Category Archives: Building Management

When we have in mind to build or renovate the roof of our home, we must take into account the materials that will be used and that will ensure both the longevity of the roof and the safety and comfort it offers to the family. The roof, being the highest part of the house, is supported by both vertical and horizontal structures depending on the design, the geographical location of the house and the climatic changes, such as the cold that decreases the correct adhesion of the strips under the tiles. All these factors influence the components of the roof which we are going to consider next.

What are the common parts of a roof

The deck

It is the structural base of the roof system, which is composed of wood or ½ inch plywood, these are wood strips that are the base to support all the roofing materials, shingles, underlayment sheets and others.

Purlins

They are made of wood or steel, their surface must be uniform and flat, they are horizontal members that support the common beam of the roof and go from wall to wall when the span is large, it is recommended to paint them before installing them.

Ridges and ventilation

It is the horizontal line along the roof, it is the highest point of the roof where the two planes meet, forming an exterior angle of 180 degrees, also called hips, The ventilation is an escape for the warm and humid air of the attic.

Limatesa

It is the interception of the two planes of the roof, which once joined form the ridge slope that goes from the peak to the end of the roof which is the eave.

Flashing

It is a flexible or rigid material made of aluminum, steel or plastic, in the form of molding that is placed around the chimneys to prevent water intrusion from infiltrating the roof vents, plumbing vents.

Underlayment

It is the layer of material that is under the tiles, it serves as support for the placement of the same, this material is found in the market in the form of synthetic compound or felt, its function is to prevent moisture and seepage, the synthetic underlayment, is becoming the best option due to performance, durability and resistance to climatic phenomena.

Gable roofs

Also called rake, it is the triangular part of the exterior wall at the top of the roof between the eaves and a pitched roof.

Eaves and drip edge

An eave is the lower overhanging edge of the roof that is about three feet beyond the wall, and the vent under the eave allows for the extraction of cool, dry air from the attic.

Roof Vents

They are closed structures made of plastic or metal, with fins or openings to provide the attic space with more ventilation, the vents, have 4 open sides that are located on the roof, are the safest, as they produce a suction effect that traps the wind in all directions. There must be an air inlet at the base of the roof to make the attic ventilated, this is achieved with perforations in the eaves.

Attic

It is the space located on the top floor of a building, below the roof. It is also known as the place that hides the cover of the facade or the beginning of the roofs, which must be ventilated to protect the roof in summer against excessive heat and in winter against warm and humid air.

Wall against water and ice

This wall is composed of a self-adhesive waterproofing material that is installed over the eaves of roofs, side walls and exposed areas that may be affected by wind-driven rain and ice.

Shingles

Laminated asphalt shingles offer greater durability, performance and ease of installation, their useful life is 20 to 40 years, they have several layers that make them heavier and thicker so they offer greater resistance to inclement weather, their waterproofing works by gravity. They are more expensive but offer greater warranty, take into account the color and design that best suits your roof. The opposite of these shingles are known as three-tab shingles, but they have a single layer and look flat without the dimension of asphalt shingles.

Roof gutters or downspouts

It is fixed under the eaves of the roofs to collect the water residues of the rains and to conduct them to the drains it is complemented with slopes and accessories of angles in the corners, it is made of galvanized pipes, aluminum, vinyl or pvc.

If you’re in the market for new roofing in Bethel Park PA turn to Pittsabana Contracting Services LLC. This local roofing company employs team members who are certified by CertainTeed and committed to delivering premium service on every job, from repairing storm-damaged commercial buildings to fully replacing residential roofs. Call (412) 580-6567 to speak with a friendly staff member to schedule service or visit the website to learn more about how they’ll help you.

The roof is an important investment you need to consider when building or renovating, as it has a reasonable lifespan that will influence the quality, safety of your home, and energy savings. The color of the shingles, dark or light, is really important? the importance is manifested according to the geographical location of the roof, light roof shingles are recommended for warm climates as they allow snow and ice to slide off, reflect the sun’s rays which makes the house cooler and saves energy, dark roof shingles are optimal for colder climates as they absorb the heat generated by the environment. However, the shingles are made of high-tech materials that allow you to choose which is the best option for your roof.

Choosing Dark or Light Home Exterior Design Features

The Design

You should look for the design that goes with your personality, take a walk around your residential area and see what combination appeals to you or pleases you more, if the tile roofs with light colors or dark colors, seek help through websites designed for you to choose to your liking, or a designer to recommend the best option that fits the residential environment and does not conflict with designs out of place. If you live in a location with a Home Owners Association (HOA) you should follow the guidelines presented by the builders.

Temperature

The color of your roof shingles, whether dark or light, can affect the temperature by a margin that alters the ambiance of both the cold and warmth of your home. Lighter colors are warmer and deflect sunlight, while darker colors hold more heat so they are suitable for colder climates. Think about the comfort of your home, the savings each offers, and decide according to your needs.

Durability

The color of the tiles does not affect the durability of the same as long as there is adequate ventilation of the roof that allows you to remove the heat that circulates inside the house, it is a way to preserve the life of your roof, in addition to buying good quality tiles that are adapted to the climatic conditions according to the location.

The function

The function of the color of the tiles of your roof, dark or light, will depend a lot on the impact of the climate where you live. We have already discussed the benefit of each of these colors, and its main function is to adapt to your comfort and taste both the appearance and exterior beauty as well as the comfort that it will provide inside your home. r.

Contrast

The contrast within the design features both dark and light colors for the home, the dark ceiling looks best with light colors for the rest of the house, while the light ceiling, besides being elegant, contrasts with almost all the colors you choose for the other areas of the house including the moldings and siding.

The ambiance

The ceiling plays an important role within the space designed as a home, lighter colors will make the house look bigger, while darker colors create the opposite effect, that is, smaller, you should seek harmony both outside and inside to achieve an aesthetic balance that highlights the house in general.

The color more than aesthetics should consider the benefits that each of them provides to your home, if you need a company to guide you and help you choose the right material, safe and with the required quality, do not hesitate to contact us, we are here to serve you better and on time.

If you’re in the market for new roofing in Cranberry Township, PA, turn to Pittsabana Contracting Services LLC. This local roofing company employs team members who are certified by CertainTeed and committed to delivering premium service on every job, from repairing storm-damaged commercial buildings to fully replacing residential roofs. Call (412) 580-6567 to speak with a friendly staff member to schedule service or visit the website to learn more about how they’ll help you.

The force of nature is often destructive and the roof does not escape this reality. High winds and hurricanes can cause damage and disaster to roofs, the same affectation happens to asphalt shingles when there are heavy rains, snow and hail. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration estimates that damage to asphalt shingle roofs begins when wind speeds reach 50 MPH, although the roofs are built to withstand 90 to 150 MPH.

Effects of Wind to The Asphalt Shingles Roofing

Wind does not tend to remain in constant and fixed motions, its different positions and velocities in response to atmospheric pressure and temperature can cause predictable effects on the roof structure. The wind and wind pressure can hit the roof in different areas of your house, which can lift the shingles and fall again once the storm passes, this can be generated by problems in the installation, the nails may have loosened and affect the waterproof layer and the resistance capacity decreases when facing strong winds, can also break the adhesive strips, also affects the shingles are misaligned, poor sealing or lack of lath shingles, all these drawbacks make the roof loses resistance to natural phenomena.

Factors That Influence How Wind Affects Your Asphalt Shingle Roof

There are several factors that must be taken into account when considering how wind can affect the quality and performance of the roof
1-The geographic location of your home in the face of natural phenomena such as wind.
If the house is located in an area considered to be highly influenced by hurricanes or tornadoes, these phenomena tend to occur frequently and damage to your roof is more vulnerable, so you should be forewarned and alert.
2-The shape of the roof
Aerodynamic hipped roofs are more resistant to the influence of wind than gable roofs with high slopes and overhangs, since in this type of geometry, wind uplift is more likely to cause damage.
3-Bad installation
Misaligned shingles, poorly sealed flashings, improper nailing, failure to place shingles at the beginning of the roof, these conditions can affect the roof and the effect of winds on the roof tends to be greater.
4-The age and condition of the roof
If the old shingles are cracked or brittle, the sealing was not placed evenly at the time of installation, these conditions make it more prone to wind damage.

Signs of Wind Damage on Asphalt Shingle Roofs

When your roof shows signs of deterioration, it is important to evaluate them as some are more visible than others. Once the weather event has passed, it is important to consider the following aspects:
1- Loose or detached shingles from the exposed underlayment.
2- Holes in the roof caused by falling tree branches.
3- Missing or broken shingles or flashings
4- Windblown debris tracking on roofs.

Indications of Wind Damage on Asphalt Shingle Roofs

Once the effects of storms, high winds and hurricanes have passed, it is necessary to make an inspection of the roof and verify the condition of the roof, take photos, scan, check the edge of the shingles for raised shingles, broken seals, damaged vents. Take into account the safety conditions, and the use of proper protective equipment, make a summary of the evidence of damage that may affect the quality, serviceability and durability of the roof.

We offer you in our contractor the ideal help and solution to these problems. If you’re in the market for new roofing in McMurray, PA turn to Pittsabana Contracting Services LLC. This local roofing company employs team members who are certified by CertainTeed and committed to delivering premium service on every job, from repairing storm-damaged commercial buildings to fully replacing residential roofs. Call (412) 580-6567 to speak with a friendly staff member to schedule service or visit the website to learn more about how they’ll help you.

If you are faced with the need to replace your roof, which is a basic area of your home, it is important to consider what to do and how to do it. Getting the right estimate where you are informed in a detailed and specific way every step to follow, is crucial for a good result. To make an estimate it is mandatory to make a rigorous visual inspection that includes the entire roof area to be worked on, at least three estimates are requested from different contractors where they highlight: quality, delivery time, cost, warranties, insurance, required permits, reputation and work time of the contractor and time of the estimate, this way you can take into account all the details and requirements to choose the right proposal.

Information to follow for a roofing estimate

It is important to ask all the questions or doubts that you have about it, since having clear what work is going to be done and what the investment involves will generate peace of mind and will help you save time and money.

How will the contractor who will replace your roof protect your property?

One of the contractor’s objectives when carrying out the work is to take into account how to protect your property, so it should appear in your budget the detail of the items that will be used and what is the cost, it should also include materials to protect the environment such as plants, gardens, pool, among others.

Timeline for the project

It starts the day the contractor begins his work, and ends with the delivery of the finished work including cleaning and debris disposal, adjusted to your schedules and needs. If the roof is new, the date of the quotation should be considered since the costs may be affected.

Materials and Labor

In the estimate, the materials used and their components to perform the roofing work must appear specifically in each item with their clear and detailed description, as well as the labor for each activity that is performed from the beginning to the end of the work,

Costs

The cost must include each and every one of the elements necessary to complete the work: materials, labor, permits, cleanup and disposal of debris, permits, warranties.

Form of Payment

The estimate must indicate the form of payment according to specific aspects, agreed with the client, which may include initial payments, progress payments and final payment. It is advisable that the estimate includes a provision where you reserve the final payment until the work is one hundred percent completed according to your requirements and satisfaction.

Your right of rescission

The right of rescission should appear in the estimate, where you feel protected to opt in or out of a particular contractor in the corresponding time frame. Don’t forget to read the fine print at the end of the estimate, because there are clauses there that you need to be aware of.

Contractors’ insurance and licenses

It is of utmost importance that they are visibly included in the estimate and verify that they are legitimate, before starting any type of work, since a proper insurance will avoid immediate or future problems to your property and workers.

Warranty

It should be understood that the type of warranty offered when the roof is replaced should appear in the estimate the warranty time for the materials used and labor, the latter is variable from one contractor to another.
The proposals for roof estimates should be reviewed thoroughly, to avoid unpleasant experiences that may cause additional costs, compliance with the above elements will ensure that the contractor work under ethics and responsibility.

In Pittsabana we value the investment that our clients make in their homes, we are willing to advise and accompany them in the best solution to their problem.

If you’re in the market for new roofing in Mount Lebanon, PA, turn to Pittsabana Contracting Services LLC. This local roofing company employs team members who are certified by CertainTeed and committed to delivering premium service on every job, from repairing storm-damaged commercial buildings to fully replacing residential roofs. Call (412) 580-6567 to speak with a friendly staff member to schedule service or visit the website to learn more about how they’ll help you.