Archive for: Roofing

Fire is one of the most powerful elements on Earth. We use it for cooking food, creating art, creating electricity, and so much more. However, while fire has the potential to create, it also has the power to destroy.

Wild forest fires have destroyed major ecological environments, and they’re a pretty common occurrence in Maryland. On average, the Maryland Forest Service responds to about 123 wildfires that burn more than 1,780 acres of forest, brush, and grasses. The state’s fire departments respond to over 5,000 wildfire incidents per year.

In suburban areas, freak accidents and lightning strikes are common causes of fire outbreaks. In areas where buildings are right on top of one another, fires have a greater chance of spreading from one building to another.

While the fire department is there to help put out all these fires, there are some things that you can do to help.

Fire-resistant roofing is a great way to protect your home and property from fire damage. If you live in an area prone to fires or lightning strikes, it is highly recommended that you invest in some fire-resistant roofing materials.

To help you determine which roofing material offers you the best protection, you’ll be pleased to know that roofing materials are graded according to their fire resistance. These are some roofing materials with the best fire protection:

Slate Roofing

Slate roofing is one of the most premium roofing materials on the market today. It has a Class A fire rating, which means that it is non-combustible and can withstand severe fire exposure.

A slate roofing system offers your home the best protection from the elements and, with the correct upkeep, can last you more than 200 years.

However, slate is quite a heavy roofing material, so it’s advised to consult with your roofer about the compatibility of your home before you install a slate roofing system.

Metal Roofing

Metal roofing also has a Class A fire rating. However, this premium roofing material is much lighter and more affordable than slate roofing.

Metal roofing is a highly energy-efficient material too. It has a high UV reflective rate, protecting your home from UV damage and keeping your home cool in the summer months.

The roofing material is available in different materials like copper, zinc, steel, and aluminum, and you’re free to style your roofing system according to your aesthetic. Once your metal roof has reached the end of its lifespan, you’ll be happy to know that you can recycle your old metal roofing panels.

Clay and Concrete Tiles

Clay and concrete tiles create highly durable, Class A roofing systems. While this beautiful roofing system provides your home with incredible protection and curb appeal, they need to be installed by professionals for you to benefit from the Class A fire rating.

This is because the clay or concrete tile has a barrel shape. This barrel creates a gap between the roofing material and underlayment. These gaps need to be plugged to prevent the fire from burning your roof and house down.

For more information on fire-resistant roofing materials, give Certified Roofing a call today!   Proudly serving the cities of Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Clarksville, Columbia, Elkridge, Ellicott City, Frederick, Fulton, Gaithersburg, Germantown, Green Valley, Highland, Hunt Valley, Hyattsville, Kensington, Laurel, Lutherville, Montgomery Village, North Laurel, Olney, Owings Mills, Potomac, Rockville, Silver Spring, Takoma Park, Timonium, Towson, Wheaton, Woodstock, Washington, D.C., Northern Virginia, and all surrounding areas.

The green movement is on the rise with Americans learning more and more ways to reduce their carbon footprint. Even if you’re not ready to make a drastic lifestyle change, there are still many simple adjustments that everyone can easily incorporate into their everyday lives such as recycling aluminum cans instead of throwing them in landfills or replacing an old light bulb with one made from LEDs which will last much longer than traditional incandescent bulbs.

The embracing of environmentally conscious lifestyles has become increasingly common among US citizens who want to find new tips and tricks about how they can live sustainably while reducing waste simultaneously.

Today, we’ll break down how your roofing system can help you reduce your carbon footprint.

Installing Recycled Asphalt Shingles

Recycled Asphalt Shingles (RAS) is a new roofing material on the market. Developed by GAF, RAS is made up of 15% recycled asphalt materials that were sourced from tear-off roofing processes.

Every year, 12 million tons of asphalt roofing waste end up in landfills. By installing a RAS roofing system, you would not only be making your roofing system a little more eco-friendly, but you would be reducing the amount of asphalt waste produced every year.

Metal Roof Installations

Metal roofs are certainly the eco-friendly roofing system worth considering. Not only is metal made from recycled materials, but it can be easily recycled once your current roof reaches its end of lifespan – which is in like 30 – 50 years.

Metal reflects UV light better than any other material out there meaning you’ll spend less on energy bills and enjoy more natural heat protection for those cold winter months ahead.

Collect Stormwater

Usually, when an area experiences significant rainfall, this rain is efficiently transported away from your home via your gutter system. This water then flows into the nearest drain and is then taken away by the municipal stormwater pipes.

However, what if we told you that you could collect this water and use it for things like watering your garden or washing your car. Using this water, you can reduce your water bill and help save the planet at the same time.

Invest in Solar Panels or Solar Shingles

Solar panels or solar shingles are a great way to power your home with the sun’s energy. Embracing this clean form of renewable electricity in our homes can reduce how much we rely on heavy and polluting fossil fuel-powered plants, which produce billions of tons worth of carbon dioxide each year.

The federal government offers homeowners who have installed these technologies nearly $2000 in tax breaks as well. That means that not only will you be saving money from installing them but doing your bit to save the environment as well.

For tips and tricks on how you can make your home more energy-efficient and eco-friendly, give Certified Roofing a call today!   Proudly serving the cities of Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Clarksville, Columbia, Elkridge, Ellicott City, Frederick, Fulton, Gaithersburg, Germantown, Green Valley, Highland, Hunt Valley, Hyattsville, Kensington, Laurel, Lutherville, Montgomery Village, North Laurel, Olney, Owings Mills, Potomac, Rockville, Silver Spring, Takoma Park, Timonium, Towson, Wheaton, Woodstock, Washington, D.C., Northern Virginia, and all surrounding areas.

Your roof is all that stands between you and an icy winter chill. It’s exposed to Mother Nature’s worst, and that affects more than just your internal climate. Ice-cracked gutters and HVAC inefficiency can cost you precious funds, so winterizing your roof will not only keep you cozy, but it will save you money as well. Your strategy should include:

Fixing Weak Spots

Your roofing system is only as effective as its weakest points. The elements will exploit any route they can find into your house, so your winterization plan will need to identify loose or worn shingles. Pests are just as destructive, so any signs of intrusion must be dealt with before a minor invasion becomes a permanent infestation. If you have a tile roof, we’ll perform a manual inspection for visible damage, both outside and in.

Cutting Back Tree Branches

Even the smallest of limbs can do lasting damage to your shingles. They can cause dents upon impact and put your roof under more pressure than it can withstand. When healthy limbs are torn down by the wind and rain, they can cause even more destruction, so this stage of your strategy will include all branches small and large, old and young.

Cleaning

Roofs and gutters are prone to algae and mold, which, in turn, produce toxins and allergens when they spread to your interior. As the temperature drops, that growth can make its way through your roof and into your shingles, where algae sets down roots. Debris’ effect on your gutters is just as drastic. Blockages allow water to pool, causing bulges and ice dams. That can lead to cracks in freezing temperatures, which can expose your roofing. Your gutters also preserve your insulation and foundation. When they aren’t intact, both can slowly disintegrate, ultimately setting your entire house off-center. Your gutters must be cleared before the first snow of the season.

Checking Attic Insulation

One of Mother Nature’s easiest routes into your home is through your attic. This space forms a barrier between your roof and the rest of your home, so insulation failures can wear heavily on your HVAC system. It’s almost impossible to keep your home warm when your attic insulation isn’t doing its job correctly, so when we winterize, we make sure everything is functioning as it should. Attic insulation is prone to moisture and mold, so we’ll remove damp materials before ensuring that your loose-fill materials are distributed well. Then we’ll add or replace insulation to fill the gaps. This is one of the easiest ways to cut your utility bills, so it’s important to reach ENERGY STAR’s recommended R-levels for the Mid-Atlantic region.

Roof Inspection

Roofing deaths account for almost 100 of the 5,250 annual work-related fatalities, so doing your own inspections is a serious hazard. If you’re an avid handyman, it’s tempting to fetch a ladder and spend the morning checking tiles, but it only takes one misstep to create a medical crisis. Even professionals keep roof walking to a minimum, but visual inspections remain the only way to track damage accurately. If you haven’t had a roof inspection in the last year, it’s time to schedule one. Your roof should be inspected a minimum of twice a year, ideally before spring and fall.

Contact Certified Roofing Today

At Certified Roofing, roofs are our second home. We have more than 30 years of experience in the industry, so we know their weaknesses, understand their strengths, and can predict future problems with ease. We’ll perform a comprehensive winterization job so that this winter is as cozy as you deserve it to be. Call us at 301-854-2764.   Proudly serving the cities of Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Clarksville, Columbia, Elkridge, Ellicott City, Frederick, Fulton, Gaithersburg, Germantown, Green Valley, Highland, Hunt Valley, Hyattsville, Kensington, Laurel, Lutherville, Montgomery Village, North Laurel, Olney, Owings Mills, Potomac, Rockville, Silver Spring, Takoma Park, Timonium, Towson, Wheaton, Woodstock, Washington, D.C., Northern Virginia, and all surrounding areas.