Nowadays, there are more environmentally conscious consumers who are interested in reducing their carbon footprint and living as sustainably as possible. From being aware of where their food is coming from, to reducing fuel emissions during transportation, consumers are trying to reduce their environmental impact any way possible and unsurprisingly this has led to consumers trying to reduce the energy consumption in their homes and reducing the energy needed to cool or heat their homes. One of the best ways to reduce your home’s carbon footprint, and potentially your energy bills as well, is to install a roofing material that is both environmentally friendly and energy-efficient. Take a look at our blog to learn which roofing materials to consider installing if you’re trying to improve your home’s efficiency.

Clay Tile Roofing

One of the most environmentally friendly roofing materials on the market are clay tiles. Clay tile manufacturing does not produce any harmful greenhouse gases, making them a sustainable option for homeowners looking to reduce their environmental impact. Furthermore, clay tiles are often used in arid climates due to their ability to reflect heat away from the home, as well as their durability. They can help improve your home’s energy efficiency which in turn improves your home’s sustainability and reduces the amount of heating and cooling needed to keep your home comfortable. Clay tiles can also be recycled and repurposed making them a very sustainable option.

Slate Roofing

Another eco-friendly roofing material that has been growing in popularity is slate roofing. Like clay tiles, slate is a naturally occurring, recyclable roofing material that requires minimal processing to in order to install on your home. There are some companies that offer recycled slate tiles, reducing the environmental impact of your home’s roof even more! Furthermore, slate roofing can last for over a century, meaning that once you install a slate roof on your home, you will never need to replace it!

Rubber Roofing

One material that many homeowners wouldn’t immediately identify as being environmentally friendly is rubber roofing. While not all rubber roofing is environmentally friendly or sustainable, there are plenty of companies that build their membranes with recycled material, such as old tires. If you can find a rubber roof that is made from recycled materials, it is an environmentally friendly option that not only reduces waste, but also requires minimal processing.

Contact Us Today

If you’re interested in replacing your home’s roof and installing a more environmentally friendly option than your standard asphalt shingles, our team is ready to assist! We can be reached over the phone at (401) 255-2003 or by filling out our team’s online contact form! We look forward to hearing from you and assisting with your roof replacement needs!

There are plenty of roofing contractors that will tell you what you want to hear to secure a contract. However, when it comes time for them to replace your home’s roof, it becomes obvious that they don’t know what they’re doing. Take a look at our blog to learn more about the mistakes that inexperienced roofers make.

Forgetting The Starter Shingles

One of the most common mistakes that inexperienced roofers will make is forgetting to install the starter shingles. Starter shingles are fitted with special adhesives which make them more durable and able to withstand strong wind gusts which make otherwise blow the shingles away. Forgetting to install the starter shingles can result in a roof that is unable to withstand wind.

No Leak Barrier

Depending on your climate, you may not need a leak barrier on every portion of your roof. However, you will need to have it installed in at least the valleys of your roof and around any roof openings and near your chimney. If your roof doesn’t install a leak barrier, it can quickly lead to expensive repairs!

Poor Shingle Installation

Another clear sign that your roofer doesn’t know what they’re doing is when you see that your shingles are being installed incorrectly. There is a variety of mistakes that can be made when installing shingles, from having them improperly spaced or not aligned correctly, to damaging them during the installation process. Poorly installed shingles not only take away from your home’s curb appeal, they can also end up causing damage to your home, as your roof will not properly protect your home from water damage.

Forgetting About The Drip Edge

This one can be harder to spot, but it is important that your roofer remembers to install a drip edge along your roof in order to protect it from water damage. Forgetting to install a drip edge will result in water dripping under your shingle into your roof deck, or down your fascia boards, where it can cause significant rot damage.

Poorly Installed Gutters

Finally, an inexperienced roofer will likely install your gutters incorrectly. Poorly installed gutters may not be able to handle the water coming off of your roof, which can quickly lead to more expensive repairs as water drips down the side of your home and pools around your foundation.

Contact Us Today

If you need to have your roof installed by a contractor who knows what they’re doing, our team is ready to assist! Reach out to our team today to learn more about our roofing installation services! We can reach us over the phone at (401) 255-2003 or by filling out our online contact form! We look forward to assisting with your roof replacements!

When it comes to your home, your roof is arguably the single most important piece of your home’s exterior. Your roof provides a number of benefits for your home, including protecting your home from the elements and pests, providing an additional layer of insulation, and also improving your home’s curb appeal and resale value. With so much to gain from having a properly installed roof, it is essential to ensure that yours is kept in good repair! However, from time to time, bad contractors will try to take advantage of this, convincing you that your roof is in bad repair to make repairs when it is still in good shape! However, it can be difficult to identify whether someone is trying to scam you! If you’re interested in learning more about roofing scams, take a look at our blog to learn how to spot one so you don’t get taken advantage of!

Storm Chasers

One of the most common roofing scams that homeowners run into is storm chasers. These scammers wait until an area is hit by a high-impact storm, such as extreme winds or hail storms, and then roll through the town going door-to-door to sell their roofing services.  These roofers will show up to your door insisting that your roof needs to be replaced immediately, as it was damaged in the stormy weather. However, the installation itself will be shoddy, as they roll through the town installing as many roofs as possible before leaving. Your roof will far sooner than a typical roof replacement, and you won’t have any way to contact the roofers once they leave.

Large Down Payments

Another tactic used by scammers is, whether it is a door-to-door cold pitch or you called them for an estimate, is to demand a large down-payment before work begins, perhaps under the rouse that the rates will go up if you don’t lock in on that particular day and appointment. This may not be a red flag to homeowners at first as most roofers will require a down-payment before they begin work. However, the down payment that these roofers request will be an unusually large percentage and they will insist that you pay it that day. After collecting this check you will never hear from them again. If your contractor is every demanding an unusually large downpayment, be sure to properly vet them before handing over the check!

The Door-to-Door Salesman

Finally, some contractors will attempt to go door-to-door, cold pitching roofs to homeowners who don’t need them. Oftentimes, these homeowners use the fear tactic to make a homeowner scared that their roof is on the verge of failing when the roof is actually in good repair. Furthermore, these contractors will often insist they get on your roof to take a look, where they will create damage on your roof just for the sake of repair. If a contractor shows up on your door asking to get on your roof, at the very least ensure that you get a name, address, way to contact, and copy of their insurance information to make sure they are who they say they are. However, anyone coming to your door trying to cold pitch you a new roof is most likely a scammer!

Contact Us Today

If you need to replace your home’s roof, our team is ready to assist! We can be reached over the phone at (401) 255-2003 or by filling out our online contact form! We look forward to hearing from you and assisting with your roof replacement needs!

Your home’s roof is arguably the single most important piece of your home’s exterior. It provides a number of benefits for your home, including increasing your home’s curb appeal and resale value, as well as it’s most important function, which is protecting your home from the elements and pests. If you’re considering replacing your home’s roof, you may be wondering which season is the best for the replacement. Take a look at our guide to learn more about which season is the best for replacing your roof.

Winter

Let’s start with the obvious; if you can avoid it, you shouldn’t replace your roof in the winter.  While it’s certainly possible to replace your roof in the winter and have it go off without a hitch, generally replacing a roof in the winter is a difficult task that should be avoided, particularly is there is any snowfall.  The cold weather can make it difficult for adhesives to adhere to your roof, but if there is also an element of moisture involved it will make the process incredibly difficult, if not downright impossible.  Avoid a winter roof replacement when possible. However, if spot repairs need to be made to stop a leak from causing damage, that can be patched until a more opportune time occurs.

Spring/Summer

This one can be a toss-up as the weather in the spring and summer can be a mixed bag. If you have time to schedule your roof replacement early in spring, you may be able to avoid the rush of work that begins in the summer and continues to pick up through the end of the season. However, if the spring months are particularly rainy, it may be difficult for a crew to come to assist with your roof replacement.

Early in the summer is a good time to have your roof replaced as well, as contractors tend to get busier as the season goes on. The earlier you schedule an appointment, the more likely you are to have your roof replaced in a timely manner. However, if you can wait until the end of the summer season, around late August or September, the wait times tend to be a bit better, as long as you can avoid the humid, late summer heat waves that can make it difficult for contractors to work on your roof.

Fall

The fall season is often the best season to have your roof replaced. Generally, the weather is temperate enough to work long days on the roof, and the precipitation is reasonably mild, meaning that the climate is perfect for the replacement. If you’re considering replacing your home’s roof, fall is often the best season!

Contact Us Today

If you’re interested in replacing your home’s roof, our team is ready to assist! Feel free to reach out to our team today at (401) 255-2003 or by filling out our online contact form! We look forward to hearing from you and assisting with your roof replacement needs!

When homeowners install a new roof on their homes, they do so to help keep their home protected from the elements, such as wind and precipitation.  One aspect of protection that we don’t often consider in the Northeast is fire resistance.  Since we don’t often see natural wildfires in the Northeast, a fire resistant roof isn’t as obvious of a concern or required piece of home construction as it is on the west coast where wildfires a part of everyday life.  However, disaster isn’t picky, and just because there are few wildfires in the Northeast doesn’t mean that home’s don’t burn down. If you’re replacing your home’s roof in the near future, consider installing one of these fire-proof roofing materials:

Slate

One of the truly timeless materials, slate is a distinguished roofing shingle chosen for some of the most magnificent homes around the world for the beauty it provides.  It is a durable, long-lasting material that earns a class A fire rating, meaning it is non-combustible.  Whether you opt for hard or soft slate, both versions offer complete fire resistance.

Clay Tile

Clay tile is another unconventional roofing material that isn’t often seen in the Northeast.  Clay tiles are far more common in the Southwestern United States, but they are still used in the Northeast for the beautiful curb appeal they provide for homes. In addition to their aesthetics, clay tiles are also extremely durable and fully fire resistant.  The only way fire can penetrate your roof through clay tiles is by slipping underneath the grooves in the “S-style” shingles that are commonly used.

Fiberglass-Based Asphalt Shingles

Asphalt shingles are the single most common roofing material used in the United States. In fact, they comprise roughly 80% of the roofing market in the United States.  They are so widespread due to low manufacturing and installation costs, which has made them extremely popular with North American homeowners.  When it comes to asphalt, not all shingles are made the same.  While some shingles are not as fire resistant as the next, it is easily possible to obtain asphalt shingles that hold Class A fire resistance, meaning they will never blow into bits and pieces or create small, burning embers. Always be sure to check any shingles fire-resistance rating before installation, but it is fully possible to obtain fire resistant asphalt shingles.

Contact Us Today

Interested in learning more about the fire suppressing benefits of different roofing materials? Perhaps you want to install a more fire-resistant roofing material on your home? Reach out to our team for more information at (401) 255-2003 or by filling out our online contact form! We look forward to hearing from you!

When homeowners imagine replacing their roofs, one of the first things that comes to mind for most is asphalt shingles.  They are the standard of the North American roofing industry and most homeowners choose to have them installed on their homes. However, there are many other materials that homeowners trust to protect their homes, from rubber, to metal, to slate.  One option that’s a bit less conventional is clay tile roofing.  Clay makes a wonderful roofing option that more homeowners may want to consider for their homes.  Take a look at the benefits that clay tile roofing offers below:

Aesthetics and Versatility

If you’ve been looking for a roofing material that will help your home stand out from the other homes on the street, clay tile is a wonderful choice.  It is an uncommon roofing option that isn’t seen very often in the Northeast.  This makes home’s with clay tile roofing very desirable and noteworthy.

Beyond the fact that it is an unconventional option which provides curb appeal, clay tiles are also available in a variety of colors, although many homeowners choose to install natural looking tiles. Clay tiles are highly customizable, from shape to color, which makes them a fantastic option if you have a particular aesthetic vision in mind for your home.

Energy Efficiency

Clay tiles are thick, which means they will help to regulate your home’s internal temperature.  If you are interested in installing a roofing material that can help cut down on your home’s energy bills, clay tiles are a great choice.

Environmentally Friendly

If you’re interested in installing an environmentally friendly roofing option, clay tiles are a great choice.  Unlike asphalt shingles which require the use of fossil fuels to manufacture, clay tiles are completely natural, and at the end of their lifespan they can be ground up, recycled, and re-purposed.

Durability

Tile roofs are one of the most durable, long-lasting roofing materials on the market, which makes them a fantastic option if you are interested in replacing your roof once and not having to worry about it again.  A well-installed clay tile roof can last up to a century in the right conditions.  Furthermore, clay tiles are known to withstand hail, fire, and high winds, which makes them a great option for windy Massachusetts.

Contact Us Today

If you are interested in having clay tile roofing installed on your home this spring, reach out to our team at (401) 255-2003 or by filling out our online contact form! We look forward to hearing from you!

It does not take rocket science to determine if a roof is damaged or at risk for collapsing. For example, although a roof that is covered with snow can be quite beautiful in the winter, it can actually put a lot of strain on the roof. Overbearing weight weakens the overall structure and can cause attic leakage, roof rotting and in some cases, collapse. Here are some common signs that you should take action with your roof.

1. Increased Roof Leakage

There are levels of roof leakage. It can start out looking minimal but then increase in no time. A roof leakage is not something to ignore, especially when it looks like the ceiling is about to burst. When you notice a leaking roof, address it immediately or contact the pros.

2. Walls Start To Crack

Walls can crack throughout a building for a variety of reasons, but if the crack can be traced to the ceiling, there is a good chance your roof is playing a part in the crack. While wall cracks are normal, they should not be ignored. A cracked wall is an open invitation to let water in.

3. Your Roof Begins to Sag

Last but certainly not least, a sagging roof could be the biggest indicator that your roof is damage and susceptible to collapse. A saggy roof is characterized as one that is caved in or curved, as opposed to a flat straight roof alignment. A saggy roof is typically caused by the age of a roof or by a roof being weighed down for an extended period of time. When you notice your roof starting to sag, be proactive.

Professional Roofing Services in Smithfield, RI

Rhode Island Slate roofing can handle all of your roofing needs across the state of Rhode Island. Our team comes experienced, reliable and dedicated. Our new roof installations can be completed in an efficient manner and we offer a variety of different types of roofs. If you do not need a new roof, we can still offer maintenance and repair services to ensure your roof lasts longer. The next time you need help with your roof, contact us today!

It is imperative to protect your roof year-round but especially have measures in place before the fall and winter months. This is especially true in a state like Rhode Island, where fall and winter can be frigid and brutal. The frigid and brutal weather in New England can do significant damage to roofs in the area. To give your roof the best chance of holding up during inclement weather, here are some ways to best protect your roof.

Check for Any Leaks

• Now is a good time to take a look at your ceilings and walls. If you can see stains, that is often a key giveaway that something is wrong. Once the snow comes and covers your roofs, it will be almost impossible to find these little leaks. When leaks are spotted, be proactive and have it addressed immediately.

Check Your Gutters

• Cleaning your gutters is essential during the fall season. Dead leaves and debris build up in your gutters can lead to rain overflow in your gutters. This can eventually lead to a clog in your downspout and damage to your roof, trim or siding. It is good practice to check and clean your gutters at least once a season.

Inspect The Home’s Exterior

• If you are not comfortable being on your roof, do not worry. You can still examine your roof by walking around your house and looking for any cracked or curled edges or missing shingles. If you believe your roof should be inspected, remember that professional roofing companies can always help out.

Professional Roofing Services in Smithfield, RI

The Rhode Island Slate Roofing team has decades of experience reviewing roofs. If you require a roofing professional to examine your roof, we can get the job done! From there, if your roof needs any repairs or installations, we can also take care of that. With our variety of roofing types and options, you cannot go wrong. Our attention to detail, certifications, and resources will have you loving your new roof! Contact us today to get started!