Kapiolani Design – Roofing for the future.

February 19, 2020

How Can Your Roof Money On Your Energy Bills?

The energy crisis, whose first signs appeared in the 1970s, has had…

December 15, 2019

What Are Common Methods Of Preventing Roof Leaks?

For many home owners, the roof is a concern during every season,…

April 20, 2019

What Are The Most Storm Resistant Types of Shingles?

Resistance to the high winds, rain, snow or hail associated with the…

How Can Your Roof Money On Your Energy Bills?

February 19, 2020February 12, 2020

Lawrenceville roofing

The energy crisis, whose first signs appeared in the 1970s, has had important consequences on the laws of many countries. If initially the policies aimed only at reducing heat losses, at present times we talk about the use of all renewable energy sources in the environment, to make a building reaching a greater autonomy. This is what the “passive house” concept is all about.

At the level of the roof, the requirements are aimed at improving the thermal insulation and transforming the roof into a complex system, which also includes equipment for harnessing solar energy (for hot water and electricity – photovoltaic panels). More and more manufacturers of roof systems also include photovoltaic panels in their offers, some in the flexible version, while others designed as photovoltaic shingles, able to replace the traditional cover materials. The best thing to do is discuss roofing options with Lawrenceville roofing pros. They will be able to give you expert advice to make sure whatever roof you choose matches the needs of your home and budget.

The roof of a passive house can help you save money

The architecture of the roof of a passive house does not differ much from a classical roof, but they typically have a more compact form (compact form translates into better energy efficiency) and are south-oriented, in order to benefit as much as possible from the heat from the sun. Attic windows as well as roof slopes are very important details to take into account.

Due to its special construction, the passive house is very little sensitive to changes in the meteorological parameters, from the point of view of thermal comfort, which is respected even at the roof level. In principle, all opaque elements must be insulated so that the overall coefficient of heat transfer does not exceed 0.15 W/ mpK. Also, the roof of a passive house must be sealed against uncontrolled air transfer with the outside environment.

The green roof

One of the solutions you have if you want to improve the energy-efficiency of your house and save money on the energy bills is to install a green roof. The green roof is a modern, environmentally friendly roofing system, covered with soil that allows vegetation to grow on its surface. These habitats with urban vegetation contribute to the thermal insulation of buildings, lowering the costs for heating in the cold season, and for cooling in the summer.

The green roofs also reduce the amount of urban heat, mitigating the greenhouse effect and leading to an increase of the lifespan of the roof and of the value of the building in general.

Green roofs have a higher efficiency in single-level buildings, especially if rain water management is also used efficiently. The aesthetic or functional factors can be influenced by the budget limitation but also by the structure of the building.

The green roofs are classified in extensive and intensive, depending on the thickness of the planting environment and the effort required for maintenance, the variety of plants used and the cost of realization.

Photovoltaic systems

As you use the energy produced by a photovoltaic system, the energy bills will decrease. How much you save with solar energy depends on the size of the PV system, and the power consumption. In addition, not only do you save on your electricity bill, but if you generate more electricity than you use, the surplus will be exported back to the grid and you will be compensated for this production (given that your photovoltaic system is connected to the electrical network).

What Are Common Methods Of Preventing Roof Leaks?

December 15, 2019December 7, 2019

For many home owners, the roof is a concern during every season, because of the specific problems that may occur and that must be addressed properly to prevent damage and accidents. Roof leaks are a common occurrence and one of the problems that must be fixed as quickly as possible, otherwise they will get worse and damage interior and exterior walls, installations and equipment, affect the roof structure or affect the building foundation itself.

What are the causes for water infiltration through the roof?

Water infiltrations can be caused by several aspects, some easy to anticipate, others less known.

Choosing cover solutions that are incompatible with the roof`s geometry

Sometimes the chosen roofing solution may not match the specific geometry of the roof. Therefore, it is advisable to consult one of the best roofers in northern VA who can guide you through several criteria that must be considered, such as: material, profile, dimensions, accessory elements etc. The more complex the geometry of the roof, the more the roofing solution must be adapted.

The pitch of the roof

Failing to adapt the cover solution to the pitch of the roof causes the most frequent water infiltrations. For example, in the case of metal shingles and classic roof geometry, installation requires a roof pitch of at least 14 degrees, otherwise there will be a high risk of water infiltrations.

The complexity of the roof

A complex roof involves multiple intersections, penetration points, wall connection areas, atypical valleys and water collection points and, consequently, a greater challenge when it comes to installing it, even for experienced roofers. For this reason, you must make sure that the roofing solution you choose corresponds to the characteristics of the the roof itself.

Using inappropriate materials

A roof means a long-term investment. Therefore, it is important to choose quality materials. There are also situations where, although the products comply with the quality requirements, they do not match the characteristics of the geographical area in which the respective construction is located. For example, in areas with massive snowfall it is advisable to use the coating systems suitable for extreme weather conditions, able to withstand winter storms and heavy snow accumulations. The northern Virginia roofing specialists can guide you so that you can choose the cover that suits your needs.

Improper installation

Wrong installation principles and methods, ignoring the behavior of the roof system you choose, failing to adapt the installation technique to the structure of the roof, the lack of attention to details etc. – all these aspects can lead to improper installation and, consequently, to the apparition of water infiltrations, sooner or later.

best roofers in northern VA

In conclusion…

In the long term, water infiltrations can cause significant damage to the entire construction, from the roof and walls to the foundation.

Therefore, you must take into account these three main aspects:

Choose a customized roofing solution, installed by professional Virginia roofers
The degree of complexity of the roof structure as well as other characteristics require the choice of a certain type of roofing system
Use quality materials, which comply with functional and aesthetic requirements