People often think of dream homes as those neat, crisp-looking houses with brick walls and triangular roofs. Such is a classic picture of what people imagine homes should be like. And this effect can be achieved with a home roofed with asphalt roofing shingles.

Asphalt shingles have become quite so popular when it comes to roofing options for homes. Their versatility and economic value have proven to be so attractive that they now cover as much as 80 percent of the market. Asphalt shingles are quite inexpensive and easy to install. They come in a great array of quality and style and are compatible with a wide range of roof pitches. They can be installed with different roof features, from roof edges to chimneys and wall terminations to vent flashings. Most of all, they are highly attractive and can really give a house that homey effect.

There are basically two types of asphalt shingles available in the market: the organic-mat shingles and the fiberglass shingles. Both of these are of course made of asphalt, but the difference lies on the reinforcing mat – the fiberglass variety of uses fiberglass while the organic variety uses a wood-derived mat made of cellulose fiber.

The organic type of mat requires two coatings of asphalt – a soft asphalt for saturation and then harder asphalt for protection. Meanwhile, the fiberglass type only needs one hard asphalt coating. People choose fiberglass for its light weight, thinness, ease of transporting and high fire rating.

There are those who still prefer the organic type because they are more durable and they are more flexible especially during cold weather. As such, fiberglass shingles are more popular in the central and southern parts of the country while organic shingles predominate the market in the northern parts as well as in Canada.

Buying Considerations

One of the major considerations when buying asphalt shingles is its service life. Warranties for asphalt shingles usually come as longs as 20 to 45 years. However, it is important to choose a particular brand not only for its warranty period as they do not really reflect the actual lifespan of shingles. There have been reports of asphalt shingles failing far earlier than the expiry date of their warranties, and a lot of homeowners have complained that the payouts did not really cover the replacement or repair costs as they should.

But this does not mean that one should completely shun asphalt shingles as a roofing choice with the right mindset in buying, you can still get quality shingles that last long.

When buying asphalt shingles what you need to look at is how much a particular brand meets industry standards, instead of the warranties. For fiberglass shingles, you should make sure that the product meets the standard known as ASTM D-3462, which means that the shingles can withstand tests such as nail withdrawal and tear-strength. In the past decade only a few products have passed this standards and you need to make sure that the one you buy are up to this standard. Shingles are inspected by Underwriters Laboratory and those who pass come with the UL logo and a certification.

Organic mat shingles, on the other hand, should meet the standard called ASTM D-225. Organic shingles usually have greater nail-pull and tear strength resistance compared to asphalt shingles and thus their standards are also higher. A good lose rule of thumb is that heavier organic shingles are sturdier than lighter ones. This may not always be true for fiberglass shingles, though.

As expected, shingles that fulfill the industry standards are more expensive than shingles of low quality. But aside from the quality of the shingles themselves, there is also the factor of installation when the roofing cost is being considered. You may opt to use cheaper nails, but it may be rather wasteful to install good quality shingles using low-grade nails.

Different Looks

What people usually consider when they want asphalt shingles is their appearance. Shingles comes in different styles and colors that can really bring out the beauty of a home. With the right kind of asphalt shingle you can achieve different looks for your dream home.

Asphalt roofing shingles are the roofing materials of choice for many homes and even commercial buildings. With its superb form and function there is no wonder why this has become quite popular when building dream houses.

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Trying to decide if a roofing nailer will make life easier will depend on the definition of easier. Something else to consider is this; are you a professional roofer in need of a professional nailer? Or, are you a home owner and are looking for a nailer to help you make your own repairs? If you decide to go ahead and purchase a roofing nailer you will need to be decided on the type based upon your needs (like everything else…). Keep in mind that nailers are available with pneumatic power, electric and rechargeable, and made by various manufacturers.

To put it simply, a roofing nailer will save your arms and hands from pounding with a hammer all day long. The other nice add is that since most nailers have adjustable power settings; you don’t have to worry about over driving a nail into the roof, damaging your new roofing material. This can be especially helpful if installing slate or tile roof since too much power can crack one of the expensive tiles. On asphalt shingles too much power can tear through the shingle and, if left unnoticed, this can cause a leak in the future.

The first feature to look at is a nailers durability. It will have to hold up to hours on a hot roof without being damaged by the sun. It should also be able to live through a two-story drop onto the ground or concrete without breaking into a thousand pieces. Typically, no matter careful you think you’re going to be; you will no doubt drop your nailer from the roof at least once.

Choosing Clutter Or Convenience

While most professionals swear by a pneumatic roofing nailer there are some who are not interested in being connected by a long air hose and having to have an air compressor running all day. Although they can usually be adjusted for air power of between 70 and 120 pounds per square inch, they can be tough to maneuver in tight spots such as under second story eaves or around chimneys.

An electric power roofing nailer obviously does not require the air compressor but the user will still be dragging a long extension cord behind them as they work. Something else to consider is that adjustable depth gauges and built-in features to help keep nail lines straight into the shingles, while they’re great on paper, can make the nailing gun slightly heavier than a pneumatic roofing nailer as the driving power is located in the nailer itself.

Most rechargeable roofing nailers have the same power, with a minimum voltage of around 20, and do everything the electric roofing nailer can do. Typically, most companies claim the battery charge lasts long enough to nail down about two square of roofing material. Extra batteries are available for use on large jobs, but the ability of them to survive a 15 of 20-foot fall is questionable.

So before you buy check out the manufacturers specs and see if they’ll meet your needs. Consider how much use you’ll be giving the nailer and what kind of roofing you’ll be doing. With these things in mind you’ll be on your way to selecting the ‘perfect’ nail gun for your needs.

Be sure to check out our store for a complete line up of roofing nailers.

Are you aware that your roof might not be as strong as you believe it is? Having a regular chimney inspection provides a great opportunity for an expert to examine your roof and chimney.

It is important to conduct regular chimney inspections before the cold season for a number of additional reasons. Chimneys may gradually deteriorate with the passage of time and effects of weather. It is a lot easier to repair a little problem than it is to save a sinking boat. Little issues that are noticed can be fixed or replaced each year. They are a lot easier for most people to deal with than a total chimney replacement.

Routine chimney inspections may reveal some of these problems: mortar cracks, problems with the flue, broken bricks, damaged flashing, and more. If a video inspection is done of the chimney, then you will notice your strong points and weak points will be shown.

If you don’t fix damages, the result may be a whole array of issues, including fire or carbon monoxide leaks. If the damage is allowed to remain, over time it will be harder to fix. This is a good argument for conducting annual inspections. They give you a chance to fix any damage in time to avoid having it turning into a bigger or costlier problem.

Damage done to fireplaces or chimneys is not necessarily just a problem of appearances. You really should take care to fix fireplace damage that poses a danger right away. Routine chimney cleaning is important to eliminate any possible interior hazards as well.

In the course of cleaning the chimney, its cap will be subjected to inspection too. A damaged chimney cap must be fixed at once. The cap serves as a barrier to water and pests, which could lead to all kinds of damage. If your cap must be replaced, it is wise to think about installing a screened cap so that birds are not problematic.

If it’s been a long time since you had a chimney inspection, this is an ideal time for it. Remember that the autumn months are usually the busiest times for chimney inspections and repair businesses since people are getting their fireplaces ready for the winter. In order to ensure access to service, be sure to make an appointment soon.

It is a good idea to have both a chimney inspection as well as an inspection of your entire roof whenever you can. Some businesses might have a combination deal that consists of a price for both and the package might have chimney cleaning services, also. You will prolong the lifespan of your roof if you maintain it properly. Regular inspections each year are a wonderful method to identify and fix possible problems before they get worse..