Category : Blog

Roofs are susceptible to lot of different issues. Thankfully, most problems are easy to identify and the Tulsa roofing professionals at Roofscapes Exteriors are able to provide a quick and effective fix before things get too bad. Christopher Jurin of the website The Spruce shared five common issues he found with roofing:

Fascia

Fascia is an architectural term for a band running horizontally and situated vertically under a roof edge. In simpler terms, it’s a roof trim – or the front board along your roof line. It typically consists of wooden boards or sheet metal. So, picture the vertical finishing edge that connects to the ends of rafters, trusses and the area where the gutter attaches to the roof.

The primary function of fascia is to protect by acting as a layer between the edge of the roof and the elements of the outdoors – especially water. It also protects the interior of your building from weather damage by blocking its entrance into the structure. Fascia also plays an aesthetic role, creating a smooth, even appearance for the edge of a roof. Moisture is the number one cause of problems with your fascia so be sure to look for signs of rot or damage and contact a roofing contractor immediately if you notice an issue.

Soffit

Soffit comes from the French word for “formed as a ceiling” and the Latin term for “to fix underneath”. Can you guess where your soffit is? The exposed surface beneath the overhanging section of a roof eave or the finished surface below the fascia and rafters is called the soffit.

Vented soffit has small holes that provide air circulation so it can cycle to the vents and draw heat and moisture away from the house.

It plays an important role in helping to ventilate the attic and prevent rot in the sheathing and rafters. Most soffits are made from vinyl because it is a water-resistant and cost-effective material. It helps regulate the temperature in your attic and through the rest of your home making it a comfortable place to live. Look for cracks, holes and rotting to avoid an easy entrance for water or insects and small animals.

Flashings

Flashings are components used to seal roof system edges, perimeters, penetrations, walls, valleys, drains and any other area where the actual roof covering is interrupted or terminated. The primary function of flashing is to help seal any voids in the roof system where water may enter making these prime areas for leak causes if not checked regularly.

The material is usually aluminum or galvanized steel and, depending on the type of roof you have, is most likely in the valleys, around the chimney and even around dormer windows or skylights. Weather and oxidization are the most common culprits for flashing deterioration but it is possible that flashing can just simply come loose.

Most professional roofing contractors cut and shape their own flashing from sheet metal but many flashing pieces today come pre-formed and can be applied without much difficulty using caulking or roof cement.

Gutters

Gutters are designed to keep water away from your building’s foundation and to protect the structural integrity. It is imperative to keep your gutters doing their job properly as they are highly susceptible to water and debris buildup causing mold and mildew under your roof.

Fortunately, the most common gutter problems can be fixed by the homeowner. The number one problem is when a gutter and downspout get so backed up with debris they become useless. Excess weight of leaves, twigs and standing water can cause them to sag and pull away from the fascia. If they are sagging, this is usually a problem with the hangers. Hangers are the hardware that secures the gutters to the fascia. They can deteriorate over time or may be spaced too far apart to support the full weight of the gutters. Hangers are a cheap fix. If your gutter has leaks or holes, sealing them by caulking the joint or filling small holes from the inside with gutter sealant is another cheap fix. Larger holes will require a patch.

Be sure your gutters are pitched toward the downspouts for water to flow properly. The general rule is a minimum of a quarter inch slope for every 10 feet. If there is standing water, you most likely do not have enough pitch. Keep your downspouts extended four to five feet from the house, otherwise water will find its way into your basement. Gutter extensions are inexpensive and will preserve your foundation.

Shingles

Shingles roof systems offer great protection but are prone to discoloration and curling. Areas of missing or broken shingles can leave underlying wood susceptible to rotting, holes and other damage. They can also buckle if they were not adequately ventilated during installation.

Discoloration is an indication of a roof leak and small spot can grow into a gaping hole in your ceiling. Curling is caused by a lack of ventilation, high nails or improperly installed fasteners. They look unsightly and are an open invitation for water seepage. If you have missing shingles, water, snow and ice are hitting your roof square on, which is a direct route to rot. Check your roof often and make repairs or replace shingles as necessary.

Tulsa roofing needs to be resistant to many different seasonal elements. From rain, to snow, ice and hail, Tulsa roofing weathers all types of, well, weather! Seeing that your roof is without issue will help it last longer and protect your family and home. Connect with Roofscapes Exteriors on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to learn more about our roofing systems and helpful tips for keeping your roof in tip top shape.

Figuring out what type of roofing system belongs on your home should be considered by the weather and climate you live in. Your roof goes under a lot of seasons that are filled with unexpected weather at times. Sometimes that unexpected weather can have a major effect on your home.

When serious weather hits, you’ll want to have a secured roofing system on your home.

Roofing Types for Your Home

Asphalt

An Asphalt roof is the classic and most used roofing system for your home. Asphalt shingles are the most traditional roofing system you’ll find. There are a wide range of three-tab shingles to designer choices. These type of shingles are very affordable, durable and beautiful.

Slate

Having a slate roofing system creates a beautiful landscape to look at. Slate has been one of the most durable choices to select for some of the greatest buildings around the world. Truslate allows you to mix and match color schemes to create a fun roof. A slate roofing system provides:

• Affordable luxury
• Strength
• Fire resistant
• Water resistant
• Color blending
• Minimal maintenance

Metal

Metal roofing isn’t just for looks, but it can reduce energy costs and is maintenance free. Metal roofs are made from heavy duty, rust-free aluminum parts including other metal parts. The benefits from metal roofing is that it is durable, wind and weather resistant, light weight, and will increase the home and resale value.

Choosing the roofing system for your home will depend on where you live and your budget. Select a roof that will benefit you and your budget and your family in case of extreme weather would hit.

Contact Roofscapes Exteriors today for a free estimate!

Ring in the new year with a new roof for your home! The start of the new year is the best time for homeowners to go through their property and start to plan out what needs fixed, upgraded and even replaced.

Planning ahead for future home repairs can help avoid high maintenance costs, and will financially prepare your family. Depending on the condition of the home, homeowners will spend anywhere from 1% to 4% of their home value on annual maintenance costs.

In order to plan for these repairs within your budget, here are a couple of points to run through to receive the repairs for your roofing system.

Get an Inspection

Every year your roofing system should be inspected for loose shingles, nails, soft spots and leaky areas. The roof is one of the main areas of the home to always keep up to date because it holds the home together and protects it during the different seasons. Rain, snow, high winds and the hot summer sun all effects your roofing system. If you don’t feel comfortable inspecting your own roof, hire one of our roofing professionals to come and check it out.

Review Home Insurance

Does your area get bad weather during the year? Has unusual weather ever occurred and you weren’t prepared? Home Insurance is vital in order to guarantee protection and coverage during these times. It needs to be up-to-date and should always cover structural damage from hail storms, tornadoes and more. If your home has impact-resistant shingles, your home could be eligible for a discount on your insurance.

Your Attic Space

Any leaks or soft areas need to be checked within the attic space because those could cause internal damage to the home. Things to look for are:

• Wet spots or drips
• Pinholes in roof (caused by weather)

These signs will detect a repair or a new roof replacement. Planning for your roofing maintenance will save you a lot of money down the road and can help save your roof from collapsing in. Make sure to get your roof inspected this new year with Roofscapes Exteriors, and double check your insurance!

Connect with Roofscapes Exteriors on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to see our services and specials.

Roofs are usually an afterthought – until something is wrong with it, of course. In other countries, builders spend a lot of time designing ornate roofs. Roofscapes Exteriors has gathered 5 of the most beautiful.

The islands of Greece are known as the Cyclades and in this area of the world the homes are either white or a very light color with domes roofs. Situated next to the Aegean Sea, these beautiful homes are made from stone and their tops insulated with wood, mud, hay and volcanic ash cement. Some of the most recognized roofs in the world, Cyclades homes are classic images of Greece.

Japanese Pagodas are ornate, tiered structures said to have first built to be placed over the ashes of holy individuals. Standing a typical 5 stories tall, these wooden structures can also be used as holy temples. Known first as a “Stupa”, these buildings have been in Japan for over 1,300 years.

Made famous by JRR Tolkien’s The Hobbit, these underground homes with grassy roofs are as eco-friendly as they are cute. Built directly into the earth, these greenery roofed homes are making their way into modern living. Green Magic Homes is making sure that Bilbo Baggins isn’t the only one able to call one of these dwellings “home”.

The English Countryside is the place to see thatched roofs. Since the 1800s, the people of England have used dried straw to top off their homes. Falling from popularity several decades ago, thatched roofs are just now making a comeback.

Saint Basil’s Cathedral, The Cathedral of Vasily the Blessed, is a church in Moscow’s Red Square. Ivan The Terrible ordered the construction of this cathedral in 1552 after the capture of the Mongol forces. These intricately designed “onion domes” cover were nearly demolished by Stalin but ultimately saved by Pyotr Baranovsky who spent 5 years in prison for his efforts.

If you’re looking to a new roofing system and want to learn more about your options, contact us today!

Connect with Roofscapes Exteriors on Facebook , Twitter  and Pinterest to learn more about our roofing company and services.

If you’re building a new home or are looking into getting your roof replaced, choosing shingles can become overwhelming.

There are many factors that go into selecting the color, type and brand shingles. Most people want to outweigh the options by factoring in cost, longevity and potential savings down the road. What could you potentially save on? Insurance.

Class IV shingles are impact resistant shingles that can provide homeowners discounts on their insurance premiums. These shingles can pass the Class 4 impact test, which may qualify for insurance discounts.

How does this help you? Living in Oklahoma, we experience high winds and disastrous storms such as tornadoes and hail. The Class IV shingles incorporate a rubberized polymer that creates stability and longer lasting shingles. Since they obtain this material, the shingles are able to withstand the extreme weather conditions that would more likely tear apart your roofing system.

By having these type of shingles, you can have peace at mind knowing that your roofing system is the most resistant to damage.

Along with the potential insurance premiums and benefits of Class IV shingles, these shingles offer more than just that.

Impact Resistance

The aftermath of the impact test on these shingles showed no evidence of cracks or ruptures on front or back of the shingle from immediate impact. When these are compared to standard shingles, they are the best of the best.

High Performance

These shingles are designed with advanced protection technology that reduces the use of natural resources that provides the excellent protection you need.

Ridge Cap Shingles

Class IV shingles can be used with a seal to classify them as Class IV ridge cap shingles. They come in multiple colors to match the impact resistant shingles. With the multi-colored options, these are the highest rated with a lifetime warranty.

If you’re looking to a new roofing system and want to learn more about the Class IV shingles, contact us today!

Connect with Roofscapes Exteriors on Facebook , Twitter  and Pinterest to learn more about our roofing company and services.

For the next couple of weeks, nominations will still continue for No Roof Left Behind. Let’s recap on what No Roof Left Behind is all about.

No Roof Left Behind

NRLB is a nationwide program that Roofscapes Exteriors has been involved with for two years. Last year, Roofscapes Exteriors provided a new roof to a Tulsa family. The Gniech family was very excited and blessed to hear that they were going to be receiving a new roof. Their 17-year-old daughter, Ally, was in a serious car accident in January 2015. Emergency personnel found her not breathing in which she had suffered from two collapsed lungs, a broken collar bone, multiple broken ribs, and is now paralyzed from the waist down. Since this tragic accident happened, the Gniech family had to remodel their home to make it wheelchair accessible for Ally. This included ramps, widening doorways, etc. With the help of family and friends, they supported Ally and her “Batcave Project” by nominating her and her family as a nominee for the No Roof Left Behind project.

The program is designed for the community to help someone in need of a new roof. This person or family necessarily aren’t able to afford a new roof due to medical bills, natural disasters, low income or other reasons such as putting others first.

Having a functional roof is very important because it holds the entire home together. It helps keep the cold, heat, water and insects from inviting themselves into the home. Living in Oklahoma, most people are aware of the heavy storms that come through. Whether it be high winds or a tornado, hundreds of homes are affected by these natural disasters.

If you know someone in need of a new roof because of those reasons, please nominate them today!

The Next Steps

Once nominations are completed on August 31, 2016, No Roof Left Behind step 2 begins: Voting. Voting runs through the month of May in which you vote on the nominees chosen for NRLB. All you have to do is read through the homes and families that have been nominated and then cast your vote. It’s that simple!

If you or anyone that you know needs a new roof, please nominate them today for a chance to win a FREE roof compliments of No Roof Left Behind and Roofscapes Exteriors.

Connect with Roofscapes Exteriors on Facebook and Twitter to stay up-to-date with the process what’s coming next!

Roofing Tulsa – One of the most important pieces to your home is the roof. It keeps the rain out, while keeping the cool in. Whether you’re financing for a new roof on brand new construction or replacing it after many years of wear and tear, you want to make sure you’re getting the most durable and cost effective roofing system for your home.

Not only does a roof give the home a beautiful touch, it needs to be durable during the different seasons. A new roof can be expensive, so how will you finance for the materials, installation and maintenance? There is one solution: financing with Roofscapes.

Since there are many options out there for financing roofs such as loans and rebates, our Tulsa roofing company can be of assistance throughout the entire process. From mapping out the finances to the final install, our team is there for you.

Consumer Credit Programs

We offer consumer credit programs to accommodate with your finances. Our program creates the best option for you and your family while providing you with the roof that best fits your home protection and budget.

• Deferred Interest with Scheduled Monthly Payments
  • 6 or 12 months with a minimum and maximum loan amount
• Zero Interest/ NO monthly Payments – Same as cash!
  • 3, 6 or 12 months with minimum and maximum loan amounts ranging from $1K- $25K
• Reduced Interest Loans
  • Loan terms from 60 months up to 120 months with various interest rates and payment factors

On top of our financing program, there are other ways to help get your new roof you desire.

Loans and Rebates

The government can give loans and rebates in order to make your home more livable and useful. If your property and credit are good, you could qualify for the home equity loan from FHA. Through the FHA (Federal Housing Administration) you’re capable of getting a new roof and other luxury items such as a pool or outdoor entertainment.

Energy efficiency is becoming a number one priority in people’s homes when getting a new roof. There are a couple ways to receiving the energy efficient roof of your choice that will give tax credits and rebates towards your new roof since energy efficiency is an incentive of making your home better.

Having a no-interest credit card is the best route to take when financing for your new roofing system. Using this credit card strictly for the financing of the roof will help keep track of the payments.

Saving for the New Roof

Financing for a new roof seems daunting and expensive in the short term. Some ways to help save money for the finances of the roof are:

• Getting a loan
• Drawing from a savings account
• Start thinking ahead and plan
• Put money away each month (example: small amounts of $75-$100 will add up quickly)

With our consumer credit programs, financing your new roof should be very smooth and affordable!

Connect with Roofscapes on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest to learn more about our roofing services and financing program for a new roofing system.

Tulsa Roofing Company – Do you know someone that has gone through a hard time in the life? Maybe they’ve had a medical issue that had to be paid for or they have lost their job and can’t afford the necessities in life such as a new roofing system. Bad things happen to good people and that’s why No Roof Left Behind is there to help communities organize and rally around a local family in need.

No Roof Left Behind was created back in 2009 to help out families within the community and provide those families with a good roof over their head. The nationwide program gives the community members an opportunity to help a neighbor in need. NRLB pairs up with local contractors for the framework (that’s us) to provide a new roof at no cost to the deserving homeowner in need.

So, how does it work? There are a couple steps that go into play with selecting the family in need.

1. It starts with uploading photos and a brief story of someone that you know of that needs a new roofing system. The family in need can even be your own!
2. The volunteers within the community review the nominees by selecting four finalists.
3. Once the four finalists are selected and revealed, the public voting begins.
4. The winner will then be revealed online.
5. Finally, the community will all come together for an installation celebration. The installation celebration will almost be set up like a “GRAND OPENING” for the family’s new roof.

Getting Involved

With No Roof Left Behind program, there are many ways to get involved. Whether you’re a local contractor, a homeowner that wants to nominate or be the nominee, or a sponsor throughout the process, there’s an involvement piece for everyone.

Roofscapes gets involved by being the contractors. Our contractors thoroughly enjoy helping out the community members that are in need of a roof, and we love working with them to see what roof would best fit their home and style.

The homeowner that wants to nominate a family in need of a new roofing system can go through the motions of selecting a family as well as nominating themselves. NRLB is a great way to get the community involved in a project together by spreading the word on social media and throughout the town with family and friends.

Sponsors can donate with money towards the administration of NRLB or volunteering their time for the installation day. Donations can be products used for the new roofing system or help serve lunch at the installation day.

Our community is very important to Roofscapes. Anything we can help pitch in to make it a better place, we’re on it! The No Roof Left Behind program for Roofscapes will be in August, so stay tuned!

Connect with Roofscapes on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to learn more about our roofing systems and services.

The last thing a homeowner wants to worry about is having to restore what was damaged or lost after a storm.

From the nasty tornadoes that tear through Oklahoma, it’s hard dodge one if it’s coming towards your property. The only thing for you to do is go into safety for yourself because a house is only cosmetic and can be fixed.

Since your home can be restored, there are some tips to keep in mind while going through the process. When you’re walking through your property, you want to take the time and evaluate the damage that has been done. Next, you will want a professional to come to the site to see how you’re going to move forward and further help assess your home’s damage. There can be damage that is easily overlooked and can be detected by our storm restoration professionals.

Having a professional come to your home will help properly estimate and work through the details in order to take care of the homeowner’s insurance. Here are the items to consider for repair after a storm:

• Roofing
• Fencing
• Siding
• Tree removal
• Decks and patios

Listed above is the major spots to evaluate. One spot that homeowners forget to look at it is the interior of their home. Most people are most concerned about the outside because it can be physically spotted out. The inside of your home can suffer more extensive damage such as structural damage due from shifting of your home’s foundation. Being able to identify cracks in your walls, bowing doorways and leakage are problem areas that can be considered for restoration.

Once we’ve walked through your property, inside and out, we’ll handle your insurance claims. When we’re handling your insurance claims, we’ll have a representative for your one-point contact between you and your insurance company. Our roofing Tulsa professionals want to help restore your home back to its natural beauty, so don’t be overwhelmed with the restoration just give us a call!

Connect with Roofscapes Exteriors, LLC on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest to learn more about our storm restoration services and tips during the storm season and how to be prepared when it hits.