Slate and Simulated Slate Roofing

Slate is beautiful, natural and can last for up to 50 years. It's no surprise why it's the roofing choice of the high-end homeowner. What if you can't afford the cost of natural slate, but you like the look of it? That's where simulated slate comes in.

Simulated slate is a mixture of slate, concrete and non-alkaline glass fibers. The best part is that it is made from slate molds, which makes it near impossible to tell that it isn't slate. It's also extremely durable. The combination of concrete and non-alkaline glass fibers make it very versatile and just as strong as slate.

There is also one huge advantage simulated slate has over standard slate. The weight of slate is very heavy and not all homes can structurally support slate roofing. Simulated slate generally weighs in at half the weight of standard slate roofing. So you won't have to worry if your home can support the weight.

Some of the other benefits of simulated slate are that it's energy efficient and can block the suns rays. Helping keep your energy costs down in summer. It's also non-combustible and fire-resistant.

Simulated slate and slate are similar, if you can't decide try asking a professional about getting a roof estimate or inspecting your roofs structural support to see if it can support the weight of natural slate.

Tile Roofing Benefits

Roofing has come a long way in terms of durability, energy efficiency and aesthetics. If you are looking into upgrading your roof and don’t want to get copper roofing, deal with single-ply applications or composite roofing, we suggest looking into tile roofing. Tile roofing is gorgeous, energy efficient, and made for easy roof washing and cleaning.

Two very popular forms of tile roofing are slate and tile. Slate and clay are both natural and come from the earth and because of that, are very environmentally friendly. They also flow well with houses that are made of natural materials.

Slate roofs, if applied correctly, can last up to 130 years. Basically once you get it installed you will never need another roof. Slate is very durable, so it’s very tough against heavy winds and tropical storms (No wonder you see it a lot in the South). Slate is also non-combustible, so it won’t catch on fire.

Slate comes in a variety of sizes and shapes. No one slate roof is alike and you are not stuck with just one size. The roofing cost for slate is a little higher than other roofs, so consult a roofing specialist or a commercial roofing contractor if you are considering upgrading your roof.

The other style of tile roofing is Clay. It’s similar to slate and the main difference is that it will last about 30-50 years and it isn’t expensive as slate.

If you are looking for a roof repair contractor or roof replacement, call Alpine Roofing for a free estimate today.

Single-Ply Roofing

If you haven't thought about singly-ply roofing, take out a magnifying glass and take a closer look. Single-ply roofing applications have made a quantum-leap in their technology.

Unlike copper roofing and composite roofing that has no membrane, single-ply's membrane like Hypalon, PVC, EPDM and TPO, is gaining more benefits and moving the "cool" roofing industry in an upward trend. These membrane structures are making energy conservation easy and because of it, you can earn a tax credit of to $1500.

That energy conservation isn't the only great benefits to single-ply, single-ply is also very flexible. Single-ply roofing cost is fairly reasonable and it's easy to install. This is not only true for residential roofing installations, but commercial roofing installations as well.

So how do you know which roofing membrane to choose? Here is a brief overview of the different types of single-ply roofing membranes.

Hypalon is a synthetic rubber. Because of that, hypalon is very durable and resistant to chemicals. Why is that good? Essentially it means that extreme temperatures or the sun’s rays won’t have much of an effect on a hypalon single-ply roof.

PVC is plastic. PVC makes single-ply stronger and resistant to fire. When things start to heat up, PVC won’t buckle!

TPO is a polymer and a mix between alloys and synthetic rubber. This combination makes TPO roofing durable and quick to install.

EPDM is very interesting as well. EPDM is known to be able to handle the weather well and that’s because it is made of a polymer like TPO.

These are the basic elements of single-ply roofing. If the idea of having a long lasting and energy efficient roof appeals to you then contact Alpine Roofing for your roofing estimate today.

Benefits of Metal Roofing

Metal roofing is one of the best improvements you can make to your home. The benefits of a metal roof go far beyond the energy savings that are associated with them.

Most roofing specialists will recommend a metal roof if you are looking for a durable and tough roof that is capable of handling strong storms and inclement weather. It's commonly used in areas that see tornadoes and hurricanes.

It's also easy to keep clean and looking good. Metal roofing can come painted, unpainted or even with a natural finish similar to copper roofing. This allows home owners to update their homes appearance as well as it's value.

Metal roofing is also extremely green. It's not just energy efficient, but it's also recyclable. Some metal roofing materials are also made from a high percentage of recycled metals. It also reflects heat and will help keep your house cooler while helping to lower your energy bills.

If you are interested in learning more about metal roofing contact us for a roofing estimate. Metal roofing is a great way to improve your home, help the environment and (thanks to this years tax credits) save you money.