Sun 30 Jan 2011

Roofer Bloomfield Michigan

Posted by Carl under Roofer Bloomfield Michigan
No Comments

Okay, so why a site called Roofer Bloomfield Michigan and why should you listen to what I have to say?

Have you ever had to have major work done to a high ticket item, like your home or car and wasn’t quite sure where to turn? Not much fun, is it? You want it done right, but you don’t want to have to sell your firstborn to pay for it.

If you have ever had to deal with a roofing or home improvement contractor, then you know exactly what I’m talking about. So I created this site to help other Michigan homeowners make informed decisions when it comes time for them to get some work done on their roof, which will happen to all of us eventually.

You are probably wondering why I gave this blog such an unusual name as Roofer Bloomfield Michigan. Well when I first started looking for a roofer, I went to Google and that’s exactly what I typed in. And if I made this site correctly, you found this site by doing the same thing.

To start with, let me say that I am not a roofer, nor do I own a roofing company. I get queasy standing on a ladder. But I have a home with a roof on top. I have dealt with leaky roofs, damaged shingles, and an assortment of other roofing calamities and have had my fair share of dealings with roofing contractors.

As a Michigan resident, I am sure you are all too familiar with the unstable weather that we have. The harsh winters with ice and blowing snow along with the heat, humidity, and storms of summer can do a number on your home, especially your roof. And many times, roofers are more of a hindrance than help.

My first experience with a roofing contractor was twenty some years ago. A storm had damaged and even tore away many of my asphalt shingles. I was a lot younger at the time and I knew nothing about chimney flashing, ventilation, fascia boards, asphalt rolls, or metal roofing. They tossed out terms like natural slate roofing, traditional tile roofing, and cedar shake roofing. I would just nod my head and pretend I knew what they were talking about. Sound familiar?

It was covered by insurance, so I just went with the insurance company’s recommendation. The roofer proceeded to rip off and replace the entire roof, even though only a portion of it was damaged. When I say ripped off, I mean that literally. I found out later that they had charged the insurance company over $25,000 for that roof. Remember, this was over 20 years ago, when prices were lower. The insurance company started an investigation.

I still don’t know the outcome of that investigation, but I’m betting that the NRCA (National Roofing Contractors Association)wasn’t real happy about it.

Fast forward to today. I had to have my roof replaced again recently, so I started calling around. I’m older and wiser now, so no sweat, right?

Well maybe I have changed, but apparently the roofing contractors haven’t. I actually had a couple of companies want to charge me to come to my house to give an estimate. Are you kidding me? One representative of another contractor simply wrote some numbers on the back of a business card and left it in the mailbox. I might add that those numbers were astronomical. Obviously, they didn’t want the job.

You can always call one of those big name companies that you see advertising on tv all the time, but I found out that they are little more than a broker. They simply sell you the service for a significant fee, hire out local contractors to do the work, and keep the difference. The one that came to our house really applied the pressure to get me to sign up on the spot.

Fortunately, I resisted, because I later discovered that they were charging over $2000 more than most other companies. It still wasn’t as much as the guy with the business card, but high enough.

The bottom line is that you need to do your homework. Roofing is a relatively simple job, but it’s not for the inexperienced or for the squeamish if you are afraid of heights like I am. It’s best left to professionals.

It’s tempting to let your neighborhood handyman do it, but you never know what to expect. You end up with a blaring radio, beer cans and roofing nails in your yard, and, if halfway through the job he finds something better and decides to quit, you will probably end up paying more to fix his mistakes than you would have if you had just hired a proffessional in the first place.

In the meantime, you have water leaking into your house and damage to your vents, gutter, and shingles.

So if you don’t know your asphalt from your flashing, spend a few minutes going through this site.

Roofer Bloomfield Michigan is a site built by a little guy for the little guy in hopes of saving you time, money, and embarrassment, as well as making your home and your neighborhood a more beautiful place.

Tags: , , , ,

 

Sun 30 Jan 2011

Selecting The Right Kind Of Roof

Posted by Carl under Various Types of Roofs
No Comments

When building a house you usually start from the ground up, but one of the first things you should be thinking about is the roof. There are several different types of roofs to choose from. You can build one that fits the style and the functionality of your house, while protecting you from the elements in your location.

The most popular and common roof that you will see is built with asphalt shingles. This is a popular choice because it is the least expensive material to buy, but it still looks good. There are different styles, colors and durability levels for this type of shingle.

Keep in mind that this material does wear quickly and may not hold up very long in an area where there are windy and icy conditions. You can also use an architectural shingle, which is also called a laminated or dimensional shingle. These are made of asphalt, but are designed to look like shakes or tiles. These are more durable and last longer.

Several years ago a popular choice in roofing was the wood shingle. These shingles are made of cedar. They are dependable and resist rotting. These are not as widely used now because they are less fire resistant, and therefore are less reliable. This is probably not a good choice if you live in a wooded area, or in places that are susceptible to fire.

You can also build a steel roof. This is a metal roof that is known to be more durable and fire resistant. These roofs last fifty years or more, but because of their durability and life span, it is going to be more expensive. Another material that is just as durable, but can last 100 years or more is slate. The difference is that slate is heavier and you would need to make sure that the building structure could hold the weight.

If you are looking to build your roof with natural materials you can build an eco or clay roof. The eco roof is made of vegetation and soil. This offers insulation during cold and hot weather, but it is very heavy. If the house can support the weight, it is a good energy efficient roof made from recycled materials. The clay tile roof is also heavy and should not be used in an area prone to insects or mold.

Another energy efficient way to build a roof would be in using solar shingles. Solar shingles have the ability to power an entire house from the energy it collects during the day. This will be the most beneficial in an area that gets a lot of sunlight. These types of roofs are expensive, but the energy savings are immediate and you can save a lot of money. There are also tax incentives for building a solar roof.

You can also select the shape of the roof you want to build. The most popular, and easiest to build, is the gable roof. This shape sheds water quickly and provides plenty of ventilation. Another popular shape is the hip roof. This is slightly more difficult to build, but the design is unique. This style does not provide as much ventilation and because of the hips and valleys, it has an increased chance for leakage. An A-frame provides a roof and walls, and was first used for cottages. Now this style is found on houses, churches and other structures.

The last type of roof is a flat roof. This is the most economical, but has no design. This does not require shingles, but instead uses layers of felt and tar, and is topped with gravel. This type of roof is for warm areas with little or no snow fall.

When planning to build your house, look at all material samples for the types of roofs that are available. Pick a roof that reflects your lifestyle and will also be dependable in the environment and climate where you live.

Tags: , , , , ,

 

Sat 29 Jan 2011

Choosing The Right Bloomfield Roofer

Posted by Carl under Bloomfield Michigan Roofer Recommendations
No Comments

Unless you know a little bit about the building or contracting business, it can be hard to know what to look for when you are looking for professional michigan roofing companies. When you need a roof built or even a roof replacement, this is a serious matter that should be handled by only those who are truly professional and experienced.

Here are a few tips to help you know what to look for and choose the best company to get your job done.

I didn’t know any roofers personally, so when I needed my roof done, I did it the way most of have to. I started searching.

I went into Google and did a search for roofers in my area and started calling around. As I have already mentioned, I had some very interesting encounters.

The contractor I eventually hired was family owned and been in business since 1986. That was important to me. I figured that if they did shoddy work or made a habit of cheating people, they wouldn’t have been around that long.

I also liked the price. Most times, the lowest bid isn’t always the best one. What corners will they cut to get the price that low.

But the guy who came out was the actual owner of the company. He didn’t send some flunky salesman. He went over every detail, made some recommendations, and even came up with a solution for a problem I wasn’t sure had one. I won’t go into details, but it had to do with the electrical lines.

Anyway, we sat down and had a cup of coffee, and he explained my options. He was a genuinely nice guy and my instincts were telling me that I could trust him. I know, that’s not very scientific, but sometimes instincts are all you have to go on.

Funds were tight, so I hired them. It was a good move. They did everything they promised and more. They ran into a few unexpected problems when they tore off the old roof, but he covered the cost of most of them. The only extra I had to pay was for the rotting deck boards underneath, but even that was pretty cheap, all things considered.

They had to remove my satalite dish, but they reinstalled it and, believe it or not, I am getting a better signal now than I got before. Yea, that’s just a coincidence, but it means they are thorough.

That’s why I am writing this recommendation. They did a great job at a very fair price and it’s the least I can do for him. Since they also do other home improvement work, I’ll probably be hiring them again real soon.

The guy I am talking about is Joe Miller and he he is the owner of A.S.I. Improvement. They are based in Lapeer, Michigan, but they cover a large portion of southeast Michigan.

If you want it done right the first time for a fair price, give Joe a call at 800-491-5115 or visit their website at www.lastroofever.com

Tags: , , , , ,