A New Roof Can Increase The Value Of Your Home

Your home is likely the largest investment that you’ll ever make, so it’s important that you protect your investment with routine upkeep and maintenance. While professional installation, maintenance and roof repair will provide you with years of valuable service, there are a number of factors that can affect how long your roof will last. Regardless of whether you want to replace your roof for structural or aesthetic reasons, it’s important to know how your decision will increase the value of your home.

Signs You May Need A New Roof

Depending on the length of time that you own your home, and the quality of installation and materials used to install your last roof, you may eventually find yourself in need of a roof replacement. The question is: how do you know when it’s time to replace your roof? Like most other types of home repairs, your roof will provide you with any number of warning signs that replacement is imminent — some are subtle while others are glaringly obvious.

Age: Although different types of shingles have a different lifespan, asphalt shingles tend to be the most popular, typically lasting between 20 and 30 years.

Deterioration: Visible wear or damage to your shingles such as curling, breakage, missing shingles or granules in the gutter are all signs that something is amiss.

Moss or algae growth: While this issue is purely cosmetic, many new shingles are algae-resistant. So, if your roof has algae, it will be a dead giveaway that your roof isn’t quite new. In this instance, a new roof is more likely to increase the value of your home based on aesthetics, regardless of whether or not it’s at the end of it’s usable lifespan.

Sagging: This issue is structural and is indicative of a bigger problem. Call for a comprehensive roof inspection to determine the source of the issue and for a potential roof replacement.

How Much Value Can A New Roof Add?

When you consider how important your roof is to the integrity and safety of your home, its value becomes apparent. But just how much more value will a new roof add to your current home?

Contributing Factors

There are a number of variables which will help determine the return on your investment, including:The condition your current roof is in, as a more substantial upgrade will bring more value. More expensive homes may see a higher increase in value, as buyers are more willing and able to pay for a home that doesn’t require repairs. Choice of roofing style and materials matters, as those which are more visually appealing will add greater value.

Estimations

As a general range, a new roof can add up to $12,000 to the overall value of your home, dependent on a number of factors, many of which are listed above.

Efficiency

The quality of your roofing materials and insulation contribute to the efficiency of your home, preventing heat transfer and effectively lowering your cost of energy. The addition of rooftop solar panels can result in extra savings and may be appealing to buyers.

Reasons To Get A New Roof

In addition to the potential resale value of your home, there are a number of other great reasons to consider installing a new roof:

Curb appeal: With so many available color and style choices, you can instantly transform the look of your home with a new, quality roof installation.

Warranty: Enhancements to the quality of new roofing materials have helped extend their lifespan, and length of warranties. A standard warranty for asphalt shingles was once between 15 and 20 years, but high-quality asphalt shingles now come with warranties of up to 50 years.

Peace of mind: There’s no need to wait until the last minute to replace your roof. Whether you plan to sell your home in the near future, want to update your home’s exterior to match the style and age of other homes in your area, or want to protect the integrity of your home, a new roof can add immeasurable value to your home.

 

The professionals at Stonewater Roofing are highly skilled and experienced with exterior renovation, roofing assessment and installation. We can perform a free in-depth inspection of your roof and let you know its condition and provide a free estimate for its replacement.

Roofing Contractors Vs. Roofer Vs. Roofing Company

Deciphering common roofing terms and what they really mean can be confusing. A single company may describe itself by several different terms. When consumers are looking for residential roof repairs, maintenance, or a new roof, confusion sets in quickly! Let’s define three of the most used roofing terms: roofer, roofing contractors and roofing company. 

What is a Roofer?

When you hear “roofer,” you should think of the hammer-and-nail guy that climbs a ladder to fix or install a roof. These are the hands-on workers performing the installation of the roof. Finding a roofer to repair a roof is usually not a wise choice, because their specialty may be purely in installation itself, not in providing a roofing estimate, solution or inspection.

What is a Roofing Contractor?

A “roofing contractor” is someone that is licensed with their state as a contractor specializing in roofing. Many roofing contractors complete the job themselves as a roofer.  Roofing contractors may often be employed by a roofing company. You should always ask questions such as whether the contractor is licensed, if they work with a crew, have their own company, or use subcontractors to help clarify the issue.

Hiring a roofing contractor: This is the person for the job if you’re just looking to focus on the roof itself.

Warning: Be sure that any contractor that comes to your door after a storm is local and can show proof of this along with a list of references. Many will be working locally, while others will be storm chasers. These contractors will either do poor work or take the money and run.

What is a Roofing Company?

A “roofing company” generally specializes in roofing, but offers other exterior services such as gutters, siding and windows. These companies will employ licensed professionals to do the work. Roofing companies typically gain standing with manufacturers that allow them to offer substantial warranties. Oversight and accountability are always better with a roofing company because they’re looking to do great work and stay in business indefinitely. 

Hiring a roofing company: This is the right choice for anyone looking to replace their roof. While they are still a good choice for repairs and maintenance, companies really shine with installations and their warranties. 

Warning: Just because they call themselves a roofing company doesn’t make it so. To be sure, make certain that they employ contractors, have an office staff, owner(s), project managers and other parts of their business. A real organization will have these working parts. 

A Roofing Company You Can Trust

The professionals at Stonewater Roofing are highly skilled and experienced with exterior renovation, roofing assessment and installation. We can perform a free in-depth inspection of your roof, let you know its condition, and provide a free estimate for its replacement. 

We hope our defining roofer, roofing contractor and roofing company has helped clear up any confusion you may have had. 

To be clear, Stonewater Roofing is a roofing company. We are locally owned and operated, run background checks on our employees, provide reference lists upon request, and maintain an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. 

The 7 Most Disastrous DIY Roofing Mistakes

Stonewater Roofing’s expert technicians have inspected thousands of roofs in the East Texas and DFW area over the last few years. In that time, we have seen a lot of DIY roofing and remodeling projects go horribly wrong on windows, doors, ventilation, siding and, of course, roofing. In no particular order, we present the seven worst DIY roofing mistakes which homeowners perform that can lead to more problems.

  1. Reroofing by adding a new layer of shingles: We’ve torn off roofs with three layers of shingles before. The homeowners usually site that they just wanted a new color or that their previous roofer told them it was okay and a money saver. All it takes is the old bottom layer to have issues and the whole roofing system fails. This may be the worst thing we’ve seen, particularly due to the wasted money spent on the short-lived second and possible third layers. Of the worst roof repairs homeowners perform, this one can cost the most in the long run.
  2. Trimming all parts of a tree except for those overhanging the roof: Perhaps the roof makes it too hard to reach branches with an extension trimmer, or perhaps it’s just negligence. You never want branches hanging over your roof. This is asking for clogged gutters that fail and moss growth on the shingles.
  3. Power washing roofs to remove moss: Some homeowners take this a step further and sprinkle bleach on the affected area. Both of these roof “cleaning” techniques are highly destructive to shingles, not to mention unsafe!
  4. Cleaning gutters from the ground: It’s easy to spot a gutter that was improperly cleaned with an extension poll or extension hose. Sludge is often built up thick in the worst points possible. It then takes just a few bits of debris to cause a plugged-up gutter. It can literally snap, burst or break free from the roof. In some cases, we’ve seen gutters take pieces of the roof with them when they collapse.
  5. Pulling up shingles to look for leaks: Yes, most people wouldn’t do this, but it’s been done before. We often see caulking and other repairs under shingles during tear-offs. This is just asking for more leaks!
  6. Adding or repairing skylights: This is not a great DYI idea unless you are a window installer for a living. Skylights are one of the leakiest components to a roof. If not properly installed, they can wreak havoc on your roof, ceiling and room below.
  7. Doing anything to ports, vents or chimneys: This follows skylights as being something left to a professional. Chimneys feel particularly safe to work near, which is why the roofing around them tends to suffer.

There are a few rules to roof maintenance. They are constantly broken and end up costing homeowners more down the road. We hope you avoid the following:

  • Walking on your roof, no matter the grade
  • Power washing your roof or gutters
  • Patching leaks from the roof surface
  • Ignoring overhanging trees

Always seek a professional before combating roofing issues on your own, so that you don’t make these DIY roofing mistakes. What you may save now could cost you a great deal more in the future.

The professionals at Stonewater Roofing are highly skilled and experienced with exterior renovation, roofing assesment and installation. We can perform a free in-depth inspection of your roof, let you know its condition and provide a free estimate for its replacement.

Comparing Three-Tab & Architectural Roofing Shingles

Texas towns are subject to a wide variety of weather. Many of the storms that impact this region make their force known upon rooftops, power lines and trees. Residents should be educated when it comes to shingle roofing and know the differences in the two main types of roofing shingles used in the area. Choosing the right option to replace a roof is essential to withstanding wind, rain and hailstorms more effectively, and extending the life of your new roof.

Stonewater Roofing’s trained and certified technicians understand storm damage and how different shingles handle weather phenomena. They can guide you through the selection process and determine what is best for your roofing needs.

What is a three-tab shingle?

Three-Tab Shingles

Three equal cutouts, or tabs, made along the shingle’s bottom edge characterize a three-tab shingle. Three-tabs are only available in one size and shape with a uniform look. Three-tab shingles are simpler and lighter because they consist of fewer materials. These shingles usually cost less than architectural shingles, which is why some homeowners prefer them. Three-tab shingles are a cost effective choice if you have a low budget.

What is an architectural shingle?

Architectural Shingles

Architectural shingles come in a wide variety of sizes and shapes, which allows them to give off a dimensional look. These shingles are thicker and weigh double to triple the weight of a three-tab shingle. Due to their thickness and excellent composition, these shingles come with longer lasting warranties. Designer shingles can be made to mimic tile, cedar shake, stone and other roofing types, and tend to weigh the most.

The Shingle Showdown

Let’s see how three-tab and architectural shingles stack up in most scenarios. We looked at our own data along with industry data to showcase 10 direct comparisons.

  Three-Tab Architectural
Life Expectancy 20-25 Years 40-60 Years
Average Warranty Coverage 20 Years 50 Years
Ability to Shed Water Below Average Above Average
Curb Appeal Boost Little High
Return on Investment 44% 83%
Adds Value to Home No Yes
Handles High Winds Effectively No Yes
Handles Large Hail Effectively No Yes
Has Loads of Color Options No Yes
Overall Good Investment No Yes

In the battle of three-tab versus architectural shingles, there can only be one winner. Architectural shingles flat out win! They were engineered to perform longer and are more visually appealing on a home.

The professionals at Stonewater Roofing are highly skilled and experienced with exterior renovation, roofing assesment and installation. We can perform a free in-depth inspection of your roof, let you know its condition and provide a free estimate for its replacement.

Protecting Your Multi-Family Housing Investment

Natural disasters such as hail, wind, tornadoes or hurricanes are a huge setback for the operational efficiency of a multi-family housing business. As soon as a roof damage is evident, it is important to take immediate measures to protect your buildings from additional damage. Owners or investors will require commercial roof repair services to replace any damage on site. When employing a roofing contractor, there are certain focus areas which must be kept in mind. To help, this post outlines three critical focal points to consider when hiring a credible and trustworthy roofer specializing in this type of repair.

1. Avoid Fraudulent Contractors

Property owners/managers of multi-family housing who are looking for roofing replacement services can fall victim to scams and contractor fraud. Fraudulent contractors may steal money by offering inferior quality or incomplete repairs. Sometimes, they may complete the job, but charge an exorbitant cost for their services. Avoid scams by steering clear of:

  • Out-of-state contractors.
  • Companies that offer to absorb your deductible.
  • Storm chasers who show up right after natural disasters.

TIP: Be proactive and have your preferred roofing contractor ready before severe weather arrives.

2. Photograph The Natural Disaster’s Effect On Your Property

Photographs of the damaged property work as proof for the insurance claim. It is recommended that you take the photos immediately after the damage and before the beginning of the restoration work. Also, if the property is not yet damaged, you should take a complete set of photographs of your multi-family property in its current condition, which would serve as ‘before damage’ pictures in the case of a later disaster.

Tip: Be proactive and document your property as is.

3. Know Local Building Codes & Permit Requirements

In most states, it is illegal to perform demolition, permanent repairs or site developments without having the required permits. It is, therefore, important to obtain proper permits when undertaking any commercial projects. After assessing your property post-disaster, contact your local building authority for information on required permits. Building permits are often required for new roof installation. A qualified local roofing contractor should be familiar with local building codes and requirements. Hiring appropriately will streamline this process.

Tip: Be proactive and have a plan of action in place.

 

As soon as a natural disaster hits your property, you should contact a professional roofing contractor to assess your property. However, it’s best to have a maintenance and storm monitoring service already established with a qualified service provider.

The professionals at Stonewater Roofing are highly skilled and experienced with exterior renovation, roofing asset and installation. We can perform a free in-depth inspection of your roof, let you know its condition and provide a free estimate for its replacement.

Comparing the Different Single-Ply Roofing Membranes

Commercial roofing managers and owners in the East Texas region are typically overwhelmed by the many options available for low-slope roofs. Single-ply roofing membranes have three main group types. All of them are fairly complex systems and some have complex names or abbreviations to cause even more confusion.

Group 1: Thermoset Membrane Roofing

The polymer materials in these single-ply roofing membranes chemically crosslink. This means that chemical adhesives applied at the seams cures or vulcanizes the membrane strips into one giant membrane. There are several players in this category, which is also defined as the synthetic rubber membrane group.

The Five Common Subcategories of Thermoset Membrane Roofing:

  • Ethylene propylene diene terpolymer (EPDM)
  • Chlorosulfonated polyethylene (CSPE)
  • Epichlorohydrin (ECH)
  • Neoprene (CR)
  • Polyisobutylene (PIB)

The most common thermoset roof membrane is EPDM. This frontrunner of the pack will be our comparison product. Note EPDMs main characteristics:

  • Sheet widths range from 7.5 feet to 50 feet wide.
  • Sheets are typically 45 millimeters and 60 millimeters thick.
  • Seams are sealed using liquid adhesives or special formulated tape.
  • The membranes commonly are black, but white is available.

Group 2: Thermoplastic Membrane Roofing

This family of single-ply roofing membranes are like the thermosets, but there’s no chemical cross-linking or vulcanization. The membrane strips are heat or chemical welded to create a single ply. Proper welds are as strong as the material. There are four common subcategories of thermoplastic roof membranes.

  • Thermoplastic Olefin (TPO)
  • Chlorinated Polyethylene (CPE)
  • Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
  • PVC Alloys or Compounded Thermoplastics
    • Copolymer Alloy (CPA)
    • Ethylene Interpolymer (EIP)
    • Nitrile Alloys (NBP)
    • Tripolymer Alloy (TPA)

The most common thermoplastic roof membranes are PVC (chemical weld) and TPO (heat weld). PVC is common simply because it was the frontrunner until TPO came into its own with more adopters. Thus, for this group, we will look at TPO when comparing single-ply roofing membranes.

TPO membranes are produced by calendering with lamination, extrusion with lamination, or extrusion-coating techniques. TPO sheets are a blend of polypropylene and ethylene propylene polymers and usually are reinforced with polyester. Note EPDMs main characteristics:

  • Sheet widths range from 6 feet to 12 feet wide.
  • Sheets are typically 40 millimeters to 100 millimeters thick.
  • Seams are sealed by heat welding with hot air.
  • TPO membranes commonly are white, but can allow for a colorant.
  • Flame retardants are added.
  • UV absorbers and other proprietary substances are added as needed.

Group 3: Modified Bitumen Membrane Roofing

These membranes combine asphalt with modifiers and reinforcement materials. They are often a ‘sandwiched’ roofing material. These materials can perform well, but they are not as advanced as the other two groups. Many roofers refer to modified bitumens as ‘torch-down’ roofs because a large flame-throwing torch melts the asphalt so that seams can be joined together.

There are two types of modified bitumen (MB) roofing membranes:

  • SBS polymer-modified bitumen membranes commonly are installed via hot mopping asphalt (similar to BUR systems) or cold adhesive. Some SBS modified membranes are self-adhering and contain an adhesive backing.
  • APP polymer-modified bitumen membranes typically are heat-welded or torch-applied. Consumers should be cautioned that NRCA does not recommend torch-applying a modified bitumen membrane sheet directly to a wood deck.

Generally, APP modifiers impart a ‘plasticized’ quality to asphalt, and SBS modifiers impart a ‘rubberized’ quality to asphalt. MB membranes and EPDM, a thermoset membrane, often are confused by consumers because of colloquialisms used by roofing contractors. MB and EPDM membranes are sometimes called “rubber roofs.”

Modified bitumen is inexpensive, easy to apply in the case of SBS, and great for DIY types. This combines with its short lifespan make it a non-competitor for larger commercial roofing spaces.

Comparing TPO Roofing & EPDM

These two membrane types are the ones you’ve likely heard the most about. If you have a low-slope (flat) commercial roof, it most likely has a leading thermoset or thermoplastic membrane on it. Our head-to-head comparison takes into account a range of good-to-top tier products per each single-ply membrane type. We awarded each a +1 or -1 to give a final tally of overall prowess of each membrane type, if it gave more options or value, or had a deficit or negative detractor.

——————– EPDM TPO
Warranty Timespan 10-35 Years 10-35 Years
Warranty Value Average Wide
Cost Effective Yes Yes
Lifespan 20-50 Years 15-50 Years
Thickness 45-60 Millimeters 40-100 Millimeters +1
Maintenance Costs Medium -1 Low
Energy Savings Little to None Light to Significant +1
Summer Heat Buildup Yes -1 Little
Suitable Climate Colder -1 Most
Environmentally Friendly Yes: Recycled Materials Yes: 100% Recyclable
Color Options Black & White Many +1
Inexpensive Repairs Typically Yes +1
Track Record Solid +1 Short -1
Sheet Size Medium to Huge +1 Small to Medium
Chemical Resistance Very Poor -1 Excellent +1
Requires Skill to Install Yes Yes
Pollution From Runoff None None
Shrinkage With Heat Some Some
Failure After 10 Years Moderate to Low -1 Very Low to None
Installation Speed Average Below to Above Average -1
Weather Rating Average Average to Very Good
Final Tally -3 +3

When we’re comparing EPDM and TPO products, we get a six-point spread in favor of TPO roofing. As a GAF Master Elite roofing contractor, Stonewater Roofing uses the top-rated TPO roofing lines made by GAF. When you combine the best products, top notch installations and the best warranty, TPO picks up two or three more points over EPDM. 

Call the commercial roofing professionals at Stonewater Roofing to learn more about upgrading your flat roofing to a TPO roofing membrane from GAF. We can perform a free in-depth inspection of your roof, let you know its condition, and provide a free estimate for its replacement. 

Got Hail Damage? What You Need To Know

What is hail damage?

It can be hard to tell what hail damage looks like, especially on a roof. Hail damage can be seen as dark spots, or bruises, where the roofing granules have been knocked away (look in the gutters for an accumulation of granules). In some cases, you may find holes, cracking or missing shingles on your roof.

Where does hail damage happen?

Hail size distributions tend to be localized, with some roofs damaged and others not. Wind direction plays an important role, as well as roof pitch. A direct impact of hail on a shingle is more damaging than that of a glancing blow. Hail-damaged roof shingles show a ‘scouring’ effect in which larger, more irregularly shaped areas of shingle surface have lost granules.

Where is hail damage?

Start by looking in your roof gutters and on the ground for large amounts of mineral granules lost from the roof. Roofs are the most commonly damaged part of a home or business in hailstorms. A damaged shingle may allow water to seep through the roof, causing additional damage to the roof deck, support structure, interior walls or windows, and can cause leaking, staining on walls and flooding inside of your home.

Tips on preventing damage.

There really isn’t a way to prevent hail damage. Any roof is susceptible. Once your roof is damaged, it is imperative to get the damage assessed and repaired. If there was a hail event in your area, don’t wait! Stonewater Roofing can inspect your property and get you on the road to recovery.

Tips For Finding The Best Roofing Company

With all of the pressure-filled sales pitches and roofers knocking on your door, it can be difficult to know who to hire. They all say that they are the experts, but how do you know if that’s actually true? Here are some tips for finding the best roofing company that meets your needs.

Make a list of questions to ask before hiring a roofer.

Ask detailed questions regarding the company’s roofing services, and ensure you are satisfied with their responses. For example, ask about the number of nails that will be used for each shingle. Most of the time, more than three nails will be required for a good job. You don’t have to be a roofing expert, but you should do a little research to know what is necessary to get your job done.

Turn down offers made using pressure tactics.

Roofers who try to sell their product this way are not the people who you want to deal with your roof. Such shysters can be very aggressive, so do what is necessary to shut them down. Don’t let them pressure you into making a decision that makes you feel uncomfortable. Take the time to call around and learn more about them first.

Do some careful research before deciding which roofer to hire.

Never base your choice solely off of who is cheapest or who is the closest. You should be doing solid research and reading reviews about best roofing company in your area. You may utilize online resources or seek recommendations from those who you know and trust.

At Stonewater Roofing, we are thrilled to have a long list of happy customers. Check out a few of the reviews here!

Before hiring a roofer, check all credentials.

You may want to ask your friends or family for suggestions, if any of them have had their roofs done. You need to hire an excellent contractor. This is the best way to ensure that you aren’t looking at expensive repairs down the road.

Make sure credentials are up to date.

If you’re looking into hiring a roofer, you should be sure that they can provide complete credentials that are totally up to date. A license is required for roofers, generally. Check with local authorities to see of your roofer has theirs up to date. The company should also be fully insured and covered for worker’s compensation laws as well.

Raffle Raises Money To End East Texas Poverty

Stonewater Roofing was one of several East Texas businesses that banded together to help raise money for People Attempting To Help (PATH), an organization that is dedicated to ending area poverty.

Stanley’s Famous Pit Bar-B-Q hosted a raffle with the help of Stonewater Roofing, Roast Social Kitchen and many more Tyler businesses. They will also soon host a concert featuring several national musicians who are originally from the East Texas area.

PATH is a poverty alleviation agency that is locally funded and governed to specifically serve East Texas.

Stonewater Roofing owner Roland Browne jumped at the opportunity to help out with the raffle. “I’ve had experience with other organizations like them, and the fact that I know that I’m doing something to contribute back to society makes me feel good,” he said. “It makes me sleep good at night.”

Tyler Families Surveying Damage After Thunderstorm

The Lynn family is one of many who suffered damage from Tuesday afternoon’s thunderstorm in Tyler. More specifically, a tree is now on top of their house. They immediately made a call to their insurance company who gave them some tips on using a reputable repair business.

Tyler Lynn was in his house when the tree hit. “I was in my room, which is right there where the tree’s kind of falling on, and all of a sudden I saw a flash of lightning and I heard a big crunch. Next thing I know, I come out and see that there’s a big tree laying on our house.”

After the shock wore off, he called his insurance company, who walked him through the next steps on finding a trustworthy repair company. “The insurance agent, when I talked to her yesterday, after we were done talking, she said to always make sure to ask for to see insurance papers because she said there’s a lot of unscrupulous people out there that come out of the woodwork after a storm, and that’s one thing I should look for.”

Roland Browne owns local company Stonewater Roofing. He said that if homeowners find themselves in this situation, they need to protect themselves. “You want to definitely use a reputable company, like Stonewater Roofing. You want to use someone that’s insured. In our case we’re insured up to $3 million. A lot of these guys, they don’t have any insurance, they don’t have any worker’s comp.”

Browne said that its also important to document everything for your insurance company. “I think one of the mistakes people make when this happens is they’ll go ahead and call a company out, take the tree off, and they will not have any photos of that prior to,” he added. “Your insurance company wants to see photos of the damage prior to you taking it off.”

You can always check with the Better Business Bureau if you’re unsure about a business or person that has approached you and offered services. Lynn said that his insurance agent also encouraged him to check with multiple companies for quotes on the repair.

A version of this article originally appeared on East Texas Matters.