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Charles Martin Roofing is offering a FREE upgrade from 30-Year shingles to Impact Resistant Class 4 (Lifetime) shingles… (while supplies last).

When deciding between a complete replacement of your roof versus a roof repair, sometimes the decision can be self-evident. If you’ve sprung a leak on an otherwise new looking roof, chances are having your roof repaired is the appropriate decision. However, if your roof looks old and worn, and it’s starting to give you problems, a total roof replacement may be the wiser decision.

For residences, the five most common roofing material options are asphalt, metal, slate, tile, and wood. Each of these materials can be either repaired or replaced when damage occurs, but their individual characteristics and life expectancy will play a huge role in which is the most cost-effective route for you!

• Asphalt Shingles are easily the most popular roofing material choice in the nation. While cheap, dependable, and easy to install, asphalt shingles are also one of the least durable options on the market.
• Wood Roofing is not near as popular as it once was. Though its aesthetic appearance is second to none, wood roofing materials are more expensive than asphalt and require more maintenance than most other roofing materials.
• Metal Roofing is gaining popularity as a roofing material. Though older metal roofing was rightfully accused of being noisy during rain showers, subject to rust, and a poor insulator, today’s metal roofing provides homeowners with an excellent balance of affordability and durability.
• Tile Roofing is extremely popular in certain areas of the country. Very expensive and very durable, tile roofing is an investment that will not only make your home more attractive, but raise its value, as well.
• Slate Roofing is pretty much the alpha and omega of roofing material options. When it comes to durability, nothing can match it; its appearance isn’t for everyone, and whole it has been known to last for more than 100 years, its incredibly high price tag makes slate a material that most homeowners find cost-prohibitive.

Some roofing material choices are better candidates for repair than others. With slate and tile roofs, replacement is almost never the best choice. Unless your slate or tile roof is more than 70 years old, there’s a good chance that even extensive repair will be a better investment than installing an entirely new roof. On the flipside, with a wood roof has fallen into disrepair or been damaged enough to require extensive work, the best option might not only be replacement, but replacement with a different type of material.

Asphalt roofs may be the hardest decision yet, when your trying to decide between repair and total replacement. While it may be the easiest patch up, it can also age much more rapidly than other types of roofing materials.

No matter what materials your roof is currently made of, it is always a good idea to have a professional inspect your roof for you and give you some options to consider.

If you would like a FREE professional inspection of your roof, please contact Charles Martin & Son Roofing. We would be happy to send out a roofing tech to inspect your roof and give you a free quote.

Charles Martin & Son Roofing
817.554.2261

Roofs, like most things, don’t last forever. Sooner or later, they need to be replaced. If you wait too long to replace your roof, serious damage can accrue, which can be very expensive to fix. Of course, replacing your roof can be a sizable investment as well. That’s why we recommend doing your research and consulting with a professional in your area.

If you’re looking to make the investment, and you want something that is going to be not only aesthetically pleasing but also last a very long time… consider Stone-Coated Steel.

The Advantages of Steel

Steel roofs typically last a very long time, anywhere from 40-70 years on average, and they usually come with a 50-year warranty. Steel effectively seals out moisture to prevent problems like mold, mildew, and rot. Steel roofing can be designed to look like other materials that are considered more traditional or aesthetically pleasing, such as asphalt, slate, shake, cedar, or clay. This means you can have a roof that’s both beautiful and tough enough to withstand the elements. Steel is also fire resistant and virtually maintenance free.

What is stone-coated steel?

Stone-coated steel is a popular type of steel roofing. It’s incredibly strong, weather resistant, and durable. A stone-coated steel roof can withstand winds up to 120 mph. Stone-coated steel panels are installed in an interlocking pattern, which is how they can withstand extreme weather conditions and not blow off as easily as basic asphalt shingles. The overlapping pattern also creates a pocket of air that acts as an extra layer of insulation for the home. This can increase the home’s energy efficiency, making it more comfortable year-round. Stone-coated steel also reflects sunlight instead of absorbing it into the home and defends against UV radiation.

If you’d like to learn more about the advantages of Stone-Coated Steel roofing, call or email your Charles Martin Roofing consultant for a free evaluation and information booklet.

Is your roof energy efficient? Determining the particular contribution of the roof to the energy efficiency of a home is not an exact science. Other factors can affect the overall energy efficiency such as: windows, doors, attic insulation, and number of residents.

Here’s a real-world example of a homeowner’s energy savings using a DECRA Villa Tile – Stone-Coated Steel Roofing System in Sacramento, CA.

The homeowner had an existing grey concrete tile roof installed on battens. Concrete tile can require continued maintenance as it ages. Wanting to move away from a concrete tile roof, they installed a DECRA Villa Tile roof direct to the deck. They chose Pompeii Ash because it was close to the color of the original tile and they wanted to maintain the overall appearance of the home.

No changes were made in the venting method between the two installations. Subsequent to the installation, the homeowner contacted DECRA with 4 years of data (2006 to 2009) summarizing  the number of kilowatt hours used during the 5 hottest  months in Northern California: June, July, August,  September and October.

Some variables were noted by the homeowner throughout the 4 years – the number of children at home and instances of humidity; the average  daily temperature during the 4 years was consistent with  only a couple of outlying temperatures in 2006 and 2009.

An unexpected benefit was realized after installing the  product in April 2007. As compared to 2006 when they had a concrete tile roof, there was a 15% lower use of  kilowatt hours with the DECRA Villa Tile.

When considering whether a stone-coated steel roof is right for you and your family, consider the following features, benefits, and advantages.

One of the reasons for the growing popularity of stone-coated steel roofs, is the wide variety of styles and designs available to homeowners who are looking to add some curb appeal to their home. From the distinctive beauty and richness of cedar shake, to the elegance and architectural detail of an old-world Italian tile, stone-coated steel offers homeowners a wide variety to choose from. At just a fraction of the cost of slate or clay tiles, you can have a beautiful, long lasting roofing system that will provide superior protection for your home, with none of the structural disadvantages of other roofing materials.

Unlike other roofing materials, a stone-coated steel roof offers superior durability and longevity. It will not break, curl, split, crack, warp, or absorb water. The interlocking design of the roof panels makes it resistant to heavy rain, hail, freeze/thaw cycles, snow and wind uplift, continuing to look fresh and new for many years to come without requiring any additional maintenance.

Stone-coated steel roofs are formed into three main profiles: shake, tile and shingle. In recent years, new tile designs that mirror the highly desirable look of Mediterranean clay tile have also become available to homeowners. Advanced technology makes it possible to imitate the premium look of clay, slate or architectural shingle so closely, that it is nearly impossible to discern that the stone-coated tile is actually made of metal.

A stone – coated steel roof is designed to protect your home even in times of major calamities such as hail, fire, and earthquakes. The roof is made of steel, it is non-combustible and will not catch on fire.

DECRA is the original stone coated steel roofing system. The DECRA product line represents a perfect blending of over 50 years of research and practical experience. Offering the ultimate in performance and engineering design is what DECRA roofing systems are all about. DECRA Roofing Systems are made in the U.S.A.

DECRA Roofing Systems has a captivating history dating back to World War II. Frequent bombings on British soil by the German Luftwaffe produced an urgent need to reconstruct many buildings quickly and easily out of makeshift materials. While corrugated metal provided a quick remedy to reconstruct damaged buildings, evening bombing raids continued to be menacing. The Luftwaffe dropped flairs to help illuminate the bombing runs. The British government had to find a company to develop an alternative protective coating material. Industrial chemists from the Decra Spray Company of Kent , England alleviated the problem by developing an emulsion coating.

Throughout the war this coating protected valuable food storage depots that were critical to achieving victory. In the years following the war, various attempts were made to remove the functional coating, which had served its purpose. But, the coating had bonded with the steel so well that removal was virtually impossible. With evidence that the underlying metal had been well preserved, many re-evaluated it’s potential for commercial and eventually residential use.

Over the years, DECRA Roofing Systems has made advancements in production, styles, color, and installation methods, but the product’s origins will forever remain an ingenious solution that has benefited people around the world for over 50 years.

 

DECRA® SHAKE

DECRA Shake offers the distinctive beauty and richness of cedar shake while providing durability and longevity. This superior product is available in a diverse range of colors guaranteed to complement any color scheme.

DECRA® SHAKE XD®

DECRA Shake XD, emulating the classic beauty and architectural detail of a thick, rustic, hand-split wood shake, has a unique hidden fastening system and is installed direct to deck.

DECRA® TILE

DECRA Tile, offering the beauty and style of Mediterranean tile, adds a unique elegance to any home. With a long-standing reputation for performance, longevity and versatility, it is an ideal, lightweight alternative to traditional tile products.

DECRA® VILLA TILE

A unique and premium offering, DECRA Villa Tile features the classic beauty, elegance and architectural detail of an old-world Italian tile. Durable, lightweight and a true barrel tile, Villa Tile outclasses the competition. It’s an excellent alternative to clay and concrete tile in areas where freeze-thaw weathering is present.

DECRA® SHINGLE XD®

DECRA Shingle XD has the rich, bold appearance of a heavyweight architectural shingle at a fraction of the weight. With its thick-cut edges and deep, distinctive shadow lines, DECRA Shingle XD provides greater dimensionality and a robust appearance. This profile adds wonderful appeal to traditionally styled homes and is ideal to those who prefer the look of heavy-cut wood shingles.

A quality roof is often the difference between a house and a safe, secure home. Quality roofing materials are what keeps your family safe from the elements, while insulating you from the heat of summer and the cold of winter.

That being said, there are many types of roofing materials to choose from. Asphalt, composite, wood, steel and stone-coated steel are the main types that most people will consider when choosing a material, whether that is for durability or looks, the options have changed considerably over the years

Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt shingles are the default roof material for most homes, largely because of price, but in the short term, they’ll end up costing more when they need to be replaced. Asphalt shingles are also associated with roof leaks and water damage.

Wood / Cedar Shingles
Cedar wood shingles are highly resistant to moisture, rot and wind, while making for a beautiful, authentic and natural looking roof. Installation can be time consuming, hail can cause splitting of shingles, they aren’t permitted in all regions due to higher than average fire hazard and may need to be stained every 5 to 15 years depending on the type of finish. And will typically last up to 30 years.

Composite Shingles
Another time consuming installation is composite shingle. Often made from recycled materials, composite is highly resistant to insects rot and inclement weather. Roofs made from composite can often last as much as 50 years.

Steel Roofing / Stone-Coated Steel Roofing
Another popular consideration is stone-coated steel roofing systems, like those offered by DECRA, Tilcor and Gerard. Though more expensive, stone-coated steel and metal roofing will likely last a lifetime. With benefits ranging from longevity to low maintenance and energy efficiency, metal roofing may be the perfect solution for your home.

Introducing: TILCOR ROOFING SYSTEMS, the newest member to Charles Martin & Son Roofing family of products.

Tilcor is manufactured by the Ross Roof Group who has been involved in roofing over 4 generations since 1942. Its stone-coated steel roofing systems incorporate cutting-edge Zincalume protective steel, which gives the tiles a significantly longer service life than typical galvanized tiles. Tilcor products provide a more visually pleasing finish and exceptional long term durability.

The Tilcor range of pressed metal roofing tiles includes seven distinctive profiles – Bond® Classic® Tudor® Craftsman Shake® Royal® and Antica®. Their Auckland, New Zealand based factory manufactures products suitable for all climates and environments around the world.

Installed in over 80 countries, the Tilcor Roofing Systems product range offers exceptional strength and durability in the harshest climates. Watertight and fire and earthquake resistant, their pressed steel roofing tiles can withstand hurricane-force winds and are backed by a Tilcor Roofing Systems warranty.

Tilcor’s steel products are made from 100% NZ black ironsand, so you’re guaranteed the highest quality. This unique and valuable product is known as the purest form of steel in the world.

Black iron sand was formed 2.5 million years ago from rock deposited on the coast by volcanic activity. Over time, the heavy dark ironsands have been carried by ocean currents and deposited on beaches, in the form of dunes. Once refined, this pure resource provides the superior base components for Tilcor’s panels.

The stone coating on all of Tilcor’s textured roofing products is made up of natural stone granules. These have been formed over millions of years, then ceramic coated and fired to ensure maximum durability.

Tilcor panel coatings are made to withstand even the harshest climates, and will retain their pigment and color intensity for the lifetime of the roof.

We think the fine folks at Tilcor say it best…

“We don’t like to brag but… our dedication to using the best materials, advanced technology and innovative processes truly does put our roofing systems above all others. That’s why our product is installed in more than 80 countries, and we have a global reputation for strength and reliability. We are proud to say that when you choose to install Tilcor roofing, you know you can trust it to perform.”

 

Ask your Charles Martin & Son representative about installing Tilcor Roofing Systems today!

Charles Martin & Son Roofing
817.554.2261

Sometimes a roof can naturally reach the end of its useful life without experiencing a roof failure. It just looks old and worn, and shows potential signs that your roof may need to be replaced.

Perhaps you’ve noticed that some of your neighbors are getting new roofs. Homes built around the same time period can be experiencing the same types of weather conditions which could mean that your roof is nearing the end of its useful life.

Watch for the warning signs that could indicate that its time for professional roof repair or replacement. Some potential signs include bald spots, cracked shingles, curled shingle edges, cupped shingle tabs or the roof just looks old and worn.

If your roof is at least 2o years old, it’s probably a good time to have a professional take a look at it.

Charles Martin & Son Roofing offers free consultation and estimates.

 

If you’re unsure, or you think it’s time to put that old roof on your to-do list, give Charles Martin and Son Roofing a call… we’ll be happy to look things over and give you a professional opinion. And if it is time to repair or replace your old roof, we’ll be happy to give you a free estimate on the repairs.

Charles Martin & Son Roofing
817.554.2261

Consider seamless gutters.

Spring is a time when many people consider replacing their old gutters. Have you considered a seamless gutter system? Seamless gutters do away with unsightly seams while reducing the possibility of leaks.

Seamless design helps maintain the strength and integrity of the gutter system… expansion, contraction, freezing and strong winds have little or no impact on seamless steel gutter systems. They are custom cut “on-site” for an exact fit, blending perfectly with the soffit and fascia of your home, integrating precisely with the existing structure.

Seamless gutters are typically stronger simply because they do not have miters joining pieces together. The more seams a gutter system has, the higher the potential is for leaks. Since sectional gutters are typically sold and made in lighter materials, they are also less sturdy and more susceptible to damages.

Seamless gutter installation is one of the most popular and most effective ways to divert rain water to a spot where it won’t damage your property. While older gutters are prone to clogs, seamless gutter installations are designed to eliminate the joints where leaves and other debris would tend to get stuck and cause backups.

Though gutter repair is sometimes performed on gutter systems that are several decades old, in most cases, replacement of aged gutters is a better option. If gutter repair is needed each year or multiple times in a season, chances are that seamless gutter installation is going to give you a system that is far more effective and, with regular cleanings, will be nearly hassle-free.

Let Charles Martin & Son Roofing walk you through the process of seamless gutter installation.
Get a FREE quote today! 817.554.2261