing vents is also covered. The warranty is 100% transferrable.
This warranty does NOT cover low-slope membranes, Master Flow Ventilation Products, or GAF ThermaCal Ventilated Nail Base Roofing Insulation.
25 years for 100% of all workmanship, material, and labor and it extends to 50 years for all material, 100%. This means that you’ll never need a new roof on your home again. Other warranties typically provide 10-year coverage.
Only a GAF Certified Master Elite Contractor is able to provide this warranty. Only 3% of all roofing contractors are awarded the Certified Master Elite Contractor status by the manufacturer. The manufacturer must have the utmost confidence in the workmanship and professionalism of the contractor to trust them enough with this certification.
The warranty is fully transferrable to the new owner of your home within the first 20 years. This makes for an added selling benefit. GAF supplies a written copy of the warranty for your records and transfer. The GAF Golden Pledge Limited Warranty can only be transferred once. The second homeowner must notify GAF in writing within one year after the property transfer for warranty coverage to be transferred. If the transfer takes place within the first 20 years after installation, the second owner is entitled to the same coverage as the original owner. If the transfer takes place afterward, the length of this warranty shall be reduced to the two-year period after ownership changes.
Let Gregor Roofing help you Protect Your Home by providing you with the best warranty in the industry. Contact us today for all of your roofing needs!
GAF Resources:
Whether you’re tired of spending your hard-earned money on energy bills, want to be more eco-friendly, or both, solar roofing may be the answer! With quick installation and tough durability, solar roofing can be a fast way to start saving.
Pennsylvania offers tax credits, solar renewable energy certificates (SREC), and net metering to homeowners purchasing solar energy systems. The Residential Clean Energy Credit for residential systems can reduce the cost of a system by 30 percent. SRECs allow residents to sell the energy from their solar energy systems. In addition to these incentives, Pennsylvania also offers net metering. Net metering allows homeowners to bank their solar energy when they have excess and use it later when production is low.
Solar Roofing provides an alternative to mainstream energy sources. Solar energy allows homeowners to control their energy prices. Traditional energy source prices are subject to change at any time. However, by producing your own energy, you control your energy prices.
Another economic benefit of solar roofing is the opportunity to sell unused energy back to the grid. If your family is not using the entirety of the energy produced by your solar roof, it can be used to create a profit. Not only are you saving on energy costs, but you could potentially be making money!
Solar energy is a renewable energy source that aids in reducing greenhouse gases. Traditional energy sources produce CO2 gas. Over 40% of CO2 emissions are due to burning fossil fuels for electricity generation. Using renewable energy sources cuts down on the emission of CO2 gas which contributes to global warming and the thinning of the ozone layer.
Solar shingles are less bulky and heavy than traditional solar panels and offer a sleeker option for solar energy in your home. These nailable shingles blend into your roof’s design, allowing for a seamless transition from where traditional shingles fill in. Timberline SolarTM shingles come in various colors to match your home’s aesthetic.
Our GAF Timberline SolarTM shingles are water shedding, allowing for precipitation to quickly escape your roof. These tough shingles can withstand winds up to 130 mph and include a Class A fire rating.
GAF Solar shingles are part of the GAF Golden Pledge Warranty. The Golden Pledge Warranty offers 50 years coverage of material defects and 25 year coverage on the workmanship.
Unlike solar panels, which can take weeks to install, our Timberline SolarTM shingles from GAF take just days to install. As the world’s first nailable solar shingle, this solar roofing option offers speedy installation time, allowing you and your family to jump right into creating renewable energy.
Give us a call today and allow us to assess your roof. Remember, solar roofing only takes a few days to install, so the sooner you call, the sooner we will have you set up with a new way to save on energy bills.
Works Cited:
If you aren’t as familiar with the world of roofing, you might think that a roof is no more than wood and an assortment of shingles over your head. What you may not know is that roofing is much more involved than that. One of the most important things installed on your roof is called roof flashing. What is this key element and what does it do? Read through our guide below to find out!
Roof flashing is a thin layer of metal, typically aluminum, copper, etc., that your roofer will roll out on your roof then seals it before continuing with the rest of the components of your roof. Think of it as a protective layer that not only protects the people inside the house, but also protects the roofing materials.
So, what exactly does roof flashing protect you from? Well, the purpose of roof flashing is to divert water away from the materials on your roof that could be susceptible to water damage. The highest quality roofs have proper flashing installed in them, especially in areas where the roof meets a chimney, skylight, or other obstacles you might find.
Let’s discuss three types of flashing that roofers typically will use. Depending on what your roof looks like, and the different obstacles your roof has, a roofer may use any or all of the following types of flashing.
Overall, roof flashing is used to protect your roof, and in turn your home, from water damage. It uses sheets of metal to divert water away from some of the most susceptible areas of your roof. If you ever need roofing work done, or ever have any questions about your roof, give us a call. Any of our certified roofing experts are always happy to help with any problems you might have!
Works Sited:
Ice buildup in your gutters and downspouts can cause serious damage to your home. Knowing how to prevent this build-up and how to treat is key to keeping your home’s gutters and downspouts in good condition.
A common suspect of ice blockages on and around your roof is from poorly insulated attics. An attic lacking good insulation allows heat to escape the home, melting the snow on the roof and allowing it to turn into ice when the temperature outside drops below freezing. Another common cause is poorly maintained gutters. When gutters and downspouts are not kept clean year-round, leaf and debris buildup prevent melting snow from escaping, and it eventually turns into ice.
An ice dam is a thick ridge of ice that forms on the eaves of a roof. This thick layer of ice traps melting snow (water), from escaping the roof. The built-up water can eventually leak into a home causing roof, ceiling, and wall damage.
Ice dams are caused by heat escaping a home through the roof. When this happens, the snow melts in some areas but leaves the thick ice that has already formed on the edge of your roof as ice. The ice ridge remains on the edge of the roof, as the snow melts and trickles down, it is unable to leave the roof. Eventually, the water leaks into the home or freezes again. If the water freezes again, it will help the ice dam grow, continuing this cycle again and again and increasing the chances of your roof leaking.
When the water backed up by the ice dam finds its way into your home, this moisture causes mold and mildew growth. The sooner these effects are treated, the better. Another major effect of ice dams is damage to your gutters and roof. The heavy dams often cause severe damage to gutter systems. The built-up water causes leaks and harsh wear and tear on your shingles.
Ice dams can cause your home to have several types of damage and need to be prevented. Our team of roofing contractors will perform an inspection and develop a course of action for your ice dam issues. Contact us today at 724-960-8002 or send us a message: info@gregorroofing.com
Works Cited:
https://www.servicemasterbyzaba.com/blog/how-to-remove-ice-dams-dos-and-donts/
https://extension.umn.edu/protecting-home-rain-and-ice/dealing-and-preventing-ice-dams
https://heattrak.com/blogs/homeowner/removing-ice-dams-from-your-roof
https://daleenrestoration.com/effects-of-ice-damming-on-your-home-or-business/
https://www.thisoldhouse.com/roofing/21017660/how-to-get-rid-of-ice-dams
Icicles are a beautiful part of the winter season but can also be a sign of a big problem: ice dams.
Ice dams can cause water to back up, leak into your home, peel paint, warp floors, and sag ceilings. All of these problems can lead to mold and mildew issues. Ice Dams can also cause loose or falling gutters and shingles.
An ice dam is a thick ridge of ice that forms on the eaves of a roof. This thick layer of ice traps melting snow (water), from escaping the roof. The built-up water can eventually leak into a home causing roof, ceiling, and wall damage.
Ice dams are caused by heat escaping a home through the roof. When this happens, the snow melts in some areas but leaves the thick ice that has already formed on the edge of your roof as ice. The ice ridge remains on the edge of the roof, as the snow melts and trickles down, it is unable to leave the roof. Eventually, the water leaks into the home or freezes again. If the water freezes again, it will help the ice dam grow, continuing this cycle again and again and increasing the chances of your roof leaking.
When the water backed up by the ice dam finds its way into your home, this moisture causes mold and mildew growth. The sooner these effects are treated, the better. Another major effect of ice dams is damage to your gutters and roof. The heavy dams often cause severe damage to gutter systems. The built-up water causes leaks and harsh wear and tear on your shingles.
Ice dams can cause your home to have several types of damage and need to be prevented. Our team of roofing contractors will perform an inspection and develop a course of action for your ice dam issues. Contact us today at 724-960-8002 or send us a message: info@gregorroofing.com
Works Cited:
https://www.servicemasterbyzaba.com/blog/how-to-remove-ice-dams-dos-and-donts/
https://extension.umn.edu/protecting-home-rain-and-ice/dealing-and-preventing-ice-dams
https://heattrak.com/blogs/homeowner/removing-ice-dams-from-your-roof
https://daleenrestoration.com/effects-of-ice-damming-on-your-home-or-business/
https://www.thisoldhouse.com/roofing/21017660/how-to-get-rid-of-ice-dams
A poorly insulated attic can cause your family many issues, from high energy bills to unwanted drafts. As Pittsburgh’s coldest time of year approaches, it is important to check for the signs of poor insulation in your attic before the snow comes. But how do you know if your attic’s insulation is the problem?
A significant cause for concern when an attic is poorly insulated is the HVAC system working twice as hard to keep your family warm or cool. Not only is the system working harder, but all that work is going straight outdoors (literally). When your home is poorly insulated, and your warm or cool air is escaping, you crank the system to enjoy a moderate temperature in your home. Unfortunately, while your system is working hard, it also raises your energy bills.
As previously mentioned, a poorly insulated attic can cause ice dams or icicles on your roof. Ice dams become a big problem when they cause your shingles to detach from your roof, gutters to crunch, and icicles can potentially fall off into your yard below, potentially harming objects below.
Once you’re positive the attic is the issue, what do you do? First, there are a few types of insulation you may want to put in your attic: the most common include blown-in, batt or roll, and spray foam.
Blown-in
Blown-in insulation comes in fiberglass or cellulose and creates a thick coating on your attic floor.
Batt or Roll
Batt or roll insulation is usually made of fiberglass or rock wool and is installed in rolls, typically along the walls of your attic.
Spray Foam
Spray foam insulation is sprayed into your attic via a chemical reaction that expands to fit into every nook and cranny.
Once you’ve concluded that your attic is poorly insulated, call a trusted insulation contractor to schedule a visit. An insulation professional will provide your family with the recommended insulation type for your home. It is also a good idea to call a roofing professional to check your roof and ensure ice dams did not cause your home any damage.
Works Cited:
https://www.beyondexteriors.com/blog/fall-attic-insulation-replacement/
Are you interested in bringing fresh air, daylight, and a more aesthetic living environment to your home? Do you have rooms in your home that have a shortage of natural sunlight? One of the best ways to transform your living space in a room that lacks traditional windows is to have a skylight installed. Not only can skylights boost lighting and promote an overall exquisite look in your home, but they can also save you money, improve indoor air quality, and increase your property value. Gregor Roofing installs Velux, the most recognizable brand in the skylight market. Velux has been around for over 80 years and is the most trusted skylight brand according to consumers. This article will describe how Gregor Roofing installs Velux skylights on your roof.
Before installing your skylight, a specialist at Gregor Roofing will determine the best location for skylights in your home. Factors that are considered when installing a skylight include roof pitch, interior light shaft depth and shape, and weather. The rooftop phase of installation includes cutting a hole and fastening the skylight to the roof with three layers of protection. Velux skylights come with their own flashing kit, so you can rest assured that your roof will be leak-free once the skylight is installed. Installation can take between half a day and three days depending on specific roof circumstances.
The solar-powered ‘fresh air’ skylight by Velux is a revolutionary product. This skylight is remote-controlled and features a solar panel that captures any available sunlight that acts as the power source to open and close the unit automatically. A rain sensor is built-in to close the unit if inclement weather arises while you are away from your home. The no-leak skylight carries a 10-year installation warranty, plus 20 years on glass, 10 years on product, and 5 years on shades and controls. Gregor Roofing installs solar skylights the same way that we install traditional skylights, but if you chose to go solar, you are eligible for a 30% federal solar tax credit.
Skylights can add an abundance of benefits to your home including boosted natural light, enhanced interior aesthetics, improved indoor air quality, and increased energy savings. If you’re ready to start the process of having traditional or solar Velux skylights installed on your home, contact your local roofing professionals at Gregor Roofing. Our team of roofing contractors will perform an inspection and develop a course of action for your skylight installation project. Contact us today at 724-960-8002 or send us a message: info@gregorroofing.com
Works Cited:
https://whyskylights.com/skylight-installation
https://www.veluxusa.com/our-company
https://www.veluxusa.com/products/skylights/solar-powered
https://www.advocateconstruction.com/6-things-skylights-home/
There are a number of reasons your Pittsburgh, Pa. home may need a new roof. The first thing you may be wondering is about the cost of roof replacement.
If you have sustained some sort of damage to your roof in the past few months or have a leak, you’ve likely been weighing your options for a roof replacement, and the cost of it all.
Gregor Roofing will come to your Pittsburgh home or business personally, where we can give a better estimate that can help guide and educate your roof replacement decision. We do not provide ballpark estimates, as every roof is different in terms of valleys, chimneys, dormers and other variables.
For reference, asphalt shingle roofs range from $5 to $8 per square foot. Your prices could be higher if your home is multiple stories, has a steep pitch, is complex in construction, or you choose premium materials.
On the other hand, jobs tend to be on the more affordable side when your home is a single story, the pitch of your roof is modest, regularly priced building materials are used, or if no replacement work of the underlaying plywood is necessary.
In the Pittsburgh area, you’ll find that there are a few widely used roofing materials. In other climates, ceramic shingles are much more prominent, but because of a few factors (most of which is our varying climate) roofs in our area are limited to asphalt shingles, rubber, slate, and metal roofs.
Asphalt shingles are the most effective and long-lasting standard for residential roofing materials, and they also tend to be the most affordable. As things go these days though, the price can vary based on the price of crude petroleum and supply chain availability, as asphalt itself involves the utilization of petroleum.
Depending on what style of building you have, you may need a non-shingle-type roof (especially for ranch-style homes without an attic or commercial buildings). Flat roofs are very different and are not consistent in cost with shingled roofs. They’re usually more due to labor and material costs.
As with all these factors, to get a more exact number, your best bet is to give us a call – one of our roofing specialists will come out to your home or business.
Works cited:
https://no1homeroofing.com/five-common-types-of-residential-roofing/
