Raise the Roof!

2. Before Hiring a Naples Roofing Contractor, DO YOUR HOMEWORK!

Raise the Roof! — Wed, 30 May 2012 22:50:56 +0000

This is the 2nd installment of “Do’s and Don’ts of Roofing – For YOU the Consumer!” which is available as a FREE download.

Too many Naples Florida Consumers and Roof Buyers think that getting two or three (and sometimes 8-9!) estimates is enough research – well that just won’t cut it! It’s not “Quantity” here that matters, it’s “Quality!

Do some homework – on roofing systems, roofing installations, roofing companies, and roofing technologies! You will be surprised how sophisticated roofing can be! Be careful, it’s not for the faint of heart!

The best way to tackle this “homework” is to sit down for a day and research online, browse a variety of websites, forums, and reviews. You may also want to consider talking to friends and co-workers that have built homes or had a roof replaced in Naples.

To give you a little “jumpstart” on your research, we’ve listed some of the most popular materials used for Naples roofing, and provided a very brief description. However, you should research each material, and find out the pros and cons for each.

Composition shingles – A clean look at an affordable price. Higher-quality versions made from asphalt or fiberglass shingles. A good bang for the buck.

Wood shakes – Provide a natural look with a lot of character. With variations like color, width, thickness, or cut of the wood, no two shake roofs will ever be the same. Expensive and not long lasting in Naples.

Slate – These are actual slivers of rock that are mined, shaped and sized and shipped to the job. It is another roofing material that you will see on more upscale homes. Costly, but very unique and long lasting.

Clay roofing tile – A good choice for homes with a southwestern, Italian, or Spanish Mission design, or even for homes with a modern, clean look. Very popular on South Florida homes. A great tile choice and less prone to mildew and breakage than it’s Concrete tile counterpart.

Concrete tile – By far the most popular roof covering in Southwest Florida. Available in a plethora of colors and styles! Remember… it’s not the concrete tile that keeps you dry but the roof covering under the tile!

Metal roofs – Metal roofs have come back into style (especially for those who love the sound of the rain). In the late 1700s, zinc, copper, and lead were the most popular materials used for roofing. Now, it is typically standing-seam galvalume steel. Famous historic buildings, such as the Washington Monument and Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello have metal roofs. Research by the Florida Solar Energy Center in 1985 showed that metal absorbed 34 percent less heat than asphalt shingles, and homeowners reported saving up to 20 percent on their energy bills. If you are on the coastline, you should seriously consider using Aluminum!

Modified Bitumen Membranes – Sometimes referred to as Bitumen roofs or BUR roofs, or Built Up Roof Systems. These are membrane roof systems that are installed on most flat roofs. The membrane is a combination of Asphalt, Rubber and Polyester that is woven into one tough sheet! These are the most popular flat roof material now. Long lasting if well maintained. These Modified Bitumen roofs can either be installed with Hot Asphalt Kettles, or by heat welding with torches.

Single Ply Membranes – Sometimes referred to as Rubber Roofs, Sheet Membrane Roofs, or similar names. Single Ply Membranes can come in varying qualities of material. TPO, PVC, EPDM etc. The most popular, but least effective, is TPO. The next in our area geographically speaking would be PVC. There are even a few EPDM membrane roofs in our area, but typically on a large box store like a Sam’s club, etc. Single Ply membranes are economical, but not long lasting.

So before spending any money on a Naples Florida roofing contractor, arm yourself with knowledge by clicking the FREE eBook icon on the right to download it!

If you have any additional questions please contact us online or call us toll free at (800) 372-1851

Raise the roof!

-Scott

1. DON’T Assume! Get an Inspection Before you Get a New Fort Myers Roof

Raise the Roof! — Wed, 09 May 2012 22:23:01 +0000

This is the 1st installment of “Do’s and Don’ts of Roofing – For YOU the Consumer!” which is available as a FREE download.

You should never buy a new roof without a professional roof evaluation FIRST. Before you spend thousands of dollars on a new roof, make sure that you actually need a new roof!

Ask an honest and reputable company to provide a free roof inspection. Many times, we are asked to provide a quote for a new roof, only to discover that the existing roof actually has a longer life than the owner anticipated.

The life expectancy of a Fort Myers roof varies depending on a broad range of variables and factors. Each of these components will help determine the life expectancy of your roof………

Type of Roof Covering – The life expectancy for an asphalt shingle roof ranges from 15 to 20 years in Florida, while the life expectancy for a wood shingle roof ranges from 8-15 years. Tile roofs have a greater range variance due to the many systems available – anywhere between 18-25 years! Metal roofs typically range between 25-40+ years.

Tree Proximity – Trees around your home are a great way to cut down on your energy bills during the summer months, and make for beautiful views while looking out your windows. Though you want trees close enough to your house to provide adequate shade, you also want them far enough away to avoid damage due to falling tree branches. Build up of debris from trees, or damage from falling branches can affect the life of your Fort Myers roof. Trees that are too close also cause damaging amounts of algae growth, especially on a shingle roof.

Directional Exposure – In Fort Myers the most adversely affected side of the roof is the North-West exposure. This side of the roof will typically mildew before any other area and will generally develop leaks first. If the NW side of the roof is the more complicated roof area, this can lead to shorter life expectancy.

Weather – All types of roofs are affected by adverse weather, which can shorten the lifespan of your roof. If you experience long dry spells, this can dry out wooden shingles and shakes, causing them to become brittle and break more easily. Excessive shade and moisture can cause mildew and moss to grow on any types of roof shingle, and can cause wooden shingles to rot. High winds, hail, excessive snow and ice, or excessive heat can all shorten the life expectancy of all types of roofs.

Maintenance – Routine roof maintenance for your roof can extend the life of your roof covering. Have your roof inspected regularly by a professional. Look for damaged, loose or missing shingles/tiles. This is typically done in the spring, and again in the fall. Since snowfall isn’t an issue in Florida, you should do it after summer months, when hurricanes or high wind storms could have caused damaged. Have the flashings around your plumbing stacks, skylights, chimneys, louvers and vents inspected and repaired. Some maintenance can be done on your own, such as trimming back any tree limbs that might damage your roof, clearing away debris (including the gutters) to prevent water from standing or seeping under the shingles, and also cleaning tree debris from the valley areas of the roof.

Foot Traffic – Some roofs have been known to have too much foot traffic! This might be roof cleaning personnel, AC technicians, dryer vent cleaners, etc.

So before spending any money on a Fort Myers roofing contractor, arm yourself with knowledge by clicking the FREE eBook icon on the right to download it!

If you have any additional questions please contact us online or call us toll free at (800) 372-1851

Raise the roof!

-Scott

Before Hiring a Bonita Springs Roofing Company, Consider These Do’s & Don’ts

Raise the Roof! — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 22:05:13 +0000

The climate in Bonita Springs can be brutal on roofs especially if you have a wooden shingle roof. Between the relentless sun, incessant summer rains, and potential hurricane force winds in late summer/early autumn, your roof takes a beating!

If your roof is cracked and leaking and you’re considering repairs or a full roof replacement, before you thumb through the yellow pages or search for any ole’ Bonita Springs roofing company online, consider this: Your roof is the most important part of your home or business!

Why? Because it’s absolutely vital to the safety and security of everyone and everything inside your home or office building which makes proper installation that much more important.

I realize that it may not be possible for you to always be there during every step of the installation. Even if you were, you may not know what specifically you should be looking for.

So, to help ensure that your roof will be protecting you and your belongings for years to come, I have highlighted a few key Do’s and Don’ts that you should bear in mind when having a roof installed.

I created a new eBook called Do’s and Don’ts of Roofing – For YOU the Consumer! and over the next couple of months, I’ll be sharing the tips in this eBook with you, here on RaiseTheRoofBlog.com.

Among these tips, you’ll learn how to get what you paid for, how to detect and avoid unscrupulous roofers, and how to get all of the promises from your roofer in writing!

Please come back and visit us soon for the first tip in a series of 6 do’s and don’ts OR just click on the icon to your right to download the eBookfor free. Yep free.

So before spending any money on a Bonita Springs roofing contractor, arm yourself with knowledge first by downloading this free resource.

You may even qualify for a Free Roof Analysis by filling out the yellow form at the top right of WestCoastFLEnterprises.com. Call (800) 372-1851 or contact us online with any questions about roofing.

Raise the roof!

~Scott

Naples Roofing Company Constructs the Metal Roof on the Golisano Children’s Museum

Raise the Roof! — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 13:20:37 +0000

If you’ve ever been searching for a Naples roofing company that’s able to carry out your vision of constructing a unique roof for your new home or business, please visit the Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples (C’MON) and check out their new roof! This was one of our most recent projects. Not to toot our own horn or anything, but as a business owner, I’m pretty darn proud of the work that my guys did on this unique, multi-colored metal roof.

The concavity and convexity (fancy talk for “curves”) of the roof made this a particularly challenging project. We worked diligently with the Architect and the Manufacturer IMETCO to solidify some of the tougher details. The panels were manufactured using .040 Kynar Aluminum in varying prime colors. Every flashing detail had to be carefully fabricated using the proper matching panel colors!

Due to the multiple elements involved in this project, the museum’s roof took several months longer than a standard metal roof of similar size would have taken. In addition to the metal roof, our company also installed the unique, multi-colored shingled roof on the rear amphitheater, as well as a concrete paved patio roof on the second floor balconies.

So next time you’re in the area, stop by the Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples at 15080 Livingston Rd. Hopefully you’ll get some ideas for a roof of your own and call us up with a challenge. I’m pretty confident that my men & women will rise to the occasion!

For a competent Naples roofing company, please call us at West Coast FL Enterprises: (800) 372-1851 or simply contact us online.

-Scott

JetBlue Park Opens with Celebration – Red Sox Spring Training Facility is set to open to the public for a celebration!

Raise the Roof! — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 11:57:12 +0000

Fans and local visitors have a chance to see the beautiful stadium on Daniels Parkway, just East of the Interstate.

While there, visitors can simply look up and see the beautiful craftmanship of the Grandstand Canopy installed by West Coast FL Enterprises, Inc.

The Grandstand Canopy is constructed using heavy guage steel EPIC deck panels fastened to a structrural steel frame. If you have an eye for detail, you will notice the custom column collars that collect the rain water and redirect it to the ground level. West Coast FL Enterprises was pleased to be a part of the JetBlue Park Red Sox Spring Training Facility’s construction and design.

West Coast FL Enterprises worked with Cives Contracting, Manhattan Construction and the arhitect; Populous.

JetBlue Park - Red Sox Grandstand Canopy

10 Things About Roofing You May Not Know!

Raise the Roof! — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:45:21 +0000

Imagine you’ve had a brand new house, built by contractors that you thought you could trust. After living in the house for a month, your roof begins leaking after a rain storm (which are quite common here in Southwest Florida). How angry would you be if this happened to you?

Choosing the right roofing contractors, like West Coast Florida Enterprises or Collier County Roofing, can be a difficult process and there are a lot of things to consider when you’re doing so:

Hopefully these tips have helped you find a trustworthy roofing contractor for all of your roofing needs! If you’ve enjoyed these tips, download your very own free copy of our “Ten Things About Roofing You May Not Know” eBook.

Are you in need of a new roof system, roof maintenance or pavers & plaza decks? If you’re searching for a Florida roofing company that is trustworthy and gets the job done, then West Coast Florida Enterprises and Collier County Roofing are your go to contractors. Feel free to contact us online or give us a call at (800) 372-1851.

- Scott

#10: Is It Time For A New Roof System?

Raise the Roof! — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 22:45:07 +0000

This is the 10th installment of “Ten Things About Roofing You May Not Know!” which you can download as a free eBook.

Most roofs will last for 15 years or longer; however, your roof’s lifespan could be dramatically shortened by poor installation, a brutal climate (this means you, Southwest Florida!), poor ventilation, poor maintenance, and a variety of other factors. How do you know when it’s time for a new roof system?

Sometimes, even if your roof is showing signs of wear and age, you may not need a total replacement. It’s possible that just a little roof maintenance will get you up to speed. The only way to know for sure is to hire a professional like West Coast FL Enterprises and Collier County Roofing. We can examine your roof and tell you if you’re in need of a new roof system, or just a few repairs.

If your roof system was constructed by an unlicensed, inexperienced contractor, you may also have problems with poor design or code violations. If the problems are severe enough, you might find it cheaper to replace the roof, rather than repair it.

If you’re looking to build a unique roof, require custom sheet metal roofs, or cladding, West Coast FL Enterprises and Collier County Roofing can accommodate all your roofing needs. feel free to give us a call at (800) 372-1851 or contact us online.

- Scott

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#9: Checking Your Florida Roofers Reference List

Raise the Roof! — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 22:05:24 +0000

This is the 9th installment of “Ten Things About Roofing You May Not Know!” which you can download as a free eBook.

Contacting homeowners who have hired a contractor in the past is a good way to determine reliability and professionalism. Ask for a list of references. Do your homework and make those phone calls. You’ll be glad that you did.

Here are some hot topics to discuss with your Florida roofers references:

Did the contractor explain the job to you in terms you could understand? Did you feel educated about your roof (materials, etc.) during the process?
Were you happy with the quality of your roof after the job was complete? Were any further repairs or modifications needed?
Was the contractor friendly and professional when interacting with you? Did you feel comfortable expressing your concerns or questions?
Did workers arrive on schedule? Was the work completed in a timely manner, according to the estimated timeline? If there were unexpected delays, what caused them?
Were the Florida roofers clean and polite? Did they clean up after each day’s work?
Was the contractor’s initial cost estimate close to the final price? If there was a big difference in price, what caused it?
How did the contractor handle delays, problems or mistakes?
On a scale of 1 – 10, how satisfied were you with the overall job and experience of working with the contractor? Would you hire them again?

Also, ask your Florida roofers about their handling of customer complaints. What happens when problems arise? Request a referral from a job that involved a complaint.

Ask West Coast FL Enterprises and Collier County Roofing for a list of references by calling (800) 372-1851 or contact us online and remember to check out our testimonials.

- Scott

The Holidays and Your Roof… What’s the Connection?

Raise the Roof! — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 17:55:10 +0000

First of all… Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all who read this blog!

What do the Holidays have to do with your roof? – A couple of things…

First… Didn’t you know that Santa and his reindeer-powered-sleigh land on your rooftop every year? This can cause minor damage to any roof, whether Tile, Shingle or even Metal! This is a perfect time of year to inspect, while things are dry and cool – the perfect time of year to look things over! We can even clean up after those pesky reindeer!

But seriously… Did you, like many people, hang lights from the edges of your roof? Did you hang lights from your gutters? Did you put Decorations on the roof top? Maybe, just maybe, you went as far as pulling a Clark Griswold and decided to install lights all over the roof surface?! If you did any of the above, make sure you have us come out and look things over after the season ends! We need to insure that no damage was done. We’ll even do it free of charge if you ask nicely! Consider this our Christmas Present to you – a complimentary roof inspection report! It is the least we can do for anyone who takes the time to read our blog site.

Let us know if we can help you in any way – we are SW Florida’s premier Problem Solvers!

#8: Roofing System – The Facts About Peel and Stick Membranes

Raise the Roof! — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 22:15:22 +0000

This is the 8th installment of “Ten Things About Roofing You May Not Know!” which you can download as a free eBook.

The Peel and Stick roofing system has been around for many years and is one of the fastest growing types of roofing in the market today. There are some advantages and disadvantages to consider when evaluating a Peel and Stick roof.

Advantages of Peel and Stick Membranes: 

Installation is relatively easy for professionals so the labor costs will be lower in some cases.
It can be a good choice for roof areas that are often difficult to waterproof.
Peel and stick membranes don’t require fasteners, which eliminates the possibility of moisture intrusion thru fasteners.
If severe weather damages your roofing system, the Peel and Stick will demonstrate its superiority, as it adheres to the roof deck better than other products. Your roof material (tile roofs, shingle roofs, etc.) may not be there, but the peel and stick will surely be left behind to protect your valuables!

The main disadvantage of a peel and stick membrane is that although it’s fully waterproof, this product will have the side effect of poor breathability. That means good ventilation is absolutely essential to prevent mildew and rot. PLEASE be aware as to whether your home/condo has or will have Isonene Closed Cell Insulation applied to the underside of the roof decking. If so, you do not want to install a peel and stick roofing system on the top side of your roof deck. This could cause the plywood to rot due to lack of air flow and poor breathability.

If you want to know if a Peel and Stick Membrane is the right choice for your home or condo, call West Coast FL Enterprises and Collier County Roofing at (800) 372-1851 or contact us online.

- Scott