Metal Roofing & PV Solar Panels – Easy, Green, Affordable

If you’ve thought about adding energy-saving, eco-friendly solar panels to your metal roof, consider the advantages of thin film photovoltaic (PV) laminates. This new-generation solar option replaces bulky, heavy panels of the past, and does not require drilling into your home’s attic rafters.

Thin-film photovoltaic (PV) laminates can be bonded directly onto metal roofing panels. Unlike crystalline PV material, there’s no need for obtrusive racks and heavy, expensive glass. Instead, unbreakable thin-film PV is produced using amorphous silicon, encapsulated in Teflon and other polymers.

These photovoltaic laminates can be attached to standing seam metal roofing panels using a peel and stick method, eliminating your chances of expensive roof leaks due to invasive hardware installation.

Benefits of PV Laminate Panels

PV laminate panels are embedded with wired cells that absorb solar rays, saving you money while making your home more energy efficient.

Other solar laminate advantages include:

• Attractive, bulk-free look that blends with your metal roof
• Lightweight, simplistic design
• Extreme durability and dependability, with little maintenance required
• Low-cost installation
• Advanced protection of your home’s structure
• Leak-proof when installed by a professional
• Easily expandable
• Potential cash savings from tax rebates and energy credits

Why Standing Seam Metal Roofing?

Combining solar roofing panels with standing seam roofing panels offers the answer to the question of permanency of solar roofing systems. The secret to a long lasting solar roofing system lies in the very roof that’s underneath the solar roofing panels. The problem of the past with solar roofing was that asphalt shingle roofs that had solar roofing panels installed on them would often times fail prematurely due to its age or the fact that solar panels required roof penetrations that eventually could cause a roof leak.

Standing seam metal roof is made with metal, which is a long lasting and environmentally safe green building material that keeps your roof cooler in a summer, helps to prevent ice dam problems in the winter, and is fully recyclable at the end of its service life. Thus, a metal roof is essentially a long lasting and energy efficient roof that is good for the building owner and the environment.

Also most metal roofs come with around 35 years warranty and that’s precisely why metal roofing is the best choice when it comes to PV laminates installation. After all, you don’t want to incur the cost of removing the panels and then putting them back on, as you tend to costly roof leak repairs.

Hire a Professional Roofer!

While PV panels are fairly easy to install over your existing metal roof and can last up to 30 years or more, it’s important to enlist the services of a qualified New Jersey roofer to install the laminates and ensure proper connection of your inverter, cables and switches.

Remember, also, that high-quality solar panels are LEED certified, making it easy and budget-friendly to increase your home’s renewable power. Call LGC Roofing today to schedule your solar consultation, obtain PV laminate pricing or discuss other green roofing options with our company’s roofing experts.

Metal Roofing – Common Problems and Repair Solutions

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

Metal Roofing Benefits

Metal roofing is a favorite of New Jersey homeowners due to its many practical benefits, which include:

• Energy savings – Metal roofs are high in heat reflectivity, which helps with utility bills and improves the general energy efficiency of your house.
• Safety - Metal roofs are highly fire retardant, making them a safe option for any home but especially any structures in densely wooded areas.
• Durability - Metal roofing is an excellent choice for New Jersey homes, due to its ability to withstand heat, snow, ice, wind and storms.

Metal Roofing – Common Problems

While metal roofing has many advantages, it may require repairs over time. Two common problems include loose seams and rust/corrosion buildup.

Loose Seams

As your NJ metal roof expands and shrinks with weather extremes, screws become loose, and seams may separate. If this issue is not quickly addressed, your roof’s underlying structure could be damaged by condensation and water buildup around stacks. In order to prevent damage due to seam leaks, remember to inspect your home’s roof at least twice a year—and after severe storms. Watch for signs of loose hardware and obvious seam separation.

Rust/Corrosion Buildup

If your home’s metal roof is not sealed with a non-corrosive agent, it could fall prey to rust after being exposed to regular moisture. Snow, rainfall, sleet and pooling water can cause severe, corrosive damage when left unmanaged. Instead of leaving your roof’s integrity to chance, consider having it sealed with a waterproof coating or retrofitted with a durable roofing shield to prevent weather and condensation damage. Your qualified NJ roofer can recommend the most efficient, budget-friendly way of rust-proofing your metal roof.

With proper care and maintenance, your metal roof can last for a century or more, but it’s important to know that you may have to deal with occasional leaks, loose laps or rust problems.

If you notice an interior/exterior leak or rust spots—or require a metal roof repair, remember to call LGCRoofing, your leading NJ roofing expert. Our technicians will provide a thorough roof inspection, recommending cost-effective maintenance techniques that will save you money in the long run—and extend the life of your beautiful metal roof.

5 Types of Roof Vents & Energy Savings Info

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!

As mentioned in our earlier post, Tips for ventilating Your Roof Space, an optimized ventilation system is needed to balance the temperature and moisture levels in your home’s attic space.

3 Reasons Why You Need A Proper Ventilation System

1. your home will be more comfortable,
2. you’ll decrease utility spending, and
3. your roof will last longer, saving you money on roof repair or worse yet, complete replacement.

Who doesn’t like the sound of that?

But how much will a new roof vent cost?

Actually, you’ll find that most roof vents are reasonably priced—especially when you consider the energy-saving return on investment. When you’re ready to address home ventilation, here’s some helpful list of types of vents to help you make a decision.

• Turbine/static/wind-driven roof vents (provide ventilation by spinning naturally with the wind)
• Louver/static roof vents (deflect rain and insects while promoting air flow)
• Soffit roof vents (positioned under eaves)
• Gable roof vents (louvered vents placed on roof peaks)
• Powered roof vent units (thermostat typically included)

Before you spend a bundle on attic ventilation, make sure you’ve consulted with a roofing expert who can help. We will be happy to discuss needed repairs so call us today to schedule a roofing consultation. We will help you figure out how much you’ll save by installing and maintaining an adequate vent system in your house.

With over 20 years of experience, LGC Roofing is your 2010 roofing source for superior customer service, competitive pricing and quality workmanship.

Selecting Roof Vents for Your Home

Since attic ventilation is critical to saving energy and properly heating or cooling your home, it’s important to select roof vents that are both cost effective and efficient.

The best way to ensure that your attic is properly ventilated is to hire a roofing professional to assess your existing vent structure and recommend roof ventilation products. However, if you’re a do-it-yourselfer, you should learn ventilation basis before purchasing attic vents.

Understand Roof Vent Options Before You Buy

1. Proper ventilation requires both intake and exhaust vents. Intake vents allow an infusion of fresh air into your home, and exhaust vents help air to leave the attic. You need a combination of these two types to ensure optimal air circulation and minimal condensation.
2. Survey your venting options before making a purchase. You’ll find a variety of the following vent types:

• Soffit vents—These vent openings are typically screened, and are located on the underside of your home’s eaves (in the attic floor). Soffit vents allow an influx of fresh air, which rises and flows out through vents in the roof peaks. Screens are a good idea if you live in a region prone to insect infestation.
• Gable vents—Placed on roof peaks, these louvered vents promote warm air exhaust.
• Static vents—Installation of these inexpensive turbine or louver vents involves removing several portions of your roof shingles, as they’re typically placed in rows. These vents are effective at moving air, but can leak if they’re not properly installed and regularly inspected.
• Wind-driven vents—Mounted on a rooftop or installed against a gable, these vents are driven by natural wind rather than an electrical source. When it’s breezy, the vent will circulate air in a stuffy attic.
• Powered vent units—These electric- or solar-powered vents usually include a thermostat, and will automatically come on when your attic or home temperature reaches a specified point.

3. Determine the number of vents your home needs to make it a worthwhile investment. Recommended vent number depends on your roof’s square footage, and is often based on a 1/300 rule. This means that you should have one square foot of vented area per 300 feet of attic space. If your home’s attic measures 1,500 square feet, you’ll divide by 300—and conclude that 5 square feet of venting is sufficient. Remember, over-installing vents is not recommended, since too many vents increase your chance of damaging attic leaks.

Look to the professionals when you’re ready to efficiently apply roofing ventilation. LGC Roofing professionals are experts at making your home energy efficient, affordable and ready to withstand the elements. Tune into our next blog for more information on vent pricing and energy savings.

Tips for Ventilating Your Roof Space

While you may know that attic ventilation helps control indoor temperature and saves energy costs, you may not realize that improper ventilation can damage your roof, create ice dams and reduce your roof’s overall lifespan. So, before preparing to replace or repair your roof, have a qualified professional assess your ventilation system.

Sufficient attic ventilation provides a variety of benefits, including:

• Healthy, natural airflow in and out of your home
• Improved air conditioning and heating efficiency
• Prevention of condensation buildup that damages roofing infrastructure and ruins personal belongings
• Prevention of mold, mildew and wood rot caused by continual condensation buildup
• Prevention of wood cracks caused by extreme attic overheating
• Prevention of costly, warped siding replacement due to intense condensation

It’s a common construction mistake for a roof to have less than adequate venting. In fact, the American Institute of Architects estimates that nearly 90 percent of American homes have unacceptably high moisture levels. Roofing ventilation is a helpful way to balance those levels, but with a wide variety of vents to choose from (gable, ridge, static and soffit), it’s important to consult an expert before you begin installing vents on your own.

Remember, however, that too many roof vents can open your home to leaks or seam malfunction—especially during extreme weather. Talk with a professional to determine how many vents your roof needs—and where they should be installed. A general rule is one square foot of attic ventilation for every 300 square feet of ceiling space, but recommendations may vary based on your home’s architectural design.

Call LGC Roofing today to schedule an attic ventilation assessment or inquire about roof vent installation. After all, high-quality turbine venting is a cost-effective way to improve your home’s energy efficiency—and make your living space more comfortable.

Selecting a Metal Roof – 5 Buyer Tips

It’s important to consider both function and aesthetics when selecting a roof for your home, and many homeowners choose metal roofing because of its durability and stylish design. In addition, metal roofing adds value to homes through its insulative benefits—which can lead to reduced utility costs, lower insurance premiums, home appreciation and tax credits.

Buyer Tips

Most types of metal roofing require little upkeep once installed, so the selection process is based upon

• personal taste, and
• cost of materials and installation.

Keep the following tips in mind as you choose your new roof:

1. Look at metal roofing options from 20+ feet away before purchasing. When viewed from a distance, you may not like the color or sheen—or you may determine that the selection doesn’t complement your home’s architectural style.
2. When shopping for a metal roof, bring a swatch or piece of wood that represents your home’s paint color. Make sure the roofing color you select is an attractive match for your siding.
3. Determine what look you’re trying to achieve with your new roof. Do you prefer a rustic, corrugated design or something more modern? Today’s metal roofs come in styles that emulate cedar shake, slate and tile designs, and they last longer and require less maintenance.
4. Consider your budget. Steel roofing is typically the cheapest option, while stainless steel, aluminum and copper are more expensive (read more about the specifics of metal roofing materials including advantages and disadvantages of metal roofing).
5. Decide whether you prefer a straight, metal sheen, a painted style or a textured look. Many of the new metal roofing materials are coated in ceramic granules (to look like stone) or painted and then coated with epoxy.

While many homeowners are concerned that a metal roof would be too heavy for their home’s structure, many metal roofs are up to 50-percent lighter than traditional roofing materials. The downside is that metal roofing is difficult to install on your own, however, so you’ll definitely need the assistance of a qualified New Jersey roofing specialist, instead. Call LGC Roofing today at 609-712-8157 to discuss metal roofing options or schedule a no-obligation metal roof consultation.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Metal Roofing

The National Roofing Contractors Association reports that metal roofs have become significantly more popular over the last ten years. If you tuned in for our September blog on metal roofing, you know that there are several materials options to choose from—depending on your personal taste and roofing requirements. But is a metal roof for you? Let’s examine the pros and cons.

Benefits of Metal Roofing

Home and business owners can still purchase corrugated, barn-style metal roofs, but today’s roofing has evolved significantly. It has become high-tech, with a clean look that suits the architectural style of many homes and businesses. Consider the other benefits of upgrading your roof to metal.

• Durability: Despite being surprisingly lightweight, metal roofing is extremely sturdy. It’s non-combustible, offering the highest fire-retardant rating available. In addition, it stands up to hail, wind and severe storms—and often comes with a 30-year+ warranty.
• Attractive Design: If you’re not looking for a basic, contemporary metal design, new metal roofing styles are covered in colorful topcoats or granulated finishes to mimic Spanish tiles, slate tiles and even wood shakes. These new designs allow you to enjoy the durability of metal while improving your home’s curb appeal.
• Installation Speed: Metal roofs cost more than other styles, but they are often installed over existing shingle layers—which can save homeowners labor expenses in the long run.
• Energy Efficiency: Excellent for reflecting the sun, a metal roof can protect your home from the sun’s heat and damaging rays. In addition, metal roofing helps to shed snow buildup in cold climates.

Drawbacks to Metal Roofing

While there are few disadvantages to metal roofs, remember that they come with a premium initial price tag. However, if you plan to live in your home for 10 years or more, you’ll reap the benefits of your investment with low maintenance costs, high durability and a lasting look.

You may find the sound of rain on a metal roof to be relaxing, but it’s also important to point out that metal roofs can be noisy. Your professional installer can minimize noise with insulation and solid wood sheathing, but you cannot completely deaden the sound.

Finally, if you’re a do-it-yourselfer, you’ll likely find metal roofing trickier to modify than asphalt, composite or shake shingles. In fact, professional installation, repair and modification is always recommended to optimize the life of metal roofing products.

At LGC Roofing, we offer homeowners a variety of premium metal roofing products—from painted aluminum to steel and copper styles. Call 609-712-8157 today for a product estimate, or to schedule a free, one-on-one roofing consultation.