Question & Answer: Can I re-shingle my home in the winter?

By Dave Locklear
dave@arrowstarroofing.com

One of the more common seasonal questions we receive in the roofing business here in Oklahoma City has to do with the seasonal limitations of roofing. Specifically, people regularly ask, “Can I re-shingle my home in the winter?”

The short answer is yes, you can… but certain guidelines and precautions should be followed by homeowners to ensure a proper roofing installation. Although roofing can be done almost any time of the year in Oklahoma (in dry weather, that is), December through February can be particularly tricky for contractors. Here are a few tips and guidelines for homeowners to ensure their projects are being completed properly:

1. When your material is delivered, take time to read the back of one of the shingle packages. Here you can find installation instructions, including best installation temperature and other relevant seasonal information. Keep an eye on your contractor as the job is being completed, and make sure they are following the instructions to the letter.
2. Each shingle has a sticky tar strip on its back that helps adhere it to the shingle below. This requires heat. In spring and summer, the adhesion process may only take a few hours. Obviously, in the winter, this may take several weeks. If you are roofing in extreme cold, a small daub of caulking cement may need to be added beneath each shingle to ensure proper adhesion.
3. Nail placement on shingles is critical in winter months. If nailed too high above the shadow lines, shingles can easily blow off during gusts of wind.

NOTES: As a rule of thumb, winter roofing projects are best completed when the temperature is 40°F or rising. Also, because roofing companies tend to be slower in winter months, homeowners can typically get better deals on their projects. If you are looking to save money on your roof and are willing to carefully monitor a contractor’s work, the choice to re-roof in wintertime can prove very advantageous!

Improving Curb Appeal While Protecting Your Home’s Value

Reposted Courtesy of the North American Precis Syndicate:

(NAPSI)-A roof does more than just keep the elements out. As one of the first things potential homebuyers see, it plays a large part in creating curb appeal.

The National Roofing Contractors Association recommends homeowners conduct seasonal roof inspections and be aware of their material options in case their roofs ever require repair or replacement. Each spring and fall, homeowners should clear debris from their gutters, check roof shingles for damage, inspect the areas around chimneys and pipes, and check walls and ceilings inside the home for water damage.

Shingles that are buckled, curled, blistered or missing an excessive amount of granules are likely at the end of their lives. So if it’s time to replace them, it is a good idea to consider such options as weather-resistant and environmentally friendly roofing shingles. Many roofing materials are engineered for impact resistance, and, as a result, homeowners who have them installed may be eligible for insurance premium reductions.

Choosing The Right Shingle

Shingle style plays a significant role in the overall look of a home, with the typical aesthetics of a roof affecting up to 40 percent of a home’s curb appeal. Vibrant and new shingle colors provide homeowners more and better roofing selections. Bold hues allow homeowners to coordinate eye-catching roofing with their siding or exterior accessories. For example, Landmark Solaris shingles from CertainTeed come in a variety of rich hues. Plus, these shingles can add a little green to the home-both environmentally and financially. Featuring roofing granules that reflect solar energy and radiate heat far better than traditional asphalt roofing shingles, they are ENERGY STAR certified, which helps earn homeowners valuable tax credits during tax season. During the summer months, these shingles can reduce the temperature of a roof, thereby reducing energy usage and utility bills.

Another option from CertainTeed is Symphony, a charming new slate-style roofing product that comes in three blends: Colonial Gray, a luxurious mixture of subtle gray; Capital Blend, a rich combination of gray, plum and green; and Evergreen, an eye-catching combination of green shades. This beautifully engineered polymer composite roofing product mimics the look and feel of traditional natural slate, yet is lighter and more durable and costs a fraction of the price. Plus, Symphony is an ENERGY STAR-rated product, and its contractor friendly design and lightweight material make it easy to install. For more about improving curb appeal and energy efficiency through roofing shingles, visit www.certainteed.com.

Seasonal roof inspections can help ensure that your home looks great and is properly protected against bad weather.

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Arrowstar Roofing & Construction are proud installers of CertainTeed residential products. For more information, or to request a free estimate, please call us locally at 405-365-6577 or visit us online at ArrowstarRoofing.com.

Oklahoman & NewsOK.com Syndicate David Locklear and Arrowstar Story

We were lucky enough to receive a telephone call yesterday afternoon from Richard Mize, Real Estate Editor from the Daily Oklahoman, who was interested in reprinting an article recently penned by David W. Locklear, owner of Arrowstar Roofing & Construction. Most of our post, Property owners urged to be ‘Patient’, says Oklahoma City roofing contractor, was included on the back page of the Business section.

Here’s the link:

http://newsok.com/oklahoma-city-roofer-urges-patience-caution/article/3373423?custom_click=headlines_widget

For the original post, visit:

http://oklahomacityroofing.wordpress.com/2009/05/18/property-owners-urged-to-be-%e2%80%98patient%e2%80%99-says-oklahoma-city-roofing-contractor/

Arrowstar Roofing & Construction is an Oklahoma City based roofing contractor, bonded and insured with over 35 years experience and a family tradition in Oklahoma roofing since 1942. Specializing in commercial and residential roof repair and maintenance, Arrowstar is also qualified in the application of full-scale new roofing and re-roofing products including built-up, single-ply, TPO, PVC, EPDM, hot tar, Modified Bitumen, composition and wood shingling, tile roofs and more. For more information, visit www.arrowstarroofing.com or call (405) 365-6577.

Property owners urged to be ‘Patient’, says Oklahoma City roofing contractor

Arrowstar Roofing & Construction - Oklahoma Tornado and Storm Damage Experts

By David W. Locklear
Owner, Arrowstar Roofing & Construction

Due to the recent extreme wind and hail in various sections of the Metropolitan Oklahoma City area, Arrowstar Roofing would like to remind property owners to be patient in getting roof estimates from local contractors.

Our city has be inundated with out-of-town and ‘fly-by-night’ roofing companies, some from as far East as New Jersey.

These companies specialize in hailstorms around the United States. Some have unlimited advertising dollars, and many even rent local offices to provide more local legitimacy.

It’s important to deal locally, particularly when severe weather has residents in their most vulnerable, emotional states.

Key giveaways for spotting these ‘hail jumpers’ include out-of-state license plates on their vehicles, companies you’ve never heard of or companies in ‘close partnership’ with more local corporations, and – obviously – estimators’ accents that don’t quite seem to be Oklahoma native.

Most out-of-state companies will give from 3 to 5 year warranties, just like local companies. However, an important fact to remember is… when another hailstorm hits elsewhere in our great nation… these fly-by-nights will likely be gone upon hearing that first Weather Channel report.

What’s the downside to all this? You’re left with a worthless warranty… and often times a job that has used substandard (or used) materials or unqualified labor.

Remember to never pay more than one third to half of the total estimate as deposit prior to the work being started. Another good tip is to check area telephone books… a technique that allows you to assess whether or not the corporation has an established presence in the state of Oklahoma. Fly-by-night roofers almost never have Yellow Page or Business Directory ads.