Skylights are not often the homeowner’s first thought when thinking about their roof, but they can be a really great addition to your home if you’re looking to add some natural light into your home. They are certainly worth considering if you are planning new construction or replacing your roof. Read on to learn about the benefits of skylights and how skylights can add value to your home.
There are many different styles and designs of skylights, but the three most common categories of skylights are fixed, vented, and tubular.
Fixed skylights are windows on your roof that do not open or close. They’re great for rooms that need additional light or rooms with no windows. They can also visually expand closed-in spaces, like hallways, stairwells, or small rooms.
Vented skylights are similar to fixed vents, but they can open and close. Some are designed to open manually, while more expensives ones can be opened electronically. Vented skylights allow airflow into a room; it’s a better option for rooms with excess moisture, such as laundry rooms, bathrooms, or kitchens.
Tubular skylights, from the inside, kind of look like recessed lighting. These types of skylights are ideal for very small spaces, like pantries, hallways, or closets.
So why should you consider adding a skylight to your roof? If you live in an area like Vancouver, Portland, or anywhere in the Pacific Northwest, skylights can help bring in that extra bit of sunlight you’re missing during those rainy and cloudy days we have so much of.
Installing your skylight towards a certain direction can also have different benefits. For instance, south-facing skylights help let in more heat during cold winters. East-facing skylights allow more light and heat in the mornings, whereas west-facing skylights allow more light and heat in the late afternoon. And if you’re looking for something more subtle, north-facing skylights allow a pleasant illumination without allowing too much heat in or out.
It may not make that much sense to install a skylight the week before putting your home on the market. But if there are spaces in your home that could use some brightening up, then adding a skylight will definitely add value in the long run. You should also consider the region you live in; hot climate regions probably don’t need extra skylights if you’re looking to keep your home nice and cool. But here in the Pacific Northwest, skylights make a big difference in adding light into the home, especially during the long periods of rain we get.
The team at IBEX Roof are experienced professionals who can help you determine the best place to install a skylight on your roof. We make sure to minimize the impact on your existing roofline, and we can also help you maintain your skylights to reduce the need for repairs. Give us a call today, or fill out our contact form, to learn more about our skylight installation and maintenance services!
While many homeowners like to take on do-it-yourself projects in their home renovations or repairs, the roof can be a tricky and dangerous portion to DIY, especially if you’ve never done it before. There’s a lot to keep in mind, including knowing how much material to purchase for your project. If you don’t get enough shingles, you’ll have an unfinished roof while you wait for more to arrive. But too many and you might be stuck with a pallet of shingles in your garage for the next 20 years!
When looking at roofing materials, or even speaking with roofing contractors, you may have heard the term “roofing square”. It might sound like we’re talking about your roof in square-feet or square-yards, but in fact, one roofing square equals to 100 square feet. As you can imagine, not knowing the true value of the roofing square size could cause problems when ordering roofing materials.
You can figure out how many roofing squares you’ll need for your roofing project by measuring the length, width, and slope of your roof. However, getting those measurements can be dangerous. We always recommend hiring a professional roofing contractor to help measure and work on your roof. However, if you decide to do it on your own, make sure to always take the proper safety precautions to avoid serious injury.
To figure out how many roofing squares you’ll need, you must calculate the measurements of your roof. Getting the most basic measurements of your roof is pretty straightforward: take the length and width of each roofing plane, including dormers, and multiply them together (L x W). After you’ve calculated the square footage of all your roofing planes, add the numbers together and divide by 100 to convert the square footage to roofing squares.
For example, 2500 square feet of roof = 25 roofing squares.
After you’ve gotten your roof’s basic measurements, you still have to consider the pitch, or slope, of your roof. Basically, the steeper the roof, the more materials you’ll need. The slope of a roof is calculated by rise over run, and you can calculate this using a level and tape measure.
At the peak of your roof, hold your level horizontally from your roof in a straight line. This is the run. Then use your tape measure to measure the vertical distance, or rise, between the middle of your level and your roof. Once you have the slope measurements, there are many free roofing square calculators online that will help determine how much materials you’ll need for your roof.
You can avoid the hassle (and dangers) of calculating the size of your roof by calling a certified roofing contractor. Whether you’re in Vancouver, WA, Portland, OR, or the surrounding area, IBEX Roofing is here for you! We’ll go over your roofing project with you and take care of everything, from ordering the right amount of materials to cleaning up the debris at the end of the project. Call our Vancouver office at (360) 218-3108 or our Lacey office at (360) 352-1885 to get a free estimate today!
Just like any home building or remodeling project, choosing the right roof shingle colors for your home can bring on analysis paralysis; there are quite a few colors to choose from! Reds, grays, blacks, and greens…you may be wondering if it’s possible to choose the wrong color. While it seems like a daunting decision to make, IBEX Roofing is here to share advice on how to choose the right roof color for your house.
If you’re having difficulty narrowing down your choices, look at the roof shingle colors around your neighborhood. For those that live in a neighborhood with a homeowners association (HOA), you’ll need to make sure you are following along any rules and bylaws that may limit your color choices.
Even in a neighborhood without an HOA, it’s still a good idea to walk around and see what roof colors your neighbors have. Getting a color that doesn’t match with the homes beside you may make your house look like it doesn’t belong. However, if you live in a neighborhood where the houses are spread out and everyone has different colored roofs, then feel free to get creative!
Light-colored roofs reflect light and dark-colored roofs absorb light, which could slightly affect the temperature of your attic if you live in an area with extreme climates. Generally, light-colored roofs are recommended for those who live in hot climates and dark-colored roofs are recommended for those who live in cooler climates. However, it’s important to remember that proper ventilation and insulation are key ingredients to maintaining your attic temperature and keeping your home energy efficient.
You may have noticed that some options for roof shingle colors are either solid or blended. This can make a big difference on your home’s curb appeal, but how do you know which one will look the best?
Solid roof colors will always look best on homes with multiple shades of brick or various types of siding. Having a solid color will balance out your home, where as blended roof may appear too busy. However, blended roofs can vastly increase your curb appeal if your home has very plain siding. If you feel that your plain-looking home needs a little face lift, then a blended roof may just be the way to go!
Not all roof shingle colors are available in every area, although it depends on the color and manufacturer. That’s why it’s a good idea to choose 2-3 colors that you like, and your roofing contractor will make sure to get the one you want.
If you’re struggling on how to choose the right roof color for your house, IBEX Roofing is here to help. After all, we’ve seen a roof or two! While we can’t make the final decision for you, we can help give you options and narrow down your choices so that you feel happy with your roof.
Every home needs a roof, and it’s not uncommon for homeowners to experience roofing problems at the times they least expect it. Maybe there’s a sudden water leak in your home. Or maybe a tree fell during yesterday’s storm and caused some major damage. In these cases, even waiting a few days or weeks to get your roof fixed is not an option. In fact, letting too much time pass when you are in need of major roof repair can end up causing even more damage. This will ultimately cost you more money to get it fixed.
While being able to pay for a roof replacement or roof repair in full is ideal for most homeowners, having to unexpectedly do so is not necessarily in everyone’s budget. The good news is that there are many roofing companies that offer financing options.
Many roofing companies that finance want to help homeowners work within their realistic budget. Before you consider financing, assess what your current budget is for a new roof. Your roofing contractor can then work with you to find the right materials that will fulfill your roofing needs while staying within your budget. Once we’ve determined the materials and cost of your roofing project, we can then move to financing options.
Consider what your best options are; there will always be a few choices when it comes to new roof financing or financing a roof repair. If your roofing issues are not urgent, spend some time saving up for a repair. But if the cost of financing your roof will be less than letting your roof sit and suffer more damage, then that is likely the smartest decision to make. Always look at interest rates carefully; if those rates are going to be through the roof, then you might want to look at other options elsewhere.
Paying for the roof that will protect your home should never be a burden. That’s why IBEX Roofing is here to help you explore your options. We can help assess any damages on your roof and advise the best course of action. We also give our costs up front so you don’t have to worry about additional surprises. Give us a call today; we’ll get you an estimate on your next roof replacement or repair and we will also be happy to go over a financing plan that will work for you.
Finding the right roofing contractor you can trust to take care of your home is not always an easy task. This is especially true if there is damage on your roof that needs to be addressed right away. As always, there are some requirements you should require all contractors to have: their state business license, bond, liability insurance, and worker’s compensation for employees.
Another qualification you should look for is CertainTeed Select Shingle Master™. CertainTeed has been part of the building materials industry for 115 years and offer several accreditations for residential and commercial roofers. So what makes CertainTeed’s Select Shingle Master™ special? Well, it’s one of the highest credentials a residential roofer can receive! Here are a few reasons why to choose a contractor who is a CertainTeed Select Shingle Master™.
There are many types of CertainTeed qualifications: Silver and Gold Star Contractors™, Shingle Masters™ (SM) and Select Shingle Masters™ (SSM). Only the top 1% of roofers nationwide are CertainTeed Select Shingle Masters™; find them all on CertainTeed’s website and search to see who is local.
Select Shingle Masters™ are take rigorous tests on our roofing and product knowledge to ensure that our customers get the best quality installation for their home. Select Shingle Master’s™ also must prove they have proper insurance, including general liability and workers’ compensation. That means CertainTeed has already vetted your contractors for you, and you don’t have to stress about the paperwork.
CertainTeed will also follow up with their Select Shingle Masters™ by performing random roof inspections on completed jobs. This ensures that we are providing consistent quality. Select Shingle Master’s™ also need to maintain good ratings through third party surveys.
Hiring a CertainTeed Select Shingle Master™ isn’t about just feeling confident in your contract. You get to reap extra benefits: CertainTeed backs up a 25-year workmanship warranty. Our customers also get a longer product warranty of 50 years against manufacturing defects.
IBEX Roofing has been accredited as a CertainTeed Select Shingle Master™ contractor since 1969. It is our mission to deliver only the best to our customers and that is evident in our 4.96 out of 5-star rating on the CertainTeed website. So if you in the Vancouver and Portland area and are looking for someone to help you with your roofing needs, give us a call today!
Roof vents are part of a complete roofing system, yet not all homes are properly vented and that can cause major problems. Whether you live in an area with a hot climate or cold climate, a roof ventilation system helps to maintain temperatures in your attic or roof deck to prolong the lifespan of your roof.
There are two main parts to your roof’s ventilation system: the intake vents and the exhaust vents. Intake vents allow cool air into your attic or ventilation space and exhaust vents blow hot air out. Thus, you have a proper ventilation system.
For most homes, soffit vents are the most popular type of intake vent because they are easy to install and hidden from sight. Many people also like choosing ridge vents as their exhaust vent, as it is also practically invisible and allows continuous airflow. However, ridge vents may be costly to retrofit on an existing roof and it’s not always the most practical choice. There are many types of intake and exhaust vents and the best type of each for your home ultimately depends on the style and shape of your roof.
It’s possible to have an unvented roof. However, there are downsides, especially if you live in an area with humidity, rain, or snow. If you don’t have a roof ventilation system, you need to keep your roof deck warm enough to prevent condensation within your roof. There are ways to do this, but the warmer temperatures can reduce shingle life. Furthermore, installing an unvented roof can actually void or limit the manufacturer’s warranty on your roofing shingles.
As mentioned before, a roof ventilation system helps your roof last longer. Roof vents help to control moisture that could otherwise lead to wood rot or mold. In freezing temperatures, it prevents ice dams from forming on the edges of your roof, which can get underneath your shingles and cause structural damage to your home.
In hot temperatures, your roof vents will also maintain the temperature of your home so that your shingles don’t bake under the sun and get damaged. It also vastly helps with energy costs; without a proper ventilation system, the heat in your attic will build up which will wreak havoc on your A/C bill!
If you currently have an unvented roof, IBEX Roofing can help you determine the best way to install a roof ventilation system to help protect your roof from extreme temperatures. We can also recommend the best solutions to repairing or replacing existing vents if you are experiencing any issues.
The cost to roof a house can be a daunting number, especially if you weren’t expecting the need for a roof replacement or repair. The process to getting a roof replacement only gets more confusing when multiple contractors are giving different estimates. Even a quick Google search results in a wide range of pricing from $2,000 to $15,000.
The truth is, the cost to roof a house can vary greatly depending on a few different factors. Understanding what roofing contractors consider when they give an estimate can be very helpful when you’re trying to calculate the cost of a roof.
Roofing is an investment that is best done right the first time. Layering another roof on top of your existing one may seem like a good way to minimize costs, but most building codes allow two layers of roofing. If your old roof is in bad shape, leaking, or can’t support the weight of a new roof on top of it, then it’s best to remove it to avoid unexpected problems in the future. In addition to the time and labor it takes to remove a roof, contractors will also need to consider disposal and landfill charges.
Size is the biggest contributing factor when it comes to roofing costs. A reliable contractor will come and measure the roof of your house in order to give the best estimate. The shape and slope are also critical factors in an estimation. Roofs that are considerably sloped will require more shingles and extra safety measures will need to be taken to do the install. Flat or low sloped roofs will also require a little extra care and attention, especially if you live in an area with a rainy climate.
Now that you know the size of your roof, it’s time to consider the materials. There are a variety of roofing materials out there. Basic 3-tab asphalt shingles will be the least expensive and can last up to 25 years. There are also architectural and premium asphalt shingles. They are thicker than 3-tab shingles and last longer, but cost more depending on the manufacturer. Nowadays, metal roofs are also growing in popularity, coming in different styles and colors. They are energy efficient and can last up to 50 years.
Safety equipment, time, and labor are all other factors in the cost to roof a house. If you undergoing a replacement because you experienced roofing problems, it’s possible your contractor could find more damage after removing your existing roof. Storm damage and wood rot are often unexpected damages that add to roofing costs. Extra roofing features like skylights, chimneys, and vents will also add to roofing costs.
If you think your home may be due for a roof replacement, give IBEX Roof a call! We will come examine your roof to recommend the best course of action and provide an estimate. Maybe you are considering a full replacement when you only need a partial replacement, or maybe a roofing issue was caught early enough and won’t take long to repair. No matter the case, IBEX strives to make the roofing process as painless as possible for our customers.
If you have bought a home in the past or watched any home renovation show, you already know that purchasing a house can sometimes be accompanied with unpleasant surprises and costs. When you’re buying a new home, determining the roof’s health is vital; don’t let a bad roof of a new home become a blindsiding expense!
It’s always a good idea to know what work is ahead, even if you are comfortable with buying a new home that needs fixing. Sometimes, the signs that repair is needed are obvious: mold, rot, damaged shingles, etc. But when everything seems to look fine, here are some points to keep in mind before buying a new home.
Roofs may last a long time when well-maintained, but unfortunately, they do not last forever. There are a variety of roofing materials out there that all have different lifespans:
Material, manufacturer, and proper maintenance are all factors that contribute to the average lifespan of a roof. Getting the basic information about a roof can help you figure out what types of repairs may be needed in the future, or if you need to plan for a replacement.
Proper roof ventilation will prevent mold, wood rot, or warping on the roof. It will also reduce heating and cooling costs and extend the life of your roof shingles. A home inspector will be able to determine if the roof of your potential home is well-ventilated. If the roof does not have any or adequate ventilation, your inspector can tell you what steps are required to fix the problem.
Gutters, downspouts, and drainage pipes help to prevent water from sitting under roof shingles and damaging a home’s foundation. If the drainage system isn’t working properly, you may end up with some serious problems later on. A home that seems to be in good condition without a good drainage system could also have undetectable damage.
You may not be able to detect every roof problem during a home inspection, but try to ask the right questions to get all the information you can. Again, even if you are buying a new home with the intention of fixing it up, understanding what problems exist before purchasing will allow you to better plan ahead.
Do you know how to tell when you need a roof replacement? Some signs are more obvious than others, but it’s important to keep track of the state of your roof. Most of the time, simple maintenance and repair can help keep your roof in optimal condition. However, roofs don’t last forever, and when it’s time for a replacement, you don’t want to wait too long to get it done. Read on to learn when is the right time for a roof replacement.
The average asphalt roof lasts between 20 to 25 years. Take a look at your home improvement records to see when your roof was last replaced. If it’s been over 20 years and you’ve been having problems, then that’s a sign that it’s the right time for a roof replacement. If you aren’t having problems, it still might be a good idea to schedule an appointment with a roofing contractor to discuss any areas of your roof that may need maintenance or repair.
Missing or damaged shingles can sometimes be replaced if only a small area of your roof seems damaged. But if all the shingles on your roof are curled, torn, or just plain wonky, that is when you should replace your roof. If you have an asphalt roof, you should occasionally inspect the shingles for granule loss. Granules help protect your roof from water and UV rays. If it seems like your shingles have lost their granules, then it may be time for a roof replacement.
When you notice a small waterfall flowing in from your ceiling, then something definitely needs to be fixed. Small water leaks will likely just require repair, but when there are many water leaks and the repair expenses are starting to add up, consider getting a roof replacement. Otherwise, you are risking expensive damage to the rest of your home.
Here are some tips you can follow to keep your roof in good shape. Whether you’ve recently replaced your roof, or if it’s still not the right time for a roof replacement, doing your part to maintain your roof will help it live a long, lasting life.
The simplest way to keep your roof in working condition is to keep it clear of debris. This includes leaves, flowers, and branches. Using something as simple as a leaf blower is enough to keep your roof clean; there’s no need to climb up there with a brush to maintain your roof!
Get what you pay for by following the terms of your roof’s warranty! That way, if anything ever happens, you’re covered. For example, NEVER pressure wash your roof, as that can decrease the lifespan of your roof and void your warranty.
If you’re still not sure whether or not it’s the right time for a roof replacement, shoot IBEX Roofing a message. We are always happy to help!
Roof leaks are usually a result of another undetected problem on your roof. It’s important for house owners to know how to find a roof leak before it causes further damage to their home! Today, we will go over why your roof may be leaking and how to fix it.
It’s helpful to know the different reasons why roofs leak so you can prevent your roof from leaking at all. Some of the most common reasons include:
It’s important to know some of the basic signs on how to find a roof leak so you can act fast as soon as there is a problem. The most obvious sign of a roof leak is if you hear or see water dripping from your ceiling and into your house. If there’s no dripping, you may still notice discoloration and wet spots in your ceiling or drywall. Prevent water from pooling in your drywall by poking a small hole in your wall and draining the water into a bucket until you can get your roof leak fixed.
You can also find a roof leak by going into your attic, if you have one, and checking for wet spots or dark stains after heavy rain. If you think there may be a roof leak and you want to be proactive, you can also wet your roof with a hose on a dry day and see if any wet spots show up in your attic ceiling.
If you don’t have an attic and want to take a look at your roof, keep an eye out for damage, missing shingles, or gaps in the flashing. Always be careful when climbing up to your roof, and never go on a steep roof alone or without safety measures.
When you know your roof is leaking, it’s vital to get it fixed before your leak causes mold, wood rot, fungus, or any structural damage to your home. Depending on what the situation is, there are a few ways to resolve a roof leak.
If your roof leak is a result of cracked flashing, we can use roofing cement to seal the gaps. We can also replace missing or torn shingles with new ones, as well as rotted rafters or decking. Sometimes, roof leaks can happen if a roof is really old. In those cases, you may just need a full roof replacement to keep your house safe.
IBEX Roofing is no stranger to the Vancouver weather, and we know exactly how to find a roof leak. It’s usually during the most inopportune times when roofs start to leak, which is why we recommend scheduling roof maintenance before a small issue turns into a big problem. If you suspect a roof leak, we can help pinpoint it and repair it accordingly. Call IBEX at (360) 218-3108 to schedule an appointment today!
