One of the most expensive home repairs is installing a new roof. Determining whether your home needs a new roof or roof repair can be confusing. There are several determining factors which can guide homeowners. Consulting with a roofing contractor can also help you determine if your roof needs to be repaired or replaced.

The Age of the Roof
Most asphalt shingled roofs last about 15-20 years. Nowadays, there are new types of GAF asphalt roof shingles which last about 30 years (if maintained well). If your roof has numerous leaks, several damaged areas and is close to 15 years old, then you will likely need to replace it.

Number of Roof Layers
If your roof is leaking and already has several layers, you might need a completely new roof. Roofers refer to this as a “complete tear-off.” All the layers are torn off and new wood roof framing is installed. New shingles are then installed. City codes are usually very strict regarding the amount of roof layers permitted. In most areas, the maximum number of layers is three. Check with a local roofer who will be most familiar with the roofing codes in your area.

Other Signs That an Older Roof May Need Replacement

Missing or Torn Shingles
Torn, damaged or missing shingles are often a sign of other roof problems. Peeling shingles could be caused by poor roof ventilation. Poor roof ventilation results in warm air escaping through the roof. The warm air can lead to moisture under the shingles and cause them to peel. Mold growth or black spots are also a sign of a moisture problem. Before considering a new roof, make sure that you have enough intake and outtake roof and attic vents.

Condition of Interior Walls
The condition of the interior walls that touch the roof can give many clues about what is going on up on top of the roof. If you notice a significant loss of paint and heavy moisture marks on your walls (and ceilings), then there could be some serious leaks originating on the roof. If you have safe access to your attic, climb up and check for evidence of moisture.

Extreme Weather Conditions
Tornadoes and hurricanes can cause roof damage that cannot be repaired. Structural damage to the roof cannot always be seen. A professional roofer (with experience in repairing and replacing weather damaged roofs) can help determine if you need a new roof.

Faulty Design
Is your roof less than 15 years old and suffering from major problems? It could be that your roof was improperly installed or that faulty materials were used. Many roofs come with warranties for the materials used and some even cover the labor. Check with the roofing company who installed your roof.

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Luxury vinyl tiles look more sophisticated than the traditional vinyl tiles. It is a part of “resilient flooring” that includes rubber and sheet-vinyl. The base layer of this tile is primarily made of polyvinyl chloride, offering stability and flexibility. On top of the base layer is a decorative PVC film.

Features and Benefits

Here are some of the features and benefits of LV tiles:
•    These tiles are durable as well as cost-effective compared to flooring choices including, stone, ceramic and hardwood
•    Maintenance of LV is easy. The recommended procedure to clean these tiles is simple damp mopping. It doesn’t require refinishing, regrouting or resealing that is common for hardwood or engineered-wood floors
•    LV tiles are easy to install. With the right instructions and tools, anyone can install them at home without any professional help. A simple glue-down system can also be used for installation
•    These are flexible, stable and can be easily replaced

LVT (Luxury Vinyl Tile) is available in a wide range of colors, styles and sizes, perfect for residential and commercial use. It is a cost-effective option for anyone who wants a stone, tile or realistic wooden look. With the help of photographic and printing technologies, it has become easy to mimic the look and texture of real wood or stone products in these tiles.

LV flooring includes LV tiles as well as planks. These are available in plank form because it imitates solid wooden flooring. Price, style and durability are three important factors due to which these have gained popularity. They look so realistic that people even get specially formulated grout to get stone-like look.

Apart from wood and stone looks, you can also get them in different block colors, graphic patterns and popular textures such as indented steel panels and mosaic pebbles. Since these tiles are installed as a ‘floating floor’, they are a perfect option for people who want to keep changing their flooring to get a new look.

Initially, vinyl tiles were used in areas such as laundry room, kitchen and bathroom due to its resistance to water and durability. But today, with the availability of new styles, they are being used even in bedrooms, living rooms and conference rooms. LVT is also ideal for hospital flooring or any other busy healthcare environment where durability as well as cleanliness is of high importance.

If you don’t want to seek professional help in installing these tiles, you can DIY with the right tools and technique. The substrate that the LV tile will be applied to should be in a good condition. It should be of a suitable material and clean.

Based on the tile you buy, there are two methods of installing LV. In the first method, tiles stick easily with the recommended adhesive whereas in the second method, no adhesive is required because the tiles have a tape down or interlocking system. No matter which installation method is used, it is important to follow the guidelines and recommendations made by the manufacturing company.

Roofing has existed for centuries. Roofs can be made of a variety of materials. The most important aspect to roofing is weatherproofing. Making an assessment of the weather in your area will help you choose the best roofing material for you.

As long as people have lived in houses, roofing has been a necessity. Roofing can be made of many different materials, which each have their own weatherproofing properties. As time has progressed, new roofing materials have been created that are even more effective than their predecessors. Roof construction has existed for thousands of years, and was a huge factor in the human transition to sedentary civilizations.

Domestic architecture has had an immense variety of forms throughout the history of civilization. Homes likely started as constructions of bricked mud, sometimes reinforced by plant stalks. Roofs also can be made out of thatched plant stalks to seal a home from weather. Thatched roofing consists of dried plant stalks that form straw. Wheat straw and rye straw can be used. Thatching itself is a process that involves stacking crisscrossed layers of straw to form a tight seal.

Weatherproofing is the most important aspect of roofing. It is essential that the materials used can effectively keep out rainwater and wind. Usually, when a roof needs repair or replacement, it is because water is leaking through the roof and through the ceiling.

There are a wide variety of materials with which one can make a roof. While thatched roofing has been used for a long time, and is still used today, advancements in technology have allowed for other materials to become popular. The most popular materials with which to make a roof include slate, metal, ceramic tile, concrete, and asphalt. Membrane roofs can be made of plastic, bitumen, or other materials. It features large sheets of material, as opposed to smaller shingles or tiles.

Shingles are not actually a material themselves, but like thatching, they are a method of arranging materials in a way that seals out moisture. They are flat objects, usually tiles, arranged so they overlap and form a tight seal. Shingles can be made out of many different materials. Sometimes they are made out of wood.

Slate is a useful material because it can be made into thin layers that can be easily shaped into lightweight tiles. Stone and concrete can also be used. They are less expensive, but also heavier. Ceramic tiles have been used for centuries and are another material that works well for roofs.

Metal shingles are a lightweight option. Metal roofs can also be accomplished with corrugated metal or a variety of other shapes. The benefits of a metal roof are that the materials are less expensive and lightweight. Also, metal can be shaped into an enormous variety of shapes, and it is a relatively easy process to make metal very thin.

Constructing a roof is a complex practice that involves many different materials. The materials you will want for your own roof will depend largely on the area in which you live. Your needs should be assessed by considering the climate and daily weather of your region. Typhoons are a concern, so roofs in affected areas should be secured to prevent damage. Knowing what materials work best in your conditions will help you and your roofer make the right decisions about which roof style will work best for you.

Roofing shingles come in many different styles, shapes, colors and patterns. But every roof has but three basic shingle (or tile) types. This article explains the three basic types of shingles and tiles which are produced. We’re not talking about specific products here, simply the types of each product.

Starters Shingles and Starter Tiles

Starter shingles are, as their name implies, the starting shingles of a Roof System. They are installed on top of the Drip Edge/Rake Edge and on top of the Leak Barriers and begin the overlapping pattern for the remainder of Shingles (or tiles) on the roof.

Simply put: One single row of starter shingles is installed everywhere your roof ends, ie: in the same areas as with Metal Drip Edge and Rake Edge. As with every other part of a Roof System, different types of starter shingles are offered by many different manufacturers. Fortunately for you, you don’t need to select what type of starter shingle to use on your roof, because the manufacturer of the Field Shingle you chose chooses for you. As long as your Roofing Contractor follows the manufacturers recommendations when selecting starter shingles, you’re in good hands.

A note of interest: starter shingles set the beginning pace for the rest of the Shingles on your roof. If the starter shingles are installed straight, then the installation technician will be off to a good start. Also, starter shingles usually need to be installed off set from the remaining Shingles on your Roof System to allow for a proper overlap of the remaining shingles or tiles.

Another easy aspect for you about starter shingles is some manufacturers produce starter shingles which can be used with the Field Shingles of their competitors. In other words, some starter shingles are interchangeable with the products of different manufacturers. Not all starter shingles however are interchangeable. To avoid any ‘unpleasantness’, double check with your roofing contractor that they will be installing a proper starter shingle.

Field Shingles and Field Tiles

Shingles, or “field” Shingles are the main component of your Roof System. It’s the part you see first when looking from the street. And it’s the part which primarily keeps the weather out of your home. Many differing types of shingles are available to choose from, ranging between the traditional Asphalt, Wood Shake and Slate/Tile, to the relatively newer Metal, Rubber and environmentally friendly Plastic Types. Manufacturers are even experimenting with new Green Roof Systems which do not have shingles at all but are instead composed of real dirt and vegetation!

Dry climates generally reduce the effectiveness of Wood Shingles and Tile Shingles are relatively expensive and ‘out of fashion’. Rubber and Plastic tiles are relatively newer in the market and still gaining market share. This leaves Metal and Asphalt as the most popular tile and shingle options for Roofing Systems, with asphalt being the most popular due to its lower cost and long reliable track record. Asphalt and Metal Shingles have recently adapted in design to match the luxurious ‘layered’ look that Wood Shingles used to offer. Recent advances in technology have allowed more and more Asphalt and Metal shingle designs.

Field shingles are installed overtop the Starter Shingles we just discussed. They take the brunt of the weather and are the ‘meat and potatoes’ a Roof System. Without good Field Shingles, your roof doesn’t stand a chance. Of course, all components of a Roof System are vitally important, however it’s the Field Shingles which are the most visual, the costliest and receive the most attention on your Roof.

Ridge Cap Shingles and Ridge Cap Tiles

The final touch. Ridge Shingles are to your roof like a picture frame is to a picture. The bottom line is, visually appealing Roof Systems include visually appealing ridge shingles. If you are not concerned with the visual appeal of your Roof System, then save a buck and use a standard cut shingle for your ridge caps. If however you’d like your house to look more like your castle…use a definitive edge ridge shingle.

Important note: Higher quality ridge shingles typically require special installation procedures when installed. It may be wise to mention this to whoever you choose to install your roof. Ridge shingles are located at areas of your roof most vulnerable to wind damage and therefore subject blowing off if they are not installed properly. Ask your roofing contractor what sort of Special Installations are required for installing high quality ridge shingles.