On a sweltering, sunny day, the temperature on the surface of a traditional black roof can be more than 50 degrees warmer than the surrounding air temperature. When you imagine that hot rooftop next to another, and another, and another, like the row homes in Washington DC, it's no surprise that the air in a large city with block after block of dark, heat absorbing rooftops can often be 6 to 8 degrees hotter than surrounding areas.

Even in rural and suburban neighborhoods, the heat absorbed by a traditional roof on a sunny day raises temperatures inside the house, contributing to higher air conditioning requirements, higher energy costs, and more discomfort on hot days for anyone without air conditioning. Fortunately, the remedy for all this extra heat is relatively low-tech, low-cost, and increasingly easy to find: it's called a cool roof.

A cool roof is a roof designed to maintain a lower surface temperature in bright sunshine than a traditional roof .  The surface of a cool roof will reflect more sunlight and release more heat than an asphalt or black top roof. While the term "cool roof" is sometimes used to describe any roofing surface that is cooler than a standard rooftop, green certification programs such as LEED, Energy Star, the U.S. Green Building Council, and the Department of Energy Building Technology Program base their respective cool-roof credentials on a roofing material's ability to reflect the sun and release absorbed heat. The higher the solar reflection and emissivity the cooler the roof.

Cool roof coatings are best applied to low-sloped roofs in good condition.  Aluminum coatings improve the solar reflectance of the roof surface. Aluminum coatings act as a watertight membrane, while cementitious coatings must be applied over roofing materials that have already been thoroughly waterproofed.

Cool roof coatings are sprayed, rolled, or brushed onto an existing flat or low-sloping rooftop to create a bright white, paint-like reflective surface These coatings are more commonly used in re-roofing projects than in new construction, and their cost ranges from about 75 cents to $1.50 per square foot.
​ 
Ready to save money, conserve energy, and cool the planet by turning your old, hot roof into a cool roof? Contact your local Washington DC, roofing professionals at Boyd Construction Co Inc today, online or call  212-223-ROOF today to set up a free estimate.

One of the biggest challenges a homeowner will face when looking to repair or replace their roof is how to choose the right person to perform the job. After a harmful storm, a roofing contractor will need to quickly get back to normal and perform the important roofing repairs. Even in an emergency situation, that doesn’t mean they should just go with the first contractor who comes to their door. Finding a roofing contractor who is trustworthy, honest, professional, and experienced may sound difficult – however, by following the check list provided by the flat roof specialists of the greater Washington, DC area, Boyd Construction Co Inc below you will be on the path to choosing the perfect roofing contractor in your area for the job. 

1. Get plenty of local referrals. There is a far less chance of possible issues or scams when you choose a contractor from your community. They are far more comfortable with local rules and code regulations and have a relationship with area crews and suppliers.
2. Look for manufacturer designations. Manufacturer designations are thought to be a badge of honor because the roofing contractor must pass certain minimum requirements to be factory-certified (although, some manufacturers have more stringent requirements than others). 
3. Go to Better Business Bureau (BBB) online to review roofing contractor ratings. Some contractors will come in right after a storm looking for work, so it is very important to look them up on the BBB website and make sure they have a good score. Stay away from contractors who do not exist on BBB.org. 
4. Get an extensive warranty. Not all contractors can offer manufacturer warranties that include coverage of the roofer's handiwork. If a contractor installs the roof improperly, it could possibly take months or years for the damage to appear—and insurance will not pay for it. If the contractor refuses to fix it (or worse, has gone out of business), your only course of action is to pay for their error yourself. 
5. Be conscious about safety. A roofing contractor without a proper training or safety program may not be the best choice for your job.
6. Always check for proper licensing and insurance. The contractor should have insurance for every single employee and subcontractor, as well as be able to show a copy of their insurance certificate for validation. Not having the right amount of insurance could possibly lead to litigation between a contractor and homeowner if a roofing employee sustains an injury at the home. Most states require mandatory licensing for contractors, however that does not stop unlicensed contractors from attempting to do the roofing work, by underbidding insured and properly licensed roofing contractors. In states where licenses are required, make sure your contractor provides you with a copy of their license and confirm their status online. 
7. Pay your deductible. Any contractor who claims they can handle the repair without having the homeowner pay their insurance deductible is committing insurance fraud and endangering the homeowner. The insurance deductible is the responsibility of the insured, and the contractor should reflect that in the quote without inflating the estimate to cover all or part of the deductible.
8. Handle your own claim. A roofing contractor who says they are “a claim specialist” or can “handle your insurance claim” could be breaking the law. In most states, it is illegal for contractors to act on behalf of the homeowner when negotiating an insurance claim. Any contractor who opens the door to potential legal action is not acting in your best interest.
9. Do not be pressured into making a decision. Watch out for those contractors who pressures you to sign a contract before the insurance company has estimated the damage. Some contractors say they can work with whatever your insurance company settles upon, however the homeowner needs to ensure it’s not just any amount, but the right amount. The contractor should thoroughly examine the home and check that their insurance adjuster didn’t miss any damages.
10. Know your material choices. A contractor who does not offer you different shingle options is not looking out for your best interest. The style and color of the shingles you install can affect the resale value of your home. If the insurance company is paying for a new roof, it may be the perfect time to make a change and upgrade to a more unique style that suits your taste. GAF contractors can offer extensive design and color choices for your home. Check out the choices now so you’re ready. Knowledge is power.

If you are in need of an experienced roofing contractor in the Washington DC area, contact our experienced roofing experts at Boyd Construction Co In, online or by phone 202-223-ROOF.

​Making the proper choices about your roof guarantees your home's most efficient overall performance and safeguards your peace of mind.

Making proper choices is key to minimizing imminent- and long-term expenses related to any home improvement. That is mainly accurate for big, complex jobs like re-roofing. In this particular case, some of the most critical choices must be made before you hire a contractor or select a single manufacturer.

The primary choice is whether to truly patch leaks and broken areas or whether partial or whole re-roofing is in order. In case you pick out the latter, you’ll additionally need to determine whether to roof over your existing roof or whether to remove it. There are cost effects both ways.

Changing shingles due to wind damage or a fallen limb is an especially easy and inexpensive. Torn or broken shingles can be removed, and new ones can be slipped in place. The disadvantage is that unless your roof is pretty new and you happen to have stored some spare shingles from the job, your patch process might not fit the existing roof. However, that may be a small price to pay if the repair would increase the life of your current roof for another 10 or 15 years! But, in case you plan to sell your house in the following few years, ask your contractor to order shingles that match as closely as feasible. A roof with a prominent patch is unattractive and will not inspire a potential customer’s confidence.

If the harm is more substantial but limited to one facet of the roof, partial re-roofing is an option in order to cost thousands of dollars much less than doing the complete roof. Repairing a section of roofing will even make it less difficult to blend new with old, due to the fact mild color variations may be much less noticeable.

Counter to intuition, partial re-roofing jobs are extra costly on a value consistent with square (a 10′ x 10′ area) foundation. They can create added issues, too. As an example, if an asphalt roof already has two or more layers, all layers will be eliminated in order for the partial re-roofing to proceed. So similarly to increased labor and disposal fees, you can face the possibility of a lopsided effect at ridges, with the old roof finishing up a couple of inches higher than the brand new one. Even if built up with a path of shingles and protected with a ridge cap, the hump can also still be noticeable.

A brand new roof—less expensive in the long term?
Even though only part of your roof is showing symptoms of damage, it’s smart to keep in mind doing the entire process whilst the crew is on-site with its scaffolding, ladders, and equipment. This will probably be much less costly than doing one element now and the remainder in a few years.

While to re-roof relies on numerous variables, together with the shingles’ wear and age, the climate in your region, and your property’s susceptibility to future harm. The fact that the new shingles have six nails per shingle as opposed to 4, as now encouraged through the shingle manufacturer for excessive-wind areas, is also an incentive.

Tear Off or Roof Over?
Once you’ve decided to re-roof, you’ll want to decide whether to put in your new roof over the existing one or whether to tear the old one off. Yet again, the selection comes right down to saving a little money now and risking more fees down line, or spending greater now to do the task properly and reduce future costs. In the instance that you already have two layers shingles, the choice is made for you. The International Residential Code (R907.3) says that you cannot put a brand new roof over or extra applications of any type of roof protecting. A part of the cause has to do with weight and its effect on the structure of your home. A shingle in your hand might not feel as though it weighs a great deal, however, cover a roof with 1,500 square feet of them, and it’s almost the equivalent of parking a two-ton SUV up there!

When you have only one layer of asphalt shingles, you may make the decision to have them removed even though you’re no longer required to. Doing so may additionally save you cash in the future. As an example, if you live in an area that is prone to high winds, remember the fact that shingles will preserve longer if fixed directly to the roof deck. Similarly, eliminating the old shingles will help you check out the roof deck or sheathing.

The possibility to evaluate the circumstance of your roof deck is invaluable, insofar as you could look for timber rot and the presence of insufficient sheathing fasteners. By making any important upkeep and including fasteners to the sheathing (mainly annular nails or screws), you'll keep away from the dramatic losses brought on while sheathing blows off the roof, allowing rain to cause significant interior harm. Beginning your roofing job with a smooth roof deck (old shingles and roofing felt removed) also means you have got the option of including ice-and-water-shield membrane along the eaves. It can only be carried out to a clean deck but will help prevent harm because of ice dams.

A brand new roof is a large cost, however, should last you for many years. Do it right and you’ll have one much less thing to fear about while hurricane winds blow. In the long run, you’ll also end up with extra cash for your pocket.

​Contact Boyd Construction Co Inc today to set up a free estimate. 202-223-ROOF or online.