Category: Roofing

A new roof is a significant investment, and choosing a new one can be difficult and intimidating without having the proper knowledge. Your roof is one of the most important parts of your home as it protects everything under it – your family and your belongings. It protects your home from rain, wind, and snow.

Your roof plays a vital role in ensuring that you live comfortably inside your home. Therefore, whether you are building a new home or replacing your existing roof, you need to ensure that you have all the correct information before making a final decision. Hiring a professional residential roofing contractor can make this experience worth the investment.

Ensuring that you select the right roofing company is crucial for the entire roof installation project. If done right, it will increase your property’s value and prevent damage and repairs. However, if you select an inexperienced contractor for this task, it can lead to a bad installation job that may require additional repairs or even require redoing the entire roof. Not only that, but if the roof isn’t installed to the manufacturer’s specifications, the warranty could be void.

Only professional roofers with enough experience in the field should do roofing installations and repairs. Thus, to ensure that you make the proper selection in this regard, there are multiple factors you need to consider beforehand. Continue reading for more information on this topic.

Location

Finding a local roofing contractor is a great way to ensure you receive the maximum benefits of this project. This is because local roofing companies can have a faster response time, especially in an emergency such as roof damage due to heavy rain. They will also know your area’s health and safety regulations, which can save you time and effort. It will ensure that your roof installation project is carried out in accordance with local laws and codes.

Moreover, local roofing contractors possess an acute knowledge of your area, such as its weather patterns and climate, allowing a speedy resolution of any emergency scenario. Finding an established reputable company can lower chances of potential scams. Therefore, before hiring a roofing contractor, ask for their physical location, confirm they have an active website, and request a copy of their municipal business license. It can also be helpful to check out the local reviews online to see what other customers are saying.

Experience

Different contractors specialize in different aspects of roofing projects. While some contractors specialize in roof repair jobs, others have experience in both installation and repair projects. You need to check their expertise concerning residential new construction, roof replacement, and commercial roofing projects.

Since roof repair and installation is considered a major home improvement project, you must consider a roofing company’s experience and previous customer references. You want to hire a roofing company that has previously completed projects similar to yours. They should have a reputation for being trustworthy, dependable, professional, and punctual. Speaking with their former clients can give you great insight into what you can expect from the roofing company you’re considering.

Service Cost

Roof installation and replacement can be a costly investment. In many scenarios, the cost of a roofer’s services will depend on their experience level. Therefore, you must ascertain that you are hiring a roofing company whose services fit well within your set budget. You can ask the roofing contractors you have short-listed for the task for an estimated service cost. This will allow you to make an informed final decision.

Some roofing contractors are willing to provide competitive prices without compromising the quality of their services. Do not hire contractors who demand an upfront payment even before starting the project.

Certification

Before signing a contract with a roofing company, it is important to ensure that it has the proper licenses and certifications to operate. You should also check if they are insured for liability, workers’ compensation, and other necessary coverage. This is important because if an uninsured roofing contractor sustains an injury while working on your project, it can lead to litigation between you and the contractor. Therefore, when finalizing a contractor, you must ensure that you select those who are insured.

Replacing or installing a residential roof is an important task to ensure the safety of your home and its residents. It requires careful research and consideration to avoid mistakes, but searching for the right roofing contractor does not have to be daunting. Follow the tips mentioned above and pay due diligence to ensure you make the right decision.

Akron Roofing is bonded, insured, licensed, and offers complete roofing and other related services to its clients in Calgary and the surrounding region. For more information, get in touch with us by clicking here.

When it comes to choosing an ideal roofing system for any commercial or residential setting, there is so much you have to consider besides the roofing material and your budget. In this regard, special consideration must be given to the climatic conditions of your area. After all, the primary function of a well-installed roof is to protect a building’s interior from the harshness of external elements. Your roof endures the severity of strong winds, storms, snow, and rain while you sit in the comfort of a warmly lit room.

Surely, we do not need to put emphasis on the fact that although many factors impact a roof’s lifespan, the biggest enemy to its longevity is water accumulation. Besides causing leaks and foul smells, water is the main culprit behind rust/corrosion, deck deflection, mould and mildew attacks, and compromises the overall integrity of the roof system.

This is where the choice between pitched and low slope roofs becomes crucial. While slanted roofs with pitches of 4/12 and greater do not necessitate high-end impermeable membranes thanks to their design which naturally allows water to drain off, low slope roofs do not enjoy such a privilege. However, the choice between the two for new construction is a discussion for another day. Today, we want to help you understand how you can make your low slope roofs more sufficiently waterproof. Property owners can choose a Two-Ply self-adhering roofing system as opposed to a torch-on system.

For the purpose of this blog, we shall evaluate a Two-Ply roofing system’s efficiency as an alternative to torch-on roofing.

The Need For Membrane Roofing

Before we delve deeper into the subject, as a property owner, you must understand the importance of membrane roofing for informed decision-making. As per our emphasis earlier, low slope roofs tend to retain more water than steep roofs (note that so-called flat roofs are the same as low slope roofs). While water is able to completely drain off a slanted roof in a matter of an hour or so, it usually takes around 48 hours for low slope roofs to completely get rid of their water.

The latter increases the chances of water penetration . A similar scenario is apparent in winter as well when the snow accumulates on rooftops. For this reason, low slope roofs require a layer of impermeable ‘membrane’ to make them waterproof.

Torch-On Vs. Two-Ply

Torch-on roofing, which is also referred to as Torch Down roofing by many people, is a roofing system featuring single or multiple layers of modified bitumen. In a way, this roof type is very similar to tar and gravel types but in this case, there is no gravel. The latter makes torch-on roofs lighter than conventional roofs.

Torch-on roofing often consists of two or three sheets of bitumen. These sheets have thermofusible plastic surfaces (on both sides) and each sheet is about three to four millimeters thick. To install torch-on roofing, professional contractors roll out these bitumen sheets and manually heat the sheets using an open flame propane torch to heat the plastic surface and adhere it to the roof structure. This takes specialized training, expertise, and equipment.

Due to their weather resistance and low water permeability, torch-on roofing is popular in central Canada which experiences highly wet weather conditions. However, due to Alberta’s prairie climate, torch-on roofs are also famous here. As apparent from the discussion, the torch-on installation process poses severe fire hazards. The Brewster Inc. fire incident and the Lacombe Composite High School fire are recent examples of how torch-on can go wrong.

Besides safety concerns, torch-on is pricey. The insurance coverage for torch-on is extremely expensive and as such, there are companies who install it without carrying the required insurance. This is problematic on many levels and carries a huge amount of risk for workers, home and building owners, and contractors.

This is where Two-Ply roofing systems steal the show!

How Two-Ply Roofing Systems Overcome The Drawbacks Of Torch-On Roofs

Two-Ply roofing systems are a viable alternative to torch-on roofs.

This roofing system consists of two layers mechanically fastened or chemically adhered to create a single yet more efficient and highly water-tight membrane. Since AKRoN Roofing utilizes self-adhering Elastoflex SA base and cap membranes and Omniseal self-adhered base and cap sheets, the need for special installation equipment, adhesives, and hot asphalt is eliminated. Similarly, the need for a dangerous installation technique like a propane torch is also eradicated.

Additionally, the non-woven material of this roofing system resists punctures and enhances its weathering performance. Due to this double layer of protection against seeping water, Two-Ply roofs are regarded as relatively better, safer, and longer-lasting than torch-on. As far as quality is concerned, AKRoN Roofing makes no compromise regardless of what flat-roof product you choose as an alternative to torch-on. Read more about low slope roofing by visiting our website.

About AKRoN Roofing

Founded with the intention of improving the reputation of roofing services in Calgary by providing boutique-style and individualized roofing services, AKRoN stands out from the crowd as the leading roofer in the city. Learn more About AKRoN Roofing to get the roof that you love. Contact us now!

You might have come across the term ‘BBB Accredited’ quite a few times, especially after natural calamities when the authorities constantly remind residents to only work with companies that have BBB Accreditation.

Even though this term is very commonly used across Canada, especially for contractors, not many individuals understand what it actually means.

As a BBB Accredited Roofing contractor in Calgary, we want to bring awareness regarding the certification.

What is BBB Accreditation and Why is it Important?

BBB stands for Better Business Bureau and represents trust, value, and integrity. It is a widely trusted and recognized organization that helps consumers of an area find reputable organizations and contractors.

It is a way to help consumers trust contractors they are conducting business with for the first time. The BBB encourages reasonable practices among businesses while remaining neutral.

Hence, to get accredited by the bureau, the companies have to fulfill an extensive list of requirements. When a company or a contractor applies for BBB accreditation, the bureau monitors its practices, online reviews and other aspects. Based on these, the applying party is rated on a 17-point scale and is given a grade from A+ to F.

Once a business is accredited, it has to pay an annual fee to renew the accreditation. This way, the bureau ensures that the contractor or the organization is keeping up with the practices put in place by the BBB.

In addition to this, the organization also keeps Complaint and Inquiry Statistics to help consumers make well-informed decisions. It is very interesting that in Canada in 2015 through 2021, the category “Roofing” was ranked #1 for BBB inquiries.

The Requirements of BBB Accreditation

A BBB has stringent requirements that must be met by a company, contractor, or organization to be accredited. These are:

• The company should have worked in the industry for at least six months
• Fulfill all trade licensing requirements
• The contractor should be insured and should have coverage for liability as well as compensation for the workers
• There should be no unresolved customer complaints
• There should be no ethical violations according to the laws set by the government
• The company should follow and oblige by all the claims made in their contracts and advertisements
• The company should be in compliance with all the local and BBB laws

Why Should You Hire a BBB Accredited Roofing Contractor?

Over the years, BBB has worked to become a go-to guide for consumers when it comes to businesses they can trust. The companies that have been accredited go through a set of standard procedures and policies to reach the standard of trust they claim to provide.

A company that is accredited by the BBB affirms that it will abide by the following standards:

1. Build Trust
2. Advertise Honestly
3. Tell the Truth
4. Be Transparent
5. Honour Promises
6. Be Responsive
7. Safeguard Privacy
8. Embody Integrity

Read the complete details of these standards on the BBB’s website here.

In the long run, by hiring trustworthy companies that abide by these standards, homeowners will likely save both time and money for their projects, however large or small, by avoiding uninsured workers, fly-by-nighters, and pop-up disaster capitalists.

AKRoN Roofing

AKRoN Roofing is a proud member of BBB with an A+ Rating. This means we are a part of a marketplace of trust and integrity. We swear by BBB’s slogan, “Start with Trust,” as we’re a small, ethical company offering special attention to homeowners’ projects with quality customer service that only small companies can provide. We have also been nominated for a BBB Ethics Award and have a long history of extremely happy customers. View our BBB profile here and if you are interested in hiring our services, contact us for more information.

Over the years, the popular search engine giant Google has worked on positioning itself as something more than a platform solely utilized as an information source. In addition to rolling out great new features like Google posts and messages, the tech giant introduced the concept of Google Guarantee around a decade ago. This new lead generation service is gaining immense popularity in the world of internet advertisement.

Have you ever noticed that some of the businesses on your search engine results pages (SERPs) are labelled as ‘Google Guaranteed’? This is a way of showing that the business under question comes with a guarantee by Google.

But the question here is what exactly does a Google Guarantee mean and why is it so important?

AKRoN Roofing has been Google Guaranteed since the certification began in Calgary in March 2021. In addition to this, we are also proud to have several other accreditations that you can read about here.

As a Google Guaranteed Home Services contractor, we believe that it is upon us to help you understand what this means and why you should hire a Google Guaranteed Service Contractor.

What Does Google Guaranteed Mean?

With the Google Guarantee program, Google aims to make things easier for you in terms of decision making. Google conducts background checks on businesses. They use their findings to identify reliable companies and they vouch for qualified contractors and other service providers.

Before the Google Guarantee program, there was no way to find out whether the business was appearing on top of the search engine due to its authentic and high-end services or their deep pockets.

However, thanks to this platform, only the best-qualified and experienced businesses will appear on the top. We are proud to say that AKRoN Roofing belongs to this category as well.

Note that not all businesses can qualify for the Google Guarantee badge. Instead, businesses have to meet some standards of reliability and commendable work. Since Google is backing up the business experience and guarantees that the company will be performing well, they need concrete proof of their work ethic.

Background Checks

If you are still not sure why you should hire a Google Guaranteed business, here are some of the checks that Google performs before handing over the badge.

• Business entity check
• Business owner background check
• Service professional background check

However, the nature of the background checks also greatly depends on where the service is located and the type of business.

Third-Party Background Checks

In some cases, a business owner can apply for background check equivalency verification. This usually happens when the owner background checks their service professionals in a way that meets Google’s standards.

After analyzing the background checks and the situation, Google can approve the request. In this case, the business is guaranteed by Google without any further screening.

Licensing

Google requires the applicants to hold applicable state, provincial and/or country-level licenses for businesses. Moreover, they are required to confirm that all the workers of the organization are appropriately licensed.

In situations where the business lies on the border, it might have to get licenses for both states to get the Google Guarantee badge.

Benefits Of Hiring A Google Guaranteed Home Services Contractor

As someone looking for a contractor, you might be wondering how to find a legit and authentic service provider that will provide satisfactory and high-value for money services. This is where Google Guarantee helps you. Since the company has already done all the background checks, you can rest assured that the company will provide high-quality services. Some of the benefits of hiring a Google Guaranteed Services Contractor are:

• Google bases the guarantee on advance verification screening which means that all the Ads accounts, publicly available data and video interviews are also screened.
• Google Guarantee means the company has all the required licenses.
• Google also looks into ratings and reviews from people who hired Local Services providers.
• The business guarantees up to $2,000 money-back if the customer is dissatisfied.

About AKRoN Roofing

AKRoN Roofing is a fully insured roofing contractor and a proud member of BBB with an A+ Rating. We are part of a marketplace of trust and integrity. Moreover, our company is a member of the Alberta Allied Roofing Association. Hence, if you are planning on applying for the City of Calgary Resilient Roofing rebate, we can help you out.

Our company is a small business in Southern Alberta offering full services and special attention to detail with quality customer service from our owners that only small companies can provide. In addition to providing services like sloped and flat roofing, eavestrough and other soft metals, skylight installation and roof repairs, we also assist homeowners with insurance claims.

AKRoN Roofing has extensive experience working with insurance companies on behalf of homeowners. We have the know-how and credentials to help you handle this process with confidence.

Choosing a roof is a huge deal. It is something that you will have to live with for the next two or three decades. Hence, while deciding what type, style, and colour of roof you want, it is best that you take some time and do your research.

Everything including the material and the colour of your roof is a big decision since it will affect the overall appearance and aura of your house. It is best to choose a colour and material that will go well with your surroundings. In addition to considering the aesthetics of your roof, you should also keep its maintenance costs and the overall value of your property in mind.

Your roof should add to your home’s curb appeal as well as add more personality to your property. Your roof comprises 40% of the visible exterior of your home depending on the style of your house which is why choosing the right shingle colours and roofing materials is of prime importance.

In this blog, we have listed the factors that you should consider while choosing the aesthetics of your new roof.

The Three Cs

Before making any decisions regarding your roof, keep the three Cs in mind. These are:

• Communicate
• Complement
• Compare

When you are making roof style decisions, find out if there are any rules regarding the kind of roof you can install. Some complexes and homeowners’ associations have rules about the colour and style of roof you can have. Hence, it is important to communicate with the concerned authorities to understand if there are any rules and regulations you have to keep in mind.

Once you have understood the rules and regulations, look for a shingle style that will complement all of the other style elements of your home.

It is important to understand that there are many roof styles and colour options available. This might seem daunting at first but by comparing the styles and colours with each other and the type of roof you have in mind, you can easily narrow things down to the aesthetic that you like and that will go well with the surroundings of your home.

Choose Your Shingle Colour Carefully

This might be one of the most important decisions you make when getting a new roof. The colour and the type of material you go for set the tone for the rest of your property. It is one of the most noticeable and defining aspects of your home.

However, the colour and material you choose will greatly depend on the type of brick work or construction of your house. For example, a trendy colour might look odd on an old-fashioned colonial, while wooden shingles might look strange on a more modern residence.

If you are unsure about the type of aesthetic you want, consult with a roofing contractor and architect for ideas. You can also look online for inspiration.

Check Out The Samples

Don’t decide on the type of shingles that you want on your roof based on pictures only. Look at shingle samples, take them to your house and hold them up to the outside of your house to get a good idea of how they will complement your house.

Of course, you cannot do this with all the available shingles. Hence, once you have narrowed down your list of favourite shingles to the last three or four options, checking out the samples is a great way to try to visualize and understand what the final results may look like.

In addition to this, while reviewing the samples, make sure you check how they will look in different light levels.

Use Online Design Tools

Most shingle companies offer their own design tools to help you envision the aesthetics of your house. They allow you to apply colours to a virtual image of your house to explore different options.

You can try out the GAF Virtual Home Remodeler. This tool allows you to upload a photo of your own home, and compare different combinations of roof, siding, and window solutions.

In addition to this, if you don’t know what kind of roof you want you can go through the GAF Style Guide, which is designed to help you find colour and style inspiration. CertainTeed also has an excellent remodelling tool called Colorview® and can be accessed here.

Look at Example Homes

Ask your contractor for example homes with the products and colours you are interested in seeing in person. AKRoN Roofing maintains a very thorough and complete list of installations in the roofing products and colours we offer and can direct you to homes that feature the shingles well. We’re proud of our work and encourage our prospective customers to view our installations in person.

About AKRoN Roofing

Akron Roofing is a GAF Master Elite certified roofing contractor. Only 2% of roofing contractors in North America carry this certification. To learn more about GAF Master Elite contractors and what that means, please click here. We are also a CertainTeed SELECT ShingleMaster™, CertainTeed’s top-level certification, representing the highest levels of quality, excellence and knowledge in the industry. Learn more about CertainTeed’s residential roofing certifications here.

AKRoN Roofing provides transferable, ten-year workmanship warranties on all sloped roof installations and can offer up to a 25-year workmanship warranty with a GAF or CertainTeed roof. We hold the highest installation standards on all our roofs and we educate homeowners about products, installation, and warranties. AKRoN Roofing is a proud member of the Alberta Allied Roofing Association.

We offer various products for sloped roof replacements with a Class 4 rating from UL, including SBS modified architectural shingles, Euroshield recycled rubber shingles and F-wave Synthetic shingles. Our other services include, but are not limited to, residential re-roofing with asphalt shingles, TPO, and 2-ply membranes for flat roofing, roof repairs, and inspections of all types of roofing material by our qualified team.

AKRoN Roofing is proud of its A+ rating with BBB plus other certifications and accreditations. You can check out our accreditations and certifications here, or contact us here for more information.

Proper ventilation is crucial to maintain a safe and healthy environment inside any home. Improper ventilation can lead to mold, mildew, and rot in your attic space and on the underside of your roof deck. It can also lead to attic rain and ice dams in the winter and spring seasons.

Moreover, this also may affect the R-value of your insulation due to temperature, condensation and humidity in the attic.

This blog post mentions the differences between the two commonly used ventilation systems. Moreover, in the end, we have also given a verdict about which ventilation system performs better.

Types Of Ventilation Systems

There are two main types of ventilation systems: Passive ventilators (examples are low-profile ridge vents and square/turtle vents) and Static ventilators. Passive ventilators work together with the air intake vents (i.e. the soffits) to balance air incoming and rising up to exhaust out the roof deck. Static ventilators also work in conjunction with the air intakes but also provide removal of hot and humid air from the attic through air exchange and pressure differentials. Additionally, on a roof slope less than 8/12 pitch, passive vents may not provide adequate protection for exhaust venting with the heavy snow load experienced in Southern Alberta.
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Hence, many contractors and homeowners chose static ventilators for superior attic ventilation. There are different types of static exhaust ventilators, however, the most common are whirlybird turbine ventilators and Ventilation Maximum ventilators.

VMAX Ventilators Vs. Whirly Birds

Ventilation Maximum (VMAX) vents and Whirlybirds are both static ventilators but their basic principle of operation is different. The Whirlybirds use a turbine that runs when the wind blows while the VMAX vents have no moving parts.

Some of the main differences between the two are:

Drawing Power

The VMAX ventilators have higher drawing power. With wind flowing at 4 miles per hour, Ventilation Maximum vents can replace the attic air of an average size home of 1200 sq. ft, at a rate of 418 cfm in 20 minutes. To replace this, you will need an average of two 14 inch or three 12 inch whirly wind ventilators.

No Moving Parts

VMAX vents don’t have any moving parts, instead, they have small openings on both sides. So, when the wind blows and passes through the vent, it creates a convection system for the hot air in the attic letting it blow out from one of the openings.

In comparison, the whirlybird vents have turbines that move due to the wind causing the hot air to move out. On top of having low drawing power, due to the turbine, the vent can be noisy. Moreover, the turbine requires a lot of maintenance. Even small amounts of rust can cause it to jam.

Infiltrations

For the whirlybird vents to prevent infiltration, the turbine has to be moving at all times. This means when there is no wind, snow and water can easily infiltrate the vent. This not only affects the moisture level in the attic but can also cause the internals of the vent to rust. Moreover, the system is susceptible to snow coverage.

VMAX vents, on the other hand, are high. Hence, due to their height, they can withstand an abundance of snow without being covered. Moreover, the vents are designed such that no water or snow can infiltrate no matter how windy, rainy or snowy it is. The system is built to withstand winds of up to 175 km/h.

Verdict

Based on the information provided above it is no secret that the VMAX vents are a better option as compared to whirlybird vents or other turbine vents. VMAX ventilators also have a built-in wire mesh grill to protect your house from birds and other animals.

About AKRoN Roofing

At AKRoN roofing we recommend and offer Ventilation Maximum for enhanced attic exhaust ventilation on roofs 6/12 pitch and less. These vents are made of steel and manufactured in Canada. The models we use are VMAX-301 and VMAX-303. The former has sloped flashing from 2/12 to 15/12 and can cover a ventilation area of 1000 to 1200 square feet. The latter has sloped flashing from 2/12 to 15/12 and can cover a ventilation area of 700 to 800 square feet. Please visit the Ventilation Maximum website for more information.

AKRoN Roofing offers premium and detail orientated roofing solutions in Calgary. We provide a wide range of the best roofing materials in the market and hold the highest installation standards for all roofs. AKRoN Roofing is a proud member of the Alberta Allied Roofing Association.

We offer a variety of products for sloped roof replacements with a Class 4 rating from UL, including SBS modified architectural shingles, Euroshield recycled rubber shingles, and F-wave Synthetic shingles. Our other services include, but are not limited to, residential re-roofing with asphalt shingles, TPO membranes for flat roofing, roof repairs, and inspections of all types of roofing material by our qualified team.

AKRoN Roofing is proud of its A+ rating with BBB plus other certifications and accreditations. You can check out our accreditations and certifications here. Contact us here for more information.