Ask Kelly Your Roofing Questions

February 7th, 2013

Question Submitted Monday via Facebook from NES Design & Construction

 

I'm wondering if you have done an analysis for different roofing materials to see which will cost the least in the long term? Considering that metal roofs are warrantied for 30-50 years that might be a good span of time to use!?

 

 

 


KELLY’S ANSWER:
 

Dear NES Design & Construction,

 

Thank you for your question on the cost analysis and durability of different types of roofing materials.   Depending on the climate condition you happen to be living in some products last longer than others.     We personally are fans of asphalt-based fiberglass laminated shingles, as the look and quality of this type of product has certainly improved over the years.
 

Metal roofs are more durable and will definitely last longer in most cases, however the initial cost is higher.   All roofing products have benefits that carry different levels of investment therefore, choosing a roofing product is often based on the customer’s budget, needs and personal taste.
 

Also, warranties are a consideration as sometimes the wording and coverage can be confusing so it’s important to have a roofing expert help you choose the right product and warranty that suits your unique circumstances.
 

We have created a table of general product cost-analysis below for a typical Vancouver region re-roofing scenario.  Keep in mind, this is a generic model based on our experience and costs will differ depending on the variables.

 

Ask Kelly Your Roofing Questions

Click on the table to see larger view

Once your specific conditions have been identified and all measurements have been taken, our roofing specialist can always price out a variety of products that would be right for you.
    

We appreciate all of your questions and look forward to providing our customers and industry with further insights into the profession of roofing.

All the best,
 
Kelly Zewe
General Manager

K2 Roofing Ltd 
(604) 317-004
info@k2roofing.com  

 

Have a question? Submit it to us in the comment section below or on our Facebook page.

How Many Roofs Do You Have Up There?

February 5th, 2013

 

Do you know what’s going on under your roof?

Recently, we did a reroof for a client and friend. On first inspection, we discovered four layers of previous roof underneath.

What do I mean when I say “previous roof”? I mean instead of tearing off the old roof before laying down new shingles, the last roofer just put new shingles over the old damaged and or rotting ones that were already there. Not just once, but four times!!

Wait. Here is the real kicker… When we got to work on the tear off (and you can imagine how much work that would be, when dealing with all that old roofing material) we found yet another layer of shingles lying underneath the four we had previously noticed.

Yikes, what a mess. Like the rings on a tree, the older this house got the more roof layers it seemed to have, and this is an old house.

In the end, our client came out with a new roof and his poor house sighed with relief when we lifted all that weight off its back.

Digby house

So, for all you out there looking for a new roof, here is a tip. Do not let your roofer put a new roof on your house without taking off the old one.  Just don’t.

Better yet, just call K2roofing and let us take care of it for you.

 

 

Friday Frights

February 1st, 2013

Your Moss Is Showing

 

Is it a Chia Roof or a do it yourself Green Roof? Either way, you got to give them credit for their moss cultivating skills. 

 

 

 

 

If this is your roof, You need to call K2 Roofing… Now!

Free Estimates 604-317-0004

 

Did you find your roof in the Friday Frights? You are eligable for our Ugly Roof discount. Call us asap!! You really need to.

Ugly Roof of The Week

January 29th, 2013

 

Hey look what we found! It’s an ugly roof and they are everywhere. Join us for our weekly ugly roof feature, where we will be featuring random ugly roofs we find in our communities.

Hey is that my roof?

If you find your own roof in our weekly ugly roof feature, contact us for a free estimate and you will be eligible for our ugly roof discount.

 

Check back here every Friday for the Ugly Roof of the week. You never know, it could be yours. 

This Week In Bad Roofing

January 29th, 2013

Before and After

January 25th, 2013

 

Holiday Safety

November 14th, 2012

 

Tis the season for hanging your holiday lights, but more importantly for reviewing safety measures that must be considered while hanging said lights. Fall related injuries increase substantially during the holiday season. A study conducted by CDC estimated 17465 people were treated in the emergency departments between 2000-2003. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5348a1.htm

 

Here are a few tips to make sure you keep yourself as safe as possible while hanging your seasonal decor

  • Choose a nice day
    This may seem obvious but as we get closer to the season the weather gives us fewer and fewer opportunities to spend the day on a ladder.
    Frozen hands and wet feet can be more than a discomfort, they can also cause you to become distracted and hasty in your work.

 

  • Untangle and test your light strands before hanging them
    You don’t want to be messing around with knotted strands of lights while you are up on a ladder. Take advantage of the ground while you are on it, changing a bulb is a lot less complicated when you have your feet on the ground.

 

  • Don’t work alone
    Not only does another pair of hands make the job go faster and easier, but of course it is also a lot safer. if anything should happen, there is someone with you to call for help and or administer first aid

 

  • Stay off the roof
    working from a good quality ladder is a much safer angle for hanging light strings, it also provides better footing than wet or possibly frozen shingles.

 

  • Practice ladder safety
     make sure your ladder feet are firmly planted on stable ground.  Use ladder stabilizers, or “wings” whenever possible. They are designed to not only protect the gutters, but make your ladder very steady while your hard at work getting your home ready for the holiday season.

 

  • Don’t reach !
    Always stay balanced and centered on your ladder. If something is just out of reach, don’t try and extend yourself,  go down and reset your ladder in a better position to reach your work area.

Remember, your safety is more important, to your loved ones, than any light display could ever be, so,take the extra time, to make sure you are as safe as possible.

Have a safe and happy holiday season from all of us at K2 Roofing. 

 

Time to Clean Your Gutters

October 31st, 2012

 

We got lucky this year in the lower mainland and had a beautiful long summer, but now the rain is back and making up for lost time.

Perhaps you didn’t give much thought to maintaining your gutters when the weather was beautiful, but now you might have noticed water pouring off your roof in places were it shouldn’t be. You might also have noticed pools forming in places you might not expect. These are sure signs it’s time to have your gutters cleaned.

As a rule gutters should be cleaned twice a year, late spring and fall. If your house is situated amongst many trees you should be more diligent about this maintenance as it is a sure thing those leaves and needles are going to find there way in there.

Hiring an experienced professional for this service will assure that your gutters are cleaned properly and checked for any faults that might need repair. A professional will not only have the product know how but they also have the training and knowledge of rooftop safety that most homeowners do not.

Contact us for more information on gutter services.

Green Roof – What Is It?

August 30th, 2012

Major cities around the world and the politicians that govern them are starting to take environmentalism very seriously. The effects of climate change are already visible and efforts to combat the negative impact humans have on our environment are growing. Green roofs are just one example of environmentalism in action in urban centres around the world. Also known as a living roof, Wikipedia defines it as "a roof of a building that is partially or completely covered with vegetation and a growing medium, planted over a waterproofing membrane" which "may also include additional layers such as a root barrier and drainage and irrigation systems."

 

Continue reading

Best Roofing Materials

August 10th, 2012

The leaky condo crisis of the 1980s, 1990s, and early 2000s provides plenty of proof that construction materials and methods can have a major impact on the overall condition and quality of your home. Living in British Columbia means that you likely experience more rain in a few months than most climates experience in an entire year. Yet, if you're wondering which the best roofing materials for British Columbia are, there are no simple answers. Indeed, British Columbia offers a very diverse climate, and many regions face a great deal of rain as well. So, if you're asking yourself which roofing materials are the best, speak to a qualified roofing contractor in your city.

Nevertheless, while even the most experienced roofer cannot offer a simple answer to this question, there are some guidelines that can help you choose the best materials for your roof. Today, residential roofing products come in a wide range of colours, textures, and types that each offer unique benefits and characteristics. Choosing the right roofing material for you requires that you carefully consider your needs and also discuss your options with a roofing contractor.

Clearly, your roof is an important aspect of your home; one that provides key structural elements in addition to protecting your home, its contents, and your family from inclement weather. Moreover, roof replacements generally constitute a sizeable investment, but if you choose the right roof and the right materials, it is an investment for many years to come. Your roof should not only provide the right function, but the right style as well so choosing the right roofing materials requires that you make the following considerations:

  1. What is your budget? An excellent roofer can help you choose sound materials and design that will fall within your budget.
  2. What is the style of your home? Roofing materials are available in an impressive variety of styles, colours, and textures so be sure to choose materials that match the look of your home.
  3. What are your insulation needs? Your roof needs to effectively insulate against cold winters and hot summers.
  4. Will your roof resist fire? This is an important consideration for all homeowners, but especially those who live in high risk forest fire zones.
  5. What are your weather conditions? Rain, snow, and wind are just a few elements that can have a destructive impact on your home, so you need to consider these factors before choosing a roof.


Still, even after you consider all these questions, you will still find a variety of options available to you. Composition or fibreglass shingles, wood shakes, rubber shakes, clay tile and slate roofing, and even metal roofing are all popular options in British Columbia. As such, you should make an appointment with a professional roofer to determine the style, function and design of your roof and which materials fit best.

Please contact roofer in Vancouver to learn more about types of roof or residential roofing.