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What Should Be Considered When Choosing a Roof?

It’s essential to make the appropriate choice for your home’s roof. Roofs are responsible for improving the structure’s overall aesthetics and energy efficiency. Here are five aspects that should be considered when choosing a roof.

1. Weather Patterns

Your area’s climate and weather patterns significantly impact which roofing material is best. For instance, a rugged and waterproof material like asphalt shingles or metal roofs may be excellent in a region with much snowfall or rain. Hot and sunny areas may benefit from using reflective materials like clay tiles or light-colored metal roofs to maintain a more fabulous interior.

2. Resilience and Durability

The longevity and durability of roofing materials vary. While some materials, like metal or slate, have a long lifespan, others, like asphalt shingles, often do not.  Finding a balance between expense and toughness is imperative to guarantee that your roof will endure the test of time.

3. Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency has emerged as a crucial factor in growing environmental awareness. A home’s interior temperature can be controlled using energy-efficient roofing, decreasing the need for heating and cooling systems and, eventually, saving energy costs.

4. Design And Aesthetics

Because your roof dominates your home’s exterior, selecting a style that blends in with the rest of the architecture is crucial. There are roofing solutions to fit any kind of home, whether conventional, modern, or rustic. To pick a roof that improves the appearance of your property and curbs appeal, consider several materials, colors, and profile options.

5. Cost & Budget

Roofing costs can vary widely depending on the area’s material, size, degree of design intricacy, and labor expenses. Setting a budget and taking the long-term financial effects into account is essential. Although some materials may cost more upfront, they may last longer and be more durable, saving you money on repairs and replacements.

Professional Roofing Services in Smithfield, RI:

Located in Smithfield, RI, Rhode Island Slate Roofing offers a variety of roofing services tailored to each property’s needs. With our licenses, certifications and warranties, you will not regret choosing our team to handle your roof. If you are unsure which roof to choose from, our team can provide expertise and help you decide. If you need a new roof or roof replacement, just contact us to get started!

Carriage House Revival

Our team recently replaced the roof on a homeowner’s carriage house. They reached out to us after they noticed their flashing was deteriorating on their roof. Our team was happy to assist the homeowner, and we went out to the property to take a look at the home. Here’s a look at the home’s old flashing:

Old Carriage House Flashing
                        Old Rusted Flashing

We took a look at the home’s flashing it was clear that it needed to be replaced. Our team was up for the task! We visited the property and discussed our flashing options with the homeowner. They wanted a beautiful flashing option to compliment the slate roofing on their carriage house. After discussing our options with the homeowners, we got to work on replacing their flashing.

Interested in seeing photos of the finished product? Take a look below:

Slate Roofing with New Flashing
Slate Roof & Copper Flashing On Front of Home

And here’s a close up of the new flashing:

Copper Flashing
New Copper Flashing

The new flashing looks fantastic, and the homeowners were thrilled with the finished product!

Contact Us Today

If you’re interested in learning more about our team’s roofing services, reach out to us today. Give us a call 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 roofing needs!

Benefits of Installing A Skylight In Your Home

Skylights are one of the most polarizing home improvements one can make. There are some people who love the way they look and laud the benefits that a well-installed skylight can provide. On the other hand, there are many homeowners who are convinced that skylights simply lead to leaks and other maintenance issues and simply aren’t worth the benefits that they provide. However, there are many benefits of installing a skylight that homeowners simply overlook. Take a look at our blog to learn about a few of those benefits!

Curb Appeal

One of the greatest benefits of skylights that most homeowners acknowledge is that they are a great way to boost your home’s curb appeal. A well-installed skylight looks beautiful, and they certainly help your home stand out in the neighborhood. If you’re looking to make home improvements that will help boost your home’s resale value, installing a skylight is a fantastic choice!

Better Ventilation

Another benefit of skylights that many homeowners don’t realize is that if you get a unit that opens and closes, it can considerably improve your home’s ventilation. Particularly during the summer-time, opening your skylight can help to regulate your home’s temperature and make the entire house more temperate. If you’re looking for a way to get rid of excessive heat during the summer months, a skylight might be the solution you’ve been searching for.

Natural Light

Perhaps the greatest benefit of installing a skylight is that it helps provide natural light to your home in rooms where it’s otherwise hard to come by. If you have a home that is surrounded by trees, natural light can be tough to come by during the day if trees are intercepting the light. Installing a skylight makes it far easier for the light to find its way into your home.

Another benefit of all of the natural light is that it helps make your home feel larger. Even though they don’t add any additional space, having an opening up the ceiling that is full of natural light helps make a room feel more expansive.

Solar Heat Gain

Finally, a benefit that many homeowners overlook is that a well-installed skylight can help improve your home’s energy efficiency. A skylight can help your home accumulate natural solar heat gain by allowing the sun’s rays into rooms that wouldn’t normally be exposed to the rays!

Contact Us Today

If you’re interested in learning more about the benefits of installing a skylight in your home, or you’re in need of roofing services, our team at Rhode Island Slate Roofing is ready to assist! Reach out to our team today by calling us 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 roofing needs!

Roof Inspection with two roofers

Benefits of A Roof Inspection

Having your roof inspected is very important for the health of your home, but many homeowners overlook their importance and neglect to have them completed on their home with any regularity. If you’re interested in learning more about the benefits of having your roof inspected, take a look below to learn more about the benefits of roof inspections.

Discover Water Damage

The greatest benefit of inspecting your roof is that it can help protect your home from leaks & water damage. Spotting a roof leak with an untrained eye is a very difficult task, which means if you’re trying to identify where your leak stemmed from, it will be next to impossible. If you’re interested in truly locating the source of your roof leak, enlist the help of a roofing professional to examine the integrity of your home’s roof.

Safety

Another reason you should have your roof inspected is for safety purposes. First of all, it is important to ensure that if you’re walking around on your roof, you’re not going to fall off of otherwise hurt yourself. If you have any concern for your well-being, it is best to leave it to the professionals.

The other piece of the safety conversation is that inspect your roof to assess whether or not it’s damaged can help keep your home & occupants protected from any damage that may occur to your home due to a faulty roof.

Cost-Effective

While on its surface, conducting an inspection on a roof that’s not visibly leaking may seem like a waste of money, the fact of that matter is that having your roof inspected can help reveal issues that would destroy the integrity of your roof, requiring you to replace the entire roof!

Rather than having to replace your entire roof, having a yearly inspection can help reveal issues that would quickly destroy your roof and cost far more than an annual inspection. If you’re trying to save money on your home maintenance and don’t have a brand new replacement roof, having an inspection is a great decision for the health of your home!

Contact Us Today

If you’re interested in learning more about our team’s roof replacement services, reach out to us today! We can be reached over the phone by calling us 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!

 

Slate Roofing Shingles

Benefits of Slate Roofing

Slate roofing has been a popular roofing option for decades, and for good reason. It provides a number of benefits for the homes that choose to install them. Many homeowners are aware of the aesthetic benefits that a slate roof can provide for their home, but there are many other benefits that you may have overlooked.  Take a look at some of the benefits you may not have been aware of by reading below:

Durable/Longevity

Slate roofing is the most durable roofing material on the market.  Slate roofing can last for centuries if properly installed.  It is naturally fire-resistant, and cannot mold or rot. Slate is also resistant to frost damage, and won’t break from the cold, which can damage asphalt shingles. Your slate roof is has the potential to outlive the actual frame of your home if properly maintained. With an average lifespan of 75-200 years, you will only need to replace your roof once during your lifetime if you choose to install slate.  Compared to an asphalt roof, which may only last 20-30 years, slate is the far more durable option, even beyond its longevity.

Environmentally Friendly

If you are interested in installing an environmentally friendly roofing option, slate roofing is one of the best!  While asphalt shingles require the use of fossil fuels to manufacture, slate occurs naturally which means there is very little manufacturing required. It simply needs to be mined and cut to fit the homeowner’s preferences. In addition to its environmentally friendly manufacturing process, it is also fully recyclable at the end of its lifespan, making it a far greener option than asphalt shingles.

Aesthetics

Slate roofs look fantastic, providing a rustic charm to the homes on which they are installed. Slate is generally gray, black, or blue-gray, but it can be colored to fit nearly any aesthetic preference. It can also be cut into a variety of shapes, from rounded, to square, to rectangular, to less conventional options like a half moon. No matter what your style preferences are, you can find slate roofing to match your vision.

Low Maintenance

Due to its extreme durability, slate roofing requires very little maintenance.  Essentially the only maintenance you will ever need to perform on your slate roof is replacing shingles when they occasionally crack. They will withstand just about anything Mother Nature can throw at them, with the exception of heavy hail which can crack and break shingles. Otherwise, expect to perform very little maintenance on your slate roof!

Contact Us Today

Interested in learning more about slate roofing, or perhaps install a slate roof of your own? Reach out to our team today at (401) 255-2003 or fill out our online contact form! We look forward to hearing from you!

 

 

 

 

Multi-Color Asphalt Roof

Pros & Cons of Asphalt Shingles

Asphalt shingles have long reigned supreme as the most popular roofing material in North America.  However, with so many other roofing materials on the market, you may be wondering why asphalt shingles have remained in high demand for such a long period of time. If you are curious to learn more about the benefits and drawbacks that asphalt shingles can offer your home, take a look at our blog for more information!

Pros:

Economical

One of the biggest reasons that asphalt shingles are so popular is that they are the cheapest roofing option available. If you are interested in replacing your home’s roof on a budget, asphalt shingles are your best option.

Customizable

If you are interested in installing a roofing material that can fit any aesthetic style, asphalt shingles are arguably the best option. Asphalt shingles are highly customizable because there are so many asphalt shingle manufacturers producing them.  With so many different manufacturers, it is easy to find any color, or style of asphalt shingles.

Easy Installation

If you can find a contractor that installs roofing of any kind, there is a very good chance that they know how to install asphalt shingles. Easier to install than slate, metal, rubber, or most other roofing materials, it is generally easy to find a contractor who knows how to install an asphalt shingle roof. Furthermore, if your contractor ever goes out of business, having an asphalt shingle roof means that it will be easy to find another contractor who can help with maintenance.

Durable

Asphalt shingles stand up well to the elements, and are resistant to breaking, cracking, warping, which makes them a reliable option for protecting your home.  While they are not as durable as slate roofing, they are a decent option that you can install at a relatively low price point.

Cons:

Environmental Impact

The manufacturing of asphalt shingles requires the use of fossil fuels. Asphalt is a semi-solid petroleum product, which makes it an unsustainable roofing option from an environmental standpoint. Furthermore, while some roofing options may have a less than environmentally friendly manufacturing process, such as metal, they are completely recyclable at the end of their lifespan. While asphalt shingles should be recyclable in theory, in practice they account for an enormous portion of the United State annual waste, with some estimates placing the number as high as 5%.

Extreme Temperatures

Asphalt shingles don’t perform well in extreme heat. The heat can cause shingles to crack and fade. Furthermore, if your climates temperature fluctuates significantly, from freezing nights to scorching days, you may have issues with your asphalt shingles holding up to the temperature changes. It can also be difficult to install asphalt shingles during cold conditions.

Contact Us Today

Interested in learning more about installing asphalt shingles on your home today? Reach out to our team at (401) 255-2003 or fill out our online contact form for more information!

A Guide to Different Types of Roofing

If you’re a homeowner, investing in a new roof for your house may very well be one of the most major remodeling decisions you ever make. After all, today’s roofs are designed to last a long time and after you spend that much money on something, you’re unlikely to want to replace it anytime in the near future! Due to this, it’s imperative for you to understand the various types of roofing that you can choose from these days. This guide outlines some popular options.

Asphalt Shingles 

Once one of the only affordable roofing options for American homeowners, asphalt shingles are still used on about ¾ of the homes in the United States. They are inexpensive, functional, and available in a wide variety of colors, making them the perfect choice for any budget and almost any style. It’s worth noting that modern manufacturers have begun creating “architectural shingles,” which are slightly more expensive but feature more depth and texture than traditional styles.

Metal 

Metal roofing was once thought of only as an option for commercial and agricultural buildings, like pole barns. In recent years, however, an increasing number of homeowners have begun putting metal roofs on their residences. Metal is extremely durable and, nowadays, comes in a wide range of shapes and styles. You can even get metal roofing that is cut to look similar to tiles or shingles.

Clay Tiles 

Significantly more expensive than either of the aforementioned roofing materials, clay tiles have an aesthetic that is nearly impossible to replicate. Although there are mass produced styles on the market today, many roofing tiles are still handcrafted by artisans. They often feature scalloped edges and look incredible on Mediterranean and Tuscan style homes. If you’re considering this option for your house, it’s worth noting that clay tiles are fairly fragile, so if you may have to have repair work done more often than you would with another material.

Slate 

Slate roofing is the most costly choice for homeowners. Unlike clay tiles, however, slate is an extremely durable material that is certain to stand the test of time. As a matter of fact, many Victorian-era houses that boast slate roofs still have their original tiles! If you are interested in slate, you should be aware of the fact that not all contractors are willing to install it, but if you hire someone who can, you should never have to get another roof for your house again.

If you are ready to discuss your upcoming roofing project, we hope you’ll call our office at your earliest convenience for more information about RI Slate Roofing and our available services. We take pride in helping homeowners select the best roofing material for their lifestyles and are excited to hear about the vision you have for the exterior of your home.

The Impact Of Snow & Ice On Your Roof

Snow and ice can cause costly damage to your roof. The freezing and thawing cycle can cause extensive damage to even a brand-new roof. Add to that the stress and weight of accumulated snow on your roof, and your roof is sure to take a beating this winter.

Knowing how to properly maintain your roof during the winter is crucial to extending the life of your roof and saving you costly repairs in the long run. It is best to prepare for winter during the fall to make sure your roof is ready for snow and ice impact.

Start by cleaning out your gutters. This gives melting snow an easy exit path to prevent ice dams from forming. Then, inspect the roof for any damaged shingles or leaking points that need repair. Once it starts snowing, make sure to monitor the snow accumulation on your roof and remove snow from the edges as needed.

Potential Roofing Issues:

Even after taking preventative measures, it is still possible that heavy snowfall or snowstorms can cause damage to your roof. Here are a few potential damages that snow and ice may cause.

Ice dams: Ice dams are buildups of ice on the edges of your roof that can block melting snow from running off the edge of the roof. The remaining pool of water on your roof can result in expensive water damage. Your entire roofing system and gutters can become compromised.

Gutter damage: When snow and ice start to slide off your roof, they can accumulate in your gutters. The excess weight this causes can cause damage to your gutters and the sides of your roof.

Icicles: Icicles can form on the edges of your roof and gutters and cause damage due to the extra weight. They can also pose a threat to those walking under them if they were to break off. Cleaning out your gutters before snowfall can help prevent the formation of icicles.

Leakage: The extra weight of snow and ice on your roof combined with its freeze and thaw cycles can damage the integrity of your roof, making leaks more likely. Snow can also seep into the base of the roof and cause water damage.

Collapsed roof: Periods of heavy snowfall combined with an aging roof can lead to a collapse of the structure. Since snowfall remains on the roof for long periods of time and can be quite heavy, the surface becomes wetter and heavier. This causes more damage than rain.

What to Look For in a Roof When You’re Buying a Home

Buying a new home is a massive milestone in anyone’s life regardless of whether or not it’s their first home buy or just another in a long line of many. There is are so many factors to consider when trying to decide which home is best for you that it can be hard to keep track of them all as well as which may be more important to pay attention to than others. One of these aspects that everyone should be focused on when buying a new home is the condition of the roof. Knowing what to look for in a roof when buying a home can help to greatly accelerate your decision-making process. This is due to a variety of both positive and negative impacts a roof can have on the home depending on its condition.

Ventilation

When buying a home, the first thing to know about a roof is how well it is ventilated. A properly ventilated roof is important for a variety of reasons that pertain to not only the roof itself but also the home as a whole. Even if the home you’re thinking about buying has a brand-new roof, it will soon become a massive issue if it is not outfitted with the proper ventilation. When buying a home, a roof with a ventilation system that was correctly installed is a must have. The reason for this being that sunlight and air that can easily come and go allows for a healthy flow of air, keeping a variety of problems such as increased energy costs and mold, at bay.

Breaks or Leaks

Another dangerous issue to keep an eye out for is any potential break or leak within the roof. Any leak that is present within your roof will not hesitate to snowball into a variety of other problems that reach for from the home’s roof, affecting the home’s structure itself. Unwanted water leads to numerous issues such as furniture damage, ruined paint, and even wood rot which can be hazardous to those living inside of the potentially unstable structure.

Contact Rhode Island Slate Roofing for a new roof today!

If you are living in, or have recently purchased a home that needs a new roof, be sure to contact the experts at Rhode Island Slate Roofing by calling 401-255-2003 for a free estimate. Our staff has the extensive knowledge needed to replace your roof today.

Different Types of Roofs We Work On

Rhode Island Slate Roofing is known for of course, our slate roofing work. Having decades of experience in slate roofing and roofing in general, we have picked up some other great skills over the years. We don’t just do slate roofing installations, but repairs and replacements for a variety of different roofing types. Below are a few of the types of roofs we work on:

Clay Roofing: Clay tiles are a popular kind of historical roofing material. Having been used for thousands of years for cover on huts and houses, clay tiles can be different colors. Clay roofing will not lose its color over time like other types of roofing material. Compared to some other different types of roofing material, clay can be quite affordable.

Historic Roof Repair: We have covered before on the Rhode Island Slate Roofing blog what historic roofing repair is. Just know this, when getting a historic roof repaired its crucial to work with a roofing contractor that has worked on historic roofs and is meticulous in their attention to detail.

Asbestos Roof Repair: Although less common to see in today’s roof, there are still homes out there with asbestos tiles. This is obviously a type of roofing repair that needs fine attention to detail. If these tiles crack, dangerous asbestos will be released into your atmosphere.

Asphalt Shingle Roof: With a typical lifespan of 30-50 years and with material that is readily available in the northeast, asphalt shingle roofs are the most common type of roof you’ll find around. Rhode Island Slate Roofing has worked on hundreds of successful asphalt roof’s, so don’t hesitate to reach out for your next project.

Rubber Roofing:  Mostly found in commercial buildings, rubber roofing is made up of recycled tires and other rubber products. It can come in white and black and also be “painted on” by new state of the art roofing products.

And of course, Rhode Island Slate Roofing are experts in the repair and replacement of slate roofing in Rhode Island and Southeaster Massachusetts. If you have any roofing project going on in the coming months get in touch with us today.