Roofs

When it comes to the safety and comfort of your family, little if anything is more important than the roof over your heads. Lucky for you, Advance Remodeling has decades of experience installing numerous types of roofing including “flat” (typically modified bitumen or EPDM rubber), composition shingles, wood shakes, clay tile, concrete tile, and metal.

When Is It Time To Install A New Roof?

A well installed roof consisting of high quality materials can last well over twenty years. So, aside from obvious leaks, how do you know when it is time to replace your roof? Here are a few things to look out for that likely indicate the need for roof replacement:
 

  • If you have a shingle roof, check your gutters for granules.
  • Check your flashing around vents, skylights and chimneys for cracks.
  • Look out for areas on your roof that sag.
  • Be aware of your roof’s age. If it’s over twenty years old it’s worth keeping a close eye on.

Choosing A Type And Shape For Your Roof

Climate (Sun, Rain, Snow, Wind, Etc.)

A light-colored surface material doesn’t absorb heat from the sun, which reduces your home’s cooling needs. Choosing the right roof type and material can help your roof to withstand severe wind and snow.

Roofing Shapes

  • Gable – A traditional triangular roof with symmetrical sides.
  • Cross Gable Same – as a gable roof but is has two parts that cross.
  • Flat – A flat roof is nearly horizontal with only a slight inclination that lets the water runoff.
  • Mansard – A four-sided roof with double slopes on all sides. The lower slope is much steeper than the upper.
  • Hipped – A low-pitched roof that allows for large eaves on a building.
  • Cross Hipped – Same as a hipped roof but it has two parts that cross.
  • Pyramidal – A hipped roof that forms a pyramid shape. Shed Same as a gable roof but with only one slope.
  • Saltbox – Same as a gable roof other the fact that the two sides of it are not symmetrical.
  • Gambrel – When viewed from the side, this roof looks bell-like.

Additional Helpful Roofing Vocabulary

  • Barge Board – A board that conceals roof timbers that project over gables.
  • Beam – The main piece of wood (or steel) that supports the roof.
  • Cornice – The part of the roof that sticks out past the walls of a house.
  • Eave – The edge of the roof.
  • Fascia – The edge of the cornice.
  • Rafter – A beam that supports the roof of a building.
  • Soffit – The underside of the eave.
  • Truss – A framework of beams, usually triangular, that support the roof of a building.

Don’t forget that you can have fun when choosing a roof for your home. Several colors, styles, shapes and materials are offered today, allowing you to create your own personalized look for your home.

Pros And Cons Of Roofing Materials

Considering the many choices, each with its own pros and cons, it can be a daunting task to decide on the type of roofing for your home. When choosing a roofing style, make sure to pay attention to a few key factors: home design, structural strength, cost, local building ordinances and personal preferences. It is also a good idea to consider the long-term effects of your choice and what it will mean for your home in years to come.

Below is a quick look at a number of roofing types, accompanied by their main advantages and disadvantages.

Composition Shingles

Pros: At a very affordable price, these roofs are offered in a variety of colors and styles. Composition shingles made from asphalt and fiberglass are of high quality and very durable. They are easy to install compared with other roofing types, require little maintenance and usually have Class A fire protection.

Cons: These types of roofs do not perform well in high winds, and under certain conditions there is a chance that they might blow off. The materials also scar easily if hot, which damages the appearance and durability of the roof.

Wood Shakes

Pros: Available in a variety of colors, widths, thicknesses, cuts of wood, etc. – these roofs allow for flexibility in style. Wood helps to insulate your attic, which allows air to circulate easily.

Cons: Wood shakes are unrated by fire safety codes and often require wipe or spray-on fire retardants, which are usually less effective in fire resistance than other roofing materials. These roofs require much maintenance and repair due to damage from mold, rot and insects. Old shakes are not recyclable and have a more complicated installation process than other roofing types.

Clay Tile

Pros: Provides a unique look, especially for homes with a Spanish, Italian or South-Western look. A wide variety of colors and styles are available. Tiles are long-lasting, don’t rot or burn and cannot be damaged by insects. This roofing material requires little maintenance.

Cons: Tiles are heavy, which can cause a roof to require extra support. Also, if color is only added to the surface of the tiles, it can fade over time. Tiles are fragile, which makes it more difficult to repair the roof or walk on it to repair gutters or fireplaces. Clay tiles are one of the most expensive roofing materials, and installation can be quite complicated.

Concrete Tile

Pros: This roof type is very durable and is available in a variety of colors and styles. Most concrete roofing is long-lasting and requires little maintenance. Tiles are resistant to rot and insect damage and provide good fire protection. Concrete tile can be made to mimic other types of roofing.

Cons: This roofing style is on the expensive side and because it is relatively new on the market, there are still problems with breaking and color changing that must be resolved.

Metal Roofs

Pros: Regaining its popularity, metal roofs are now most popular in standing-seam steel (Standing-seam steel describes the upturned edge of one metal panel that connects it to adjacent sections, creating distinctive vertical lines and a historical look). These roofs can also be created to mimic other roofing types such as wood shakes, clay tiles, shingles, etc. Metal roofs are durable, fire retardant and require very little maintenance. Metal roofs are energy efficient and consist of many recyclable materials. They are lightweight, which means they can be installed over existing roofs.

Cons: Installation of metal roofs can be difficult and the cost is higher than most other roofing types. The life-long cost of the roof should be considered to determine if the initial cost is worth it.

Torch Down Roofing

Pros: For flat roofs or those with a slope of less than 1 degree, this method is better than the conventional method of applying hot tar with a mop and topping it with gravel because it can be installed with more consistency. Torch down roofing material is single-ply rolled roofing that has a mineral base that reduces energy costs by reflecting heat from the sun’s rays.

Cons: This type of roofing is not suitable for regions which experience heavy rain or snowfall due to the overlapping material strips on a flat or low sloped roof. Many safety precautions and carefully structured working conditions must be set due to a fire hazard from heating the adhesive material with a torch.

Here’s What Our Customers Are Saying

Great Job!!! I was very pleased with the excellent job done. It was done in a timely manner and the worker (Charlie) was extremely good and professional.

Thelma C.
Baltimore, MD

You folks have done many things in my home, but now I will sell it and move to Virginia. The new owners will know about you – I will see to it.

Stewart H.
Baltimore, MD

I am pleased with the work completed at my home. Your team was very courteous and professional. I look forward to working with you again.

Melvina J.
Baltimore, MD

The whole crew did a wonderful job. Special thanks to Jorge and Bryan in the assistance given me to complete this project. The professionalism and workmanship is phenomenal. I would highly recommend you!!!

Elinor W.
Baltimore, MD

All members of the Advance Remodeling Inc. team were very friendly, work was completed very quick and the final product was outstanding.

Marshall D.
Baltimore, MD

Excellent service. Office staff extremely polite and informative. Builders pleasant and skilled. Estimate on target.

Julia P.
Lutherville-Timonium, MD

Thank you for a great job. Charlie and the other professionals did an excellent job. I will recommend Advance Remodeling to my neighbors, friends and family. I love my kitchen.

Gwendolyn C.
Baltimore, MD

We were very happy with the work done on our house. If anyone asks us for a recommendation of a home improvement company we will gladly pass your name and number along to them.

Brian M.
Baltimore, MD

Excellent service. Office staff extremely polite and informative. Builders pleasant and skilled. Estimate on target.

Julia P.
Timonium, MD

Excellent customer service. Salesman, contractors, office personnel, roof contractors were professional, courteous, friendly, respectful and patient. Answered all my questions, no matter how trivial! Thanks to everyone for a job well done!!

Sharon C.
Essex, MD

The Advance Remodeling staff and the crews they sent out were very courteous, professional and responsive. We could not be happier with the quality service we received. Thank you for working with us and we will definitely be recommending you to others.

Christopher H.
Baltimore, MD

If there were a rating above EXCELLENT you would have received it. You and the workmen were among the BEST to ever come here. We certainly will consider Advance FIRST for all future work. Thank you.

James S.
Baltimore, MD

I was completely satisfied with the job that was completed on the roof in every respect.

George W.
Baltimore, MD

Thanks to Advance Remodeling my home is beautiful. Deck, basement, lighting. Thanks. I’ll call again soon.

Delores B.
Baltimore, MD

We are very happy with our new sliding glass door and windows. Thanks for such good service.

Marshall S.
Baltimore, MD

I am well pleased with my new kitchen. Would highly recommend your company.

Janie S.
Baltimore, MD

Our awnings were installed quickly and efficiently. The installers were very professional. The awnings look great. Very happy we chose Advance.

Jeanne J.
Glen Burnie, MD

I am very pleased with all of the work that was done. I had 3 different jobs in a row that were done.

Adrienne P.
Baltimore, MD

If you can guarantee the workers who did my deck are typical of all workers at your company I will use you again.

Joseph B.
Dundalk, MD

Well done! The porch looks great.

Dick T.
Baltimore, MD

Salesman was excellent. Group of two carpenters had excellent knowledge re: necessary work. They were never late. House was always clean prior to departure. Extremely courteous. Answered all questions with extreme patience. Excellent job completion.

Shirley T.
Baltimore, MD