Why We Like Tam Industry Skylights

 Tam Skylights, Quality You Can Trust

After working in the roofing industry for some time and fielding calls from homeowners with leaking skylights we discovered that there are a few central problems surrounding most skylight leaks. Most brands of skylights have have great construction but the corners are caulked. The caulked corners can begin to break down between the 5th and 10th year of installation due to weather exposure. Each skylight can cost more than $350 each to replace.

This is why I like Tam Industry skylights. Tam skylights have welded corners. Welded corners eliminate the possibility of leaking and unnecessary replacement. Tam industry started in 1970 and is a great local company serving the skylight and solar tube needs of the Pacific Northwest. For more information please visit their website at www.tamskylights.com. Here are some examples of the skylights they offer.

I particularly like the operable skylights. They open and close easily and are a great way to allow fresh air into your home. Here is a specification chart showing their sizes and the type of curb that should be built to install the skylight on.

Standing Seam Radius Metal Roof In Seattle Wa. 

The Cost Of Roofing VS. The Value Of A System

Roofing Cost VS. Value

Let The Battle Begin

The big question for every home owner that needs a new roof or any construction project is do I go with the better price or the better value. Ultimately it comes down to personal preference but i would like to present a few facts that might be able to guide you towards a wiser choice.

A Few Things To Consider

While the temptation to choose the lowest price tag is a bit overwhelming at times there are a few things to consider when you purchase material or hire a contractor.

1) Lower priced materials are often inferior.
2) Cheap materials often do not last as long as quality materials.
3) Low grade materials do not have good warranties to protect you and your home.

An extremely low bid on your project can often denote a red flag with the contractor such as:

1) Improperly licensed, bonded or insured.
2) A lack of experience installing.
3) A lack of integrity in the industry.

You Get What You Pay For

When it comes to materials and contractors you most often get what you pay for. Consider the thought that spending 10% more for a quality material and/or contractor could provide you 10 extra years of life on your project due to the quality. In this case isn't it worth it to pay the extra than to complete the project again prematurely? 

I firmly believe in quality vs price. The value of your project based on the quality of materials is an investment that must be considered over a long period of time in order to make the best decision. 

 

What Happened To 30 Year Roofing Shingles?

The Shift Away From 30,40 & 50 Year Roofing Shingles

The Old Days And The Old Ways Of Roofing

Remember the good old days when you could buy a 30 year roofing shingle. If you wanted something a little heavier then you could upgrade to a 40 or even a 50 year shingle. If you have been asking around lately Im sure you have come across the new phrase "limited lifetime." What does that mean anyway and where did this whole new roofing shingle system come from?

How Limited Lifetime Shingles Came To Be

Ok, so I will let you in on the secret. GAF Roofing manufacturer underwent a serious process of developing the best fiberglass mat technology you could possibly imagine. After much toil they perfected the strongest fiberglass mat in today's roofing industry. Due to the mats strength the shingle requires less asphalt. This was one of the main goals GAF set out to achieve a more sustainable shingle that would cut back on our precious resources. The shingle was put through the extremest testing possible to make sure it had the stuff to be presented as Americas first "limited lifetime" roofing shingle. Needless to say it passed all the test by UL and was released onto the market in 2011. Check out the video below by GAF called "Chasing A Dream" to learn more: 

GAF Forces Industry Wide Warranty Change

Once GAF introduced the limited life time 50 year shingle into the market it created a huge shift. Other manufacturer's such as IKO, CertiainTeed, Owens Corning and most others were forced to offer their shingles as limited lifetime shingles in order to stay in competition with GAF. Its interesting to note that all the shingle brands across the board carry the same limited lifetime warranty but only GAF has made any technological changes to their shingle in order to justify the longer warranty. 

Warranty Info On GAF Limited Lifetime Roofing Shingles

The basic breakdown of a limited lifetime warranty is fairly simple and works out to the benefit of the homeowner. You get 10 years of 100% non-prorated warranty coverage against material defects. From year 11-50 the warranty value begins to pro-rate. For more information on GAF warranties visit this page: http://www.gaf.com/Roofing/Residential/Products.

Quality That Can Be Trusted

I believe this sets GAF roofing products apart and makes their brand safe to use. Remember to always consult a professional roofing contractor before performing any work on your roof. To find local residential roofing contractors in Washington State visit www.reliableroofingcontractorswa.com. 

Roofing Shingles & Wind Ratings

How do roofing shingle wind ratings affect you and your home?

This is a very important question for every home owner. Roofing shingle wind ratings are a critical factor in determining the warranty value and protection of your home. The first question we should ask is what is a wind rating. Simply explained a roofing manufacturer guarantees their shingle will stay on your roof (if installed correctly) up to certain specific wind speeds.



What determines a roofing shingles wind rating?

Shingles can be blown off if not fastened properly

There are a few key factors that determine a roofing shingles wind rating. The number of nails that are used to fasten the shingle to the sub-deck is one of them. For instance a standard architectural laminate shingle carries up to a 110 mph wind rating when fastened to a solid wood deck with a minimum of 4 nails. The same shingle installed with 6 nails carries a 130 mph wind rating which is a category 5 hurricane. One factor to take note of is that a wind warranty can be voided if your installer uses staples and not nails. Make sure when your contract is being written up the contractor is using nails so your warranty is valid.

Another factor to your shingle operating at its wind rating potential is making sure the nails go into the designated nailing section. There is a small section on the shingle where the different layers of the laminate overlap, this is where you want to install your fasteners. This nailing section is only about an inch tall so it is common for a roofer that is not trained or being a little careless to fasten nails either above or below. If this happens a lot on a roof or a section of the roof it can easily be blown off in a wind storm or with strong gusts of wind.

Roofing types and wind ratings

The type of roofing shingle you select determines the kind of wind rating you will receive. Reference the warranty chart below to see the wind rating the most commonly used shingles carry. Make sure you consult a professional roofing contractor in your area that knows the correct shingle for your regions weather patters. 

Roofing types and their wind ratings

3 tab roofing shingles 60-70 mph

Architectural laminate shingles 110-130 mph

Presidential/Tri-laminate shingles 130 mph