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.

Extend a roof’s life expectancy with preventive maintenance

By Dave Locklear, Arrowstar Roofing

(Originally published in OKC Friday)

You had leaks for years, but finally installed a new roofing system and now you won’t have to worry about anything for several years, right? Wrong….

Preventive maintenance should start the day the roof is completed. Proactive and preventive maintenance will extend the life of your roof and save you money in the long run.

A lot can happen to a roof in six months to one year, especially in Oklahoma. Not only is Oklahoma’s weather extreme, but we are a state that does not require roofing companies to have a state license like plumbers, electricians, etc. We have to solely accept the fact that our roofer has installed the roof according to manufacturer’s specifications and he’s honest.

With over 30 years experience in the roofing industry, I can tell you that every roof that is at least 2-3 years old requires some maintenance every year. Roofs need cleaning off each year to remove debris, cans, etc. that will end up in drains, clogging them up.

Simple roofs usually require pipe boot replacement after just a few years due to the poor quality of the material. Although some states require pipe jacks be made out of lead, Oklahoma does not. Lead will last longer than the roof will.

The most important step to protecting your roof is Spring and Fall inspections. The fee for this is usually minimal.

With preventive maintenance being so important you would think roofing companies would have a repair/maintenance division, but few do. Most only want to install new roofs.

After visiting with a customer recently and telling him of the importance of maintaining his roof instead of always installing a new roof, I explained, “If you had a leak under your sink and a plumber came over and said, ‘Well, it’s sure leaking—we’ll have to replace the plumbing in the whole house.’” The customer chuckled and said, “Of course not.” However, many roofers convince homeowners they need a new roof when they really only need a little repair and maintenance.

Many commercial flat roofs can be maintained by applying coatings, if done within 3 to 5 years. This process can extend the life, in some cases, indefinitely, as well as reflect heat and UV radiation.

The most important thing to remember about your roof is, don’t forget about it and get a qualified roofing professional to Inspect, Inspect, Inspect…

Is your Oklahoma City roof leaking? Here’s what you need to know on fixing it…

Just because Oklahoma’s spring storm season has passed does not necessarily mean you can breathe a sigh of relief when it comes to your home’s most vital element: its roof.

Whether you’re a homeowner or business owner here in the Oklahoma City Metro or surrounding area, now may be the best time to think about potential winter and fall roof leaks.

Central Oklahoma’s notorious winds, combined with the hundred-plus degree temperatures we’ve experienced in the summer of 2008 could spell for trouble when fall brings about late-year Oklahoma showers and thunderstorms.  Even the best roofs are subject to cracking, shingle slippage and water pooling that could cause water to enter your home or office.

That’s not even to speak of winter, when snow and ice, regular freezing and unfreezing of water atop your structure can turn a minor leaks into major repair issues.

If you find your property leaking, give us a call at (405) 365-6577 or request a free estimate at arrowstarroofing.com. Arrowstar Roofing & Construction has over 35 years experience in roofing, repair and maintenance in Oklahoma’s tricky climate. Single leak repairs begin at only $175, and are guaranteed through written warranties for a full year. We can also assist you with deteriorating roof flashing, replacement of vents and skylights, and even vinyl siding for equally cut-rate fees.

David Locklear, owner of Arrowstar Roofing & Construction, clarifies the importance of regular roof repair and maintenance.

“We believe the biggest problem in the roofing industry is the lack of companies stressing the importance of regular roof maintenance,” Locklear says. Regular roofing maintenance and repair, he states, has shown to prolong the lives of most roofs as much as 50 percent.

Even if your home isn’t currently leaking, you still have options for ensuring the continued integrity of your Oklahoma City property’s roof. A quarterly, biannual or annual maintenance contract through a reputable roofing company can prolong the life of your roof and provide you regular, detailed information about its status.

Arrowstar Roofing & Construction’s maintenance contracts can be negotiated for a nominal fee to include automatic quarterly, biannual or annual inspection of your residential or commercial property. Under Arrowstar’s maintenance contracts, a trained professional will come and inspect your property’s roof at the recurrence of your choice and perform a full, detailed inspection. Also included in Arrowstar’s maintenance contracts are minor repairs performed to roof drains, vents, wall and pipe flashings, and full cleaning of debris from the roof that can clog drains and gutters.

At the end of a maintenance contract inspection, Arrowstar will e-mail or deliver full written summaries and technical reports to the customer along with photos of potential problems, if any, and recommendations/estimates for additional maintenance work if required.

As a bonded and insured company with its family roots in Oklahoma, you can also trust that Arrowstar will stick by its promises. We live here. We’re Oklahomans just like you. Arrowstar Roofing & Construction will still be here when you do have a warranty or service-related issue, and generally ensure your overall satisfaction as an Arrowstar Customer.

The point, however, is that fall and winter as just as important seasons for Oklahoma roof maintenance as is the spring storm season. If your roof is leaking, or if it’s just been a while since you last checked its condition, Arrowstar advises regular maintenance and/or inspection through a qualified Oklahoma City roofing contractor to ensure the continued well-being of your home or business roof… and ultimately… all that rests beneath it.

For more information, call (405) 365-6577 or visit arrowstarroofing.com.