Tag Archives: roofing portland or

Alternative Roofing Options in Portland OR

Roofing and roof repair in Portland has expanded beyond asphalt, clay tile and slate roofing. Homeowners now have a variety of alternatives for roofing in Portland OR, many of which enhance the beauty of the home and increase energy efficiency. Have a look at a few options your Portland roofing contractor can offer for your roof.

Alternative Roofing and Roof Repair Portland OR — Fiber Cement

Fiber cement is a mixture of wood fiber and cement. The tiles weigh much less than real cement or slate tiles and the wood fiber is often recycled. With Fiber Cement roofing materials, you can enhance the aesthetic quality of your home, reinforce the structure and appeal to the environment at the same time.

Alternative Roofing Portland OR — Living Roofs

A living roof, or green roof, is an eco-friendly structure in which the roof is covered in soil and vegetation. Living roof systems are an excellent choice for those who want to increase home insulation, help decrease the Urban Heat Island effect and add unique beauty to their homes.

Living roof systems can range from extensive to intensive. The former is the most basic type of living roof, while the latter allows homeowners to literally create a rooftop garden. Ask your roofing contractor in Portland which type of green roof system will work for your home.

Alternative Roofing and Roof Repair in Portland OR — Foam Roof

Another eco friendly alternative that also helps lower the Urban Heat Island effect is the foam roof. Foam roofs are waterproof and provide extraordinary insulation, which leads to better energy efficiency of the home. Foam roofs typically last over a decade, after which, you can have your Portland roofing contractor install another layer.

Alternative Roofing and Roof Repair in Portland OR — Imitation Slate

Imitation slate is an affordable alternative to real slate, which can cost several hundred dollars per square. Imitation slate also weighs less and is more versatile, suitable for various forms of roofing in Portland OR.

Alternative Roofing and Roof Repair in Portland OR — Flex Shake

Flex shake is a fairly new alternative roofing material, comprised of rubber shake made from recycled radial tires and steel belts. Flex shake roofing material is highly durable and provides solid protection against weather extremes in Portland.

The key with choosing the appropriate material for roofing in Portland OR is to highlight functionality. Contact a qualified roofing contractor in Oregon for a home inspection and expert advice on which type of roof will work best for your home.

Clean Your Roof Regularly

Many people overlook the dark stains on their roofs because they think it is just a cosmetic problem. In actuality, getting your roof cleaned regularly can reduce repair and maintenance costs that add up over time. Those unsightly stains are caused by algae, which can compromise the condition of your shingles and spike your energy bills. Learn more about how algae can affect your home and hire a roofing contractor in Portland that offers regular cleaning services.

Roofing Portland OR — Weather Encourages Roof Algae Growth

Portland’s rainy weather makes your roof a particularly desirable location for algae growth. Algae needs water and warmth to grow, two things your Portland roof can offer in excess. The shingles that are installed on most roofs easily absorb heat from the sun. When this heat interacts with the rain that falls on your roof, alga can take over quickly.

Roofing Portland OR — Regular Cleaning and Roof Repair Saves Shingles

As the algae grows, it takes root in shingles of your roof. If the problem is not addressed quickly, then you might need to hire a Portland roofing contractor to replace the shingles, an expense which can be avoided. Hiring a contractor for roof repair in Portland is often much more expensive than scheduling regular cleanings.

Algae Makes Your Portland OR Roof Much Hotter

As algae collects, it actually makes your roof hotter, which increases the chances that even more algae will grow. This happens because the dark color of the algae traps more heat than the grey, black and white shingles typically used for roofing on Portland homes. Lots of heat can shorten the life span of your shingles and roof, which will make repairs necessary to prevent further damage.

A an extremely hot roof can also raise the amount of energy you use in your Portland home. As the heat rises on your roof, so does the temperature in the interior of your home. This encourages your air conditioner to run more often.

Finding a Portland Roofing Contractor to Clean Your Roof

Having your roof cleaned regularly can lower the amount of money you spend in the long haul. However, be sure to shop around for an experienced contractor to handle your roofing needs in Portland OR. Get references and ask people in your community about their experiences with Portland roof repair and roof cleaning services. You will also want to get price quotes from several roofing contractors to find services with competitive rates.

The Importance of Underlayment and Decking

When examining the success of a roofing job in Portland OR, most attention goes to the roof covering. As the only immediately visible feature of a residential or commercial roofing structure, residents typically consider this to be the indication of quality roofing.

In actuality, there is much more to a roofing system for your Portland home or commercial building. A qualified roofing contractor in Portland understands how the various components of a roofing system contribute to a sturdy, long lasting OR roof. Find out more about the importance of roof decking materials and roofing underlayment.

Roofing Portland OR — The Vital Elements of a Roofing System

Your roof may seem like a straightforward structure. However, in truth, proper residential and commercial roofing in Portland results in a complex system that works to provide shelter from the Portland weather and circulate air throughout your home or office building.

The roof covering is actually the last component of your roofing system. In order to construct a durable roof, each element must be properly installed.

Your roofing contractor in Portland can provide details about the necessary components of a quality roofing system. In general, the roof starts with a support structure, or frame, referred to as the truss. Following the truss comes the roof deck, which provides a watertight shield to prevent moisture from reaching the support structure.

The roofing underlayment sits atop the roof deck, followed by proper placement of shingles or tiles. Flashing is then installed to provide waterproof transitions between the roofing structure and roof protrusions, such as vents, chimneys and skylights. The roof covering is then secured in place with roofing nails.

Roofing Portland OR — Roof Decking Material

In residential and commercial roofing in Portland, the roof decking is a vital component to any roofing structure because it provides a waterproofing membrane to prevent moisture damage and ensure the longevity of your roof. Without a roofing deck, your home is vulnerable to the Portland weather, which is known for frequent rainfall.

Your roofing contractor in Portland may choose plywood or insulation panels for your roof decking, among other options. Generally, plywood is most widely used due to is versatility and resistance to rotting.

However, insulation panels can handle more weight and provide better insulation. The choice of decking materials for a roofing job in Portland OR largely depends on the type of roof installation. For example, heavier roofing materials, such as slate, will require more support from the decking structure.

Roofing Portland OR — Types of Underlayment

For residential and commercial roofing in Portland, the most common type of underlayment is builder’s felt. Once the builder’s felt is in place, the remainder of your Portland OR roofing job must be taken care of quickly, so as to avoid creases and tears.

Another type of underlayment is made of synthetic material, which is substantially lighter and easier to install than builder’s felt. Synthetic underlayment is also a preferred choice for preventing the growth of moss and algae, which can be a concern for Portland homeowners and commercial property managers.

Roofing Portland OR — Hire a Professional to Install Your New Roof

There’s a lot more to a quality roofing structure than laying a few tiles, hammering some nails and calling it a day. Hiring an experienced roofing contractor in Portland is the best way to enjoy the hassle free benefits of a long lasting roof.

Green Roof Technology: Extensive Living Roofs

Green roof systems, like extensive living roofs, can be a smart decision for both residential and commercial buildings in Portland OR. By learning a bit about what green roof systems can offer you and the environment, you might find that having one installed by a reliable roofing contractor in Portland is a good idea.

Environmental Advantages of Extensive Living Roofs

Many Portland residents are concerned about the environment, and the city is at the forefront of policy administration that favors clean energy and ways to reduce the harmful effects human civilization can have on nature. It should not be surprising, therefore, that several residential and commercial roofing contractors in Portland provide green roof systems.

Roofing contractors in Portland OR who offer green roofs install vegetation systems instead of metal, asphalt or other types of roofing. This creates a natural filtration system for water in Portland.

When it rains, the plants and soil used in extensive living roofs capture much of the pollution to prevent it from easily re-entering the water cycle. The vegetation also absorbs a significant portion of rainfall so the city’s sewer system does not have to process it all. This is important in areas like Portland that receive lots of precipitation.

Extensive Living Roofs — Advantages for Property Owners

As if helping the environment is not enough, extensive living roof systems also offer financial advantages to property owners. The vegetation, dirt and sealants used for green roofing in Portland OR helps regulate the house or commercial building temperatures by providing an insulating barrier that keeps warm air in during the winter and cool air in during the summer.

If enough residential and commercial property owners in Portland decided to install extensive living roofs, everyone would see a reduction in air conditioning costs because the city’s temperature would actually decrease. The asphalt, concrete, metal and shingles that are so common in the city absorb heat, making Portland hotter. Covering Portland roofs with green roof systems would help reduce that temperature, making air conditioning less necessary.

Extensive Living Roofs Are Easy to Maintain

Extensive living roof systems use grasses and plants that have shallow root systems and require little water. This makes upkeep a breeze. Since the roots are shallow, you will not have to worry about cutting the grass. Since they use little water, you don’t have to worry about droughts.

Alternative Roofing Options in Portland OR

Roofing and roof repair in Portland has expanded beyond asphalt, clay tile and slate roofing. Homeowners now have a variety of alternatives for roofing in Portland OR, many of which enhance the beauty of the home and increase energy efficiency. Have a look at a few options your Portland roofing contractor can offer for your roof.

Alternative Roofing and Roof Repair Portland OR — Fiber Cement

Fiber cement is a mixture of wood fiber and cement. The tiles weigh much less than real cement or slate tiles and the wood fiber is often recycled. With Fiber Cement roofing materials, you can enhance the aesthetic quality of your home, reinforce the structure and appeal to the environment at the same time.

Alternative Roofing Portland OR — Living Roofs

A living roof, or green roof, is an eco-friendly structure in which the roof is covered in soil and vegetation. Living roof systems are an excellent choice for those who want to increase home insulation, help decrease the Urban Heat Island effect and add unique beauty to their homes.

Living roof systems can range from extensive to intensive. The former is the most basic type of living roof, while the latter allows homeowners to literally create a rooftop garden. Ask your roofing contractor in Portland which type of green roof system will work for your home.

Alternative Roofing and Roof Repair in Portland OR — Foam Roof

Another eco friendly alternative that also helps lower the Urban Heat Island effect is the foam roof. Foam roofs are waterproof and provide extraordinary insulation, which leads to better energy efficiency of the home. Foam roofs typically last over a decade, after which, you can have your Portland roofing contractor install another layer.

Alternative Roofing and Roof Repair in Portland OR — Imitation Slate

Imitation slate is an affordable alternative to real slate, which can cost several hundred dollars per square. Imitation slate also weighs less and is more versatile, suitable for various forms of roofing in Portland OR.

Alternative Roofing and Roof Repair in Portland OR — Flex Shake

Flex shake is a fairly new alternative roofing material, comprised of rubber shake made from recycled radial tires and steel belts. Flex shake roofing material is highly durable and provides solid protection against weather extremes in Portland.

The key with choosing the appropriate material for roofing in Portland OR is to highlight functionality. Contact a qualified roofing contractor in Oregon for a home inspection and expert advice on which type of roof will work best for your home.