1. Longevity

One of the benefits of a metal roof is its long life expectancy. Once we install it on your home, you don?t have to worry about replacing it. Metal roofs are known to last 50?60 years or longer.

2. Damage Resistant

Unlike shingled or tiled roofs, a metal model is extremely resistant to wear and tear. Of the reasons to consider metal roofing, this is one of the best advantages. In contrast to other materials, metal doesn?t rot, break, split, crack, blow away, or burn. With metal, you never have to worry about storm damage apart from minor dents.

3. Low Maintenance

Metal roofs are also superior for their minimal required upkeep. Because they are damage resistant, metal roofs rarely need inspections or maintenance. Metal truly is a ?set it and forget it? approach to roofing.

4. Lightweight

Unlike other roofing materials that weigh houses down, metal is extremely lightweight. It weighs approximately one-third the weight of traditional shingles. This alleviates structural stress.

5. Energy Efficient

When considering the reasons to top your house with metal, the one that impacts you the most is energy efficiency. The properties of metal roofs allow them to reflect the sun?s harsh rays. This keeps excess heat out of your home and lowers your monthly utility bill.

6. Increases Value

Because of their resistance to fire and other types of damage, metal roofs have proven to increase the resale value of your home. In the state of Texas, metal roofs can even lower insurance rates.

Karis Roofing is a 90 year old roofing company located here in Philadelphia. It?s fair to say that they have seen a thing or two (cue Farmer?s jingle). Here is a message written by Guy Karis shared in his Trade News about the outlook of Metal Roofing.

The prediction that metal roofing will replace shingles may be bold, but it?s not without some data to back it up. Metal Roofing Magazine recently published in their October / November edition these facts:

• Total market share of retrofit metal roofing gained another 3 points last year, moving from 11% in 2015, to 14% is 2016
• Between 2015 and 2016, the total demand for metal roofing is estimated to have increased from 17.7 million squares to 19.4 million
• Metal roofing is 2nd only to asphalt shingle roofing in the remodeling market
• In 1998, the metal roofing market was just 3.7%
• The industry has seen increases in the following markets: New England (+3%), Mid Atlantic (+8%), East North Central (+4%), Pacific (+8%)
• Asphalt had a 64% market share in 2015, and is now just 59%

Final Thoughts

Metal roofs have many advantages that include being eco-friendly, energy efficient, longevity, and flat out being cool looking. Sitting in this seat, we hear from contractors every day who are looking to expand their knowledge and focus their business on getting more metal work. Will it replace the low cost alternative of asphalt shingles? Not entirely in the near term, but the trend is positive.

The El Ni±o-Southern Oscillation, or ENSO, is a naturally occurring climate cycle in which sea-surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific Ocean fluctuate. When waters are warmer than normal, as they are currently, it is described as El Ni±o; when cooler, La Ni±a.

Curious as to whether or not El Ni±o or La Ni±a, conditions could predict the amounts of tornadoes likely to be seen in a given year, researchers from Columbia University created indices derived from environmental conditions such as wind shear, temperature and moisture. Each is a key ingredient in severe storm formation, and each is influenced by ENSO. The team then verified the indices using available observational records from agencies such as NOAA that constantly monitor conditions in the Pacific to spot developing El Ni±o or La Ni±a.

Because ENSO affects the large-scale environment, and the large-scale environment affects the tornado occurrence, the team expected to find some correlation between these conditions and severe storm occurrence.

So was it El Ni±o or La Ni±a? It was during La Ni±a years that both vertical wind shear and surface warmth and moisture increased significantly in the southern states, which then led to more severe storms.

As lead author John Allen, a postdoctoral research scientist at the International Research Institute for Climate and Society (IRI), explains, ?We can forecast how active the spring tornado season will be based on the state of El Ni±o or La Ni±a in December or even earlier.?

This might also explain why last year, 47 people died in tornadoes. But in 2011 ? a La Ni±a year ? tornadoes killed more than 550 people, higher than in the previous 10 years combined.

However, this effect acts mostly upon the southern states, such as Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas and other parts of the southern United States. On the other hand, El Ni±o events act in the opposite manner, suppressing both types of storms in this area.

The research team also notes a few caveats: ENSO is not the only driver of severe storms, as any kind of extreme weather is at best only loosely controlled by coherent, predictable climate phenomena like ENSO, and the study showed robust correlation only in the southern states, where the ENSO signal is especially clear.

What we can learn, however, is that in Southern states that typically experience tornado activity, it is the La Ni±a years that predict more frequent, and more severe storms.

a

Reference:

Allen, J. Tippett, M., Sobel, A. (2015). Influence of the El Ni±o/Southern Oscillation on tornado and hail frequency in the United States. Nature Geoscience, 2015

a

a

a

a

Roofs and windows have one thing in common: The cost and effort of replacing either make homeowners nervous. But windows differ in that they are seen every day, as opposed to a roof that you must actively look up to view. Beautiful windows improve the aesthetic of a home, allow in natural light, and provide character to a residence.

Moreover, residential window replacement makes financial sense. According to Remodeling magazine, windows recoup 75 percent of their cost in terms of home market value. Also, energy-efficient windows can save homeowners as much as $465 per year.

Are you a Washington, D.C., resident in the market for new windows or simply considering if this will be a good upgrade to your home? Here are some residential window replacement styles, as well as tips for proceeding with the job, for DMV homeowners:

Window Styles

If you are thinking about replacing your windows, you will have plenty of styles to choose from. The nature of your home might dictate your options, as will your personal preferences?are you more concerned with aesthetics, energy efficiency, cost, or a combination of multiple factors? Here are some window styles you might choose from:

• Double-hung: Most homeowners are familiar with the traditional double-hung window?an upper and lower pane, both of which move vertically to open. It?s a classic design that remains functional in the 21st century.
• Sliding: These windows slide horizontally instead of opening outward?basically, a hung window turned on its side. This is a great option for wide frames overlooking large outside spaces.
• Bay: Bay windows offer three or more lights (spaces for glass), with the center window(s) parallel to the wall and the side windows angling back. This offers incredible views as well as incredible natural light.
• Bow: Similar to bay windows, bow windows offer more lights for a truly elegant look. The panes of a bow window radiate out to form a semicircle.
• Casement: Hinged from the side, today?s casement windows usually open outward with a crank.
• Awning: This is the same as a casement window except it is hinged from the top. It also opens outward.
• Picture: A picture window lives up to its name: a large, usually rectangular window that offers great views of the outside. Picture windows don?t open, but side windows can be added around a picture window for ventilation.
• Garden: This is a box-style window that extends outside the exterior wall. Similar in theory to a bay window, a garden window is often found in kitchens and provides a nice outside view while cooking or doing the dishes.

hbspt.cta.load(1965781, 'c0c4224b-de7f-4557-b010-ae128e563498', {});

Replacement Tips

You suspect you might need new windows, or perhaps you just want to upgrade your home, but you don?t know where to begin. Here are some residential window replacement tips to get you started:

• Know the signs: The desire to improve the aesthetics and value of your house aside, residential window replacement often occurs out of necessity. Were old windows damaged during a storm? Is the original framing rotting? Is too much air escaping out, thus affecting your energy bills? If your windows are not doing a good job at, well, being windows, it might be time to replace them.
• Can a window be repaired? If the frame of a window is still good but the glass, sash, or something else is the problem, often, a repair might be a less expensive course of action. Enlist a professional window contractor to inspect your windows to see whether the best course of action is repair or replacement.
• Pick a material: Window frames generally come in five materials?aluminum, wood, composite wood, vinyl, and fiberglass. These materials vary by durability, cost, maintenance, and energy efficiency. Do your homework and talk with a trusted contractor to determine which option is best for your home and your budget.
• More windows, more savings: If you need just one window replaced but the others are old, a complete replacement is a wise option to save money and increase the value of your home. Installing multiple windows usually offers a discount because the contractor is already on site.
• Pick a good time of year: Spring is usually the best time to replace windows?bad winter weather has (hopefully) passed, and the temperature is ideal for the caulking to fully seal. DMV summers are often too hot for the caulk to properly set, and though winter residential window replacement is possible, your home is going to feel awfully chilly during the installation.
• Trust a professional: Resist the temptation to DIY residential window replacement. Installation must be done correctly so that your investment isn?t wasted. The best professional window contractors in Washington and the DMV answer your questions, walk you through the process, deliver top-notch service, use quality materials, and may even help with financing. Your home deserves nothing less.

What is keeping you from following through on a residential window replacement?

hbspt.cta.load(1965781, 'b4e2448b-fc98-49fc-91c3-0e17037fc55e', {});

While roofing materials are designed to withstand extreme weather conditions, they will eventually show signs of deterioration and there is no real time line as to when this deterioration may begin since different weather conditions cause this time frame to vary. So the only way to know when deterioration is starting is for the roof to be personally monitored and diagnosed.

Inspections

Monitoring the condition of a roof requires regular inspections. This should be done annually, ideally before the winter season begins so that there is adequate time to perform any necessary repairs before the first snow begins. Examinations should also be performed after a severe storm with hail and strong winds as these kind of storms can easily cause damage such as broken shingles and ones that have been ripped from the sheathing.

An inspection can often be done simply by using binoculars. Yet there are some areas such as the valleys and the flashing that will require inspection by actually climbing onto that top structure. In such cases, such a scrutiny should be performed with extreme caution. Rubber-soled shoes should be worn for better traction and only when the roof is completely dry.

Signs

Following are some of the signs to look out for during an inspection that are a good indication of an unhealthy roof.

• Curling ? Newly-installed shingles are normally flat; however, constant exposure to heat and rain will eventually cause the shingles to develop a curvature. Curling is bad since the sides of a curled shingle are open for water to enter, which can create considerable drag that may allow shingles to be ripped off easily during strong winds. Curling does not happen overnight and is usually only seen on older shingles. Asphalt shingles generally start to curl after thirty years of constant exposure to heat and cold; curling on wood shingles usually occurs much faster, after about ten to fifteen years of use.

• Buckling ? Buckling usually occurs due to thermal shock; sudden heat can cause material to expand. The lack of proper expansion spacing between shingles can cause them to bend upwards. While buckling may be temporarily relieved when the temperature drops, any cracks that have occurred due to this expansion will be permanent.

• Ceiling Stains ? Spots are usually seen as brown stains on the ceiling caused by water leakage. If a stain is only located in one place, then the damage is most likely repairable; however, if there are many spots like this all over the house, then the roof will most likely need to be replaced.

• Brittleness ? Most materials tend to turn brittle over time due to constant heat exposure, with the exception of slate and metal. For example, asphalt shingles and PVC are naturally flexible when new; however, they will lose flexibility and become brittle towards the end their service life. To test for brittleness, simply bend one end of the shingle; if it breaks then brittleness is already starting to take place. Falling and missing shingles are a clear indication of such a problem.

Repair vs. Replacement

After an examination finds that the roof does show damage, the question of whether to repair or replace arises. In most cases, the decision is quite easy, as a small amount of damage can require repair and a large amount can mean replacement It there is no clear distinction between the two, the age of the structure will have to be determined.

If the expected service life has been passed, further problems are inevitable; even if the damage is minimal, such problems will begin to surface and total replacement is a sound option. If the roof is not beyond its service life but three-quarters of it is damaged, then replacement is still the most practical option.

Learning how to diagnose unhealthy roof problems is an important asset to learn. Spotting damage early can prevent a problem from getting worse and keep the cost of repair to a minimum. If a roof is already past its service life and due for replacement, continuous inspection of its condition will better prepare an owner for the inevitable replacement project!

Contact Schulte Roofing For Any Houston Roof Needs!

Are you looking for a Houston roof company to diagnose any roofing problems? Check with Schulte Roofing at 800-367-7663 who is well-known for helping greater Houston area customers with all of their roofing needs!