Roof Wood Framework

A significant structural piece of any roof is your framework.  These are traditionally fashioned offsite then delivered to the property construction site.  The framework is what provides your roof with that pointed shape which is also what defines its pitch or steepness.  Depending on the climate where you live, the pitch is undoubtedly a crucial element within the structural design of a residence. In a case where you live in an area comparable with Houston with lots of humidity, heavy rain and hurricanes, you’ll need a roof with a steep enough pitch to allow ample water shedding and shingles with high enough wind rating to withstand anything the gulf of Mexico is ready to throw at you!

Roofing Deck / Underlayment

As soon as you have the roofing framework into position, now you need to construct the roofing deck.  The roofing deck consists of sheathing which is normally made out of high quality / solid plywood or what is sometimes better known as oriented strand board (OSB).  Together with your roofing deck constructed, we begin to get something which looks like a roof which may offer some protective covering.  Another additional ingredient to include in the roofing deck is the underlayment, aka roofing felt.  This roofing felt is attached to the roofing deck for additional defense against rain and other harsh outdoor elements.  This material often is constructed from a dense paper that is then coated in asphalt.

Last: Installing the Roofing Shingles

Now we are getting into the final step which a lot of people tend to connect with the look, feel and appearance of a home’s roof.  Installing the shingles is more often than not, what provides the roof with added defense but also plays a role in its all-around curb appeal and beauty. Dependant on your location, you’ll find some specific materials that perform best based on weather and surrounding architectural impacts.  A large percentage of roofing shingles installed are overlapping meaning they are connected via the lowest part of the roof and make their way to the top.  Installing roofing shingles like this guarantees that just about any rainfall will stream down the roof and ideally never infiltrate the roofing shingles themselves.  The roofing shingles can be installed onto the roof in a number of ways subject to the material selected.  Nearly all are installed with durable nails driven straight into the roofing deck.  Slate roofing, however, is generally hung similar to a picture frame on the wall compared to getting driven in by use of a nail.  No matter the roofing material you decide on, be certain that you work only with a qualified roofing expert for roofing installation.  Lousy workmanship and overall quality will drastically limit the lifetime of your new roof.

FSR Services – an Expert Houston Roofing Company.

We offer Free Houston Roofing Estimates. There is no obligation to purchase, let our team of roofing experts assist you in taking the first step towards getting your roofing project underway.

A roof, is a roof, is a roof, is a roof? Right?

Wrong.

A roof helps to ensure that your home is safe from almost any type of harsh weather, and it also gives us homeowners the ability to add unique personalization and beauty to our home’s architecture. Gone are the days of just plain roofing shingles and nails, innovations from over the years have led to a wide-open roofing market. As homeowners, this has given us the ability to select from a wide variety of styles, features and superior protection options. On the other hand, these amazing new additions and options have added a new layer of complexity when we’re in the market for a new roof.

One of the most essential aspects to your new roof, is durability.

Today almost every type of roofing material, excluding wooden roofing materials, have made leaps and bounds in the aspect of durability. Laminated asphalt roofing shingles are the most common roofing materials used in America today. Being that this roofing material is also one of the most affordable ones in the market, the demand for this roofing material is extraordinarily high. The demand this product has driven manufacturers to increase the overall quality of this material tenfold in the last decade. Owens Corning, has become a leader in the asphalt roofing shingle market. Their products carry some of the best warranties and have become the highest ranked in durability on the market.

When considering durability, both title and metal roofs are both very smart options to consider. These two roofing materials are usually more expensive than a laminated asphalt roofing shingle option. The tile roofs are quite a bit heavier than most other roofing materials and retrofitting your home to accommodate this downside can be the main reason for the larger expense. With metal roofing one of the largest durability benefits that it brings the table is the fact that metal is just plain and simple fire resistant.

Individuality and style has become an essential to everyone’s home.

Considering the many styles and color options available from almost all of the roofing materials available to us today… a roof has become one of the most essential pieces to the overall look of our home’s exterior. We’ve asphalt shingles, there are single color options and even blended color options to help match and create any type of luxurious curb appeal that you desire. With metal roofs you can choose the different style and color. With tile roofing you can choose Spanish tile, clay tile or even the most expensive style slate. Each of these bringing a different and unique style to match the desires of any homeowner.

The eco-friendly roofing essentials.

Almost every type of roofing material, not including wood, fall into a somewhat eco-friendly category. Some of the materials are eco-friendly from the beginning when they are produced and even after they are installed on your home. When considering a particular roofing material, you need to make sure that you ask your roofing professional about the materials eco-friendliness. Each manufacturer will also have a ton of this information available for you to browse on the Internet at any time.

Knowing what it takes to install your new roof is essential to your happiness.

In my opinion, there’s not a single roofing material that should be installed on any home by an amateur. Roofing materials by themselves can be quite costly. Although some people say that tile roofing shingle roofing can sometimes be installed without any professional assistance. When installing your new roof there a ton of factors that can compromise the durability, protection, water shedding ability and overall longevity of your roof.

Along with safety issues and the dangers of improper installation of your roof, is it worth attempting to save a few bucks attempting to install your own roof? What happens if you get a leak? Who’s going to guarantee the safety, quality and durability of your roof?

No matter if it’s a tile roof, a metal roof or in asphalt shingle roof is always safer to hire a trusted professional and avoid any costly or dangerous complication. When the roof is installed correctly, by a professional, you can sleep a lot easier knowing that someone else is responsible for the work and that you will receive the full benefits your roof has to offer for years to come.

The cost of your roof is always essential.

As I stated previously, metal roofs and all types of tile roofs are usually on the more expensive side. Composite or asphalt shingles are the most common and most affordable roofing options for your home. It’s best to speak with your roofing company of choice about the prices, the energy/money saving benefits and additional features to find the perfect roofing solution that meets your particular needs.

The roofing systems found on most commercial buildings, are substantially bigger than those found on your average home. In most cases a commercial roof will be wider across or even a lot higher up, considering the average commercial building exceeds the number of floors than your home. If the roofer you choose does not have the tools or the proper knowledge in commercial roofing, complications in their ability to attain comfortable access to the working area may quickly arise. Typically a roofing contractor who markets their commercial roofing expertise, will possess the ability and toolset necessary, since they will be used to fixing or completely reroofing large surfaces at the required heights. Considering an average roofing company doesn’t have the tools or the experience with this type of roofing, the chances of a contractor getting injured on the job is greatly increased. A professional in commercial roofing will most definitely lower the chances and alleviate most of your worries regarding safety.

A commercial roofing company will carry many roofing options that are specifically meant for businesses. These roofers also have much more experience with the available commercial roofing materials, giving them the ability to offer you a range of colors, material options, extra features to help save you money on energy costs and options to keep your roof in the best possible condition. Most business owners have a certain look in mind for their commercial building, but without a commercial roofing professional they usually aren’t 100% sure what roofing material would best compliment their building (or will last the longest). Hiring a commercial roofing company will really take a lot of the pressure off and make dealing with your commercial roof a lot less stressful, knowing that you’ll get the best results and you won’t have to make any major decisions regarding things that you really don’t know much about.

Beyond all the other important reasons that I would advise you to hire a commercial roofing company. There is a plan simple fact, that commercial roofing companies are customary to working with businesses, business owners and building management. A commercial roofing company really knows what it takes to get the job done as quickly as possible and with minimal complications or interruptions of your daily business operations. A professional commercial roofing company understands the importance of your business and your time. An expert in this field, will know what it takes to ensure minor downtime and minor inconvenience to your customers and your employees.

A commercial roofing company has relationships with manufacturers and resellers of the materials needed to complete your job. This is a benefit you will not receive from residential roofing company. Your commercial roofer will have the ability to repair or place your commercial roof and work to fit within your budget. A commercial roofing expert will also know how to quickly and easily work out a payment with your insurance company and deal with the majority of the involved communications…keeping your time free to conduct your business.  They will also understand that commercial roofing repairs and replacements are major business expenses, if you do end up having to pay a portion of the bill, a good commercial roofer will know to make sure you get your receipt so that you can deduct it from your taxes.

The bottom line here, is that there a vast number of reasons why you should never settle for a roofing professional who normally only works with homeowners. A commercial roofing professional knows how to work with business owners and this will ultimately make your life easier. Because chances are, if you’re a business owner, you don’t have the luxury of interrupting your business operations or inconveniencing your customers for an extended period of time. It’s safe to say that taking hours out of your day, to deal with major decisions, questions or concerns regarding your building’s roof…will really throw a wrench in your ability to manage your business.

Make the smart choice…have an experienced Commercial Roofing Company handle the job and keep your stress levels to a minimum.

Getting a Roof Repair Estimate

It’s important to understand the cost of your particular roofing repair job. When hiring a roofing contractor the cost for your roofing repairs will in fact vary from contractor to contractor. Along with the individual contractor’s pricing structure another factor that will determine your overall cost depends on the materials needed to repair your roof in the current market price.

Unless you have a solid reason or a high level of trust for an individual roofing company, it is imperative that you consider getting an alternate opinion to ensure that you’re not getting ripped off.

An Emergency Roof Repair

In the event that your roof caves them without warning due to a structural anomaly, there is a slight chance you might not find a roofing contractor to do the repairs right away. Even though in most areas there are a ton of emergency roofers who are available 24/7, your best chance might be an emergency home repairs service center. Yet I need to warn you that you’re most likely going to have a cost that will be double or triple the cost of regular roofing repairs.

The Do it Yourself Repairs

In my opinion, when it comes to roofing work or anything that involves ladders and heights… it should be left to the professionals. They’re too many mistakes and too many accidents that can occur when a homeowner gets up on the roof in an attempt to save money or take on a weekend warrior project. Nevertheless, there are a few scenarios when the homeowner can take it upon themselves to be self-sufficient, save themselves a little bit of money and immediately take care of the situation without the need to wait for a professional.

Advice for the DIY Homeowner:

First and foremost you want to always make sure that your ladder is 100% secure before you decide to get up there and climb on your roof. Once you have your latter secured, and your on the roof, identify your problem area. Begin inspecting the problem area for rusted or broken components, as these normally will be your primary culprits in roofing leaks.

To easily remedy a small hole in your roof, you can use a simple PVC sealant. This sealant should help to temporarily plug and stop most of your minor leaks. If you visit your local hardware store, there are a ton of very powerful sealants available-for-sale on the market. Depending on your sealant quality, you may be looking at a temporary fix for your minor leaks that can last up to a few months. This type of temporary fix can help give you some time to find and pull together the funds for a real fix or a roof replacement.

Avoid the mistakes, risks and added damage from trying to fix your roof yourself…call a Professional Houston Roofing Company Today!

We promise, your newly installed FSR Services concrete tile roof will be a beautiful addition to your home or commercial building. We offer  many styles and color options to help amplify the beauty and elegance of any architecture’s curb appeal. Adding the superior longevity and performance of concrete tile roofing and its beautiful aesthetic traits, results in a new roof that gets noticed by all.

Whether you’re a homeowner looking to increase your home’s value or a business owner/ commercial building manager looking to invest in a reliable roofing solution for your commercial properties – Concrete Tile Roofing is a smart choice that provides all the benefits you’re in search of.

Looking for a roofing solution that provides years of worry-free performance?

No matter the weather – hail, snow, severe rain and winds, a professionally install concrete tile roof can stand up to the harsh Houston, Texas elements.

-          Fire Resistant

-          Can resist damage from even the most severe hail stones

-          Energy Efficient (helps lower energy costs by reducing heat transfer)

-          Affordability

-          Lifetime Longevity

-          Minimal Maintenance

Considering that your new concrete tile roof will last about as long or longer than the structure itself, the full life-cycle cost of your roof becomes very affordable in comparison with most other roofing materials. Following our suggested maintenance, the worry and expense of reroofing is greatly reduced. Your new concrete tile roof is one of the only (out of 3) roofing materials that is said to last an actual lifetime. Clay Tile Roofing and Copper Roofing being the only other two with the same qualities, can both be notably more expensive in comparison to concrete tile.

Concrete roofing tiles are normally a mixture of sand, cement and water. Similar to Simulate Slate Roofing Tiles, the exact mixture of materials will somewhat vary with each individual manufacturer.

From colors, to styles and textures, at FSR Services we provide you with a wide selection of choices to meet your concrete tile roofing needs. With these choices and variations, both homeowners and commercial building owners have the ability to find the perfect shape and blend for any given architecture.

Slate is by far the most durable and one of the most attractive roofing materials available on the market today. Slate roofing tiles are precisely cut from slabs of stone and are most commonly grey but are often available in a variety of colors. One of the most important aspects of your new slate roof, is it’s average longevity of over 100 years and in thought history have lasted twice as long!

Slate roofing tiles are incredibly low maintenance, fire proof and have a great immunity to the effects of mold/mold spores. Slate is one of the heavier roofing materials available for your home, you must have your roof estimated by a Houston roofing company that can properly assess if your home can support the excess weight.

If your current structure is not suitable to bear the weight of the slate roofing tiles, our roofing specialists will help provide solutions and alternatives for the roof you desire. One solution may be to increase the structural strength of your home’s roofing support, via the installation of additional materials.

Simulated Slate Roofing Tiles

Simulated slate roofing tiles (or synthetic roofing tiles), are a lightweight and cost effective alternative to natural slate roofing tiles.

This material is a man-made mixture of slate dust and glass fiber resin (sometimes a cement and fiber mixture), created to be lighter, less expensive and more durable during installation (making installation much easier).

Houston Roofing Company – FSR Services installs only the best simulated lightweight roofing tiles, matching the beauty and craftsmanship of real slate. Most homes with simulated slate tile roofs are nearly identical to homes with real slate roofs.

With lower maintenance costs and added durability, your new simulated slate roof will provide you with the same elegant curb as with a natural slate roof. You’ll also enjoy long lasing performance, longevity and 50+ year manufacture warranties.

If installing a natural slate roof on your home is out of your budget, speak with your FSR Roofing Specialist about our simulated slate roofing tiles.

-          Top Notch Fire Resistance

-          Wind Protection

-          Impact Damage Resistant

Thinking about replacing an old roof or installing a completely new roof? Our lightweight roofing solutions will amaze you with durability, performance, beauty and of course you’ll be proud to tell everyone about your newly installed FSR Services roof.

Contact Houston Roofer – FSR Services today and learn more about our many available roofing solutions. Our expert roofing specialists will be ready to answer any questions regarding how our various roofing products and services can add beauty, value and charm to your home.

Up until recently, slate roofing tiles have been a been a popular choice amongst roofing materials. Today’s decline in popularity is primarily due to the introduction of cheaper and easier to install roofing materials, laminated composite asphalt shingles being the #1 culprit.

Pros of a Natural Slate Tile Roof or a Simulated Slate Tile Roof

-          Longevity

-          Lasting Durability

-          Harsh Weather Resistance

-          Added Value, Beauty and Curb Appeal

-          Environmentally Friendly

Tile roofs can handle the most demanding Houston, Texas environmental elements, offering you outstanding protection against high winds, hail, and rain. Clay tile is also fireproof, with this type of protection, you may have the ability to reduce your homeowners insurance. Your new clay tile roof will last a min. of 40-50 years and some have lasted up to an entire century. Most clay tile roofs are protected with a 50+ year warranty from clay tile manufactures.

To ensure you enjoy all of the amazing benefits of your new tile roof, the installation should be handled by a Houston Tile Roofing Company with expert clay tile experience.

Knowing the value of your clay tile roof, you should regularly have your tile roof inspected by a qualified roofer. Putting the care and maintenance of your tile roof in the hands of FSR Services, gives you peace of mind that you’ll continue enjoying the curb appeal, protection and long lasting durability for years to come.

Clay Roofing Tiles Come in a Variety of Colors and Styles

-          ‘S’ tiles (including Spanish, Barrel and Mission tiles)

-           Flat tiles (or Shingle tiles)

-          Single Color Options

-          Multi Colored Options

-          Symmetric Patterned

-          Random Patterned

Pros of a Tile Roof

-          Long life

-          Increased Curb Appeal

-          Strong Material

-          Customizable varieties of colors, styles and shapes

-          Environmentally Friendly

Below are links to the most common issues and symptoms that can indicate your need to replace your roof. If you notice any of the common issues listed below, it’s a good idea to consult a local Houston Roofing Company as soon as possible. It’s important to take note that commonly many roofs encounter more than one of these issues at one time.

Curling Roofing Damage

Flashing Roofing Damage

Roofing Blistering

Missing Roofing Shingles

Buckling of Your Roofing

Missing Roofing Granules

Ceiling Spots

Roofing Rotting

As with any type of roofing inspection you personally perform on your home, please use the proper caution and safety equipment. If you do not feel comfortable inspecting these roofing issues on your own  or you have trouble knowing exactly what you need to look for, please feel free to contact us Houston Roofing Company – FSR Services for a free comprehensive roofing analysis.

What Causes Damage to Your Roof’s Flashing

1. Improper flashing installation

The improper installation of flashing is the underlying cause for most roofing problems. When your flashing slips out of place, it creates gaps that allow water to infiltrate your home’s roof. Flashing assists in shedding water away from areas that would otherwise be victim to the collection of large amounts of water. When your flashing is not properly installed, water will find its way under or behind the flashing (as well as under or behind your shingles) and eventually your home.

2. Settling of the structure

The overall structure of your home undergoes a ton of shifting and settling, this effect can result in movement, cracking and breaks within your flashing. This type of damage will definitely reduce the water shedding capabilities of your roof and lead to water damage within your home.

3. Drying & Cracking

Many flashed areas will require a flashing cement or tar. Over time exposure to the sun and other exterior elements can lead to the drying and cracking of these materials. Another possible cause of damage to your flashing that deteriorates the water shedding capabilities of your roof.

4. Dented or Improper Nailing

When flashing is nailed directly into your roof’s decking, It Is Going To Leak! The flashing should never be nailed though your shingles and into your roof decking. Your flashing needs to be “pinched” or nailed into the side wall of your home. The areas around your chimney should be cemented into the major joints of your roof.

Houston Roofing Company – FSR Services Recommends

Flashing damage is a serious matter. Your roof’s flashing is a key component when it comes to shedding water! It is imperative to remove the damaged flashing and replace it with new flashing as soon as possible. In order to properly repair your roofs flashing, you will first need to remove the shingles and flashing around the affected areas. Once removed, a thorough damage assessment of the plywood and other structural components must be performed to determine if any other repairs need to be made. Then you need to install new shingles, flashing and any other structural components in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines.

For a more permanent solution that will ensure the correction of your roof’s flashing damage, have a complete re-roof with Owens Corning Shingles by an OC Preferred Contractor. These shingles are specifically designed to withstand the harsh Houston, TX climate conditions for extended periods of time and are backed by their strongest product warranties* available to homeowners.

For the average homeowner, the task of repairing their own roof is beyond their personal skill level. The task of repairing or re-roofing is difficult one, no matter the size of the project. Any type or size of roofing project can be a huge risk for any homeowner.

Houston Roofing Company – FSR Services is a certified installer & Owens Corning Preferred Contractor.

We recommend at minimum, scheduling a Free Roofing Estimate with one of our highly trained professionals. With your free estimate you’ll receive an in-depth and honest assessment of your roofing system. We will detect any and all of your roofing issues, including: Curling, Algae Growth, Damaged Flashing, Roof Blistering, Missing Shingles, Roof Buckling, Missing Granules, Roof Leaks/Ceiling Spots and Roof Rotting.

Common with most roofing damage, curling is caused by moisture or poorly ventilated attic space. However, curling can be due to many other factors, including:

1. Misaligned Adhesive Strip: Each of your roofing shingles have an adhesive strip. This strip, which binds the shingle tabs to the row of shingles located directly below. If roofing shingles are not properly installed in accordance with the manufactures guidelines, this adhesive will not properly line up – thus causing the shingle tabs to curl.
2. High Nails: Curling of your roofing shingles can happen when the nails that secure the shingles to the decking are sitting up. Through the natural expansion and contraction of your roof decking, these nails can begin to inch upwards. These incorrect nailing patterns are setup when your roofer installs the shingles, this can cause a curling effect on your shingle tabs.
3. Improper Nailing: This is yet another nailing issue that leads to Curling. Improper nailing is a definite indication that your roof poorly installed. The nailing pattern of your roof installation is designed in a certain way. If your installer deviates from the manufacturer’s suggested installation procedure, a number of problems can occur. (including curling) The Houston Roofing Industry calls it “skip nailing.” For example the manufacture of your shingles may recommend four nails per shingle – although, the installer is attempting to save time and money by moving along faster and makes a decision to use only 2-3 nails per shingle. An unprofessional and unfair decision like this causes the shingles on your roof to slip downwards, causing a curling effect and leaves you with a less than quality roof installation.
4. Inadequate Ventilation: A poorly ventilated roof or a non ventilated roof, will retain a build-up of moisture in the attic. Not allowing this moisture to exit the attic space, will create condensation and begin to cause damage to your homes framing/roof decking. Eventually, the moisture becomes trapped in between the underlayment and the roofing shingles. This can cause the shingle tabs to curl from the underside.

FSR Services Recommends
If the curling of your roof is noticeable, you may have a ventilation problem. By adding a ridge vent to your roof along with soffit vents, you will supply the adequate amount of ventilation your attic space requires.

If a thorough inspection of the curling roofing shingles is conducted, you may have another solution. Carefully lift one of the curling shingle tabs and check for the cause underneath. In most cases, there might be a nail sticking up that may easily be re-nailed. If the adhesive strip is damaged or misaligned, you can remedy the problem with roofing cement. If moisture or condensation is present under the tab, this is another indication of a ventilation problem.

Removing the affected shingles is another simple solution to your curling issues. When removing the shingles, make sure to inspect the cause of your curling underneath them. Cut out a section of the felt underlying mat, which may be causing the curling as well. Replace the damaged are with new shingles and felt underlying mat. Depending on the size of the affected, you may want to consider  replacing all of your roofing shingles to maintain symmetry and appearance. Make sure you install these shingles in accordance with your shingle manufacturer’s guidelines and recommendations.

For a more permanent solution that will ensure the correction of your curling issue, have a complete re-roof with Owens Corning Shingles by an OC Preferred Contractor. These shingles are specifically designed to withstand the harsh Houston, TX climate conditions for extended periods of time and are backed by their strongest product warranties* available to homeowners.

For the average homeowner, the task of repairing their own roof is beyond their personal skill level. The task of repairing or re-roofing is difficult one, no matter the size of the project. Any type or size of roofing project can be a huge risk for any homeowner.

Houston Roofing Company – FSR Services is a certified installer & Owens Corning Preferred Contractor.

We recommend at minimum, scheduling a Free Roofing Estimate with one of our highly trained professionals. With your free estimate you’ll receive an in-depth and honest assessment of your roofing system. We will detect any and all of your roofing issues, including: Curling, Algae Growth, Damaged Flashing, Roof Blistering, Missing Shingles, Roof Buckling, Missing Granules, Roof Leaks/Ceiling Spots and Roof Rotting.