Jan 2, 2023 | Roof Replacement, Roofing Colors, Roofing Contractor
A new roof offers a chance to change the overall look of your home while adding protection. There is a wide variety of colors and styles to choose from, which can be exciting. However, replacing your roof is a major purchase and your decision is one you will have to live with for many years. It is important too that your choice blends with the rest of the house and your natural surroundings and accomplishes your desired goals.
How to Choose the Right Roof Color
- Dark vs. Light Colored Roofs
Homes with darker materials will retain more heat. Lighter colored roofs will reflect the sun’s rays more efficiently, keeping the home cooler in the summer. Lighter roof colors will also give the home an overall brighter look. Darker colors will give your home a more dramatic look. Consider both your taste and your climate as you choose your color.
One of our roofing experts would be happy to help you select the perfect color and style that is aesthetically pleasing and fits your taste.
- Match your exterior features.
Consider the color of the exterior of your home and think about how they will blend with your chosen roof color. This includes the siding or stucco color, shutters, gazebo, flower boxes, etc. They all should work together. Evaluate how much of your new roof will be visible from your backyard. If you are an outdoors type of family, spending time in your pool or on the patio, grilling in the summer, then consider your roof an element of your exterior decoration. How will those shingle colors blend with your current landscape?
Color coordinate your roof with colors found elsewhere in the bricks, siding, stone, stucco, or trim on your home. As an example, a darker colored roof can look good with a gray or blue house, while a brown, cream or tan colored house can look better with brown shingles or a mix of cream and brown. Green, red, yellow, or other color homes have more flexibility and can be accented by brown, gray, or black roof colors.
- Consider your architectural style.
Consider the style of your home when choosing a roof color. Is your home Spanish, Mediterranean, Colonial, Cape Cod, Country French, Victorian, Tudor, or Contemporary? Many Spanish or Mediterranean style homes look great with tile roofing. A more traditional Colonial or Cape Cod style home with a shingle roof will look best with either an earth tone or grey depending on the color of the home.
- Neighborhood Considerations.
If you live in a subdivision with a homeowner’s association, you may be restricted by rules and by-laws governing your association. Check the homeowner association’s guidelines before choosing a color. In addition, if you live in a neighborhood (even if there are no restrictions) it is advisable to consider your color choice in context with your nearest neighbor’s roof. You would not want it to match exactly or worse, clash with your neighbor’s roof color.
The experts at Harlan Quality Roofing can help you decide which color and style roof will fit your tastes after considering all these factors. Ultimately, we want you to be happy with your decision for many years to come. Contact us to learn more or if you have any questions. We look forward to hearing from you.
Dec 28, 2022 | Cool roof, Roof Replacement, Roofing Company
A cool roof is specifically designed to reflect more sunlight than traditional rooftops. It can be a great energy saver and will certainly add to the comfort of your home. By offering temperature stability, a cool roof reduces overall energy usage, which in turn, offers you an eco-friendly way of maintaining comfortable temperature inside your home.
Homes in warmer climates like Sacramento benefit most from this innovation since cool roofs provide protection from solar heat gain. Just think about how we dress in the winter vs. the summer. We prefer lighter colors in the warm weather and tend to wear darker colors in the winter months. In the summer, we choose those lighter colors due to their reflective properties against the heat.
Cool roofs operate in much the same way. A typical cool roof is composed of special reflective pigments that reflect the sunlight. CertainTeed offers residential cool roof products such as Landmark Solaris® and Presidential Solaris® that achieve EnergyStar® levels of solar reflectivity even with rich, dark colors.
In the Sacramento area, we definitely see our share of very warm summer days. Because our homes see warm, sunny days throughout much of the spring and fall, and all of the summer months, a cool roof could benefit you and your family. Here are some of the top benefits of a cool roof:
- Improves indoor comfort. A cool roof offers temperature stability across your entire residential structure, including your garage, covered patio, or a bonus room where you may not normally heat or cool that space.
- Reduces energy bills. A cool roof will not absorb as much heat as a traditional roof, requiring much less energy to keep your home cool. This can be a significant savings, especially if your HVAC is not the most efficient or is getting on in years.
- Avoids high demand during peak energy rates. Since your cool roof is reflecting the sun’s heat, you are using less energy to air condition your home. Using less energy during peak rates will lower your overall bill even more dramatically.
- Ecologically conscious. If you are like many who see eco-conscious improvements to your home, a cool roof is an excellent way to improve efficiency. With a third of all carbon emissions originating from the use of electricity, your cool roof will boost our collective efforts to reduce electrical demands and offer long term benefits to the environment.
- Longer Roof Life Span. When a traditional roof absorbs heat, over time it will stress the materials and shorten the roof’s lifespan. In general, the life expectancy of the roof is proportional to the quality of materials it is built with. A cool roof takes that concept to the next level.
Cool Roof Installation
Harlan Roofing provides Cool Roofing services and Energy Star rated cool roof products eligible for federal tax credits. Call us today to learn more!
Oct 26, 2022 | Roof Replacement
If you have owned your home for 10-20 years, it’s time to start thinking about the best time of year to replace your roof. Depending on the type of roofing your home has, and its last maintenance date, you may want to start thinking about when the best time would be to get this project started. Factors such as weather, temperature, climate, and appointment availability can all play a part roof replacement. While each season may have its advantages, roof replacement is a job that can be done any time of the year when entrusted to a professional residential roofing contractor.
Winter
Winter in Sacramento can carry unpredictable weather. Can you replace your roof in the winter? For sure! The winter season can be great for many homeowners since it is usually a slower time for many roofing companies. This can allow for more flexible appointment scheduling. However, depending on the forecast you need to be ready when a dry weather window presents itself. Extremely low temperatures can cause roofing materials to become more susceptible to cracking, so keeping an eye on the temperatures is important. Regardless, an experienced roofing contractor like Harlan Quality Roofing, will have processes put in place to prevent or mediate complications.
Spring
Replacing your roof during early spring as everything begins to warm is a good choice for many homeowners. The temperatures are milder, making roof replacement a great spring-cleaning project to check off your list. Roofing damage caused during the wetter; colder months is often discovered during this time of year. Also, early spring is a great time to prep your roof for any extreme temperatures you might see later in the year. However, spring rain may throw a wrench into your roof replacement plans. But, like winter, keeping an eye on the forecast will make a difference. Any quality roofing company should be able to adapt to such spring weather changes and get your roof replaced on time.
Summer
The summer is often the most desirable time for roof replacement and maintenance. The warm temperature and often predictable weather make roofing during the summer months more straightforward. However, in the Sacramento area, late summer can present higher temperatures which can pose problems for less-experienced roofers. Due to the dryer time of year, the summer months can be quite a busy season for roof replacement and repair. The roofing companies are busier during this time of year, and you will have to be more flexible with scheduling your project.
Fall
Fall is the optimum season for roof replacement. With spring’s mild temperatures and early summer’s weather consistency, fall is commonly referred to as the best time of year to replace your roof. Since this season is highly sought after, finding appointment times in the fall can become tougher and again might require some flexibility for getting your job on the calendar. Another reason fall can be a busy time for roofers, is homeowners waiting too long then realizing the rainy season is approaching and want to get their roof replaced or repaired.
Contact us today for roof repair or replacement!
If your roof needs repair or replacement, the best advice is to get the job done sooner than later as any damage that has occurred will only get worse. Harlan Quality Roofing has experienced crews that will install a new roof on your home no matter what season you choose to get it done. So, apply these factors and contact us with any questions or concerns you have about repairing or replacing your roof. We look forward to hearing from you.
Jun 23, 2022 | Roof Replacement
Does a New Roof Increase Your Home Value?
A new roof is generally a sound investment in your home, whether you are planning to enjoy that new roof for many years or planning to sell in the near future. Very few remodeling or home improvements offer 100% return on investment, but most professionals agree that a new roof will increase the sale value of your home at an ROI of about 60% of the cost of the roof replacement.
Here are a few factors to consider before you simply reroof your home with the expectation of a higher resale value.
The Condition of Your Existing Roof
Keeping your roof maintained is an important part of being a homeowner. A home that displays a shabby, worn roof or has even minor signs of a leak will be very make buyer very reluctant to consider your home.
However, if your roof is less than 10 years old and in relatively good condition, a new roof may not offer a significant ROI. It is always a good idea to look at the situation from the buyer’s perspective. Would you be willing to pay $30K more for the home with a new roof or would you be comfortable purchasing a home with a well-cared for roof that is projected to last?
There is always the middle ground. If you have a roof that still has significant life, have it repaired rather than replaced. Most repairs are significantly less than a roof replacement and will give you and the new owner a sense of security that the roof is in good condition and will last for years to come.
Market Conditions
There is no doubt that a realtor would value a new roof as an effective selling tool, but the age of your existing roof and the market conditions may not always make this the right choice. As the price of homes fluctuate and the interest rates change, we recommend that you have your roof evaluated as well as consult with an experienced real estate agent to get advice about reroofing or repair if you intend to sell your home. That new roof will certainly give the home a face lift, especially if quality shingles are purchased. In addition, it will show the buyers that your home was well-maintained and give them a sense of security in their potential investment.
May 3, 2022 | Roof Maintenance, Roof Repair, Roof Replacement
The condition of your roof can have an impact on the overall value of your home. When faced with making the decision between replacing your roof and making a few simple repairs, you will want to contact a roofing company that has the experience and expertise to give you sound advice. Only after a thorough professional roof inspection will you be able to make an informed decision on which path makes sense for you. Here are the major factors that will help you make that decision:
1. Water Spots on the Ceiling
One of the biggest indicators of how severe a roof problem may be is if the ceilings inside your home are showing any kind of damage. Water spots and stains can indicate leaks from many different areas. If leaks are left unattended, they can lead to mold or other problems. This could be a major problem that need replacing or could be a simple repair.
2. Weather Conditions
Know what type of weather the roof is constantly being exposed to. This can also provide your roofing contractor an idea as to what condition the roof is really in. Extreme high temperatures and heavy rains in the Sacramento area can take their toll on an asphalt shingle roof. It is important to address any repairs before any disaster happens.
3. Increased Maintenance Costs
There is no problem in a temporary repair of your roof until you encounter a bigger issue. However, when patching causes it to start to look like a checkerboard, then it’s time to replace. Additionally, if the cost of maintaining the roof is beginning to exceed the cost of replacing the roof, a roofing contractor may recommend foregoing future repairs and opting to install an entirely new roof.
4. Roof Aging Problems
A typical roof lasts for 15-50 years depending on the selection of material quality. Confirming the remaining life of your roof should be through an inspection report by a qualified roofing contractor. A professional contractor can also determine the longevity of a roof by its current condition and how well it has held up over time.
5. Shingles Curling and Buckling
Another indication that you may require a new roof is when the shingles have started curling or buckling. Analyze the slopes of your home that receive direct sunlight and look out for signs of curling shingles and their missing granules. This can provide information on whether shingles have exceeded their life expectancy. Rain and wind can also cause curling of shingles.
These are the top signs you should pay attention to before deciding on replacing or repairing your home roof. Contact Harlan Quality Roofing to get a thorough inspection and an honest evaluation of the recommended course of action that makes sense for you.
Harlan Quality Roofing
For Quality and Service… You’re in the Right Neighborhood!
916.292.9548
Aug 25, 2021 | Roof Replacement
Your roof is the primary protection for you and the contents of your home. That said, it pays to be proactive when it comes to roofing replacement decisions. A water spot on your ceiling or a leak are noticeable signs, but there are a few other signs that are not so obvious but should not be overlooked.
Missing, Damaged, or Curled Shingles
If you are missing shingles, or have damaged shingles, your roof may have sustained some storm damage, or it simply may be deteriorating and at the end of its useful life. This deterioration can let in water and should not be ignored.
Curled shingles have up-turned edges, making the shingle have a concave shape. Curled shingles can be a sign of indicate poor attic ventilation, improper installation, old age, or multiple layered roofs where the new layer is over an old one that is further decaying, causing the shingle to be less secure. Regardless of the cause, it is a good idea to have it professionally evaluated and corrected.
Shingle Fragments in Your Gutter
Finding the remains of your shingles in your gutter is a sign that they are decomposing. Whether it is fragments of shingle or just the granules, it is worth investigating further, especially if you roof is over 10 years old. If your roof is newer, it is possible that this is just some excess material. Heavy wind and severe storms can also loosen some of these granules. However, as your roof ages, there is some natural decomposition in the materials and an excess of these granules in your gutter could be a warning sign.
Roof Cracks
Wind damage is the most common culprit when it comes to cracked shingles. A few random cracks can generally be addressed as roof repairs. However, if you notice cracks over much of your roof, this could be an indication that a replacement is soon to be required.
Damaged Flashing
The flashing is a particularly important part of your roof. It works with your underlayment to keep water from getting underneath the shingles and into your home. If you notice missing or damaged flashing around your chimney, vents, or skylights, this may be allowing water to seep into your attic and accumulate over time. Perhaps there are no visible water stains today but ignoring this condition will surely lead to more substantial damage.
Roof Age
Sadly, your roof will not last forever. Your roof takes the worst beating of any part of your home during storms and in the heat of the summer. While an older roof may not have any visual signs of deterioration, it is a good practice to have an experienced roofer give it a checkup as it ages.
Depending on the quality of roofing materials used and its exposure to the elements, your roof may last for many years. When you consider the damage and cost of waiting too long, you will agree that a roof inspection is a great idea. Not only does it provide peace of mind for today, but it allows planning for the future.
Contact a roofer that has a reputation for quality workmanship and honest appraisals. If you are in the greater Sacramento area, contact Harlan Quality Roofing. Join our community of happy customers!
Harlan Quality Roofing
For Quality and Service… You’re in the Right Neighborhood!
916.292.9548