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Tag: insulation

Asphalt Shingle Installation: Importance of Ventilation & Insulation

Asphalt shingles are the most popular residential roofing material available on the market today mainly due to their affordability, durability, and ease of installation.

When the roof installation process begins, most homeowners will focus on the brands and colors available. However, experienced roofing companies must also carefully consider ventilation and insulation needed for an effective roofing system.

Shingles provide a home’s first layer of defense against the elements. However, a roof must also be able to provide protection against mold, mildew, structural damage, and excessive energy costs — which is where adequate ventilation and insulation come in.

Asphalt Shingle Installation: Importance of Ventilation & Insulation

Ventilation allows consistent airflow through the underside of asphalt shingles. This prevents the excessive buildup of heat, cold, and moisture under a roof.

In summer, poorly ventilated roofs can result in extremely hot attic spaces. This heat can significantly damage shingles and reduce the effective lifetime of a roof. In cooler seasons, a lack of ventilation can trap cold air and cause moisture to build up, resulting in problems with mold, mildew, and damage to the roof and gutters. Properly ventilating a roof upon installation is vital to protecting against the problems caused by seasonal extremes and avoiding future, often costly, repairs.

Insulation is another key aspect of asphalt shingle roofs that, if overlooked, can be very problematic for a homeowner.

Poorly insulated attics provide a home with little protection against temperature extremes.

Insufficient insulation is especially common in older homes, which were generally constructed when building codes did not require as much insulation. Regardless of the season, a poorly insulated home can be a huge cost for homeowners due to the constant running of heating or cooling systems.

While the need for sufficient ventilation and insulation of asphalt shingle roofs is clear, meeting this need isn’t always easy. Simply adding venting and insulation to an existing roof without knowing the optimal type, amount, and location is not recommended. Homeowners should seek professional advice before attempting this type of work.

If your roof is not properly ventilated, what can your roofer do? The solution depends on what is causing the lack of airflow. In the simplest case, there may be insulation or some other material obstructing vents. If this is the problem, a roofer will simply remove the obstruction. In many cases, the lack of ventilation is caused by something more serious—such as a lack of intake or exhaust vents or the inappropriate placement of vents.

Hiring Professional Contractor Is Key To A Healthy Roof System

We can’t stress this enough: you get what you pay for. Only hire a reputable contractor after a thorough research & background check.

The bottom line? If you want a healthy and efficient roof system, you need to find a quality installer who won’t cut corners.

Contact All Roofing Solutions, a reputable DE roofing installation contractor with a team of skilled, loyal and hardworking crewmen. As a family-owned company servicing Delaware & eastern Pennsylvania for over 15 years, we strive to provide the highest level of workmanship and customer satisfaction.

To schedule your free estimate, call 302-725-ROOF (7663) in Delaware or 610-551-ROOF (7663) in Pennsylvania. Contact us today and receive a discount of $400 off any complete roofing job!

December 13, 2018
Roof Leak Prevention: 6 Tips For Proper Attic Ventilation
Attic ventilation is an important part of home construction, yet most homes have either no ventilation or not enough of it. Inadequate attic ventilation can lead to a host of problems, with roof leaks being among the most common.

In order to prevent these issues and extend the life of your roof, you need an attic that literally “breathes.”

The Importance of Attic Ventilation

With proper attic ventilation, you allow for warm, moist air – which naturally rises – to safely escape your home rather than building up in the form of condensation. This helps you keep humidity levels under control, which not only helps maintain the health of your roof, but also helps to keep home heating and cooling costs more manageable.

Without proper attic ventilation, warm and moist air has nowhere to go, creating potentially dangerous attic conditions in the form of condensation, mold and mildew. This, in turn, can make your paint blister and peel, compromise the structural integrity of your attic, create weaknesses in your roof and reduce the efficiency of your insulation.

Another problem that can result from improper attic ventilation is specific to the winter months: ice damming. A lack of attic ventilation can cause ice to build up in your eaves and gutters, which can buckle or fall off under the weight, causing serious and expensive damage to your home.

Bottom line: a well-ventilated attic offers many benefits
1. It prevents mildew growth and rot on your roof’s framing and sheathing by reducing moisture buildup.
2. It helps prevent ice dams in winter by keeping your roof colder.
3. It extends the life of your shingles by keeping the roof cooler in hot weather.
4. It reduces cooling costs in the warm season.
Improving Attic Ventilation

There are many different options available to provide adequate ventilation to your attic space. The most common are:
- ridge vents – installed at the peak of a sloped roof, the ridge vent allows damp, warm air to escape from the attic,
- soffit vents – a vent installed into the underside of your home’s eaves that permits fresh outside air to be drawn up into the attic,
- gable vents – usually installed on the exterior wall of your attic, gable vents are cheap, easy to maintain, save money, and maximize the area in your roof since you won’t have to waste space and money running a whole-house fan,
- powered attic fans – most controversial of all vent systems, they’re intended to cool hot attics by drawing in cooler outside air from attic vents (soffit and gable) and pushing hot air to the outside, but don’t always work as well as intended.
Your roofing contractor will be able to help you select the right option for your home. Remember: more is not necessarily better.

6 Tips For Proper Attic Ventilation & Insulation
- Attics should be insulated to R-38, which is about eighteen inches of insulation material.
- Most building codes require 1 square foot of venting for each 150 square feet of attic space.
- If there are portions of insulation that have been eroded down, remove it all then install full eighteen inches of new insulation material in its place (instead of simply adding more on top).
- Homeowners should avoid attic fan ventilators with blocked soffit vents, according to Energy Star. Turbine or fan ventilation systems are unreliable, as their moving parts are sure to break down over time. Soffit and ridge venting systems are a much better solution.
- Be aware of all soffit vents around the perimeter of the house and take steps to ensure these vents remain unblocked by debris, insulation, or outside materials.
- Install a thermometer in the attic that can remotely tell you the area’s temperature so you can monitor the situation on an ongoing basis.
Have Your Attic Ventilation Checked

A small investment today can save you thousands of dollars down the road, not to mention hours of inconvenience.

If you’re unsure whether or not you have adequate attic ventilation, or if your attic is not ventilated altogether, contact All Roofing Solutions. We are a reliable, honest and skilled roofing contractor with nearly 20 years of experience in the industry. Family owned and operated, we serve customers throughout Delaware and southeastern Pennsylvania, and are happy to solve all your roofing problems, large and small.

Call 302-725-ROOF (7663) in Delaware or 610-551-ROOF (7663) in Pennsylvania for your FREE ESTIMATE today!
June 28, 2018
3 Pre-Winter Roofing Inspection Tips From Your Contractor

As you prepare your home for winter, don’t forget to look up! Pre-winter roofing inspection is critical!

Your home’s roofing and gutter systems may be easy to overlook, but doing so can lead to expensive repairs as the season wears on. This is especially true before winter!

Roofing Inspection: 3 Pre-Winter Tips

The first step to your regular roofing & gutter maintenance are roof inspections. In fact, roof inspections are a crucial part of your seasonal home maintenance and should be done at least annually.

Below are a few tips regarding your pre-winter roof check that you should keep in mind at this time of the year.

#1 – Look for interior signs of roof leaks

Roof leaks will often reveal themselves as stains on your ceilings, or as stains and wet areas in your attic. However, not all roofing problems are obvious, and the absence of drafts or leaks doesn’t necessarily mean your roof is structurally sound. This is why when it comes to roofing inspections it’s important to hire a professional! It’s fairly easy to detect surface problems, but it takes a specially trained eye to spot problems below your shingles and tiles.

If you’re a DIY type. follow out last blog to learn how to locate and fix minor leaks in your roof. More elaborate and intensive repairs can be difficult and onerous, and in many cases, even experienced DIY-ers are better off investing in the safety and security of a qualified contractor.

#2 – Inspect the condition of your shingles & flashings

Weather damage is inevitable. While inspecting your roof, look for curled, cracked, loose or missing shingles from the ground, using binoculars if you need to. Over time, exposure to the elements, as well as storm-related debris, can damage your roof deck compromising the integrity of your roof shingles. Also, check flashings and other penetrations, including around chimneys and exhaust vents. Be sure these areas are properly sealed against the weather.

If you hire a professional roofing company, your inspector will ascend the roof to examine its construction, flashing, vents and chimney. He will check for common problems such as missing shingles, broken shakes or tiles, cracked flashings, damaged chimney bricks, open seams or wear from extreme sun-exposure.

If there are any problems, the inspector will determine the cause and recommend a solution.

#3 – Check your attic insulation levels

Improperly insulated attic is a prime candidate for the formation of condensation, which can lead to mold and mildew, damaging the interior structure of your home. It is also largely responsible for ice dams formation.

Insufficient insulation is especially common in older homes, which were generally constructed when building codes did not require as much insulation. Regardless of the season, a poorly insulated home can be a huge cost for homeowners due to the constant running of heating or cooling systems – there are many winterizing steps you can take to tackle that.

Your roofing inspector should check ventilation, insulation and moisture levels and offer appropriate steps to remedy any potential problems before winter arrives

Regular Inspections Are Key to Long Lasting Roof!

The integrity of your roof is critical in maintaining your home’s value. A thorough inspection from an experienced roofing contractor can help to ensure that your roof is up to the task.

If you’d like to schedule an inspection to diagnose specific problems or evaluate the overall condition of your roof, contact All Roofing Solutions. We not only offer thorough roofing inspection and professional service but also a piece of mind that nothing was overlooked.

Family owned and operated Delaware and Pennsylvania roofing contractor with over 15 years of experience in residential and commercial roofing, we have the experience and expertise to handle all your roofing needs!

Call 302-725-ROOF (7663) in Delaware or 610-551-ROOF (7663) in Pennsylvania to schedule a roofing inspection or to request a free estimate on your roofing repairs

December 14, 2017
Fall Roofing Maintenance: 6 Tasks You Shouldn’t Ignore
Preventative maintenance is the key to avoiding leaks and other roofing problems.

It’s difficult to repair roofs during the winter, when cold temperatures and snowfall accumulation make access a tricky proposition. The added weight of ice and snow can also worsen existing problems, so it’s essential to care of any underlying issues before the winter elements arrive in full force.

Ice dam formation, flashing leaks, and structural damage pose a real threat to your roof, but they are all preventable – this is where a quick fall inspection & maintenance come in.

Your 6-Point Fall Roofing Maintenance Checklist

Experienced roofing contractors emphasize the importance of these six key fall roofing maintenance tasks:
- Trim your tree branches. If you have trees with branches that hang over your roof, it’s a good idea to trim these branches away to prevent leaves from falling onto your roof. The accumulation of leaves, branches, twigs, and other debris can cause blockages in your gutters, leading to ice dams and other potentially serious issues.
- Clean out your gutters. To that end, you should also hop on your ladder and check your gutters. Manually remove any debris you find, since buildups of leaves, branches, and twigs can impede the flow of water as it tries to drain from your roof.
- Add gutter guards. This is a good idea if you have tree branches hanging over the perimeter of your roof. Gutter guards are inexpensive accessories that create a barrier between your roof’s edges and your gutters, preventing leaves and debris from getting into your gutters in the first place.
- Check your attic. Head up to your attic to check for signs of leaks. The presence of mold and mildew, stains, and warped wooden elements all indicate leakage, or high humidity levels. Proper attic insulation and ventilation are the keys to fixing these issues and preventing the serious problems they can cause.
- Hire a roofing professional to perform an inspection. Most homeowners lack the specialized knowledge needed to detect roofing problems during a casual inspection. It’s far better to hire an experienced inspection contractor to carry out a .
- Repair any underlying problems promptly. If your roofing inspection uncovers issues that require remediation, don’t wait until spring. Have them fixed now, before the snow starts to fall. Otherwise, you risk developing problems that may be far more difficult and expensive to repair later.
To arrange a professional roofing inspection, reach out to a local contractor. The experienced eye of a roofing pro can detect problems that might otherwise escape your notice.

Have Your Attic Ventilation Checked

If you’re unsure whether or not you have adequate attic ventilation, consult a professional roofing contractor. Achieving proper ventilation can be a technical undertaking, so you’ll need to eliminate any possible guesswork from the equation to achieve optimal results. A small investment today can save you thousands of dollars down the road in unnecessary repairs, not to mention hours of inconvenience.

If you want a healthy and efficient roof system, you need to find a quality installer who won’t cut corners.

Contact All Roofing Solutions, a local Delaware roofing installation contractor with a team of skilled, loyal and hardworking crewmen. We serve customers throughout Delaware and southeastern Pennsylvania, and are happy to offer advice about attic ventilation or other roofing issues.

Call 302-725-ROOF (7663) in Delaware or 610-551-ROOF (7663) in Pennsylvania to request your FREE ESTIMATE.
November 23, 2016
The Importance of Attic Insulation in the Health of a Roof

A lot of homeowners underestimate the importance of installing proper insulation in their attics, thinking it isn’t worth the time or money to improve a space that’s usually used only for storage.

The reality is that attic insulation plays an extremely important role in the health of your roof and the energy efficiency of your home. It helps keep your home cool during the summer and warm during the winter, and when paired with an effective ventilation strategy, attic insulation also helps to prevent potentially costly problems like ice dams.

Attic Insulation and Its Role in Home Energy Efficiency

Insulation creates a thermal barrier that inhibits heat transfer. This means that it helps keep hot air out in the summer and prevents the loss of warm air during the winter. Given that heating and cooling accounts for between 50 and 70 percent of the average home’s energy usage, you can significantly lower your costs and improve efficiency by adding proper insulation to your attic.

It’s important to carefully consider the climate in which you live when selecting a product or determining how much insulation to install. Look at a metric known as the “R-value” of a given type of insulation; this value tells you how effective the insulation is at inhibiting heat transfer. The higher a given insulation’s R-value, the better it is at preventing heat gain or loss.

Keep Ice Dams at Bay with Proper Insulation

Ice dams happen when snow that’s collected on the roof is melted by heat coming from the attic, then runs off to lower sections of the roof or into the eaves. There, it freezes again, and the ice thus formed can prevent water from draining properly. The water can then become trapped under the shingles, causing serious damage to your roof that can permanently alter its structural integrity and require expensive repairs.

When paired with proper attic ventilation, insulation is the most effective way to prevent ice dams from forming. It helps keep the temperature of your attic at a controlled level, thus stopping snow from melting too quickly.

The Benefits of Professional Installation

Professional installation of attic insulation removes all guesswork from the product selection and installation processes. Experienced pros know what type of insulation is best for your home and climate, and they can also help with ventilation strategies and other improvements that will ensure your attic supports the health of your roof. Reach out to a dependable professional in your area to get your questions answered or obtain a project-specific custom estimate.

And if you need help with attic ventilation or roof damage repairs, contact All Roofing Solutions, your local roofing contractor with over 15 years of experience in residential and commercial roofing. We’ll can help you ensure your roof is as energy efficient as possible, repair leaks, handle any ventilation issues, or replace your entire roof, gutters, windows or siding – whatever services you may need!

Call 302-725-ROOF (7663) in Delaware or 610-551-ROOF (7663) in Pennsylvania or request your free estimate online!

September 8, 2016