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.

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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.