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.

Things to consider when choosing a roof for your home

What type of roofing material is ideal for you?

While certain roofing materials such as copper, wood shakes and slate have remained virtually unchanged for years, today’s wide and expanding pallate of roofing materials provide homeowners many options to consider, all of which are worth your consideration. From asphalt-fiberglass, a perennial favorite, to plastic composites, along with other new cement-made products, you now have a whole host of materials to choose from. Let us briefly examine each of them.

• Asphalt Composition Shingles: Perhaps the most preferred roofing type for today’s homes, studies show that Asphalt Shingles account for nearly eighty-percent of total residential roofing. Typically, they are made from either fiberglass or an organic paper fiber mat impregnated with asphalt and mineral granules added to them. This material boasts a broad range of beneficial features such as longevity, affordability, and appearance. The best in this class are known as architectural or laminated shingles; these are more textured and thicker, potentially lasting between thirty to forty years. One notable disadvantage of Asphalt shingles is that they are not eco-friendly, as they are petroleum-based. However, they may still be recycled.
• Metal: It is imperative to note that metal roofs are relatively more expensive than their asphalt counterparts, and as such, offer increased durability and more wind-resistance. They are also available in a wide variety, comprising of copper, steel, aluminum or zinc alloy. On most occasions, iron roofs come coated with a zinc or painted finish. On the other hand, copper roofs are installed unfinished, often requiring a protective green patina as time goes on. They are also relatively durable, depending on the material. Again, they offer resistance to both the wind and fire.
• Wood Shakes and Shingles: These are commonly made of cedar, redwood or any other type of resistant wood. As such, they’ll provide a natural aesthetic and since they originate from natural materials, are eco-friendly! Though they are fantastically wind resistant, they are destitute of fire resistance.
• Slate: Often dark-gray in color and irregular in appearance, slate roofs are made from natural slate rocks. Highly durable, they offer excellent resistance to both fire and the wind, and sometimes require a reinforced roofing structure for extra support. Unfortunately, as a result, they can be expensive and require highly-skilled workers for installation.
• Concrete Tile: These feature materials are extracted from Portland sand and cement. These tiles can be modified to look like slate, wood shakes, and clay tiles. Concrete tiles are also very durable, low maintenance and have high fire resistance.
• Plastic Polymer: Molded from high-tech plastic polymer materials, these are long-lasting, wind and fire resistant and eco-friendly.

Cost Considerations?

If you are unaware, the overall cost of a new roof can vary widely.  Besides the shingles you choose, the roof’s height, and complexity as well as ceiling steepness can influence the labor costs. Based on your preferences, values, needs and budget, you should be able to arrive at the best choice.

Are the weather factors significant?

Your home is the primary barrier between you and the elements of nature. Thus, choosing a material which will shelter your belongings reliably is crucial. To be even more precise, protection must be offered against snow, wind, rain as well as the sun’s scorching heat. Simply put, your roofing material must be capable of withstanding whatever type of weather that comes its way.

Again, other factors such as the roof’s slope and strength will limit your options. In regions prone to hurricanes or natural fires, choose a product with excellent fire rating as well as strong fire resistance.

Is the material durable?

Without a doubt, you expect your new roof to serve you for an extended period. Note that the ultimate cost of any roofing material is a factor of its durability. As such, a cheaper material such as composition roofing will likely serve you for a shorter period, relative to a premium material. Finally, always pay close attention to warranty, fully comprehending the coverage being offered.

If you would like a Bay Area roofing contractor to consult you on choosing the right roof, contact Century Roof Tile

When weighing your options for new roofing material, discussed above are the most significant factors to consider. If you are a Bay Area homeowner seeking roof installation, look no further than Century Roof Tile. Century Roof Tile is a seasoned provider of roofing services in the greater Bay Area region. We offer a wide variety of roofing materials at very competitive prices. Contact us today at (888) 233-7548 for professional assistance. If you are reaching out to us after-hours, simply send us a message online via our contact form.

Green roofs and solar roofs constitute two exciting roofing options for environmentally conscious building and homeowners. But which option is better for you, given your budget, your building’s structure and aesthetic, and your long term plans with respect to the property? Here are some things to consider:

Advantages of Green Roofs

Green roofs, which consist of a waterproofing barrier, a medium for plants to grow in, and the living plants themselves, are excellent insulators. Buildings with green roofs need less energy for heating in the winter and for cooling in the summer.

Green roofs attract birds and butterflies. On larger buildings the flat roofs may be used as public parks, which are wonderful additions to city life.

Advantages of Solar Roofs

In the Bay Area, solar roofs are becoming increasingly popular, which means consumers can now obtain better technology for cheaper.
Solar roofs are less expensive to install and maintain than green roofs. After a solar roof is installed, it requires little maintenance. A green roof, by contrast, requires roof leak repair and the corresponding investment of time and/or money.

Solar roof owners generally do not have to worry about leaking and mold, like green roofs owners often do. On the other hand, a properly installed green roof will reduce the likelihood that you will need a roof leak repair in the future.

Still having trouble weighing the pros and cons of solar roofing?

A little research can go a long way to ensure the utility and profitability of your solar investment. Encourage open communication with your solar provider, and call our experienced, reputable Bay Area solar solution team at (888) 233-7548 today for a free consultation.
Connect with the Century Roof and Solar team to explore your options and compare and contrast solutions.

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.

Have you been considering installing solar power roofing on your home, but you aren’t sure whether it’s right for you? Here are 10 reasons why it (probably!) is:

1. Simplicity. A quality solar roofing provider will manage all paperwork and answer any questions you have to make the transition as easy as possible.

2. Lower energy bills. With solar energy, monthly electricity bills will be significantly less expensive.

3. Reduced carbon footprint. By reducing or eliminating the use of fossil fuels, your home’s impact on the environment will become negligible.

4. Extra income. Many communities purchase surplus energy generated by private solar power systems.

5. Customization. Whatever your budget, local requirements, or home design, solar solutions exist to meet your needs.

6. Predictability. Not only will your energy bills be lower each month; they will remain consistent throughout the year.

7. Long-term investment. Solar panels aren’t simply a passing fad; expect them to become more popular over the next several years.

8. Affordability. Although going solar used to seem prohibitively expensive, tax breaks, grants, and financing options now make it accessible to more homeowners than ever.

9. Durability. Solar panels are strong and hold up to the elements over time, presenting little to no maintenance or repair costs.

10. Fixed cost. While electricity costs go up over time, the payments on your solar system will remain the same until paid in full.

Hire the Right Solar Roofing Company

To learn more about how a sun-powered system can improve your life, contact Century Roof and Solar – a Bay Area solar company you can trust.

Whether a tree branch recently collapsed on your Bay Area condo, or your tenant spotted a leak coming from her apartment, you’re searching for roofing contractors to manage your crisis and, ideally, prevent similar crises from erupting in the future.
Here are some tips for identifying great people to meet your needs. First off, do due diligence and take your time. Although you are in a rush — you may need to get the roof  job done fast, not only to protect yourself (and your tenants) but also to comply with code — avoid choosing the wrong people for the job.

Your prospective contractor should be fully licensed with the state and should have comprehensive insurance coverage. Before doing roofing installations, the contractor should have certifications and warranties on the products to be used.

Depending on the work that needs to be done, contractors may also need to acquire building permits and engage in other bureaucratic measures to ensure the work is up to code and to avoid fines and fees.

In addition to these due diligence activities, you also may want to research prospective contractors’ reputations. Are they seasoned? Have there been any complaints against them at the Better Business Bureau? What’s their reputation like online? If you’re hiring for a big, important project, you may want to ask to speak with several previous clients.

Create a list of all the important attributes that you want your contractor to have: for instance, you might want a team that’s affordable, reputable, licensed, close by and communicative. Then use those positive attributes to winnow down your choices and pick the right team.

Lastly, communicate extensively with your team before, during and after the project.

Find the Right Bay Area Roof and Solar Contractor

For assistance with your emergency Bay Area roofing project, get in touch with the Century Roof & Solar team today 1-888-223-7548  for a free estimate.

© 2014 Century Roof & Solar

As Bay Area roofing contractors with years of experience, the Century Roof & Solar team can tell you, firsthand, how important roof preparation can be for landlords, homeowners and property investors. If you fail to install and keep up your roof repairs, you can suffer substantial negative effects, including mechanical problems with the roof itself (leaks, mold, mildew, etc.), project and budget overruns and violations of local building codes. Whether debris or tree branches fell on your building, or the erosive effects of wind brought your roof to a critical point, here are some tips about how to prepare for the upcoming repairs.

Create a path for traffic to and from your property, so that your contractor and his or her team can access the property without causing congestion in your neighborhood and even annoying your neighbors.

Protect items in your attic that could be damaged by the repair. For instance, you might want to throw a sheet over antiques or other keepsakes or even remove them to lower levels of your home;

Take preventative steps to deal with any noise issues. Roofing work can get pretty loud, so you might want to spend more time at work or school, as well as alert your neighbors ahead of time, so they can also prepare for the commotion.

Prepare your landscaping. Identify your sprinkler heads, so that roofing contractors don’t trip over them or destroy them, and protect elements such as fragile lights, delicate bushes/plants, etc.

Time the action for good weather. The last thing you want is to start a major roofing project only to have it called off due to a storm, while there are several gaping holes in your roof. Play it safe: plan ahead.

Get In Touch with Our East Bay Roofing Contractors ASAP

For a free estimate about your project, call the Century Roof & Solar team today at 1-888-233-7548. We can set up a time to come and assess the damage and give you an estimate on how much it will cost, and how long the roofing repair will take. The sooner you get help, the easier the fix will be!

Thermal imaging leak detection is an exciting, powerful roof repair technology that developers and property owners around the Bay Area are using to save money and preemptively solve structural problems. Here’s the gist about how the process works.

A typical flat roof consists of structures and materials engineered to prevent radiation from the sun, wind, rain and debris from penetrating into the building. When leaks occur, water can leach into the insulation and other elements of the assembly and change what’s known as the “thermal capacitance” of the structure.

Thermal imaging allows detectors to locate changes in thermal capacitance and thus to identify where leaks might be occurring. To image effectively, you need to time the process well and pay attention to all factors that might affect thermal capacitance, such as:

• The amount of heat and sunlight that infiltrate the building during the day or evening;
• The relative wetness or dryness of the roof;
• The materials used to construct the assemblage.

Some situations can compromise thermal imaging results. These include:

• Windy, snowy or wet weather;
• Recent cooling or heating of the structure;
• The building’s steam pipes and exhaust vents;
• Variations in indoor temperature (which can create variations in the thermal signature);
• Past repair areas — recently repaired structures can change thermal signatures;
• Different types of materials can absorb and radiate heat at different rates;
• Dirt, leftover gravel, and buried steel plates can also throw off infrared readings.

Hire the Right East Bay Roofing Contractor

The roofing contractors at Century Roofing & Solar would be happy to help you identify crucial problems with your building or structure. Contact us today for assistance doing thermal imaging for your roof to fix your structure and save you time and hassle.

You know you need to call roofing contractors to manage a big problem with your building. But do you need to replace your whole roof? Or will roofing repair suffice to meet your needs?

Whether a storm hit your Bay Area condo and shellacked your roof tiles; or a tenant spotted a massive leak, you have two basic options:

• Patch leaks and spot repair damaged parts of the roof;
• Conduct a partial or total re-roofing.

Damaged shingles look bad, but replacing shingles can be surprisingly simple, superficial work. Just remove the mangled shingles and attach new ones. There is one big catch, though; you need to find shingles or tiles that match your current roof. Unless you saved extra shingles from the original roofing job, you’ll need to hunt for tiles. Mismatched tiles don’t look great, even when they get the job done. A mismatched roof can also make your home less salable.

Partial re-roofing may seem like a logical solution; the work is less complex and labor-intensive than full re-roofing. However, on a square foot basis, partial roofing is actually pricier than complete re-roofing. Plus, you want to avoid fixing one section… only to have to fix subsequent other sections, months or years from now, in a piece-by-piece fashion.

Contact our Bay Area Roofing Contractors Today

The whole calculus is tricky because you need to weigh short-term benefits/costs against long-term benefits/costs. A lackluster job done today may save you money upfront; over 10 years, though, you’ll pay a lot in repeat costs. Conversely, if you spend a lot re-roofing your building today — and then market pressures force you to sell it in a year — you may not recoup the costs. Talk to the team here at Century Roof & Solar to figure out an effective, strategic way to approach your roofing repair and/or replacement needs.