Selecting the right underlayments for a lifetime metal roof should be a primary concern for anyone thinking about specifying or choosing to install a metal roof on their home. The quality and type of underlayments used on the project in the long term will affect the overall performance of the roof.

Taking Care of Your Building Envelope

The roof is an important element of the Building Envelope. A Building Envelope is the physical separator between the conditioned and unconditioned environment of a building including the resistance to air, water, heat, light, and noise transfer. It needs to be addressed with the utmost care and consideration. Be sure that the contractor you choose is trained in the best methods of installation. Having the ?Right Stuff? and not having the skill to do the installation nullifies the benefits of its use.

First Two Underlayment Layers

On most projects, there are two types of underlayments needed. The first on the list would be the ice and water shield. This is a roof membrane underlayment made up of either a rubberized-asphalt or butyl-based adhesive with a polyethylene carrier sheet. It has an adhesive backing with a peel and stick feature. This membrane should be labeled ?high temperature? to withstand the surface temperature of the roof on a hot summer day. The heat in hot areas of the country, even here in New England, can exceed the melting point of some of these products. The product should be a premium, high temperature ice and water shield for use with tile, metal, and other roofs with scrim reinforced top surface. It self-seals around nails and provides protection for roof areas prone to ice and water intrusion.

The product needs to be installed on the eave edges up the roof at least two feet inside the face of any exterior wall. The rakes on gable roofs also need treatment to the same standard. All valleys and hips need to be covered. Penetrations such as chimneys, skylights, solar tubes, and vent pipes need to be surrounded with ice and water shield, as well.

If the roof slope is below 3/12 pitch (see our previous post on how to determine a roof?s pitch), the entire roof should be covered, but only if the roof is conventionally vented (cold roof construction).

Once the high temperature ice and water shield has been laid down, you can now add the second underlayment layer. This underlayment layer should be of the highest quality. If the roof is designed to last a lifetime, why would anyone want anything but the best? We recommend a polypropylene scrim reinforced underlayment made up of multiple layers. This type of underlayment is critical to a quality roof installation. It serves as a moisture barrier, as well as a slip sheet. Make sure the product is designed to be used under metal. Once again, this is used on cold roof construction.

When hot roof construction is done ? a roof with no ventilation ? a breathable underlayment is recommended. This allows moisture that can become trapped in the roof deck to evaporate and escape. This will prevent damage to the deck, stemming from rot and mold, over the long term life of the structure.

Third Underlayment Layer

There is a third product that is sometimes used and specified in new construction: That product is a mesh that would go on top of and over the other underlayment used. It is akin to cedar breather. It provides trapped moisture from under the roof in low slope applications a path to drain. It also creates a thermal break to minimize heat transfer from the roof surface to the structure. This thermal break promotes energy efficiency by stopping conductive heat transfer much like the air space between multiple panes of glass in a thermal pane window. This same break also provides sound attenuation by disrupting sound waves into the structure when rain hits the roof surface. The end result is a cooler, quieter, and healthier building. This product is generally used in hot roof low slope applications with aluminum roofing. See the image below.

To learn more about installing the correct underlayments for your metal roof project or to get a quote, feel free to contact us here.

While many people may consider energy efficient windows a luxury, however, in a press release dated July 14, 2009, then Colorado Governor, Bill Ritter announced that, ?Gov. Bill Ritter and the Governor?s Energy Office will be applying for a portion of the $300 million announced today by the U.S. Department of Energy for home appliance rebates. Colorado will be eligible for $4.7 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act that will be used to provide rebates for residents who purchase new ENERGY STAR qualified home appliances, such as furnaces and refrigerators.?

The release went on to say that Tax credits through the Recovery Act for installing energy efficient windows, doors, roofs, insulation, heating and air conditioning systems and water heaters. Homeowners can deduct up to $1,500 from their income taxes for eligible projects, are currently available.

ASAP ROOFING and the state of Colorado are not alone in recognizing and rewarding efforts toward sustainability, as thea federalaResidential Energy Efficiency Tax Credit, which is designed to cover 30 percent of the cost of energy efficiency measures like windows for up to $1,500, has been in effect as of 2011. In order to qualify, the windows must be installed on your primary home, and they must have a U-Factor and a Solar Heat Gain Coefficient of 0.30 or lower.

The U factor (the rate at which a home conducts non-solar heat, also known as the amount of heat loss through the home?s windows), and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (solar radiation that passes through the windows and then is transmitted into the home) aren?t the only considerations when it comes to energy efficient windows, however. Airflow (the amount of air that can pass through your windows) is also quite important, and when it comes to installation, the most frequently affected factor. That is to say that most homeowners who install windows on their own have no problem choosing the right windows, but fitting them correctly is another factor (mostly due to lack of professional installation tools).

aBut if your window doesn?t fit perfectly, there are still some options to improve efficiency and The U.S. Department of Energy recommends caulking and weatherstripping any leaks and adding storm windows in winter months to reduce airflow from cold winds ? ASAP ROOFING does this regularly. Green Living expert, Kimbra Cutlip seconds this sentiment, ?Properties that contribute to energy efficiency include low-E glass, which has a coating that reflects infrared light; low U-factor, which measures the window?s resistance to heat flow; quality frames and double or triple panes of glass that are kept apart with spacers made of insulating material; air or insulating gases, such as argon and krypton, which are more effective in the void between the panes; and durable framing material that is well sealed.?

Cutlip also cites the following Energy Star recommendations for each region: Northern ? U-factor of 0.30 or less, but it can be slightly more if SHGC is 0.35 or higher. North Central ? U-factor of 0.32 or less; SHGC of 0.4 or less. South Central ? U-factor of 0.35 or less; SHGC of 0.3 or less. Southern ? U-factor of 0.6 or less; SHGC of 0.27 or less.

aAlthough these Tax credits are currently not available, it is always wise to improve the efficiency of your home. ASAP ROOFING will be glad to inspect your home free of charge. We primarily look at attic insulation, and windows for the biggest return on investment.

So if you are interested in just how energy efficient windows can save you money, boost your home?s value and improve the overall appearance, give ASAP ROOFING, sustainable home experts, a call, or visit them atawww.asaproofing.com

Written by Nick Dorotik

nick@asaproofing.com

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For more information about ASAP ROOFING, visit http://asaproofing.com/

References:

ahttp://greenliving.nationalgeographic.com/energy-star-efficient-windows-2309.html

ahttp://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=tax_credits.tx_index

ahttp://www.dsireusa.org/incentives/incentive.cfm?Incentive_Code=US43F

Also see:

http://asaproofing.com/should-you-get-a-home-energy-rating/

http://asaproofing.com/boulder-green-points-program-a-model-to-follow/

Success, according to Tim Harford, the author ofaAdapt: Why Success Always Starts With Failurea(http://www.amazon.com/Adapt-Success-Always-Starts-Failure/dp/B0085RZFAU), the groundbreaking book, which argues that ?today?s challenges simply cannot be tackled with ready-made solutions and expert opinion; the world has become far too unpredictable and profoundly complex, and that instead, we must adapt,? there are three fundamental components to success.

And success is nothing new at ASAP ROOFING. In the last year this nationwide roofing company with offices in Denver, Colorado; Indianapolis, Indiana; and Dallas, Texas, has helped,aliterallyahundreds of homeowners through the restoration process. For ASAP roofing success is about longevity. The roofing industry is always changing, and success does not mean just having a good year. Success is about being around for generations.

So what is the secret to ASAP ROOFING?s success? Well, as it turns out, this innovative roofing company?s success is, in large part, due to following Harford?s three principles, and putting them into play on a daily basis.

According to Harford, who draws many evolutionary, corporate, and individual examples of these three principles leading to phenomenal success ? they are:

1.aBe Willing to Fail.aSuccess is highly dependent on being willing to try almost anything with no guarantees that it will actually work, and as Harford notes, and ASAP ROOFING can attest to, sometimes what you think may not work ? actually will.

2.aMake Your Failures Survivable.aWhen we put too many eggs in one basket, a single failure can be the difference between a surviving and crashing and burning. In order to be able to take risks ? and risk failing ? then, we have to make our risks relatively small, and as Harford mentions, not tied to everything else. In this way, one trial can fail, yet the entire organization does not fall apart as a result. ASAP ROOFING, who has offices in five different states has learned this as not every office is thriving at once, yet the company as a whole has had astronomical success.

3.aLearn From Your Failures.aFailures are only as good as the learning that comes from them. However, all too many corporations and individuals become immobile in the face of failure, and unable to do the most important thing according to Harford. And that is to adapt. ASAP ROOFING has learned over the years to adapt to each and every situation ? often times doing whatever it takes to provide customers with the best quality roofing restoration possible.

The most exciting part for ASAP ROOFING, whose sales training programs have been sought after by many other roofing and sales companies, of course is not just that the company itself has been incredible successful, but that individual people have applied these principles to other areas of their lives with success as well.

For more information on this unique roofing company, or to experience ASAP ROOFING?s sales training for yourself, visit: asaproofing.com

References:

Harford, Timothy.aAdapt: Why Success Always Starts With Failure.aFarrar, Straus and Giroux, May, 2011. New York, NY.

Written by Nick Dorotik

nick@asaproofing.com

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June 6th, 2012 ? A massive hailstorm hits Colorado Springs and South Denver causing flooding andasubstantial hail damage to roofs, cars, homes and businesses. The storm started with dark clouds and brewed into a destructive force. With how dry Colorado has been, rain is normally welcomed, but it seemed to fall all at once. Places like Colorado Springs and South Denver had road closures and flooding on the roads. The Rain was promptly followed by a ravaging hail storm that quickly made it look like winter, the ground in many areas being coated in white hail.

Details of the storm

Hail from theastormaamounted to nearly 8 inches deep in some areas. The storm also featured torrential rains, high wind speeds, and up to 5 recorded tornado touch-downs.

Damages

There were few structures that escaped damage in the areas affected by this powerful and dynamic storm, including both residential andacommercialastructures, vehicles, municipal buildings and more. The estimated cost of the damages as of July, 2012 is right at $321.1 million, placing it among the most costly Colorado storms since 1984.

All at once

The whole year has been pretty dry so with this storm it brought all the rain and hail all at once.aUnfortunatelyathis left many people with damaged cars, homes, businesses, roofs and much more. The hail was not quite marble sized and wrecked havoc on many roofs. If you were affected by the storm here are some ways for checking for damage.

Checking for Roof Damage

For a large number of businesses and homes the roof damage is very clear, for others they might not see the signs of roof damage until it might be too late to get it fixed. Start at your downspouts and check for a large amount of black or dark deposits of minerals. This can be a sign of roof damage. Second you ashould check your gutters and see if they have dents and dings in them, if they do they is a good chance your roof has also been damaged you should get an inspection.

The most obvious but harder to look for are the signs of leaks andadiscolorationain your home?s ceiling. This could be a sign of a leak and roof damage. Lastly would be to actually get onto you roof and look it over, check on your shingles and make sure they aren?t damaged or missing. The signs of a damaged shingle can beasomethingaas simple as dimples in the shingles themselves. If you find any of these signs you should have an inspection and estimate to prevent further damage. Roof repairs are a lot less costly then a roof replacement.

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