Thinking of putting in solar roofing for your next home improvement project?

Most Bay Area roofing contractors recommend solar shingles instead of traditional solar tiles to achieve a more energy-efficient home. Solar tiles are standalone, which means you can use it as the primary roofing material.

Solar Power Distribution of Solar Tiles

Solar tiles are wired to provide electricity for both off and on-grid systems. Having a solar panel system on an on-grid system allows you to power up homes and commercial establishments. Excess electricity generated from these tiles may be sold to the utility company for a rebate. Off-grid solar systems are more for back-ups in cases of power outages. They can also store energy for future use. Keep in mind that an off-grid system can be more expensive than an on-grid system.

All solar-powered systems make use of a power inverter that converts sun energy to usable electricity. A power inverter typically converts DC electricity into AC electricity for home use. Though solar roofing installation can be costly, the investment is recouped over time. They usually pay for themselves after several years of electricity production.

Solar Tile Pros

Solar roofing shingles are more aesthetically pleasing than their traditional counterparts. Home designers will appreciate the fact that this material enhances your home’s exterior design. You can choose from different sizes or models- from systems that make use of thin films to solid shingle-size tiles that look like any other traditional shingle.

You may opt for a more durable, waterproof solar tile during the time of installation. Bay Area solar roofing contractors will have an easier time during installation- they can just staple the tile directly to the roof. Furthermore, you may be qualified to get tax incentives if you go solar.

Solar tiles are more effective than traditional panels overall. Each shingle can generate up to 17 watts of electricity! Perhaps the most notable benefit of having solar tile roofing is that you won’t have to make room for large flat surfaces to install traditional solar panel systems.

Additionally, solar energy roofing can be constructed in a way that makes them highly resistant against strong winds.

Solar Tile Cons

• Initial installation costs can be steep.
• The roof has to have the right angle to efficiently catch solar energy. Also, the surface area must be sufficient to reliably power your property.
• On-grid systems will have no energy storage, which means you can’t use solar electricity during storms or in the night time.

Solar Energy Roofing in the Bay Area

Century Roof Tile is the go-to Bay Area roofing contractor for solar roofing installations, gutters, re-roofing and roof repair contact Century Roof Tile. At your earliest convenience, call (888) 233-7548 or contact us online for further assistance.

Formerly, the slope of a roof was what determined whether opting for a skylight or not was qualified. Flat roofs or others that are too steep necessitated specialized equipment and techniques. Today however, a majority of skylight kits come with comprehensive installation supplies that permit installation on almost any type of roof. However, if you have metal or tile roofing, you may have to pay a little extra for the installation process.

Whether you’re constructing a new home or considering building maintenance, you will want to take the steps to make everything as efficient and achievable as possible. Thus, besides settling on your roof and wall construction materials, you should select the flooring type that would be most beneficial to you. One more thing that is often forgotten are windows; but they have a tremendous effect on the temperature, energy-efficiency and overall look of your property. Whether you install a single or multiple skylight(s), a range of benefits is in your future – a few of which are listed below.

The benefits of installing skylights for your home

Natural source of light

First and most importantly, a skylight transmits and diffuses light more effectively and evenly than that of a regular window. By providing these types of aesthetic benefits, your house is made to look larger and brighter. With the most efficient and well-installed skylight, your room will look up to nearly 20 times its original size! Not only that, but since sunlight is responsible for the release of endorphins and serotonin in our brain, it can even help improve our mood and overall health. So, the more it fill into your house, the better you and your family members will feel.

Lower energy bills

As more light comes in through the skylights, you won’t have to turn on the electric bulbs nearly as much, if at all. A majority of corporate constructions have lights on 24/7; hence, skylight installation will lead to generous savings for them.

Since sunlight enters your home and keeps it warm, your energy bills can be reduced significantly. As a matter of fact, it has been estimated that skylights can slice your energy costs down by almost one third. To enjoy optimum benefits, consider hiring the professionals at Century Roof Tile to install your skylights. By enlisting professional installers rather than opting for a DIY solution, your savings will be even more pronounced, while any chance of leakage or other catastrophic incidents will be mitigated.

Complete Privacy

People with windows in their house often resort to net curtains for maintaining privacy. While effective, curtains reduce natural sunlight and instill a gloomy room atmosphere. By using skylights instead, this problem can be solved easily. You will enjoy ample sunlight, yet still be able to maintain complete privacy. Nobody outside your private space will be able to peep into your house or office premises.

One of the most common causes for leaks is an inaccurate fitting. These often result when unreliable contractors are unknowingly enlisted for your project. When installing skylights, many people are compelled to simply employ a handyman instead of a professional roofer. While there are plenty of different home improvement projects a general handyman can take on, a skylight installation should be left to someone with the knowledge and expertise to do the job correctly the first time.

Skylight installation and re-roofing in the Bay Area

Skylights can do so much more than just saving you money and allowing natural sunlight into your home. When installed correctly by experienced contractors, homes with skylights experience greatly enhanced curb appeal. Before selecting a specific skylight, make sure you’re choosing the right type for your home. Contact Century Roof Tile at (510) 780-9489 or contact us online for more information on skylights.

There are a variety of options for property owners who are looking to make their homes, and especially their roofs, more environmentally friendly. Some changes to be made include an entire overhaul and new roof, while some only require adding on to the existing roof. Here are 5 great ways to make your roof more eco-friendly:

White Roof

One of the most straightforward ways to make your roofing more green is to go white. Replace all of your old dark colored roof shingles for white or light tan colored ones. This change is simple but very effective as it results in much lower electricity bills. Not only will the light shingles keep the sun from beating down too intensely on the top of your home, they will also help keep the interior of your home cooler.

Solar Panels

Solar panels are the perfect add-on option if your existing roof is still in good or excellent condition and you would like to keep things as are. The panels can be added by a qualified Bay Area solar company quickly and cleanly right on top of your existing roofing. Solar panels are an excellent way to save money while going green because they have been proven to drastically lower electricity bills. They gather energy from the sun during the day and harness that power for your home.

Metal Roofs

A metal roof is really a great idea for all kinds of homeowners because it comes with so many benefits. Metal roofs last a very long time and are known to be extremely durable. They also reflect the sun, so that your home stays cooler during the day. A bonus is that metal roofs are in-style at the moment, so you can make your house trendier at the same time that you are helping the environment.

Clay Roof Tiles

A clay roof is a roof that is made from clay or slate tiles that are naturally occurring. Spanish style homes often feature this kind of roof, whose benefits include long lasting properties as well as highly desired aesthetic. A Bay Area roofing contractor that is experienced with unique roofing types is essential when implementing something like this to make sure that the job is done well.

Green Roofing

Another add-on option is called a green roof. This option includes installing a garden on the top of your roof, with a variety of plants and flowers to assist in clean-air production and sun management. Though this isn’t a service offered here at Century Roof & Tile, having a roof inspection before starting a green roof is important.

Contact Our Bay Area Solar Company Today

When is comes to things like solar roofing installations and adding re-roofing projects, calling a professional is very important. The team here are Century Roof & Tile will help you through the entire process with ease, making your transition from old roof to eco-friendly roof painless and simple. Contact us today via our online contact form, or give us a call at (888) 233-7548 for more information.

Being in an age where having environmentally friendly everyday items is becoming more and more commonplace, solar roofing panels are quickly taking over neighborhoods across America. Not only do they look great, but they are environmentally friendly, save you money on electric bills, and last for many many years.

There are two main types of solar roofing called Crystalline and BIPV (Building Integrated Photovoltaic). Both of these electricity making systems have a moderate cost when it comes to the initial installation, but over time they’ll pay for themselves by saving you money on energy bills. By cutting down the reliance on electricity, they have a positive effect on the environment by reducing pollution caused from power plants.

Recently solar roofing has been picking up at quite a fast pace. Many people jump to negative conclusions about the installation of a solar roof, with the belief that you have to make large holes in your roof and bring in heavy duty equipment to hold the panels.

However, that isn’t the case. With all the advancements in the field of solar energy roofing technology, today’s solar roofing products have all the benefits of lightweight tiles, ease of installation, and strong durability. These are just a handful of reasons solar roofing a great choice.

Solar roofs mainly consist of solar roof tiles, but can also consist of solar panels. Solar tiles are less prominent than large solar panels, which are fitted on top of the current roofing system. Solar tiles can be easily adjusted into the roofing shingles, and easily blend into the roof type because of their dark blue gray appearance. A person who doesn’t know about the presence of the solar roof tiles would not be able to identify them at the first glance. Solar tiles weigh 2-3 pounds for every square foot, making it easier to install when compared to heavier solar panels.

Solar roofing is very helpful if you are trying to avoid or cut down on a costly electricity bill. In the long run, and if installed correctly, solar roofing will prove less costly, and in some cases even eliminate the whole electricity bill. You may even be able to supply power to other homes if your energy consumption is small enough. Taking these factors into consideration, solar roofing could be a real great investment for you.

Contact Our Bay Area Solar Company Today

Whether you want solar roofing to save money on your electricity bills or to contribute towards reducing your energy consumption, having them fitted by a professional roofing contractor is a must. Having solar panels is a great step in the right direction to help protect the Earth and our environment. If you are interested in learning more about solar panels or solar tile installation, contact us online today or give us a call at (510) 780-9489.

Going Green has come into its own. Solar power, hybrid and electric vehicles, recycling plants, and water conservation have become cultural norms rather than oddities. For those who want to dip their toes in these clean waters, these are among the top reasons that our customers have been choosing to go green with solar energy roofing and more. Going green can:

1. Increase the value of your home. Eco-friendly, energy efficient homes have a strong resale market. Install solar panels, water-saving showers and toilets, and water reclamation systems (rain barrels) to save money and resources now and attract buyers later.
2. Reduce your utility bills. Water and electric bills drop significantly with go green changes.
3. Improve your lung health. Low and no-emission vehicles reduce reliance on fossil fuel, improve air quality and help you breathe better.
4. Lower your body’s toxicity. Your skin is your largest organ, and you absorb over 60% of the products you put on it. Make smart, green choices, and your body will thank you.
5. Support the economy. Buy local produce, food, and other products. Locally grown fruits and vegetables and humanely raised animals will provide more nutrients than those you will find in the grocery store and help small businesses, too.
6. Shift the focus to sustainable energy. The more people who go green or demand alternative fuel options, the sooner these changes will occur.

There are many small steps you can take on your journey to green. Take reusable bags to the store, use energy-efficient light bulbs and shift to organic foods.

Go Green with Bay Area Solar Energy Roofing

Century Roof & Tile supports the Go Green movement. We created noutililtybill.com to answer solar power questions, and our expert team of installers includes a C10 electrical contractor and a C 39 roofing contractor. Call us today at 888-233-7548 or visit our website to learn more.

High fuel costs, government incentives and a growing cultural acceptance that we collectively need to move beyond fossil fuels have created the perfect storm and sparked tremendous home owner interest in converting to home solar power. Meanwhile, relevant tech is getting cheaper and more durable, and utility solar energy development is also expanding. These shifts have boosted the growth of the solar industry and captured the nation’s attention and imagination.

Utility Solar Energy

Utility companies, concerned about expiring tax incentives, added significant solar capacity to their operations last year. The government also extended solar tax incentives, and industry watchers expect additional growth this year. 2016 will also see a new nuclear plant come on line, the first in 20 years. Renewable energy sources, combined with this new plant, are expected to produce two-thirds of new energy capabilities in the country over the coming year.

Commercial and Home Solar Energy

Residential solar power continues to be the fastest growing area of the U.S. solar industry, having experienced a 66% increase in solar capacity installation last year. Continued tax incentives and lowering installation costs appear to be fueling the growth of this industry. Commercial solar power installations are also increasing, as more businesses are taking advantage of a plethora of tax incentives and seeking to lower their operating expenses, not to mention their carbon footprint.

Home and business owners need to know that these tax advantages are only available when a professional installs their solar energy systems.

Work with Bay Area Solar Power Experts

Century Roof and Solar are experts in Bay Area solar energy. Our trained staff installs systems for home owners, apartment buildings and businesses. In fact, we have both a C10 electrical contractor and C39 roofing contractor – this in house expertise gives us the ability to maximize the efficiency and durability of our clients’ solar energy systems, regardless of where they live and their roof types. Call us to set up an appointment by calling (888) 233-7548, or visit noutililtybill.com to learn more.

While most people install skylights to improve lighting in  the home and add beauty to often used areas there are benefits beyond style and the function of providing needed light that make skylights an even better decision. Let’s explore some of the myriad benefits of skylights in the home.

1. More Vitamin D.

If you suffer from a Vitamin D deficiency, skylight installation may be just the cure you need. Per this article from the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition: “Most humans depend on sun exposure to satisfy their requirements for vitamin D. Solar ultraviolet B photons are absorbed by 7-dehydrocholesterol in the skin, leading to its transformation to previtamin D3, which is rapidly converted to vitamin D3. Season, latitude, time of day, skin pigmentation, aging, sunscreen use, and glass all influence the cutaneous production of vitamin D3.”

2. Enhanced mood.

Research has shown that access to natural sunlight boosts your mood, stimulates your immune system and helps to ward off depression. Per WebMD: “a sunny day may do more than just boost your mood — it may increase levels of a natural antidepressant in the brain. A new study shows that the brain produces more of the mood-lifting chemical serotonin on sunny days than on darker days. Researchers say the findings provide more evidence that lack of sunlight and reduced serotonin levels are important in the development of seasonal affective disorder (SAD).”

3. Lower energy bills.

Similar to solar energy roofing, the addition of skylights and more natural light to your home reduces your need for electricity, which lowers your energy bills.

4. Visual appeal.

Bay Area skylight installation improves your home’s ambiance, making colors brighter and highlighting key architectural details. You can customize skylights to complement the design of any space, from tastefully-decorated bedrooms to modern, edgy kitchens.

5. Less mold and mildew.

Bathrooms, basements and other damp areas in the home are prone to a buildup of mold and mildew. Bringing more natural light into the area with the help of a skylight reduces the ability of these disease-causing organisms to grow.

[Related: 3 Reasons to Consider Skylight Installation When Re-Roofing]

Ready to Pursue a Skylight Installation for Your Bay Area Home?

Call the Century Roof & Tile team today at (888) 233-7548 with your questions about skylights, roof and solar installations! We offer a range of top of the line products and outstanding installation and pricing to make your home more energy efficient, more comfortable, and more valuable.

The solar roofing boom is here for real in the Bay Area, and we’re excited to see the solar revolution spread, bringing substantial energy efficiency to thousands of Californians and reducing both carbon emissions and our collective dependence on The Grid. That said, many “solar curious” consumers still feel somewhat intimidated by the prospect of switching over. To that end, we’ve prepared the following brief FAQ about solar roofing installations and system maintenance.

1. Will your system break?

As with any other electronic system, solar roofing can malfunction. However, most solar roofing systems come with lengthy warranties on their most important components. Depending on the company’s policy and the specifics of the part, warranties may last as long as 25 years.

2. What can you do to hedge against problems?

Keep your panels clean of debris, particularly after big storms and during the fall season; spot and repair problems before they grow and spread; and have professionals check your panels on a regular basis to ensure optimum performance.

3. How will you know that the system is working properly?

To prevent problems, you need to monitory your system’s function continuously. Fortunately, most solar companies monitor the systems they install and inform customers when problems occur.

4. What if you need to fix your roof?

Depending on the nature and scale of the damage, the solar panels may need to be removed first. Unfortunately, the solar company will not cover this cost. Thus, if you have an older roof, or you need to make repairs, take care of these issues before you install solar roofing. Another great way to avoid problems with finger pointing as solar and roofing companies claim the other is responsible is to have one company perform both a roof inspection and a solar installation for you, this way you have one party to deal with in the event of an issue and your installer has a greater incentive to ensure a perfect job.

Solar Roofing Puts Money in Your Pocket and Eliminates Green House Gas Emissions

Transitioning to a solar energy household can be exciting but also scary, especially if you’re used to using grid energy, and you’re already engaged in big projects, such as moving into a new home or finishing a big remodel. We can help! Call the Century Roof & Solar professionals at (888) 233-7548 or (510) 780-9489 or contact us from our website to learn more about your roofing options and to price out various energy saving strategies.

Whether you’re a property manager overseeing multiple developments on Oceanfront land, or you’re a homeowner concerned about spiking energy costs, you’re seriously considering investing in solar roofing. Not only can such a shift reduce your energy bills in the short term, but it can also help the environment, make your property more valuable, and control long-term energy costs. Unfortunately, not all roofs are ideal for solar energy roofing. Here’s what you need to know:

Roof Types

It is easier to install solar roofing on some types of roofs. Tile roofs and shake roofs make a solar roofing installations more difficult, because minor damage — such as broken tiles — is inevitable. (Such problems can start even during installation, when workers climb on the roof and carry materials across it to secure the tiles.) While the costs associated with this type of damage aren’t prohibitive, they do raise the overall price of the installation.

An overly steep roof, meanwhile, presents a different set of challenges. Workers may need to use special equipment to complete the installation and/or conduct any maintenance and repairs.
Lastly, an overly flat roof also may be less than ideal; you could need to install special racks in order to place solar paneling at the right angle (like in the photo above).

Condition and Age

While properly installed and maintained solar energy roofing panels can reduce wear and tear on your roof, they cannot replace the roof itself, unless they consist of photovoltaic shingles. If your roof is near the end of its warranty and/or of its useful life, consider replacing or remodeling it before installing solar panels, and talk to a professional before you make any modifications.

Bay Area Solar Roofing Installations Experts Can Advise

The Century Roof & Solar team would love to assess your roofing needs and help you explore simple, cost effective methods to save energy, liberate yourself from the grid and do your part to limit your impact on the environment. Century can complete a solar roofing analysis to determine whether solar is a good option for you and what the best locations for solar panels would be for your home. Call us today at (510) 780-9489 or send us a message for more information or to schedule a consultation.

Since the U.S. Department of Energy began investing in solar in the 1980s, this environmentally-friendly energy source has continued to grow in popularity. In fact, given the incredible surge in interest in solar that’s developed over the past 5 years or so (hat tip: Elon Musk), California may be poised to witness a veritable solar energy revolution.

Check out these fun facts about solar solutions.

1. Solar tiles collect energy from the most abundant energy source available on our planet. – The sun supplies the Earth with 173,000 terawatts of continuous energy.

2. A single CSP (Concentrating Solar Power) plant can supply power to thousands. – One average sized CSP plant generates enough power for 70,000 homes.

3. Italy and Germany love solar. – Although any homeowner can invest in solar energy roofing, solar energy gets the most attention in Italy and Germany.

4. Spacecrafts utilize solar energy. – Since the 1960’s, orbiting satellites have put solar energy to good use.

5. California’s Mojave Desert houses the world’s largest solar energy project. – The Mojave Desert project includes 350,000 mirrors and will generate power for 140,000 homes.

[See Also: History of Solar Energy]

Bringing Solar Energy Roofing to Your Bay Area Home

Curious about exploring a solar solution for your home’s energy needs? The experienced solar roofing installers at Century Roof & Solar can help. Call (888) 233-7548 or contact us today for a solar consultation.

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