How to Choose Roof Shingles for Your NJ Home

Thanks for visiting! We are LGC Roofing, family owned and operated New Jersey roofer. You can keep track of us via our RSS feed, connect with us on Facebook or Twitter.

Need a roofer? Don’t hesitate to contact us for a free estimate on your roofing project. We’ll be happy to assist you!

Asphalt shingles are an affordable, flexible way to protect your home and they come in a wide range of prices, sizes and colors.

While replacing your roof is a significant investment, think of it as an opportunity to improve the value of your home and the look of its exterior.

To get the most for your money, make sure that you consider life span, durability, weather resistance and quality when you select your new roof shingles.

3 Tips on Roof Shingle Selection

You’ll probably be living with your roof for years to come, so consider the following tips before finalizing a shingle decision.

1. COLOR: Choosing an asphalt shingle that suits your home can be overwhelming, since there are thousands of options on the market. Before picking shingles, check to see whether your homeowner’s association or community organization has regulations about allowable color schemes. To narrow your options further, look for roof shingles that complement your siding or brick. Remember, light roofing colors typically make a structure seem larger and more contemporary, while darker colors can make a building feel cozier and more traditional. Your roof shingles help tie your home’s exterior look together, so talk with your New Jersey roofing professional about the best color options for the look you’re trying to achieve.
2. STYLE: Shingles come in a variety of styles, depending on your budget and taste. Large format shingles cover more area in less time, but they don’t add dimension to your home’s roof. If you’re looking for a more depthful, custom look, consider laminated or “architectural” shingles which come with tabbed layers for added dimension. Strip roof shingles can also provide texture, since they can be layered to add depth to your roof’s surface.
3. QUALITY and DURABILITY: Life span, sturdiness and weather resistance are all important considerations when you’re replacing a shingle roof. Ask LGC Roofing about shingle options that will withstand New Jersey weather extremes without wind damage or algae buildup. In addition, give yourself peace of mind by choosing roofing shingles with a lengthy, comprehensive manufacturer’s warranty since high-quality shingles come with warranties of up to 25 years or more.

Your Local NJ Roofer is Here to Help

Your new roof will grace your home’s exterior for years to come, which is why it’s important to select roof shingles that are low-maintenance, durable and attractive.

If you need a hand making a roofing material decision contact the experts at LGC Roofing for a free, no-obligation roof replacement consultation. Family owned and operated for over two decades, our team is known for our expertise, professionalism and thorough follow-up. Call 609-712-8157 today to learn more.

Tools Needed For Shingle Roof Replacement or Repair

Thanks for visiting! We are LGC Roofing, family owned and operated New Jersey roofer. You can keep track of us via our RSS feed, connect with us on Facebook or Twitter.

Need a roofer? Don’t hesitate to contact us for a free estimate on your roofing project. We’ll be happy to assist you!

If you caught our last blog post, you’re now familiar with the tools necessary for shingle roof removal.

If you are planning to repair or replace your shingle New Jersey roof on your own as well, instead of hiring a New Jersey roofing expert, expect to need the following tools and materials at your disposal.

Roofing Installation – Tools Guide

As with shingle removal, safety should be your main concern (whether you’re on a flat roof or a pitched roof with steep surfaces).

Borrow or purchase a heavy-duty, sturdy ladder—or consider renting scaffolding for safer access to extreme heights. In addition, consider a fall protection kit that comes with a harness, roof anchor, lanyard, counterweight and rope. Your fall protection kit should be OSHA-approved, and can be used in conjunction with a hard hat, work gloves and slip-proof boots to prevent injury.

On top of applicable safety equipment, roof replacement and repairs require several common tools that can be purchased at your local hardware store or rented from a local equipment rental shop.

Assuming that the flashing, felt and roof deck are in good order after removing your old shingles, when you are ready to repair or replace your shingle roofing you’ll need:

• 2×4 LUMBER STRIPS, #16 NAILS and HAMMER: Prior to roof replacement, it’s a good idea to install a few 2×4 braces to maintain your footing. Lay each wood piece horizontal to the roof’s edge, and drive nails through each end of the 2×4 to attach them to the roof. Pull up the brace and re-nail it as you move around the roof surface.
• ASPHALT ROOF SHINGLES: Remember to select shingles that complement your home’s paint and trim. Shingles are generally sold in “squares,” and each of these units cover roughly 100 sq. feet. You can read our guide on how to select roof shingles for a better idea on the subject.
• ASPHALT ROOFING CEMENT: Applied to the back side of each shingle, roofing cement helps to secure the shingle during nailing and ensures a tight fit to the roof’s surface. It’s also a good idea to apply roofing cement to nail heads to avoid small leaks.
• GALVANIZED ROOFING NAILS¬: Used to secure shingles during installation. Hammer several galvanized nails through self-sealing strips found on each shingle’s surface.
• REPLACEMENT FLASHING: As you install shingles around eaves, ridges and valleys, it’s important to make sure that all metal flashing is in tact. If not, you’ll need to reapply replacement flashing strips as needed.
• UTILITY or SHARP LINOLEUM KNIFE: Used to cut portions of shingles or trimming shingles to the correct shape and size.
• CHALK LINE: To ensure symmetrical placement of shingles, most roofers snap horizontal and vertical chalk lines on the roof deck. A level is also a useful tool for measuring exact shingle positioning.

Hire Professionals

If you’d prefer to hire a New Jersey roofing expert to replace or repair your asphalt, metal, tile or slate roof, contact the LGC Roofing. Our free consultation is designed to assess the state of your existing roof, and help you choose the roofing material that is the most attractive, durable and cost-effective option for your home or business.
Still planning to install the roof yourself? Let us help. We’ll check the flashing, roof vents, skylights and chimney to make sure they’re structurally sound before you begin installation. Call us at (609) 712-8157 to ask about pricing or to schedule a replacement consultation!

Essential Tools for Shingle Roof Removal

Thanks for visiting! We are LGC Roofing, family owned and operated New Jersey roofer. You can keep track of us via our RSS feed, connect with us on Facebook or Twitter.

Need a roofer? Don’t hesitate to contact us for a free estimate on your roofing project. We’ll be happy to assist you!

If your New Jersey shingle roof has begun to age and is regularly requiring more than routine maintenance, it’s time to consider roof replacement.

Experienced do-it-yourselfers may decide to remove the old roofing, themselves, rather than hiring a professional roofer for shingle removal.

If you do opt to remove existing shingle roofing on your own, just remember to gather the correct tools before starting the job.

Safety first

Safety should always come first before you attempt to climb onto your roof’s surface.

We recommend that you acquire one or two sturdy ladders (or scaffolding for extreme heights), along with a fall protection kit. Fall protection kits can be purchased or rented, and typically come with an OSHA-approved harness, roof anchor, counterweight, lanyard and strong rope.

It’s also a good idea to install several roof jacks and planks to prevent a misstep, and to wear slip-proof gloves, a hardhat and work boots.

In addition to safety and accessibility equipment, you’ll need to rent a large dumpster for shingle disposal.

Essential Tools for Shingle Roof Removal

There are also several tools you’ll need to remove shingles and fasteners with ease. They include:

• Roofer’s shovel or shingles scraper: Similar to a flat-blade shovel with pointed teeth and a metal heel, a shingle scraper is designed to slide under the shingle edge. By placing pressure on the metal heel, you can use the tool to pry shingles away from the wood underneath during roof removal. If you purchased your roofer’s shovel, hold onto it. It’s a convenient way to break up ice and remove stubborn tree roots from your landscaping.
• Classic pry bar: The same tool you might use to pull out nails or take apart wood pieces, classic pry bars are smaller and easier to maneuver than a shingle scraper. This is useful if you’re removing broken shingle pieces or rusted nails and fasteners.
• Hammer: For small nails and fasteners that were not pulled out by the roofer’s shovel and pry bar, you may need to use the claw end of a smaller hammer.
• Bar magnet: These handy tools are attached to a sturdy rope, and can be rented from a local hardware store. They are a great way to collect nails and screws that fall off of your roof during shingle removal. Just drag the magnet across your yard and driveway to collect stray metal fasteners that could hurt someone—or deflate a tire.

Roofing Replacement

After removing your roof and disposing of the shingles, you may need the services of a New Jersey roofing expert to install a new metal, shingle or slate roof on your home.

Call LGC Roofing when you’re ready to select the most cost-effective roofing material for your home’s architectural style.

We’ll check the flashing, roof vents, skylights and chimney to make sure they’re structurally sound before attaching your new roofing material – and we offer comprehensive materials and workmanship guarantees.

Call today to schedule your no-obligation roof removal or roof replacement consultation.

Spring Maintenance Tips for a Healthy Roof

Thanks for visiting! We are LGC Roofing, family owned and operated New Jersey roofer. You can keep track of us via our RSS feed, connect with us on Facebook or Twitter.

Need a roofer? Don’t hesitate to contact us for a free estimate on your roofing project. We’ll be happy to assist you!

Your New Jersey roof may have survived the snow and cold, but now it’s time to survey the damage that winter might have caused.
Spring roof maintenance is a necessary part of lengthening the lifespan of your roof – and protecting your home’s precious interior. So, when it’s time to conduct your spring roof inspection, remember these three areas of concern.

1. Gutters

Your gutter system was designed to remove water from your roof in order to

• prevent pooling and moisture buildup,
• prevent damage to your home’s structure, and
• discourage moisture-related mold growth

Dirty, not properly maintained gutters can shorten the life of your roof, so it’s critical that you check them one to two times a year.
Spring is a great time to check out your gutters and remove large chunks of debris by hand or with a garden trowel. After manually removing debris, use a power sprayer, hose or water bucket to clean out the remaining dirt buildup.
Remember, if you have a number of tall trees on your property—you may need to check gutters more frequently for stray leaves and twigs.
After cleaning out your gutters, it’s important to be proactive about trimming tree overhangs and large branches. Use a chainsaw or hand trimmer to clip branches away from the roof, especially if they appear to be dropping debris into your gutters. Next, check gutters for loose or rusty sections.
Most gutters are easy and inexpensive to replace. If you’re not comfortable making basic gutter repairs LGC Roofing installs and repairs gutters in New Jersey – call us at 609-712-8157 for a Free Estimate.

2. Shingle integrity

After checking, cleaning and replacing gutters, your next step is to survey the shingle field for damage – you will possibly need some basic shingle repairs.
Climb carefully onto the roof, and scan your shingles for missing pieces, peeling areas or grain loss. The small rock and mineral grains on your shingles help to protect your roof from the elements. If shingles are broken or begin to look smooth and “grainless,” it’s time to replace them.
You can replace a shingle by carefully removing the old one (and potentially the two to three surrounding shingles). After removing nails and fasteners, slide a new, same-sized shingle into place and nail it down. Cover each nail with roofing cement to prevent water penetration, and weight the shingle down overnight to ensure a tight seal.

Flashing repairs

Flashing, or the metal strips that seal gaps and prevent water from seeping under shingles, should be checked during each semi-annual roof inspection.
It’s especially important to inspect flashing around your chimney, skylights and valley regions. Those are 3 most common roof leak locations since winter wind and storms may cause flashing to pull away at these areas. Using small roof fasteners, tack down loose flashing and seal tack holes with roof cement. Call the LGC roofing professionals when you have more serious flashing problems.

In Conclusion

While it’s easy to do simple roof inspections and repairs yourself, it’s advisable to hire an expert if your home has an aging roof, or if your New Jersey roof is particularly steep and dangerous. Ready to schedule your spring roof inspection?
Call LGC Roofing today to schedule a free estimate, inquire about repair pricing or arrange a gutter assessment. 609-712-8157.

New Jersey Shingle Roof Repair in 5 Easy Steps

While it’s best to inspect your roof at least once a year to keep shingle problems from leading to major structural repairs, your asphalt or composite shingles may begin leaking or showing signs of localized damage at any time.

The good news is that composite roofing should last for 15 to 20 years, and shingle repair is relatively simple.

Once you’ve located a trouble spot, check the integrity of the surrounding shingles. Look for visible cracks or damage. Test damaged or curling shingles by gently bending the shingle corner. Serviceable shingles should flex nicely. If they are old or weather damaged, the corner may break, instead.

If this occurs—and the roofing material seems to be losing its color and shape, it’s time to replace the affected shingles entirely. If not, you can often repair them in a few, basic steps.

Shingle Roof Repair in 5 Easy Steps

1. Choose a sunny day to make your repairs, since the sun’s warmth makes shingles easier to work with.
2. If a corner is pulling away or a shingle is torn, lift the damaged piece and apply a layer of roofing cement to the bottom of it. You may need to use a pry bar to raise the shingle piece high enough to apply the cement. A putty knife works well for sealant application, but you can use any dull, flat-edged tool.
3. Tack down the cement-treated piece with roofing nails so the adhesive has time to seal properly. The nails will also help the shingle piece stay in place permanently.
4. After tacking down curled corners, broken pieces or torn shingles, spread a layer of plastic roofing adhesive or tar over the cracked area. You should also apply the sealant directly over the nail heads to ensure that water does not seep in through the nail holes.
5. As you begin to repair compromised asphalt pieces, take note of the roof’s overall state. If you find yourself repairing or replacing dozens of shingles due to hail, storms or basic wear-and-tear, it may be time to contact a qualifying New Jersey roofer to handle more extensive repairs—or replace your entire roof.

Hire a Roofing Professional

While many do-it-yourselfers repair their own composite shingles, it’s often best to leave entire roof makeovers to the experts. Call LGC Roofing to schedule a thorough inspection of your home’s roof and attic space. We’ll recommend cost-effective repairs, and if you have to replace your shingle roof, our prices are competitive and our craftsmanship is second-to-none.

Remember, putting off shingle roof repairs can lead to costly attic and roof sheathing damage. Get your shingle roof repaired by a qualified NJ roofer.

3 Tips On How To Select Roof Shingles

There are many shingle brands on the market today so how will you know which is the right brand for you?
Well, you need to do some research to figure out which brand will be most suitable and reliable, because you don’t want to run into problems down the road.

Here are 3 things you have to look at when researching a brand:

How long they have been in roofing business

• You don’t want to buy roofing product from a newly established manufacturer because you don’t know if they will be around in 10 years to honor product warranties.
• You don’t know if product they offer is develop well enough.

What warranty they offer

You need to check warranties different shingle manufactured offers because there may be a big difference between what they offer in that regard. Right now standard (limited) manufacturer warranty for architectural shingles is anywhere from 15 to 30 years. To understand exactly what you getting you need to read the fine print. Of course warranty from a company which is in business for 50 years is worth much more than one from somebody who just started.

How often do they change their product

It is important to do research how often roofing material manufacturer changes their product line. You want to make sure shingle color you chose today will be available 10 years from now (when there comes time for repair).

Those are the 3 things that you need to look at closely when selecting shingle material for your roof. As is usually the case in any industry, it is always a good idea to choose one of the major players like GAF, CertainTeed or Owens Corning.

Lukasz Sobczuk. LGC Roofing

Shingle Roof Replacement Done the Right Way

Tear off vs. Adding another layer on top

My clients often ask me: “Why do you want to rip existing roof off? Another roofer gave us price for up & over, and it’s much less comparing to tear off.” – No it’s not. You might save upfront, but will pay many times over later. I always recommend full tear off when installing new shingle roofing.

When you install new shingles over existing shingle layer you cannot expect the same performance as then you lay it out on a clean roof decking.

Biggest problem for roofs are leaks. If you don’t fully remove existing roofing material you don’t know what is going on underneath:  is wood decking solid? is roof flashing ok? is there moisture underneath shingles?

Tear off is the right way to go.

• Biggest concern in my regard is the state of wood decking. Even if there are no apparent leaks, the wood might be rotted and this means that nails will not hold new shingles properly.
• Same problem exists with flashing. Without tearing off shingles you are not going to be able to see if flashing is in good condition. Damaged flashing may lead to leaks in a future.
• Shingles put on top of existing layer will never lay completely flat. You will always see bumps and shingles sticking out.
• Adding another layer will also double the weight of the roof possibly causing damage to the structure.
• Most “roofers” who advise up & over for costumers complete ignore proper roof ventilation. Roof ventilation is one of the most important factors influencing how long your roof will last; not ensuring proper ventilation will shorten the life of your roof drastically.
• Without tearing existing roof of most manufactures will not honor full material warranty.

Saving some money now will cost you significantly more in near future. That’s why I always recommend full tear off to my customers.

Lukasz Sobczuk, LGC Roofing