Deciding on a color for your new roof involves taking things into consideration that go beyond looks. In addition to boosting the aesthetic appeal of your home, the color will also determine the average lifespan of your roof to a certain extent. Regardless of the considerations, it easy to see why picking a new roof color can be so exciting. After all, you are giving your house a new look. So without further ado, let us give you some points to keep in mind before you get in touch with Bay Area roofing contractors for a re-roofing.

1. The climate in your area

First thing’s first – you have to make sure that the roof color adds to your comfort. Did you know the shingle colors can influence the attic temperature by as much as 40 degrees! Yes, it is true. Whereas light shingles keep sunlight away, dark shingles absorb light and keep the home warm. So, you can probably tell which color type would be suitable for what climate.

2. Overall architecture

When it comes to matching the color with architecture, we’d advise you to stick to the tried and tested formulas. Keep classic color palettes for traditional architectural homes, and contemporary for the opposite. Also, bear in mind that dark colors tend to make homes look smaller while light colors make it look bigger.

Determining your home’s architectural style and the appropriate roof color that should go with it is not easy. In that case, don’t hesitate to consult with a Bay Area roofing company for advice.

3. Coordinate with shingle colors

This one’s a no-brainer here – the color of your shingles should obviously match with colors found in other parts like wooden siding, bricks, stone, trim or stucco of your house. Say for example; a dark grey roof will match better with a light grey or blue house while a brown or tan colored home will better accommodate brown or cream color shingles.

4. Rules of your neighborhood

Before getting the roof painted, make sure that the color doesn’t conflict with the rules set by the homeowner’s association and such. Just out of courtesy, it would also be good if your roof color is not 100% identical to your neighbor’s.

5. Your favorite house features

Stone walls, wraparound windows, bay windows, and other features and a homeowner’s favorite parts also set the tone for color. Always go for complementary colors to highlight these elements – or don’t, if you want to go discrete.

Contact Century Roof Tile for Bay Area Roofing Services

If you’ve chosen a roof color and you think it’s time for a new roof, contact our team today! For a roof inspection and consultation, get in touch with our East Bay roofing company, Century Roof Tile, via our online contact form or by phone at 1-888-233-7548.

The truth is that when it comes to making the best decisions in terms of both short and long terms roof costs, you have to clearly evaluate the state of your roof and determine whether it needs some minor repairs or a total makeover. This is particularly true for those who reside in areas where weather patterns tend to take a toll building and household roofs.

411 on Roof Repair

According to expert Bay Area roofing contractors, replacing the shingles on your roof damaged by wind or a downed limb is easy and not that expensive. This is because you can remove any torn shingles and have new ones put in their place. However, it is important to note that if your roof is not that new and you failed to save some of the spare shingles that came with it, then those used for your patch up job may not necessarily match the ones on your existing roof.

With all things considered, this is a fairly minor price to incur in order to pro-long the lifespan of your roof for at least 10 to 15 years. On the other hand, if you intend to sell your house in the near future, you should consult a professional East Bay roofing company and ask them to install shingles that match or closely resemble your existing ones.

On the downside, roof repairs tend to be more costly when looked at on a square-by-square basis and can also lead to further problems if you have an asphalt roof that has 2 or more layers because all of them will need to be removed so as for any sort of minimal re-roofing project to proceed.

In addition, in case of leaks, you should evaluate their source and then proceed to consult a professional roof company for roof leak repair.

Is a Full Roof Replacement Necessary?

Whether or not to replace your roof largely depends on certain variables, some of which include the wear and tear of your shingles, the climatic conditions of the area you live in, and the likelihood of any future damage to your home.

The truth is that having a new roof put in place can be a very expensive undertaking. However, you should remember that in spite of the huge costs, it is a worthy investment, particularly because it will last for years. With the right roofing company, the job can be done right and you will have one less issue to deal with whenever a storm blows your way. Furthermore, you will also incur fewer future expenses due to a reduced number of repairs.

Contact the Best Bay Area Roofing Contractors for Help

Century Roof Tile is a professional Bay Area roofing company that is well equipped to assess, repair or replace your roof. Contact our office today to set up a roof inspection  at (888) 233-7548 or via our online contact form here.

The importance of roofing to potential home buyers

The Pros of a New Roof

When you consider selling your home, you might believe that a new roof is not your responsibility. However, if your roof is very old or simply in bad condition, potential buyers might request that you have the roof done before considering going through on a sale. Another possibility is that they will request money off of the sale price due to the roof’s condition. To prevent this and realize the full amount of money that your home is worth, consider consulting a local roofing company. They will explain how you can best increase your home value before selling. A professional can also help you find new tiles to complement the rest of your home’s exterior, making your home shine.

The Pros of a Roofing Repair

Roof repair is another great option if you are looking to increase your home’s curb appeal. If your roof only has a few trouble spots that need a sprucing up, repairing instead of replacing your roof entirely is a great idea. If one side of your home is blanketed in tall trees, frequently depositing mounds of leaves and debris, one side of your roof may be in worse condition than the other. Another issue that should be addressed before listing your home is the repair of any leaks, cracks, or missing roof tiles; not only will they affect the curb appeal of your home, leaving a negative first impression, but such leaks or cracks can also affect the integrity of the home’s interior ceilings.

Bay Area new roof installation and roof repair

Century Roof & Tile is located in the Bay Area, and features a team of qualified professionals who are eager to assist you in making sure that your roof is at its very best. Inside and out, your home will be left in great shape, signaling to eager buyers and real estate agents to send you their offers. Let Century Roof & Tile help bolster your home’s curb appeal before you sell for the best home selling experience possible. To experience these professional roofing services , call (888) 233-7548, or send us a message using our online form.

Century Roof & Solar, operating out the East San Francisco Bay Area in Hayward, California, has been awarded GAF’s most prestigious contractor accreditation: The GAF President’s Club Award. From everyone at Century Roof & Solar, we would like to express our overwhelming appreciation and gratitude to GAF, North America’s largest roofing manufacturer, and are honored to receive this recognition.

Since our business’ birth in 1996, Installation Excellence, Consumer Protection, and Installer Training have remained three of the primary pillars Century Roof & Solar strives to deliver to each residential project and homeowner that entrusts our business with improving their personal home, bringing each to its full potential. Since 1999, our Bay Area roof contracting business has been identified by GAF as a Master Elite(R) Contractor, a distinction that we have taken pride in, and which allowed for our consideration for GAF’s most esteemed Preppidents Club Award in 2016. With this new accord, Century Roof & Solar joins only 2% of roofing contractors nationwide, and is affirmed as the Bay Area’s premier residential roofing contractor.

[NBC Article: Century Roof & Solar Receives GAF’s Prestigious 2017 President’s Club Award]

As a GAF President’s Club Award winner, our customers can be assured that Century Roof & Solar is:

• High Performing – providing property owners with the best possible service, quality, and protection.
• Reliable – personifying a long and successful history of high and undeviating performance.
• Customer-Oriented – consistently offering our customers the best protection available in the marketplace.

Our customers trust Century Roof & Solar not only as a result of our firm commitment to a systems-wide approach in replacing or repairing their roofs, but because we guarantee a reduction or elimination of their electric bill. This provides substantial value savings over the long-term. “Whether a customer’s motivation is economical, environmental, or independence-related,” states President Tony Diaz, “he or she can’t go wrong with a solar solution, and we are here to help. Our website www.centuryroofandsolar.com incorporates a Solar Solution Center as an information headquarters to answer all of our customers’ solar-related questions. It outlines the components of a typical installation, how a photovoltaic cell produces energy, and much more.”

Surely the marketplace has responded to Century Roof & Solar’s value proposition and customer-centric orientation: it has led to the contractor’s membership within the Western States Roofing Contractors Association, a Diamond Certification, an A+ accreditation with the Better Business Bureau, and finally, a GAF President’s Club Award recipient.

The Bay Area’s Premier Residential Roofing Contractor

For Bay Area re-roofing, roof repair and skylight installation, contact Century Roof Tile at (510) 780-9489 or use our online contact form.

The Top Residential Roofing Trends

How recession changed the trends?
Recently conducted surveys have revealed that the majority of US residential roofing projects involve re-roofing. The country is currently home to hundreds of thousands of older homes, which will soon require a roof replacement or repair during the next few years. The recession of 2007-2008 prevented a large number of homeowners from putting off their re-roofing projects. During those torrid times, the country’s lending environment was unfavorable for any kind of home renovation.

At present day, these conditions have significantly improved such that the number of received calls from customers is increasing with each passing day. Through 2020, it is believed that the conditions will improve even more so. Soon, we will see the trend of homes with worn, older roofs subside.

Asphalt shingles are still the most beloved roofing material
With regards to the residential market, no other roofing material has succeeded in surpassing the popularity of asphalt shingles. Their modest cost and favorable appearance have allowed them to remain homeowners’ favorite product type within the residential roofing market. They also come with supplanted conventional three tab shingles. Experts predict that their popularity will continue to increase. The primary cause of their admiration is attributed to asphalt shingles’ ability to showcase damage resistance in exposure to high winds. They are the particular favorites of people living in the coastal areas who experience severe storms throughout the year.

Material considerations based on region
In the West and South, homeowners must select roofing material dependent on their building codes. These codes recommend cool roofing installation such to reduce energy consumption. Also, this allows products to meet those code requirements, (reflective, light-colored roofing) while gaining popularity at a great pace.

Roofing tiles and metal roofing materials are enjoying maximum popularity in the West and South.  Both for robustness (they offer higher resistance to wind) and aesthetic appeal, these materials score high regards, and thus, tend to be automatic choices for most homeowners living in the coastal regions.

However, it is believed that by 2020, other roofing materials like polymer products, natural slate, bituminous membranes will start gaining popularity in these parts of the country.

For Bay Area re-roofing, roof repair or solar roof installation, contact Century Roof & Solar

At Century Roof & Solar, we utilize all kinds of high quality roofing materials available on the market. You can contact us for carrying out roof installation, roof repair, as well as re-roofing. We can be contacted via phone at 510-780-9489 or by filling out our online contact form.

Your roof is one of the most important aspects of your home because it protects you and your family from the harsh elements. Taking good care of your roof is key in having a long-lasting and solid roof. While some things should most definitely be left to the professionals, here are 5 simple ways to maintain your roof on your own:

1. Clean up debris

Taking the time to identify and remove debris from your roof is important in preventing rot and decay. Make sure to keep your roof clear of leafs, sticks, and trash pieces that might have found their way up there. Note that this check should be performed when your roof is dry and done with the assistance of at least one other person for safety reasons.

2. Remove moss

Moss and mold can soften and damage shingles if left too long. Wash infected shingles gently and scrub away all mossy pieces. Check the integrity of each shingle that appears to have fungus on it and replace or repair them as needed, taking care to leave no soft or broken shingles to expose your roof to the elements.

3. Repair shingles

After storms or strong winds, shingles can become broken without your knowledge. It is a good idea to regularly check your shingles to make sure that they are still in good shape and not in need of repair. If you do spot some broken or cracked shingles during a quick inspection, a local roofing company that specializes in roofing repair should be able to identify and replace them quickly.

4. Repair and clean chimneys and outlets

Chimneys, vents, and outside lighting should also be cleaned and repaired as needed. Power washing is an ideal way to perform this kind of cleaning as it will easily remove grime and reach tricky spots that are hard to find with only a ladder at your disposal.

5. Clean gutters

Gutters should be cleaned regularly to prevent the build-up of garbage and natural debris inside of them. A great way to make the cleaning and repair process easier on yourself is to install covers that keep dirt out. Inspect around the gutters for cracks or broken areas and repair them with caulking as necessary.

Contact Our Bay Area Roofing Contractors for Help

Maintaining your roof throughout the year is the most effective way to ensure that it stays in the best condition possible. In the colder months, rain and accumulation of leafs and twigs can potentially hide roofing problems that are easier to spot in better weather. As the winter months approach, consider enlisting the help of a professional roofing company like Century Roof & Solar to inspect your roof for any possible problems to ensure that your roof is well taken care of. They will be able to give you tips on continuing to care for your home as well as fix any issues that they might find. Visit our page at www.centuryrooftile.com to learn more.

With meteorologists predicting one of the strongest El Niño seasons in history, Bay Area roofing contractors recommend preparing for the worst. El Niño is likely to bring heavy rain and powerful winds, both of which will damage roofing throughout the Bay Area and beyond. If you’ve been ignoring home maintenance or if you haven’t had your roof inspected for some time it is a good idea to check for problems before heavy storms arrive this winter.

Understanding El Niño

El Niño is a phenomenon that occurs when the surface water in the eastern Pacific Ocean is significantly warmer than normal. This leads to heavier than normal rainfall in the western part of the United States, including the Bay Area. In many cases, this precipitation comes with damaging winds and can cause mudslides and flooding in areas that are not well equipped to handle heavy flows of storm water.

Getting Ready for the Rain

In anticipation of winter storms, prudent Bay Area residents are already preparing their homes. If you live in this area, now is the time to clean your gutters and repair any problems with your roofing system. If you have been living with small leaks through the past 4 very dry years you won’t want to ignore them any longer, as your problems may compound themselves with strong winds and rain.

Although you may be able to make some repairs on your own, most roof repairs should be left to the experts who know the best ways to patch a leak or when more than a small patch is necessary for the long term health of your roofing system and home that it protects. Call a roof leak repair Bay Area company to make sure any leaks are fixed properly. In addition to professional experience and training, some roofers have useful tools that would be prohibitively expensive to a home owner such as thermal leak detection using infrared technology.

Take Advantage of Local Roofing Contractors Experience and Advanced Tools to Detect and Repair Leaks

The Century Roof and Solar team has the experience, knowledge, and tools to prepare your home or commercial property for the approaching winter storms. Call us at (888) 233-7548 or contact us online to get the help you need to protect your property and prevent damaging mildew, mold and decay from infiltrating your roof.

California takes cool roofing seriously. The state’s energy code mandates standards of roof energy efficiency, including how well the roof reflects light (its reflectance) and how much heat it gives off (its emittance). Taken together, reflectance and emittance give a material’s solar reflectance index, or SRI. Since 2005, Title 24 Building Energy Efficiency Standards have required all roofing materials to be labeled with ratings certified by the Cool Roof Rating Council. Roofing contractors must use materials that meet reflectance and emittance standards.

White roofs go beyond the minimum requirements to provide the highest reflectance and the lowest emittance. Government-rated ENERGY STAR products can lower roof temperatures by up to 100°F and reduce midday cooling demand by 10–15 percent. White roof painting, the simplest way to whiten a roof, is gaining in popularity. And of all the states in the continental U.S., California stands out as the place where a white roof makes the most sense. Only Hawaii stands to save as much from switching to white roofing.

Higher energy costs in California and Hawaii account for part of the difference. Also, California and Hawaii experience very little “penalty” for a white roof in winter. Northern and interior states benefit from the heat retention of a dark roof in winter; for them, there may be no net advantage from a white roof. Here in California, savings are at the upper end of the scale, up to $1.72 per square meter of roof, according to the Heat Island Group at Lawrence Berkeley Labs.

Benefits Beyond Money

With white roofing, any air-conditioned building will save on costs; a building without air conditioning will become more comfortable. But benefits extend beyond the building and its operating costs. The energy saved translates to lower emissions from fossil-fuel power plants, so air quality is improved. When enough urban cooling measures are put in place, air quality is further improved by reduction of ground-level ozone. Ozone, the primary component of smog, forms more quickly at higher temperatures.

The Urban Heat Island effect is the modern name for a phenomenon that has been observed for generations; replacement of vegetation with paving and buildings results in higher temperatures in built-up areas, and urban centers, with the most buildings and the greatest added power use, are the hottest of all. A city can feel like an oven in summer, and air conditioning to fight the heat indoors puts a strain on the energy grid at peak hours, sometimes leading to outages. White roofs, along with greening and other measures, can increase comfort in the urban environment, lowering ambient temperatures by several degrees while helping to avoid overtaxing the power grid.

How It’s Done for Bay Area Roofing

A cooler roof can be achieved at re-roofing time by substituting materials with a superior solar reflectance index. But there is no need to wait until your roof is old. A simple solution that can be applied at any time is a special reflective white coating that reflects up to 90 percent of sunlight, half of which is infrared. Contact the expert roofing repair and roofing installers at Century Roof and Solar today at (888) 233-7548 about what we can do to brighten your roof and help you realize energy savings quickly, without disruption to your business or home.

Asphalt shingles, the most popular residential roofing material across the country, have the undisputed advantage of low initial cost. Whether they remain a bargain in the long term depends on how long they last. And how long they last varies tremendously. You may know someone whose asphalt-shingled roof has held up for thirty years or more. That homeowner might swear by asphalt shingles, and with good reason. However, another homeowner may have a horror story about having to replace asphalt shingles only two years after installation! This difference in longevity is due to several factors that are essential to understand when roofing with asphalt shingles.

The first factor in asphalt shingle life is the quality of the shingles themselves. Whether the base is felt or fiberglass, asphalt shingles rely on asphalt for waterproofing.  In addition, they rely on the top layer of ceramic granules to protect the asphalt layer from the degrading effect of UV radiation. The asphalt has two jobs: to keep water out and to hold the ceramic granules in place. If the asphalt is of low grade or if the manufacturing process does not ensure proper adhesion of the ceramic granules, the shingles will deteriorate quickly. Bad shingles may also split in random places.

Installation, including taking care of what is under the shingles, is as important as shingle quality. The decking, sheathing, and attic have to do their part to keep the shingles in good shape. Roofing paper must be installed under the shingles; whether you do the job yourself or hire a roofing contractor, make sure this step is not skipped. Situations that allow heat to build under the shingles cause the adhesive to fail and/or the shingles to deform (“cupping”). If you have one layer of shingles and are considering whether to have a second layer applied over it, keep in mind that stripping off the first layer does allow access to the sheathing to make repairs there.

Weather contributes to aging of asphalt shingles. Freezing temperatures allow ice to form in the smallest cracks, expanding the shingles. Here in the Bay Area, summertime can also be hard on asphalt roofs when roasting days alternate with cool nights. The result is thermal shock to roof shingles: rapid expansion and contraction stresses shingle materials to the point where fissures develop. Fissures provide moist habitat for algae and moss that can damage the shingle, particularly during damp weather, in shade, and when debris has been allowed to accumulate on the roof. Steep roofs are much better at shedding moisture and debris than low-slope ones. For this reason, shingles on high-slope roofs tend to last longer.

To avoid thermal shock, roofs need to be kept from overheating in summer. One option that helps is light-colored shingles. White shingles, in fact, may come with an “energy star” rating that allows part of the installation cost to be written off at tax time. No matter what color shingles you have, ventilation beneath the roof is key to minimizing shingle damage from heat and from thermal shock. You don’t have to wait until you need roofing repair done to take a look in your attic and see how well ventilated it is. Improvements here can save years on the life of your asphalt-shingle roof.

Contact Your Bay Area Roofing Contractors Today!

Century Roof and Solar uses only quality roof and gutter products from manufactures with the highest of standards, and quality control. Call us today at (888) 233-7548 to learn why we are the Bay Area’s premier roofing company.

Bad Bay Area Weather This Week May Bring New Roof Leaks. Here’s how to track them down.

Whether you’re searching for a new roof leak to repair because a tenant found a dark spot on the ceiling; or you need a roofing contractor to assess and fix storm damage to your shingles or skylights, you need to take action quickly.

When leaks go unnoticed (or un-repaired), they can lead to mold and mildew damage and create structural problems that can render the building susceptible to indoor air pollution. Such problems can sicken people and lead to problems renting properties or even lawsuits.

Here are critical tips to locate potential roof leaks.

Start with the obvious. Do you see a water stain in the attic? Look on the roof area right above the attic. Rule out the obvious and likely problem areas first.

Use all your senses to find diverse signs of leaks. Hunt for water spots, bad smells, mold spots, areas of discoloration, or areas that have been damaged by leaks in the past.

Search these common problem spots: flashing, shingles, gutter areas, places near downspouts, areas around gaskets and air vents.

Don’t assume that the leak is right above the damaged or wet spot. Trouble spots can be far removed from the actual source of water penetration. For instance, maybe a leak that originated near the chimney has manifested a damp patch 15 feet away, above your child’s bedroom.

Use water to aid the search. Work with a partner, who can spray the roof with water, while you look for places where leaks emerge. Or just wait for a wet rainy day to find trouble spots.

Avoid trying to diagnosis your roof’s condition all by yourself. Even if you catch and repair a few leaks yourself, odds are that you might miss one or two trouble spots. If you miss these, your home could still become beset by mold, mildew and damage.

Get help from your Bay Area roofing contractors!

Call the Bay Area roofing repair specialists at Century Roof & Solar for assistance with your project now! Give us a call at (510) 780-9489.