FS Construction Services metal roofs

Pros and Cons of Metal Roofs

If you have followed us here at FS Construction Services for any length of time, you’ll know that we are big fans of metal roofs. Of course, we know that nothing is perfect, and this is true of metal roofs as well. So we decided it would be a good time to weigh the pros of a metal roof against some of its cons.

 

Reasons to Consider Metal Roofs

 

Longevity and Affordability

One of the main benefits of a metal roof is how long it will likely last. It’s not uncommon for a metal roof to last 40-60 years, far outpacing the 15-20 year lifespan of a traditional shingle roof. Of course, that does come with a price, and a metal roof is going to cost you more upfront. If you are planning on staying in your home for many years, than it certainly is an investment that gets better as time goes on.

 

Durability and Performance

Metal roofs are strong, can be impact resistant, and resist high winds. Additionally, metal roofs are rot resistant, don’t crack, and require far less maintenance than a traditional roof. However, you will want to consider your climate and the type of metal you choose. You certainly don’t want pooling or water accumulation anywhere on your metal roof and if you are in a wet, humid climate, you want to make sure you’re not choosing a metal that is prone to rusting easily.

 

Energy Efficiency and Noise

The nice thing about metal is that it’s reflective. A metal roof reflects UV rays and infrared rays to reduce surface radiant heat. This can result in lower energy costs down the road, even up to a 25% reduction. Metal roofs are also made from significant amounts of recycled material and can be recycled at the end of their lifespan. The flip side of the environmental coin is that metal roofs can be louder than traditional shingle roofs, especially in rain or hailstorms. This depends on the level of insulation, but is worth considering.

 

While there are other pros and cons to consider, if you are in the market for a new roof, we hope this will at least help get the conversation started. If you have any questions at all, please let Gateway FS Construction Services know. Give us a call at 866-551-3454, and let our specialists help you find exactly what you are looking for. We look forward to providing you the best customer service experience.

FS Construction Services new roof

Five Signs That You Need a New Roof

Here at FS Construction Services we know that no one really wants a new roof. It may be necessary, it may be long overdue, it may dramatically increase your quality of life, but we get that no one wants to do it. For that reason, it can certainly be tempting to ignore the warning signs that it’s time for an update. However, someone has to be the messenger, so we wanted to provide five different signs that it’s finally time to update that roof.

 

Reasons For Getting a New Roof

 

Leaks

This one is obvious, but needs to be said nonetheless. Some leaks are fixable and not a sign of something worse. But if the roof has taken storm damage, was improperly installed, or the roofing components have simply reached the end of the line, then it’s going to be time for an upgrade. To know for sure, we always recommend a good inspection.

Granules

Most traditional roofs are made of asphalt shingles. Those shingles have embedded asphalt granules to help with fire resistance and UV protection. When a shingle roof is reaching its end, those granules will start to fall off into your gutters or onto the ground below. If you are noticing small granules in your downspouts or on the ground, and you’ve not just had a significant weather event, it is probably time to say goodbye to your old roof.

Damaged Shingles

Speaking of significant weather, intense storms and heavy winds can damage your roof shingles, but if you’re noticing cracked, curled, or missing shingles on your roof, it’s their way of telling you their time is up. Depending on your situation, it may be hard to know for sure if this is the case, but if you suspect your roof is reaching its limit, make sure to have a professional come and inspect it.

Moss and Vegetation

If your roof is starting to look like its own garden, then it’s time. While black algae streaks can appear on roofs midway through their cycle, actual moss and vegetation growth is a sign of an old, ready-to-be-replaced roof.

Discoloration in Attic

If you notice discolored roof decking boards in your attic, it could be a sign that it is no longer performing its job at full capacity. Again, this could be the sign of a fixable problem, but in many cases, it means it’s new-roof time.

 

We are sorry to be the bearer of unwelcome news, but we’ve also got good news. If you have noticed one, or all, of these signs and decided to upgrade, our partnership with Fabral means we can provide you with a beautiful, customizable, new metal roof that can last you up to 50 years. If you might be interested in a roof upgrade, please let Gateway FS Construction Services know. Give us a call at 866-551-3454, and let our specialists help you find exactly what you are looking for. We look forward to providing you the best customer service experience.

FS Construction Services roofing material

How to Pick the Best Roofing Material

So it’s time to get a new roof. Maybe some unfortunate weather event has made this necessary or maybe it’s simply been the unforgiving passage of time. Whether you have been kicking this decision down the road for a while or have decided that it’s simply time, you now have a very important question to ask yourself: what kind of roof should I get? To best answer this question we have to look at three main features of every roofing material.

 

Three Key Considerations With Roofing Material

 

Look

It may be easy to think that a roof is just a roof and as long as it’s keeping out rain and UV rays it doesn’t matter. And maybe this is true of you, but it’s worth considering that different roofing materials have very different looks and curb appeals. Cedar shake roofs and slate roofs are premium-style roofs that may fit certain types of houses better than others. Metal roofs come in a wide range of colors and styles and can be customized to each application. A traditional shingle roof is the most common roofing material. It won’t stand out, which depending on who you are, may be a selling point.

Budget

This will likely be your first point of consideration. Roofing prices will obviously vary on a number of factors, but generally traditional shingle roofs are the most inexpensive. Metal roofs, cedar roofs, and slate roofs will all price out higher.

Durability

However, if you consider cost over time, then the upfront cost of a shingle roof might be less, but the long-term cost can be significantly higher. Asphalt shingles tend to have a lifespan of around 25 years, cedar roofs around 30 years, metal roofs around 50 years, and slate roofs around 75 years.

 

If you have found yourself in the position of needing a new roof, we hope you are able to look at the situation as an opportunity instead of a nuisance and make a decision that won’t just work for you tomorrow, but for many, many tomorrows to come. We proudly install metal roofs for commercial, agricultural, and residential buildings, so if you have any questions, please let Gateway FS Construction Services know. Give us a call at 866-551-3454, and let our specialists help you find exactly what you are looking for. We look forward to providing you the best customer service experience.

FS Construction Services Metal Roofing Most Efficient

What is the Most Efficient Roofing Material?

Of all the parts of your house, your roof bears the brunt of the harshest weather throughout the year. Whether it’s unfiltered sunlight, cold winds, hard rain or hail, your roof is going to take a beating at some point. And while it is absolutely true that cost, durability, and longevity are important factors when considering a new roof, there is another factor that may be more easily overlooked: efficiency. Different roofing materials have different energy efficiency properties, and the degree to which your roof is efficient can impact the degree to which your entire home is efficient.

 

Is Metal the Most Efficient Roofing?

 

Metal Roofs

Metal roofs are known for their incredible longevity and ease of maintenance. However, they are also one of the most energy-efficient roofing materials available. Because of metal’s high reflectivity, during the hottest months of the year, a metal roof will actually reflect heat away from your home, requiring less cooling and reducing your energy costs.

Tile Roofs

Tile roofs also claim a long lifespan and provide efficiency. On a tile roof, airflow is easily able to circulate under the tiles, increasing their insulative properties and keeping out hot air during the summer and cold air during the winter.

Asphalt Shingles Roofs

By far the most cost-effective solution, asphalt shingle roofs also don’t carry the same long lifespan of metal or tile roofs. While a traditional shingle roof is not as energy efficient as its competitors, there are more efficient varieties that are designed to better reduce heat absorption and provide greater protection against wind and rain.

 

With any roofing choice, you will have to consider the pros and cons and weigh that against the cost and how long you want to go before having to think through this purchase again. If you have any questions about installing a metal roof, please let Gateway FS Construction Services know. Give us a call at 866-551-3454, and let our specialists help you find exactly what you are looking for. We look forward to providing you the best customer service experience.

Commercial and residential roofing FS Construction Services

Four Key Differences Between Commercial and Residential Roofing

Here at FS Construction Services we often have to make the distinction between residential and commercial projects. From buildings to paint jobs to garage doors, the differences are sometimes subtle and sometimes not so subtle. One area of difference that’s easy to spot if you stop to think about it, but not something many do stop to think about, is the difference between residential and commercial roofing.

 

Compare Commercial and Residential Roofing

 

Residential roofs are often peaked and sloped. Whether this is to hold attic space or simply enable water drainage, the residential roof serves both a practical and an aesthetic purpose. Many commercial roofs on the other hand are flat. At least, flat enough to not be seen by someone driving by, though they are still usually sloped some to prevent pooling water. While commercial roofing may sometimes have decorative purpose, most often the roof needs to simply cover a huge expanse of space without overloading the pressure on top of the building.

A residential roof often uses materials that easily drain precipitation, such as shingles, tiles, slate, and as we often like to talk about, metal. Commercial roofs are more likely to utilize steel, tin, copper, or aluminum.

The process of installing a residential roof usually involves attaching boards to trusses, then installing some kind of underlayment, and then the roofing material. These jobs can often be done in a day or two, and though the pitch may be steep, the surface area is likely small. Commercial roofs often involve layers of insulation and metal, and based on the size requirements can take weeks to complete.

Most homeowners don’t have to think about their roofs too much. Beyond a visual inspection every now and again, a well-installed roof within the boundaries of its lifespan may not require much maintenance. Inspection and maintenance on a commercial roof, however, will likely need a roofing contractor who does more than stands on the ground and looks up.

Whether you have or are in need of a commercial or residential roof, we have got you covered. If you would like to talk about your roofing needs, please let Gateway FS Construction Services know. Give us a call at 866-551-3454, and let our specialists help you find exactly what you are looking for. We look forward to providing you the best customer service experience.

FS Construction Services commercial roofing

Choosing Commercial Roofing with FS Construction Services

Here at FS Construction Services we have spoken at length about the benefits of metal roofing. To quickly recap, metal roof panels are significantly stronger than traditional roofing shingles, with impact ratings to weather the harshest environments, they provide incredible durability, with the ability to last for 50+ years, and their many varieties provide a high level of style and color options. While the initial cost is more than traditional shingle roofs, the long-term benefits and minimum maintenance required more than pays out over the years.
 

Why You Need FSCS for Your Commercial Roofing

 
We have often highlighted residential and agricultural metal roof projects, but our partners at Fabral also provide great metal roofing options for commercial use. The sheer number of styles is bound to fit any project and any pitch needed and their installation is designed to be easy and efficient. In addition to a variety of strengths and styles, these metal roofs have options including soffit panels to provide necessary ventilation, snow-retention systems to prevent fast-moving snow or ice across the slick metal surfaces, sealants for weather-tight seals, CondenStop to prevent condensation buildup, as well as a number of environmental benefits. For example, because metal is naturally more reflective than asphalt, metal roofs reflect more light during the summer and absorb less heat, allowing for reduced energy bills.

The variety of design options and simplicity of installation makes these metal roofs ideal for businesses, schools, stadiums, and many other commercial building types. If you are looking to have a new commercial or other roof installed and would like one that saves you time and money down the road, please let Gateway FS Construction Services know. Give us a call at 866-551-3454, and let our specialists help you find exactly what you are looking for. We look forward to providing you the best customer service experience.

Gateway FS Construction Services Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Once again, the year has flown by and we are already at the end of 2022. While we here at FS Construction Services would much rather be busy than bored, it does make the time go by quickly. Another full year of projects, new and returning clients, and the ever-present perk of getting to work with the wonderful people in our surrounding communities.

Happiest of Holidays to You and Yours

With this year nearly done and another one fast approaching, we wanted to take a little time to wish you and your loved ones a wonderful Christmas season and a Happy New Year. We hope that you are able to take some time off, get some much-needed rest, and have the opportunity to spend time with friends and family.

The list of tasks to be done and new ideas to explore certainly isn’t going anywhere and it will need tended to soon enough. But until then, we wish you a peaceful end of the year. We are looking forward to a little downtime, some good food, and a moment to take in the things in life that really matter the most.

We are thankful for the family, friends, and clients that we get to work with each day and their constant example of hard work and steadfastness we get to experience firsthand. We are grateful for the inspiration and the opportunity to serve so many wonderful men and women and look forward to what 2023 will bring our way.

As always, we are here for any of your building, grain system, seed system, roofing, garage door, and painting needs. If you have any questions at all, please let Gateway FS Construction Services know. Give us a call at 866-551-3454, and let our specialists help you find exactly what you are looking for. We look forward to providing you the best customer service experience.

FS Construction Services metal roof

Project Profile: A Worry-Free Metal Roof

When it comes to around-the-house or around-the-office projects, clients often end up weighing the decision of spending less money now with the possibility of having to spend more later or spending more money now with the possibility of having to spend less later. Do you pay for the quick fix? Or do you pay for the lasting solution? And while we would love to say it’s an easy choice, we understand that it’s not. Sometimes spending more now just isn’t an option. However, when your fix or update can also involve a little future proofing, a metal roof really is a great win.

Metal Roof Sound Investment for Future

This was on full display recently when we installed a new roof for a client. The existing roof was a standard shingle roof and it was time for an update. When we removed the old shingles, we found the OSB underneath had rotted out in some areas where water had been slipping through.

Thankfully, our client had committed to replace the old roof with a new metal roof. So after we replaced the rotted wood, we installed a Fabral 1.5” SSR standing seam metal roof. This 24-gauge roof is installed over a felt backing and the whole thing is designed to last for over 50 years and features Class 4 hail resistance, Class A fire resistance, and a Class 90 uplift test rating. Additionally, we installed new 6” seamless gutters.

Thanks to this new roof, our client will have a rot-resistant, durable roof that will last for decades on end. Overall it is very likely to require less maintenance, less upkeep, and less worry than other roofing options.

If you are interested in a metal roof, please let Gateway FS Construction Services know. Give us a call at 866-551-3454, and let our specialists help you find exactly what you are looking for. We look forward to providing you the best customer service experience.

FS Construction Services metal siding cleaning tips

Tips for Cleaning Your Metal Siding

It’s the time of year where you’re likely to find yourself outside watering plants and noticing the growing spiderwebs around your windows and doors. And while you may be tempted to knock them down quickly and carry on, it’s worth asking yourself when the last time you cleaned your siding was.

 

Low Maintenance Metal Siding Cleaning Tips

 

If you have metal siding, a little care here and there can go a long way towards extending the lifetime of that siding. The frequency at which you want to perform an inspection depends on where you live and the kind of beating your siding and roof takes on a regular basis. But generally you will want to first check for any obvious issues like chipped paint, rust, or other damages.

Check for any branches touching your siding or your roof and if you can, cut them back so they don’t scrape against the house. You will also want to clear off any leaves or other debris that might either damage the panels or clog your gutters.

Speaking of gutters, make sure to do an occasional check for clogs. Not only do you want to make sure your gutters are taking water away from your house, but standing water can cause corrosion after a long enough time.

Metal siding isn’t prone to mold or fungus, but you may want to give them a good washing every now and again. Rather than power washing, spray them down with a garden hose. If there are any spots that need extra cleaning, use a little dish soap or car washing soap to scrub at the problem area.

Metal siding and metal roofs such as products by our partner Fabral are a strong, unfussy solution for most houses. If you are in need of updating your current roofing or siding and have any questions, please let Gateway FS Construction Services know. Give us a call at 866-551-3454, and let our specialists help you find exactly what you are looking for. We look forward to providing you the best customer service experience.

FS Construction Services metal roof

Project Profile: The Elegance of a Metal Roof

We have been in business for close to 50 years now at FS Construction Services, but there is still something that feels fresh and exciting about a particularly well-implemented design. And one kind of project seems to inspire feelings most often: a brand-new metal roof. There’s something so satisfying about the clean lines, the sturdy construction, and the strong colors. Knowing that they’re designed to last longer than the amount of time we have been in business is just the cherry on top.

Consider Easy Maintenance Metal Roof

 

Recently we had the opportunity to install a 6500 sq. ft. roof for a client, and the result reminds us why we enjoy these projects so much. The 24-gauge 1.5” SSR standing seam roof replaced the old shingles we removed and disposed of. We laid down felt-backed insulation under the new roof as well as new 6” seamless gutters, downspouts, and leaf guards. We also put a modified roof onto the existing pergola to help water drain.

One of the other features of this project that we had to consider was the house’s skylight and chimney. We want our installs to be seamless, but also practical, so we took particular care to make sure that our roof plan incorporated these elements while still providing our client with a sealed and safe roof. Similarly, standing seam metal roofs will expand and contract with the changing temperatures. However, when they are engineered and installed properly, these movements are accounted for.

If you have been approaching the time for a new roof and have considered if a metal roof might be for you, be sure to check out just how they easy they are to maintain. If you have any questions at all, please let Gateway FS Construction Services know. Give us a call at 866-551-3454, and let our specialists help you find exactly what you are looking for. We look forward to providing you the best customer service experience.