Tamko Shingles

[tamkoshingles-blog]

Why You Should Become a TAMKO Pro Certified Contractor

TAMKO Building Products, Inc. recently announced that it would be updating its print-on-demand marketing material that TAMKO® Pro Certified Contractors can use for advertising their business. TAMKO® Pro Certified Contractors can now use the customizable marketing pieces in four different layouts, and they can be printed as flyers, door hangers, or direct mailers depending on their customer base. This new offering will help TAMKO® Pro Certified Contractors get their name out there and showcase their association with TAMKO.

 Stephen McNally, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at TAMKO, was very happy with the announcement and said this in a statement. “The opportunity to purchase readily available, personalized marketing material directly from TAMKO.com, enables our Pros to quickly connect with potential customers in their area.”

 You probably know that TAMKO is a household name in the building products industry, but did you know that there are expert contractors who have a strong knowledge base of TAMKO’s product offerings? If you’re choosing the best TAMKO® shingles for your home, wouldn’t you want an installer with significant experience using TAMKO® shingles? This is one reason why contractors become TAMKO® Pro Certified Contractors.

 In addition to that, TAMKO® Pro Certified Contractors are able to offer an extended warranty enhancement on specific shingles manufactured by TAMKO. They can also offer financing from GreenSky® and can earn rewards on their purchases. They are also eligible to receive a discount on mHelpDesk software packages to better organize their business.

 “Contractors may not have the time or resources at their disposal to create their own marketing material. With this feature, all they need to do is plug in their logo and contact information and they have fresh, new, professionally designed TAMKO marketing material that is specialized for their own business,” said McNally.

 If you have ever thought about growing your contractor business and need a proven industry affiliation that can help you get there, you should consider becoming a TAMKO® Pro Certified Contractor today!

[tamkoshingles-blog]

Considerations for Choosing the Best Shingles for your Roof

In a previous blog post you learned about three different types of shingles. In this post, we will take a look at some things to consider when choosing the best shingle type for your roof.

Squares

While the type of shingle plays an important part in choosing your new roof, there are other factors to consider. Other considerations include cost, weight and any requirements needed for installation. One final thing to know is how roofers measure, as they do not measure in square feet. Instead, they measure in squares, where one square is equivalent to 100 square feet in area.

Cost

There are many factors that go into the cost of shingles. Material price, condition of existing roof, shape and incline of the roof, and other design elements are factor into the overall cost of you will have to pay.

Materials

The type of material used will depend on the type of roof your home has. Below are the materials shingles are made from. If you are unsure of which type to use, consult a professional.

Asphalt – This is the most common type of shingle, mainly because it is the least expensive. There are two types of configurations from which you can purchase: standard thickness or a thicker, laminated shingle.

Wood – A former popular choice, however, fire codes today restrict wood in some areas. Wood shingles have the same life expectancy as asphalt (about 25 years), however, the cost is about double.

Metal – The most expensive type of material. Metal shingles start around $250, but can cost up to three times that.

Tile and Cement – Tile and cement shingles are expensive, yet durable. These types of shingles are typically found on Mission and Spanish Colonial style homes.

Slate – Slate is one of the most durable and most expensive materials. Often times, old slate shingles are recycled for reinstallation and can last for a lifetime.

No matter what type of shingle you choose for your home, make sure they are installed by a well-known contractor and come from a reputable manufacturer, such as TAMKO, to help reduce the likelihood of roofing shingle claims, complaints, or disputes.

[tamkoshingles-blog]

Is it Time for a New Roof?

If you're a homeowner, the time will eventually come when you need to replace an old roof.  The average life span of a roof is 20 to 25 years, so if your roof is old and showing signs of aging and damage, then it's time for a roof replacement. To help you determine whether your roof needs a few minor repairs or a full replacement, consider the following advice from TAMKO Building Products.

Know What to Look For

Many homeowners assume their roof needs replacement once they detect leaks. Leaks are the most obvious sign of a failing roof. If you see water damage or spots on the ceiling and walls in the attic, then your roof is leaking. While leaks signify your roof needs replacing, there are other signs you need to look out for.  Other warning signs of a failing roof include:

• Outside light shining inside through the roof • Missing, cracked, curled or buckled shingles • Loss of shingle granules • Mold, moisture and rot • Dark spots and discoloration • Sagging roof deck • Mold, moisture and mildew on the interior walls • Damage and wear around the chimney, vents and pipes

Inspect Your Roof Bi-Annually

It's important to inspect your roof twice a year, once at fall and once at spring. Bi-annual inspections will help you detect any issues before they become more severe and increase the cost and stress of the replacement or repair. Check the attic for any of the warning signs, and then move the inspection outdoors to inspect the roof itself. You can safely examine the roof from the ground using binoculars and check for any signs of wear or damage.  You should also clean out your gutters during your inspections to prevent water from backing up and causing damage to your roof.  

If you find anything that looks questionable, contact a roof technician to come out and inspect your roof. A certified roof technician will be able to advise whether your roof needs replacing.

[tamkoshingles-blog]

Making your Home Presentable

When it comes time to sell your house, there’s a lot of important factors you must consider.  One of those is making your home look presentable both on the inside and the outside.  When you are trying to attract buyers for your home it comes down to first impression a lot of the time.  When someone goes to tour a home they are hoping to see a nice exterior that won’t need immediate repair.  Once they’re inside they will also be paying attention to small details like faucets that are leaking, paint cracking or peeling in places, doors that don’t close properly etc.

This means for you the current home owner you need to make sure your home is in ship shape before you go putting it on the market.  Here are safe reminders for places you should be looking outside to help improve your house’s appearance.

1.  Clear all the kid’s toys, bicycles and other items from the front lawn and make sure your grass is cut nicely.

2.  Clean your windows until they’re sparkling clean.

3.  Check your roof both inside and outside.  Too many people forget that about checking the roof to make sure shingles are in good shape and there are no leaks or gaps where moisture can accumulate. Installing good TAMKO shingles and roofing products can insure you don’t receive roofing complaints.

4.  Check your gutters, make sure they’re cleaned out and if they need a fresh coat of paint, don’t skimp on it.

After you’ve worked on the exterior, it’s time to hit the interior with a cold eye for detail.  Clean up the clutter and straighten all the furniture out.  Showing off a messy house is never a turn on for potential home buyers. When a home buyer enters a house the barer or at least cleaner it is the better.  They are going to be trying to visualize the house when it is empty and the way they will want to decorate and set up the place.

1.  Make sure all the walls throughout the house look clean and well cared for.  If there are any nail holes or small issues somewhere be sure to patch them up.

2.  Remove as many personal belongings, especially in the downstairs area.  This means remove family pictures or other items that may make the potential buyer feel like the house won’t be right for them.

3.  Check the curtains and shades, dust them and open them up for potential buyers when they come to visit.  You want to have good lighting when buyers come to visit.

Lastly, make sure your house looks good in the night too.  A smart potential buyer will come to check out the house during the night as well to see how it looks and feels.

[tamkoshingles-blog]

Preparing for Spring

Spring is fast approaching, even if it doesn’t feel like it.  This means it’s time to start preparing andplanning for that lovely warm weather. With spring comes spring cleaning, and after this winter a lot of us are probably going to have a lot of spring cleaning to do.  Some find spring cleaning daunting, but it really isn’t that scary.  The best way to tackle it is to write up a checklist of things you need to clean.  Do some research about each thing you need to clean as well, there are a lot of homemade, read cheap, ways to make cleaners that will do the job you need.  

 Checklist:

Clean the windows, get a good window cleaner and make sure you clean both the inside and outside of your windows.  Don’t forget to clean your screens too.

Take your small rugs and pillows and beat them outside to get rid of the dust and hair they have accumulated.

Clean up your grill – this will make your food taste a lot better.   You’ll need some tools for this, so here’s a short list of recommended items: scour pad, nylon brush, metal wire brush, rubber gloves, large bucket, stainless steel cleaner and hot soapy water.

Check your roof and attic.  After a long winter like this one it is wise to inspect your shingles to make sure there are no leaks or gaps where moisture can accumulate and cause mold growth or other damage.  If there is damage get it fixed ASAP.  Quality TAMKO shingles are a safe bet against the elements, as long as they are installed correctly.  If TAMKO shingles are installed incorrectly then the warranty is void and a lawsuit won’t work.

 Pack those winter clothes and put them in plastic bags.  Make sure the bags are closed tightly and don’t have any holes in them.   A lot of people hang winter clothes in the attic without protecting them from moths. Then 8 months later when they go to pull them out and they’re filled with holes.

Open all your windows and then start thoroughly dusting the whole house.  Don’t forget the tops of ceiling fans, bannisters and all those nooks and crannies around the house.  Be sure to dispose of a dust wipe if it’s covered or to knock the dust out of your feather duster every so often.

[tamkoshingles-blog]

Ways to Save Energy at Home

One of the biggest topics of today is saving electricity and water, partly to reduce utility costs and partly to help the environment.  Many people believe that the only way they can have an effect on electricity in their home is by turning off the lights when they aren’t in a room and not using excess light when it’s sunny out.  The reality is there are many methods to help reduce the electric bill and more.

 Find shingles or a coating that is reflective.  This will help reduce the strain on your AC because your house isn’t absorbing as much heat.  Make sure you have a properly sealed roof as well; this will help prevent heat from escaping in the winter and reduce the strain on your heating.  When it comes to roofing, make sure everything is installed correctly.  Many people install shingles or more incorrectly; this can lead to a TAMKO breach of warranty claims.

Look for and install high performance windows.  These are windows which reflect UV rays and have special films that reduce heat coming in from the window.  This can save you hundreds on AC in the summer and these windows will help reduce heat loss during the winter, which means you don’t need to run the heater as high.

Try to plug in all of your electronics to power strips.  Power strips not only provide surge protection so that your appliances don’t get damaged, but are easy to turn off.  This makes it easy for you to shut off all your appliances in a given area when you leave a room to prevent them from sucking up more electricity.

Update your refrigerator.  If you have a refrigerator from the early 90s or before then, it’s time to update. When you’re looking for a new one search for the label which indicates electricity consumption.  A new refrigerator uses far less electricity. If replacing a fridge right now isn’t feasible, then make sure you clean the coils in the back if they’re covered in dust.  This helps reduce their electricity use.

If your floors don’t have much insulation then consider covering them with carpets, especially in the winter.  This will help keep the room warmer and it will feel more comfortable on your feet.

Keep interior doors open during the winter and summer in order to help stimulate the flow of air around the house.  This will help the thermostat keep a more accurate temperature and make the house feel the same everywhere.

[tamkoshingles-blog]

Tips For Maintaining your Outdoor Deck

Enjoying the outdoors is something all of us look forward to.  Many find it most relaxing when they are able to walk out their backdoor and relax on the deck in the backyard.  Wood decks require maintenance though, so it is important to make sure they are properly cared for otherwise they can become unsafe and unsightly. Let’s look at some straightforward suggestions when it comes to owning and maintain a wooden deck.

Make sure your deck is built with high quality materials that are suited to last a long time with limited maintenance.  Ethelemae Humphreys can attest that as you grow older, maintenance can become more difficult and you may not always have tons of time to do a lot.

Fix any nail pops.  If a nail pops out or a screw has somehow come lose then either hammer it back down, or if it needs to be replaced, replace it.  The last thing you want is you, family or a friend catching their foot on that.

Wash your deck regularly; the elements are going to take their toll on your deck, so if you want to keep it looking nice regularly it’s a good idea to rinse the dirt and debris that will naturally occur on it.

Stain and seal your deck.  Even if your wood is pressure-treated lumber, it still needs protection from the sun and elements.  If you don’t do this every couple years your deck will age remarkably quicker and won’t appear as beautiful.

Check your deck annually for splitting boards.  These boards aren’t just dangerous to bare feet, but they will eventually break- you don’t want to wait this long.  When you repair them be sure to carefully map out where you will be cutting first to remove the split board and how you will replace it.  Be sure to predrill any holes necessary.

Check the base of the deck for moss mildew and critters.  A deck’s strength can be compromised from underneath without even knowing it.  It’s important to keep animals from nesting underneath your deck that might gnaw or cause damage to the wood.  Be sure to clean off any moss as well in order to prevent the moisture from causing damage to the wood.

Hopefully these tips have helped you, and please remember to be careful when selecting your contractor and building materials for your outdoor deck.

[tamkoshingles-blog]

The Best Time To Replace Your Roof

When it comes time to replace your roof, most homeowners wait until the last minute when they absolutely need roof repair. But, with a little bit of planning and preparing, you have the potential of saving a little bit of money and frustration if you get it done during certain periods.

First, inspect your roof and decide if it is in need of a replacement. Typically, roofs will last around 15 to 20 years but new roofing materials can have warranties in upwards to 50 years! So if your roof looks as if it could be replaced, it could be a good idea to have it replaced with one backed by a long warranty. At any rate, the cost of replacing your roof can fluctuate depending on the time of year because the roofing industry kind of works on a supply-and-demand basis. This means during the peak times, roofing prices will be slightly higher than non-peak times and figuring out when those times are will save you the most money.

Generally speaking, the roofing industry will pick up steam in the summer and will continue to pick up stamina until the fall. Ideal weather conditions can make the roof installation process much faster. So it makes sense that homeowners get their roofs installed during warmer temperatures and of course, right before the winter season. An old roof can sustain substantial damage in the winter from snowstorms and even cause a significant amount of water damage if it isn’t taken care of.

Homeowners who are privy to this knowledge can take advantage of this information to score the best price for roofing installation. Additionally, when looking for a reputable roofer, consider ones that offer warranties so you can protect your investment. David Humphreys is the CEO of TAMKO Building Products where his company can provide 50-year limited warranties on certain roofing materials that can give you outstanding value on top of your new roof! So when you are in need of a new roof, be sure to do your research to get the best bang for your buck! 

[tamkoshingles-blog]

How’s The Roof Over Your Head?

Owning a home can be many things: enjoyment, a haven from the stresses of the world, a gathering place for friends and family…the list can go on. Homeownership also involves routine maintenance to keep your house operating like it should. With that being said, when’s the last time you inspected your roof? Was it the last storm or was it when you bought your home? Either way, it might have been a while ago which means you should inspect your roof immediately. Roof repair and replacement is a normal aspect of homeownership because it’s one of those things you just have to do. Most roofs, on average, last about 30 years so depending on the age of your home, its’ age can play into how much life it has left.

First, grab a flashlight and head to the attic and brush off those cobwebs. You want to inspect the internal elements of your roof to ensure everything looks as it should. Here are some signs that you need to replace your roof:

The roof deck is sagging

You can see outside light through the roof

Signs of water damage is apparent; leaking is occurring

After you have conducted your interior inspection, it’s time to put on some safety gear and check out the exterior portion of the roof. As a precaution, have a family member or friend with you in case of emergency. Once you have gotten yourself situated on the roof of your home, look for the following:

Missing, torn, cracked or bald shingles

Concentrated areas of mold/fungus; can indicate water damage

General damage of the roof

Sagging

All of the above signs call for roof replacement immediately because a storm could make it worse and threaten your safety. If you are unsure about your roofs condition or can’t inspect it yourself, seek professional help that can give you a clear answer so choose professionals like TAMKO Roofing. Avoid lawsuits from hiring roofers off the street; it’ll save you in the long run. As a general rule of thumb, your roof should be inspected twice a year and after major storms. Keep your home safe by replacing your roof when it’s in disrepair because now you know what to look for!