Slate Roofing – Frequently Asked Questions

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Available in hundreds of sizes, textures and colors, slate roofing is a beautiful & durable shield for your home or business. Additionally, slate roofing is quarried from the earth, making it a natural, recyclable way to protect any structure.

Like other roofing materials, however, slate has advantages and disadvantages.

Frequently Asked Questions about Slate Roofing

Before making a roofing choice, refer to the following list of FAQs to decide whether slate should be your material of choice.

• Where does slate come from?

  Depending on what type of slate you choose, much of it comes from areas around the U.S. Countries like Brazil, China and India also produce high-quality slate, but it’s important to ensure that it has been finished properly so it can be easily applied to your roof. Your New Jersey Roofing Contractor can recommend slate types that are affordable, functional and simple to install.

• What colors are available in slate roofing?

  Slate comes in a number of muted and vibrant colors, depending on your preference and desired curb appeal. Common colors include mottled, solid and variegated greens, purples, reds, grays and blacks. Remember, some slates will change in color as they’re exposed to the elements. If this is a concern, ask your roofer whether the roof you select will remain the same color as it ages. “Unfading slate” will change little after it’s quarried, but “weathering” and “semi-weathering” forms will change appearance with time. Color changes, however, will not impact the longevity of your roof.

• How thick is roofing slate?

  Generally speaking, standard slate roofs range from 1/4-inch to 5/16-inch in thickness. However, more expensive slates are available in 3/8-inch to 1-inch or more. Ask the highly qualified LGC roofing team about the thickness that is best for your application and budget.

• How much will my slate roof cost?

  Slate roof installation varies broadly in cost. Depending on slate thickness, weight and ease of installation, your roof may cost anywhere from $9/square foot to $40/square foot. Call LGC to learn more about slate roofing options and obtain a slate installation cost estimate for your home or business.

• Why should I install a slate roof?

  Slate roofing comes with a number of features and benefits that are attractive to roofers and building owners. First, slate is one of the most leak-proof and fireproof roofing materials on the market. And, since slate roofs come with warranties of up to 50 years, home and business owners benefit from long-term reliability that asphalt shingles simply can’t provide.

  In addition to their attractive, aesthetic look, slate roofs are also environmentally friendly. There are no petrochemical products involved in preparing slate pieces, so slate can be safely returned to the land when it’s no longer useful. This also reduces the waste stream by reducing landfill debris.

If you’re considering slate products for your home or business roof, call the professionals at LGC Roofing. We specialize in slate, metal and shingle roof installation and repair, and our owner is available on-site to ensure the quality of every job. Call us at 609-712-8157 today to schedule a no-cost consultation or inquire about financing.

How to Choose Roof Shingles for Your NJ Home

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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!

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.

5 Frequently Asked Questions about Metal Roofs

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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 is an enduring New Jersey favorite because of its durability and low-maintenance design.

If you’ve considered a metal roof for your home or business, read on for LGC’s helpful answers to five common metal roof questions.

1. Why should I choose a metal roof over other materials?

Metal roofs offer a number of advantages, which include:

• Enduring life expectancy: Metal roofing is a robust option that comes with comprehensive warranties of 20 to 50 years.
• Lightweight design: Relative to other materials, like concrete tile, metal roofing is a lightweight one to three pounds per square foot. Because of that, it’s unlikely that your home will require bolstered structural support to sustain your new metal roof.
• Fire and weather resistance: Metal roofs do not absorb water, and are known for their non-combustible, non-flammable design. Because of this, you may enjoy lower insurance premiums if you invest in a metal roof.
• Energy efficiency: Because metal roofing is very reflective, you’ll experience less energy use and lowered utility bills. Installing a metal roof is an excellent step toward “greening” your home.

2. Are metal roofs eco-friendly?

In addition to the energy savings your metal roof provides, it’s also a sustainable roofing option. Metal roof materials, like copper and steel, contain at least 25-percent recycled material.

Some aluminum roofs are even 100-percent recyclable. In addition, metal roofs have two to three times the lifecycle of an asphalt roof—which reduces the waste stream and saves space in landfills.

3. Is a metal roof hard to install?

Many quality metal roofing materials are available in individual shingles and large sections. While your metal roof installer should be experienced at installing all types of metal roofs, multi-shingle sections are faster and easier to install. In fact, they can probably be installed over your existing roof without factoring in the time and cost of roof demolition. And, due to metal’s weather-proof design low-maintenance design”, it will probably be the last roof you’ll ever install on your home.

That’s why many New Jersey homeowners look at their beautiful metal roof as a money-saving investment. And when you rely on LGC Roofing to help you LGC Roofing will assess your home to ensure that your attic contains proper insulation—which acts as a sound barrier.

In Conclusion

Are you ready to find out more about metal roofing for your New Jersey home? Call
NJ’s roofing experts to schedule a free, no-obligation estimate or to inquire about cost-effective roofing options that will save you money in the long term.

Living Green: Tips for Choosing an Eco-Friendly Roof

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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!

If you’re a home or business owner committed to living sustainably, conserving energy and lowering costly utility bills, there are a growing number of eco-friendly roofing ideas for today’s market. If you’re unsure about how to “green” your roof, the professionals at LGC Roofing can help you select a roofing option that’s environmentally friendly, affordable—and attractive. Below are some of the most popular ways to embrace roofing sustainability and energy efficiency.

1. Choose metal roofing. Choosing a green roofing material, such as metal, almost always translates into lower energy bills down the road. Metal roofing transmits far less heat to your attic, it will reflect, rather then absorb, heat from the sun, and it’s a great roofing material if you ever consider solar panel installation.
2. Purchase recycled shingles. Traditional shingles are difficult to recycle when it’s time to replace your roof, and contain chemicals that are released into the air during sunlight exposure. On the other hand, green shingles are made of materials like cellulose fiber, reinforced vinyl, sawdust, recycled plastic and rubber. Some of these eco-friendly shingles come with warranties of up to 50 years, and most can be “re-recycled” after they’re removed from your roof.
3. Choose clay or slate. These naturally occurring materials are big in the green roofing industry, since they’re particularly energy efficient and beautiful. Slate is the most durable of the two (lasting up to 100 years or more), but clay is typically more affordable. Both can be installed and disposed of without polluting the environment or releasing dangerous chemicals.
4. Install building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) roofing. BIPV roofing systems contain tiles and an electric current system, and function much like a solar coating for your roof. Many of the photovoltaic tile options offer an attractive look that complements shingles, metal and slate roofs. In addition, BIPV’s allow for solar-generated energy to enter your home, decreasing your electric bill in a clean, environmentally friendly manner.
5. Remember sustainable roofing insulation. Green insulation plays a significant role in energy savings. Ask LGC Roofing, your local NJ roofer about insulating your roof with recycled cellulose fiber, sheep’s wool or formaldehyde-free fiberglass to lower emissions and decrease energy use.

At LGC Roofing, we realize that choosing the right roof for your New Jersey home is based on a variety of factors—including cost, climate, home style and commitment to the environment. To find out more about affordable, eco-friendly roof materials call us at call 609-712-8157 or schedule a no-obligation roofing consultation online! Our material and installation experts will work with you to stay within your budget—and help you select a roof that’s both beautiful and sustainable.

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 efficientt 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.

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.

Premium Roofing Options: Benefits of Slate

Are you looking for a roofing material that offers an upscale look for your home or business? Consider the many advantages of slate. Used by roofers for generations, slate tile is made of stone and formed into uniform pieces—making it not only sturdy, but naturally beautiful, as well.

While slate roofing tends to be expensive on the front end, it’s an enduring way to enhance the architectural look of any building. And your slate roof can last a century or more—making it a lasting investment that requires little maintenance.

The Undisputed Benefits of Slate Roofing

Slate roofing is an art. Your expert roofer will lay individual tiles on the roof pitch, blending colors and sizes to create a look of distinction. When your roof is complete, it will be naturally water repellent, fireproof and highly resistant to the elements.

Still on the fence? Here are more reasons to choose this exceptional roofing material.

• Slate is impervious to rot and insect damage, and is naturally resistant to algae and moss buildup.
• Naturally occurring slate colors can be mixed, creating attractive—and completely unique—patterns.
• While there are many man-made, high-tech materials on the market, slate is one of the world’s longest-lasting natural roofing choices.
• When installed by a roofing professional, many slate roofs come with a 50- to 100-year warranty.

New Jersey’s Slate Roofing Experts

Ready to explore the world of slate? We invite you to schedule a home or business roofing estimate via a form or by calling 609-712-8157. Slate is heavy, so it’s important to have your home professionally assessed before making a final roofing material selection.

When you schedule a no-obligation FREE consultation with LGC Roofing, we’ll (1) evaluate your home’s structure to determine if it requires additional support for slate installation, and (2) go over color, style and design options. Contact us today and we’ll help you get the roofing you will love!