In almost every case, we hire professionals because we don’t necessarily have the proper skills, training, and equipment to do something that’s difficult. Although there are some parts of your roof that you can maintain and repair by yourself, fixing a roof should be left to seasoned experts and professionals. Additionally, a roofing contractor will have the right tools and safety equipment to ensure that your roof will be in good condition once it is installed and repaired.

Since you’re looking for a roofing company that can offer its services, the first rational thing to do is to ask questions. If you’re new to the roofing industry, you’ll need to first paint a picture of how much each material will be, how these contractors will operate, and the average cost for each service.

Most homeowners will jump to the first deal that’s offered to them, but this can easily backfire if they are not aware of the quotes and skills of the contractors. What are some questions that we have to ask our roofers? First, we have to look at the key skills that we have to look at in a roofing contractor.

Hiring The Right Contractor

If you’re new to the roofing industry, you’ll be surprised at how stressful and time-consuming installing a roof can be. Logically, if you don’t have any base knowledge in a certain industry, we have to ask questions first. In the same analogy, when we are interviewing someone for a job, we have to ask the right questions. Numerous homeowners will hire the first contractor that offers their services without doing any background research and investigation first. In reality, we have to always make sure that the person working on our roof is licensed and qualified.

It doesn’t hurt to contact some previous clients of the contractor first so see the product of their projects. If a contractor has long-term clients and workers, this is a good sign that they have been regularly working with clients for years.

Questions That You Should Ask

These are the questions that you should be asking your contractor. It might seem like a lot of questions, but you have to remember that they will be working on your home.

How Long Have You Been Working As A Roofer?

If a roofing company has been around for more than 10 years, then it’s a good sign that they have clients that have been commissioning their services for decades. Likewise, this will also mean that the roofers for that company have the necessary skills and experience that they have accumulated for years.

Will I Be Insured?

Even though a roofer might have decades of experience in the industry, this does not guarantee that they will not make any mistakes. It’s paramount that you will be ensured that any man-made errors and future damages to your roof that might be caused by a botched-up installation will be covered by insurance. One thing that you can do is to contact the insurance firm that’s connected with the company and what this will cover

Do You Have A Portfolio?

Aside from contacting the previous clients of the roofer, you’ll also need to look at their previous works. This will give you a good understanding of what they specialize in and what type of materials they usually work with.

What Are The Tools That You Use?

A professional roofer should be equipped with a complete set of tools that are needed for your roof. They should have the following tools for the job:

1. Caulking Tool
2. Measuring Tape
3. Roofing Nail Gun
4. Air Compressor
5. Tin Snips
6. Roofing Hammer
7. Extending Ladder
8. Broom
9. Truck
10. Roofing boots and shoes
11. Other tools

Additionally, a roofer must have the necessary safety equipment to make sure that they are safe from any potential hazards on the roof. The last thing that you want is an injured worker on your roof.

Work Ethic And Professionalism

It might be true that the project that a roofer will finish will speak for itself, but you will also have to look into the attitude of the roofer when they are operating. Are they punctual and on time? Are they following your instructions? In almost every profession in any industry, integrity and professionalism are needed in building rapport with the client. It’s only professional that they will respect your time and effort. Installing and replacing a roof can be a huge investment and it’s only appropriate that you also have a qualified roofer that is also committed.

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Starting fresh by replacing and repainting an old roof by having a new one can be one of the most satisfying things in life. Just like having a new car with a new paint job, painting your roof with a new color can easily help you start fresh and clear your mind.

However, having an attractive roof doesn’t guarantee that it’s going to be sturdy and hold off the forces of nature. You might have the best looking roof in the neighborhood, but it will all for naught if your roof can’t hold down your house and protect it against rainwater, snow, hailstorms, strong winds, and updrafts. It’s best to carefully consider your roofing material before making any decisions on what color scheme you want to choose for your roof.

But before we get into what’s a better choice of color between pewter gray or charcoal shingles, we have to first weigh-in on the different factors that will affect your roof.

Function Over Design

Obviously, your roof was designed on keeping water, snow, and other debris away from your house’s interiors and far from your house’s foundations. Sure, the color and design of your roof can leave a lasting impact on visitors and passers-by which can increase the value of your home, but the true test is on its strength in withstanding the forces of nature.

An ideal roofing system should be a combination of both high-functioning roofing materials that stand the test of the environment while still looking aesthetically pleasing. But at the end of the day, the function will always be more important than design.

Durability and Longevity

Just because a certain roofing material looks good, doesn’t necessarily mean that it will last a long time. Most homeowners see a roofing material and will immediately buy it from the local builder’s depot once they see that it’s compatible with their rooftop. One thing that homeowners should always weigh-in is the lifespan and the strength of the shingles. Even though most shingles are designed for rain, snow, and strong winds, they are still quite susceptible to hailstorms, high winds, and other elements of the weather. It’s best to keep this in mind whenever you are looking for the right materials.

Moreover, investing in cheaper roofing material can save you money in the short-term, but you will be spending more in the long run when you’ll have to contact your roofing specialists for repairs and replacements. 3-tab shingles and architectural shingles have different unique lifespans and characteristics but 3-tab shingles are generally cheaper and won’t last long.

A good way of determining if the shingles are durable is that it will have a longer coverage for the warranty since shingles that have a more hefty price tend to be more durable and long-lasting.

If you’re not sure whether a certain roofing material will last longer and will work well with where your house is situated, then you can always consult a professional roofing specialist.

Exposure to Wind

In states that are located in the southern part of the United States, hurricanes and storms are quite prevalent with winds reaching up to 130 miles per hour. With winds that strong, it can easily uproot and send a roof flying off. Homeowners are highly encouraged to choose shingles that have a wind rating of 130 miles per hour if they want their roofs to still be intact.

Wind rating is especially important since an uprooted roof will not just be dangerous to your home, but also to cars and other inhabitants from other homes. Shingles that are propelled at very high speeds by hurricanes and typhoons can be lethal.

Pewter Gray vs. Charcoal Shingles

An easy way of determining if a shingle is pewter grey or charcoal is by the shade. Normally, pewter has a lighter shade than charcoal. Metallic pewter shingles are able to reflect more light. In turn, it appears as a lighter grey. On the other hand, charcoal has a deep shade that borders from dark gray to black.

Ultimately, the paint that you will use for your roof will depend on your personal preference. Most individuals would choose pewter grey since the different shades of gray can make it look classy while most would also choose charcoal-colored shingles since it can easily hide dirt and can absorb heat if you want to retain heat on your roofing Alexandria VA and house.