Thursday 30 January 2014

Metal Roof and its Advantages!!

Metal roofing is a great option for “greening up” your home.  Metal roofs reflect heat from the sun – keeping your home cooler when it’s hot – like right now.  During the winter, a metal roof sheds snow and ice.  The build-up of snow and ice could be dangerous on a normal roof, but with a metal roof, this is just one less thing to worry about.
Additionally, a metal roof can generally be installed over the existing asphalt shingle roof, so you won’t be adding to the landfills.
Metal roofing is considered a green roofing material, which means it contains a significant portion of recycled metal materials.

Advantages of a Metal Roof:
  •  Properly installed, a metal roof should last as long as the house
  • Metal roofing is affordable considering the fact that a Metal roof is permanent.
  • Doesn't deteriorate, crack, split, break, burn or blow off
  • Engineered for strength
  • Special coating process resists dirt
  • Lightweight: less than 1/3 the weight of asphalt
  • Environmentally correct – made from up to 50% recycled material and is 100% recyclable
  • Energy efficient: Metal reflects radiant heat from the sun, minimizing midday heat gain.
  • Many styles, colors and finishes to choose from
  • Increases your home’s value

Metal Roof



Wednesday 29 January 2014

Why Your Roof Is Leaking

  • Windowpanes Can Be a Problem:
Although built in windowpanes can really add dazzle to a home and let in natural light, when not built properly they can cause a lot of problems. If they are too old or haven’t been updated recently, they can easily let water into the home.

  • Flashing is Most Common
Flashing is the most common reason that roofing will get leaks. Sometimes flashing is poorly installed which makes it highly susceptible to leaks. If it’s not the installation, it could be a bad quality product or perhaps affected by high winds or weather damage.

  • Age of your roof
Think about how long you’ve had your roof for. How many years has it been? How good of a job did the last contractors do? Roofs that were built fifty years ago were made with much different materials and were much less durable than what is used today.

  • Check Your Closures and Shingles
Material such as roof fasteners can easily become damaged or pulled up after a heavy storm or high winds occur. When the fasteners get pulled up, water is easily able to get into the underside of the roof itself and cause other problems.

  • Workmanship
Many roof leaks are caused by poor workmanship and less-than-professional contractors. To avoid the entire issue, never hire someone without first checking that they have successfully completed roofing projects similar to yours in the past and that their previous customers were satisfied.


Why Your Roof Is Leaking

Monday 27 January 2014

Stay safe and healthy in winter

Winter storms and cold temperatures can be hazardous, but if you plan ahead, you can stay safe and healthy.
Although winter comes as no surprise, many of us are not ready for its arrival. If you are prepared for the dangers of winter, you will be more likely to stay safe and healthy when temperatures start to fall.
Many people prefer to remain indoors in the winter, but staying inside is no guarantee of safety. Take these steps to keep your home safe and warm during the winter months.
  1. Winterize your home

  • Install climate stripping, insulation, and storm windows.
  • Insulate water lines that run along exterior walls.
  • Clean out gutters and repair roof leaks.
 
   2.   Check your heating systems

  • Have your heating system serviced professionally to make sure that it is clean, working properly and ventilated to the outside.
  • Inspect and clean fireplaces and chimneys.
  • Install a smoke detector. Test batteries monthly.
  • Have a safe alternate heating source and alternate fuels available
Winter Home Care Tips



Sunday 26 January 2014

Winter Protection Tips!

  1. Keep your channels and roof clean so water does not build up on your roof.
  2. Trim your trees back to prevent leaves blocking your gutters, branches creating water dams on your roof, and extra water dripping onto your roof.
  3. Get any damaged shingles removed and replaced.
  4. Don’t allow dents in your roof – these are not only unsafe, but they create a place where water can collect to freeze.
  5. Make sure anything sticking out of your roof (chimneys, pipes, skylights, etc) have proper flashing installed so that water is conducted off your roof.
  6. Ensure your gutters are installed properly and aren’t have any difficulties in conveying water.


Second, if you commonly get ice-build up on your roof, here are some dos and don’ts:
  1. Do be very careful going onto your roof.  Use rubber soled shoes, gloves, etc.  If you feel uncomfortable at all about going onto your roof, hire someone to remove the ice for you.
  2. Don’t use a pick or the claw of a hammer to remove ice.  You could start picking holes in your own roof.
  3. Do try hot water to melt off any minor ice spots.
  4. Don’t use a shovel to remove snow from your roof.



Winter Protection Tips

Tuesday 21 January 2014

How to do a Roof inspection

  1. Review your warranty.  Ensure your roof is still under warranty, and check to see how old your roof itself is.  The older the roof, the more vulnerable it is to damage from weather.
  2. Go indoors and up into your attic space.  Ensure that any ventilation is open and un-blocked.  Feel the ceiling of your attic – especially in areas where something like a funnel is bulging from your roof.  If the interior of your attic is damp, you should get a professional to take a look to discover and fix the source of the leak.
  3. If you believe your roof is in need of repair or maintenance – or you are unsure that your visual inspection was enough,  call in a professional roofer to take a look at the issue and get it fixed.  It’s best to go with a reputable roofing company with a valid CCB number and good customer reviews.  With something like a roof, it’s best to choose who to repair or replace your roof by experience and qualifications – not by price alone.  Some of the cheapest roofers may be using substandard materials, or create a worse situation than the one you already have.

How to do a Roof inspection



Monday 20 January 2014

Things to do before the cold weather starts

Outside the home
1.       Check the drainage outside your home isn't broken or leaking, and clear out any leaves or other wreckages. This will reduce the risks of drips and blockages during freezing weather.
2.       Insulate any water pipes in exposed places.
3.       Make sure the roof is in good condition - check for loose or missing slates and for any cracks in the chimney. Hire a professional roofing contractor to patch up any gaps.

Winter Home Care


Sunday 19 January 2014

Winter Roof Care

1.       Sweep the roof clear of debris, such as leaves, sticks and small branches. Excess remains encourage water pooling, which puts stress on the roof and increases the chance of leaks. Don't apply too much weight when you sweep, as this may damage the roofing film or remove the protective coating.
2.       Remove leaves, dirt and debris from the cage-like drain hub and surrounding area by hand.
3.       Remove the drain centre with an adjustable wrench and spray it clean with a garden pipe and high-pressure attachment. Spraying the drain with the pipe will remove minor build-up. Run a plumber's snake through the drain to clear blocks. Replace the hub and repeat the process for all the drains on your roof if there is more than one. Clearing your drains will prevent water from collecting on the roof during the winter rainy season.
4.       Cut back branches that hang over the roof before winter hits. This lessens your chance of broken limbs damaging your roof and helps cut back on wreckage, which in turn, prevents clogged drain spouts and pooling water.
5.       Inspect your roof for holes and dents. Check the roof's waterproofing along the flashing -- the area where the roof meets masonry walls - for cracks. Look for standing water, which indicate low areas that may need to be fortified.
6.       Check your roof for eruptions, or mushy pockets of water between layers of roofing. These pockets must be cut out and changed. Look for cracked or “alligatored” surfaces, which may indicate the need for a new application of roofing tar. Contact a professional roofing contractor for repairs, if needed.


Winter Roof Care


Thursday 16 January 2014

Winter Home Protection Tips

Heavy snow gathering can pose a threat to your home or business -- both as it builds up and as it melts. The three most important precautions to take:
  • Watch for snow accumulation on the leeward (downwind) side of a higher-level roof, where blowing snow will collect. For safe removal that won't endanger you or damage your roof, consult a roofing supplier for a referral.
  • Remove snow from basement staircases, window shafts and all walls. Melting snow can lead to water damage and moisture invasion.
  • Keep your attics well-ventilated to maintain a temperature close to that of the outdoors to minimize the risk of ice blocks forming. A warm attic melts snow on the roof, causing water to run down and refreeze at the roof's edge, where it's much cooler. If ice builds up and blocks water from draining, water is forced under the roof covering and into your attic or down the inside walls of your house.
  • Water intrusion and flood damage from melting snow and ice can threaten homes and businesses, but you can take these steps to help lessen the potential damage.


Winter Home Protection Tips






How a black roof stains is removed from shingles?

Roof Stain removal is possible! Choose between two common roof washing solutions used to :
do it yourself roof cleaning using a roof cleaning product, or using roof cleaning services from a professional roof cleaning business. The difference between the roof cleaning company and DIY roof cleaning is cost, and results.
·         Hire a Roof Cleaning Professional
A roof cleaning business has experience at the shingle cleaning methods and suitable pressure to use with roof wash products. Years of experience will typically result in more complete removal of roof stains.

·         Do It Yourself Roof Stain Removal
Search for “Roof Cleaning Products” to find roof cleaner suppliers who offer roof cleaning chemicals, but be cautious to know the company and what products they offer.  Trust roof cleaner supply companies that offer multiple formulas and preventive solutions as well.
When you clean your own roof shingles be prepared to set aside an afternoon, and get your ladder out. There is no magic bullet when it comes to Roof Washing, and you will at least need a ladder to get up to the level of the drain. The closer you are to the roof stains, the better your Roof Stain Removal Products will work.
So black stains on roofs can be removed, just choose a quality roof cleaner product or your local roof cleaning professional and make your roof look better!


Wednesday 15 January 2014

How to choose roof coating

Choosing to use a roof coating system over a tear-off and new roof installation is cost effective. Labor fees are minimal because several steps are eliminated allowing for a much shorter production time and landfill fees are avoided altogether. The ThermaCote roof restoration or roof maintenance systems are non-intrusive, creating minimal disruption to the building occupants during construction. This allows your business to remain open, conducting sales and business as usual. There is no need for a costly and timely roof tear-off/new roof install when you can achieve the same results with greater benefits. Less time, less cost, and a seamless membrane to solve your roofs particular issues are all gained while keeping your business operations in motion, allowing you to make money during the install. There is no easier, better choice than to restore your failing Hypalon roof with one of our roof coating systems!


Roof Coating



Monday 13 January 2014

White Roofs

Can light-colored rooftops and roads really curb carbon emissions and combat global climate change? The idea has been around for years, but now, a new study by researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory that is the first to use a global model to study the question has found that implementing cool roofs and cool pavements in cities around the world can not only help cities stay cooler, they can also cool the world, with the potential of cancelling the heating effect of up to two years of worldwide carbon dioxide emissions.       


Because white roofs reflect far more of the sun’s heat than black ones, buildings with white roofs will stay cooler. If the building is air conditioned, less air conditioning will be required, thus saving energy. Even if there is no air conditioning, the heat absorbed by a black roof both heats the space below, making the space less comfortable, and is also carried into the city air by wind raising the ambient temperature in what is known as the urban heat island effect. Additionally, there’s a third, less familiar way in which a black roof heats the world: it radiates energy directly into the atmosphere, which is then absorbed by the nearest clouds and ends up trapped by the greenhouse effect, contributing to global warming.

White Roof

Sunday 12 January 2014

Acrylic Roofing Systems that Work for You

A roof protects you from the elements. But what protects your roof from those same elements? If the answer is anything but an Acrylic elastomeric roof coating system, then you might be the one who ends up getting wet.

Acrylic high-performance waterborne coatings and liquid acrylic roofing systems have been perfected for more than half a century. These products provide moisture and thermal protection, ENERGY STAR®-certified efficiency, extreme durability, and cool roofing solutions on virtually any surface, for any job, and for every application.

ThermaCote Inc. has manufactured elastomeric coating systems for more than 50 years, providing proven performance from the one source for any and all of your roofing needs. Whether it’s industrial roofing, schools, commercial roofing projects, historic roof restoration, roof maintenance, roof waterproofing, repairing roof leaks, installing an ENERGY STAR® reflective roof system or any other kind of protective coating, Acrylic can provide the perfect solution for your commercial or residential roofing needs. 

Acrylic Roofing System

                 

Thursday 9 January 2014

Types of Roof Coatings!

Roofs are expensive to maintain and even more expensive to replace. As part of an aggressive maintenance program, roof coverings applied to a roof system in relatively good condition can extend the system’s service life for many years, delaying replacement.

Coatings provide a renewable surface that protects the underlying membrane from exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light and heat, slowing the roof’s aging process. Highly reflective white coatings also significantly reduce the membrane’s temperature, which leads to improved long-term performance of the system. This lower temperature also reduces the building’s heat load, resulting in lower cooling costs for the building.

Reflective coatings can reflect 60-85 percent of solar energy. But managers should be aware that solar reflectance changes as a coating ages. A high-quality reflective coating can quickly pay for itself in energy savings. White roofs have a tendency to collect dirt, and the amount of dirt typically depends on the roof’s slope, weather conditions, rainfall, and surrounding elements.

Roof Coating


Sunday 5 January 2014

What is Roof Coating?

A roof coat­ing is an added layer of pro­tec­tion posi­tioned on a com­pleted roof. Car­ry­ing out as a way of enhanc­ing the roof’s capa­bil­ity to con­tinue unharmed from rain, hail, wind and sun­light, roof coat­ing is fre­quently in the form of a thin mem­brane that seals the mate­ri­als used to make the roof, suc­cess­fully estab­lish a bar­rier among the ele­ments and the actual roof. When applied appro­pri­ately, a roof coat­ing can add value to the life of just about any type of roof.

What are the types of roof coating?
The major­ity of the pop­u­la­tion is well aware about the essen­tial fact that roofs are rea­son­ably exclu­sive part of their house and need appro­pri­ate care. Though, their main­te­nance is fairly costly as they have a propen­sity to spend huge money even for a lit­tle kind of repair work, that’s why peo­ple have a first choice to pro­tect them cor­rectly. They are avail­able in dif­fer­ent vari­eties that range from reflec­tive to water­proof and so on: 
Waterproof coating
As the name says– this type of spe­cific coat­ing pro­vides a layer of water-​resistant and makes the roof water­tight. If there is any escape found on the top, then a water­proof layer helps to mend that leak and make the roof flaw­less. 
Asphalt coating
This is the type, which helps the roof to aban­don water and repel the effects of being exposed to weather con­di­tions. It also helps to ward off the effects of atmos­phere. 
White covering
White coat­ings are favoured as they are reflec­tive in nature and tend to steady decrease in the house tem­per­a­ture. In that way, they are bring­ing down the cool­ing cost that may have oth­er­wise occurred. Even though lots of peo­ple stay away from white col­oured cov­er­ing as they are prone to dust but it is sim­ple to power wash the unclean areas. A sec­ond layer of white paint prob­a­bly will help you to pre­serve the pol­ish of the cov­er­ing for extended time.

Roof Coating

Friday 3 January 2014

Why Is Liquid EPDM (Rubber) The Best Choice?

  • The Liquid version of EPDM is identical to the sheet version EPDM, but because it's a liquid you will never need to worry about seams. Also the liquid version will not chalk like sheet EPDM does after 7-8 years.
  • The temperature this product can endure ranges from -40 F to over 300 F.
  • Unlike any elastomeric, acrylic or urethane -- you can apply EPDM 3 times thicker.
  • With only one coat needed, and no primers on most surfaces, you save product and labor costs.
  • A DIY product with 25 years of success.
  • We challenge you to compare any other product which will waterproof upon application that’s right a light rain directly after application will not affect the material or its performance 365 days a year.
  • Accelerated aging testing has shown EPDM Liquid Coating to out-perform any elastomeric as well as urethane, performing over 3 times longer.
  • Liquid EPDM rubber is good for virtually any surfaces. List of applicable uses
  • EPDM liquid is very versatile and can be applied to any shape or flashing as well as verticals. The liquid conforms to any shape of roof, flashing or protrusion, vertical or horizontal.


Wednesday 1 January 2014

Major Producers of Building Materials!

China is one of the major producers of building materials and ranks first in the production of ceramic tiles on a global level with Shanghai as one of the largest commercial centers for production of building materials. The country represents huge demand for wall covering products such as mosaic tiles, concrete blocks for outer wall material, roof tiles, coatings, paints, and the like. With huge untapped potential, India is an enticing market for wall covering manufacturers. India’s entry into the WTO has opened up the wallpaper market to foreign manufacturers. Demand for ceramic wall tiles is expected to show high growth in the region. Latin America displays a positive note with booming markets such as Brazil and Chile boding bright prospects for architectural coatings.
Europe and Asia-​​Pacific constitute two of the largest regional markets, as stated by the new market research report on Wall Coverings. In terms of most promising growth potential, Asia-​​Pacific, backed by China, India, Indonesia, Thailand and others is the clear winner, and forecast to expand at aCAGR of more than 3.0% through 2015.
The Interior Paints segment continues to hold sway as the single largest market. However, with changing consumer preferences, Wallpaper is forecast to make a comeback after years of suspended activity and profits, and register the fastest CAGR for the period 2007–2015. Hith­erto untapped regions such as Asia-​​Pacific, Latin Amer­ica and Mid­dle East, which have tra­di­tion­ally been strong mar­kets for inte­rior paints, dis­play huge poten­tial for future growth and expan­sion of wall­pa­pers segment.

For more details about this com­pre­hen­sive mar­ket research report, please visit –

Major Producers of Building Materials