If you’re the type of person who likes to improve yourself or your projects each time you do one, you’ll appreciate our approach. Building Better explains how we do things — every project, like every class or seminar, is an opportunity to improve. We ask ourselves, how could this have been done better? Skepticism toward…
Read MoreOut-of-state roofing contractors descend upon areas victimized by hail damage like hyenas after a kill. Often they’ll rent a tiny office where they can get their mail and you wouldn’t know they were from another state until the first time the roof they put on for you needs service. There are ways to recognize this…
Read MoreWhich is best, open valleys or closed valleys? Let’s explore the differences. If you live in the northern zone, such as Wisconsin, the open valley, which has metal in it, is far superior. Metal or open valley: A good contractor will start out by lining the valley with a rubberized membrane casually referred to as…
Read MoreShingles are made from 3 primary layers which work together to protect you and your home. They are a fiberglass, asphalt, and granules. Fiberglass makes up the base of most modern day asphalt shingles today. This fiberglass matting holds the shingle together and gives it strength. Nearly all asphalt shingle manufacturers purchase their fiberglass…
Read MoreTo understand which is recommended, you have to first understand which each type of ventilation is. Active ventilation actively draws air our of the attic. There are several types of vents that can do this. Passive ventilation relies on convection. Heat rises, and if you have a balanced system where the intake is equal to…
Read MoreOf all of the ways that contractors can drive up their profits, skipping the drip edge flashing is unwise and is likely to hurt the homeowner down the road. Drip edge is a piece of flashing that goes on the gable ends (also known as rake ends) of a home. Sometimes fly by night contractors…
Read MoreA good professional company can often do a complete tear-off of a roof and put the new roof on in the same day, but there are limitations and you should know what they are going into your project. Factors that can take longer Factors that speed things up Simple rooflines — every roofer loves a…
Read MoreRoofs that have a slope toward a wall create problems regularly. When the rains come, we get the calls. Why, the homeowner wonders, am I getting water in my home. More often than not, the blame goes to the architect. Architecture or even the architectural drawings can be eye appealing and even stunning. When those…
Read MoreTesla, the car manufacturer, is now making roofs but they are light on details. Consumers should approach this with cautious optimism and make sure they ask questions. Here are a few that should be on everyones list: Who will install and service the Tesla roofs? We know that Tesla plans to have their own techs…
Read MoreOne of the top questions I get from homeowners is “how do I know when my roof needs replacing”? Worn out shingles will allow water into your home. In order to understand when a roof is at the end of its life, you have to understand that there are 3 main parts of a shingle.…
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