You may have seen advertisements for solar energy incentive programs in Michigan. There are quite a few of them.

The newest ads for this year promise a no-initial-cost installation. You can claim your solar panel installation as a federal tax credit. Presumably, many more of Michigan’s residents are thinking about adding solar panels to cut down on energy bills and as a way to ensure power “off-grid.”

The Way Solar Panels Work

Solar panels use a technology called photovoltaics – turning light into electricity. To do this, solar panels use individual photovoltaic cells made of silicon and an electric field.

Silicon absorbs light energy very quickly in the form of electrons, and then the electric field directs them into an electric current. The current can be used right away, be directed into the utility grid, or stored in batteries.

Silicon is naturally shiny, so it must be dulled to keep it from reflecting sunlight. It also has to be prodded into releasing the electrons into the current.

Many variables, such as exposure time, cleaning, and maintenance, make solar energy a more complicated form to rely on as your primary source of power.

How and Where to Install Solar Panels

Do solar panels even make sense in Michigan?

This has to be one of the first questions from anyone thinking to install them, because if you live here, you know Michigan has many cloudy days per year. Sometimes, we don’t see the sun for weeks!

Generally, you want to install your panels on your rooftop. However, it doesn’t always work best that way.

If you have a shaded roof, find another spot on your garage or in your yard where sunlight is plentiful, and the panels can point in a southerly direction.

Incline, direction, and shade all impact and can reduce the effectiveness of your solar panels and make it take longer for you to pay them off. In an open field, solar panels can be installed in their most useful arrangement and direction. However, most people don’t have access to an open field.

Not all existing rooflines will work with solar panels. However, if you are having a house built, you can capitalize on it. Make your new roof design work the best it possibly can for solar panels now.

Alternately, you can explore the option of rebuilding and replacing your existing roof to be more solar-friendly. The initial investment could make it faster to pay off the work, while you get the benefits of solar energy for many years to come.

Benefits of Solar Energy

Did you know that generated electricity is either used or wasted? A lack of reliable battery storage means that your local electric company is playing an elaborate guessing game about how much its customers will use on a given day.

If the power demand exceeds what is being generated, massive power outages occur. To counteract that, the company will create more than is needed on any given day. However, there are always outages in different areas unconnected to storms or excess demand.

Even if you live in a cloudy state like Michigan, solar energy can make sense for you. One way it makes sense is if you connect your solar powers to the utility grid and also store some in battery form.

By doing this, you can actually make your power meter run backward by feeding energy into the grid. The electricity company will pay you back for the power your panels supplied in credits on your next bill.

On sunny days, your solar panels will generate much more energy than you need. You can store some of the extra in battery form. However, most of it will be lost if you try to live completely using only the energy you generate. Then, on rainy days, you will have limited or no power.

Can You Switch Back and Forth Between the Grid and Solar?

The answer is yes. You can get an additional switch installed that will make your system go around the grid when you need it. If your solar panels are connected to the grid only, the utility company has to have a safety shutdown in case of outages.

For the safety of their workers, they can’t run the risk of electricity going back up an otherwise dead line from customers’ solar panels while they are trying to fix an outage.

So, your access to your own panels will be gone as well right when you need them! The additional switch, while adding more cost upfront, makes it possible to use your own power when the grid power is out.

Bringing it Home

Between connection to the grid, battery power, and the ability to get around the grid, solar panels could pay you back before you know it if you have them installed right and maintain them.

Is your home located in Southeast Michigan? Do you have any questions about your roof’s ability to support solar panels? Or making modifications to make them more productive? Please call! We’re always glad to be of service.

Call Now

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Does Your Home or Business Need a Lightning Rod?

How often do you think about lightning, and the damage it can do to your house or business? My guess is, not often.

Michigan sits at the very top of “tornado alley,” which means we don’t get as many tornadoes as Kansas, Missouri, or even Indiana. However, we occasionally do. We also have violent summer thunderstorms.

When you need a lightning rod, you want to have had one previously installed.

Lightning Protection Systems

Protection against lightning damage is as old as our country. Many people know of Benjamin Franklin’s experiments with electricity and lightning.

Still, most don’t know that he was responsible for promoting the widespread use of lightning rods throughout our country when it was new. Thanks to Franklin, even ships at sea devised a new way of diverting lightning and avoiding destruction.

However, does lightning protection extend to you? Absolutely, yes! The lightning rod, or finial, is the most visible component of a full lightning protection system.

These systems are designed to divert lightning, should it strike your house, down along a special cable inside your wall and into the ground, where it dissipates.

Damage Done by Lightning

Before lightning rods began to be used, wooden buildings and ships were routinely damaged or lost by lightning strikes. This electrical current can destroy many types of building materials and can cause fires.

Lightning can also cause what is called side flashes. These are small explosions caused by highly pressurized, super-heated air that happens inside the small spaces inside of structures.

Side flashes can shoot debris at high speeds through your house in addition to starting fires.

How a Lightning Rod Works

A lightning rod or finial should be mounted on the highest point of the structure. While there may be less chance of your house being struck, most tall buildings – especially those more towering than the surroundings – need a system to divert lightning.

The lightning rod is then electrically bonded to the earth with a conductor and electrode. It provides the electricity from a lightning strike a path of least resistance. It allows the electric current to travel harmlessly through the conductor and into the ground.

Small buildings may only need one lightning rod, while large buildings may have several. The average cost of a lightning protection system for a 2,500 square foot building is approximately $2,500.

How Likely Is A Lightning Strike?

As you know, lightning strikes are infrequent. However, it’s not always a bad idea to protect against something that may never happen. Airplanes rarely crash. Nevertheless, we include every safety precaution we can when flying.

Some areas of our country are more prone to lightning strikes. Florida has a higher than average strike rate due to climate conditions coming from two oceans.

“Tornado alley” through the Midwest has a higher than average strike rate as well, due to its unusual climate conditions that lead to more tornadoes than elsewhere on earth.

Much more common is your home or business being hit by an “indirect strike” that comes to you through the power lines. For that, you need excellent surge protection for all of your expensive and delicate electronics.

Takeaway

It’s never a bad idea to protect your home or business against lightning. It may never happen, but if it did, it could be devastating.

Is your home or business located in Southeast Michigan? If you are interested in finding out more about this protection, please call our office today.

Call Now

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There is no doubt that anyone living now will forget the Coronavirus Pandemic of 2020. Everyone in the world is affected by this virus somehow, and many countries are on complete quarantine.

Schools, businesses, churches, and all non-essential services have been suspended to try to decelerate the spread of COVID-19.

Are you stuck at home with a leaking roof or pipes? Were you in the middle of a kitchen renovation when the virus made its way to the United States?

In Michigan this week, Governor Whitmer issued a shelter in place order, closing most businesses, and restraining all citizens from non-essential travel or activities “not necessary to sustain or protect life.”

As you can imagine, this order puts many businesses and workers temporarily out of work. As necessary as it is, this comes at a high cost.

However, fortunately, homeowners do not have to put themselves in danger to follow this law if their homes need repair.

Which Home Repairs Are Necessary to Protect Life?

Thankfully, for many businesses and industries, the governor’s order allows them to operate at a minimum level without entirely shutting down.

Critical home and roofing repairs fall into the category of necessary to protect life. We are here to serve you during this time if you have one of these needs.

Here are some general home and roof repairs you need to get fixed immediately.

Leaking Roof

It may seem like the worst time to have to shell out money or have a crew at your house. However, if your roof is leaking and there is water coming into your home, you need to have it fixed.

If you wait too long to get it fixed, it will become a much bigger and more expensive mess. The shelter in place order requires everyone to have working shelter, so make yours a top priority.

Damaged Roof

Roofing can be damaged by high winds, branches, animals, and general wear and tear. You don’t have to postpone a roofing job that needs to be done to safeguard the structure of your home. A roof inspection can be done without anyone having to step foot inside your home.

Leaking Pipes

While we aren’t plumbers, if you have a significant leak in your house from a burst or leaking pipe, your safety dictates that you have it fixed.

Often, with an extensive leak, there is repair work that needs to be done. Wood, drywall, and flooring may need to be ripped out and replaced.

Without that critical work, mold may develop in your house, which can be toxic to people and weaken your immune system.

Water in Your Basement

Likewise, if your finished basement has flooded, you may need emergency services to repair or mitigate the potential for mold.

Structural Repairs

It should go without saying that any major structural repairs should be done, even on quarantine.

From your outdoor structures to your stairs to your roof and everything in between: if it’s not up to code, that means it’s not safe and therefore, could cause an accident.

More accidents mean that hospitals are overly burdened during the Coronavirus outbreak. Staying safe at home is a high priority for those of us not affected by the virus.

Unfinished Renovations

No major renovation should be left undone in a house that is inhabited during the quarantine.

For the health and safety of you and your family, you should work with a construction company to make your space livable and safe – even if you have to shelter in a nearby hotel.

Bringing it Home

Stay safe out there. Take care of yourself and your family. If you have an emergency during this quarantine, let us take care of that for you.

Remember, it’s never safe for you to go on your roof yourself! If you live in Southeast Michigan, call us right away if you need help.

Call Now

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The foundation of any good business is to anticipate and meet the needs of customers and potential customers. We are so thankful for our many wonderful customers, and we’re also grateful for you – our readers.

Each week, we cover a topic relevant to home renovations, roofing, windows, and siding needs.

Each year, we use Google Analytics to analyze the top most visited articles from the previous year. Then, we publish these top 10 articles in one handy location to give you easy access to more relevant content.

We’re always open to comments and suggestions for more topics you want to know about.

So, take a look below. Happy New Year and happy reading!

Top Renovations Roofing & Remodeling Articles from 2019

1. 3 Reasons to Change the Pitch Of Your Roof

Do you ever wish you could change the look and feel of your house in one fell swoop?

Here’s why changing the pitch of your roof could be the right move for you.

2. Skylights Pros and Cons: Are They Worth The Money?

Does your bedroom, kitchen, or great room suffer from too little sunlight? Do you often think about adding skylights but wonder if they’re worth the cost, or if they will ruin your roof?

Read on to find out if adding a skylight could be your solution.

3. Architectural Shingles Vs. 3-tab Shingles – Pros and Cons

Did you know asphalt shingles have changed significantly over the years? They aren’t just flat rectangles anymore!

Not only do asphalt shingles come in many different shapes, but they also come in just about any color, size, or profile you can imagine, and they even can be made to mimic other styles of shingles.

4. Roof Ice and Water Shields & Underlayment: What You Need To Know

What’s underneath your roof’s shingles? Plywood? Felt? Does the average person know the anatomy of his or her roofing job?

One of the most critical facets of a new roof is this layer of protection called ice and water Shield.

Read on to find out all about it.

5. Should You Replace Your Roof Before Selling Your House?

Questions everyone wants to know as they’re selling their house: how much can I get for my house? What things do I have to replace before I try to sell it? What are the most critical components? And, will I get my money back in the sale?

This guide should help you consider all the factors.

6. Roof Tear Off vs. 2nd Layer of Shingles: What You Need to Know

We’ve all heard our handy dads, uncles, cousins, and friends tell us it’s just fine to put a new layer of shingles over the old roof and call it a day.

However, is that really true? Many people want to know since it can make a big difference in the price of the job.

Read on to learn more.

7. Pros and Cons of Converting a Flat Roof to a Pitched Roof

Most buildings built with flat roofs were made to be that way. It’s not always possible to change the architecture of your roof, but it can dramatically alter the style and function of your house or building.

This article outlines the primary considerations in a renovation like this.

8. How to Safely Thaw a Frozen Gutter

Michigan winters can be brutal on your roofs and gutters, not just your energy bills. Sometimes, we get such a buildup of ice and snow that you may be tempted to get up on your roof to remove an ice dam or thaw a frozen gutter to prevent one.

Here’s why that’s a bad idea and what to do instead.

9. Adding A Roof Overhang – Why You Need One

Roof overhangs, or deep eaves, can give your house a visual boost and direct water away from your foundation. These things, along with many others, speak to the desirability of adding a roof overhang on your next roofing job.

10. How to Hang Christmas Lights Without Damaging Your Roof (Or Yourself)

Many Americans love the iconic light-hanging scene from the movie “Christmas Vacation.” However, that doesn’t mean they want to be in the same dangerous position as Chevy Chase. Not to mention stapling things to their shingles (please, no!).

Here’s a handy guide on how to properly hang Christmas lights without threatening your life or damaging your roof!

Bringing it Home

We hope you have enjoyed this round-up of top renovations & roofing articles from 2019. We also hope that 2020 is a fantastic year!

Do you live in Southeast Michigan? Please let us know if you have any questions. We would be honored to help!

Call today

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Do you like the look of a well-trimmed house? Trim work can be one of the most exciting finishing touches on your home exterior. It can add style and balance to the look of your house, and it can give your house an instant update and make it look new.

In addition, exterior trim work can provide extra protection for your roof against moisture and wind.

Read on to find out about all the exciting exterior trim options!

Wood Trim

From fancy hand-milled work you can still find on Victorian-style homes to rustic cedar, wood is the most popular choice for exterior house trim and has been for many years.

The options for exterior wood trim include solid wood and composite wood.

Many people love wood trim for its warmth and beauty, and because real hardwood can be very durable. Quality wood products aren’t as easy to find, however.

Decorative wooden pieces, especially, must be handmade and are therefore more expensive.

The other thing about wood is that it is vulnerable to rot and insect damage. Of course, some wood trim lasts more than 100 years – as you can see in old houses.

However, it is likely to need replacement and repair more than the other materials on the market.

Polymer Trim

Unlike wood, polymer trim pieces are made using molds. Polypropylene resin is injected into pre-made molds of any shape and size, and the resulting parts are put together in construction.

Polymer trim is easy to install, and it can be painted. But, it’s more subject to temperature changes than other materials.

Like other synthetic materials, polymer trim will expand and contract with heat and cold. In addition, it’s more expensive than wood and some of the other choices.

PVC Trim Work

Like polymer, cellular PVC is molded, but this time from polyvinyl chloride. You might be familiar with the hard PVC pipes used routinely for many plumbing applications.

PVC is easy to install with standard tools, and the technology has improved over the years to make it more durable and less problematic with drastic temperature changes, especially in the heat.

However, it is still not suitable for areas with extreme temperature changes due to expansion and contractions. PVC is also more expensive than some other options.

Fiber Cement Trim Work

Fiber cement trim is one of the most versatile and stable options on the market. It costs slightly more than wood, but much less than the plastic options above.

Fiber cement won’t burn, rot, or dent. In addition, it doesn’t attract insects and doesn’t have the same problems with expansion and contraction.

Fiber-cement trim comes primed or prefinished and can be painted. All of these pluses make this one of the best choices for trim work on your home exterior.

Bringing it Home

Before you make your decision, be sure to review your budget, consider your climate, and look at all of the colors and styles available in the different material choices.

While wood is beautiful and warm, it’s not always the best choice for everyone.

More and more builders are using manufactured products because they work well, and they fit the budget.

With all of the color and style choices on the market, you are sure to find a winning combination.

If we can do anything to help you replace or repair your exterior trim and you are located in Southeast Michigan, please give us a call. We’re honored to help!

Call Now

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Do you think of your roof primarily as shingles?

Maybe you know it has something to do with rafters and beams. Did you know there are significant components to a roof done right?

Most of them can’t be seen once the final product is installed. However, they each do an essential part of forming a weatherproof system to protect your home.

Hidden Features of Your Roof

Let’s go over these parts from the inside out.

Beams, Rafters & Decking

If you have visited this blog before, you know we talk a fair amount of about the health of your wood decking.

The beams and rafters that give your roofline its structure are considered part of the bones of the house. They do their part by creating a slope for water and snow to run off your roof.

However, your wood decking is what forms the base layer for everything else. Decking is usually built using plywood or oriented strand board.

In some homes, the decking could be polystyrene, concrete or metal. Those materials are more common on flat roofs on commercial buildings. Finally, decking is attached to your rafters with nails.

Underlayment

The next layer up is called underlayment. The shingles will entirely hide it.

The underlayment is essential to provide a temporary barrier between the decking and any rain or wind while your shingles are being installed.

Ice and Water Shield is installed 2’ inside of heated walls from eaves or more, centered in valleys and around all penetrations.

Underlayment also provides a second layer of protection in case of leaks. The most common underlayments are traditional felt and synthetic felt. They are a kind of paper covered in asphalt, and it gets installed starting from the bottom edge of your roof and overlapped to help protect the seams.

Long-lasting polymers give synthetic felt underlayment its strength and longevity. It’s impervious to moisture and, when installed correctly, offers a higher degree of weather protection than felt.

Drip Edge

The drip edge is also called eave flashing.

Aluminum strips are nailed into place over the underlayment at the sides and beneath the underlayment at the edges of your roof to guide water into the gutters.

They help to prevent the buildup of water at the edges by giving water a route down to the gutters and back to the ground.

Flashing

We have talked before about the importance of flashing and what it does.

In a nutshell, flashing is sheet metal that is cut to size and installed around t the places prone to leaks like chimneys and joints.

Anything that sticks out of your roof will need flashing. Furthermore, it helps to direct water away from potential weak spots and off of your roof.

Ventilation

You may see a vent pipe, but the ventilation function of your roof is one of its most hidden features.

It is also one of its most essential functions. Vent pipes are installed near the top of the roof to allow hot air to escape your attic as it rises.

Soffits enable your roof to intake fresh air to create natural circulation. Soffit boards span the space between the house and the edge of the roofline.

If your soffits aren’t constructed to allow air intake, look for another method the builders used for cold air intake.

Gutters & Downspouts

We talk extensively on this blog about the importance of gutters. They aren’t hidden, but sometimes a break or a leak in the system is.

Clean your gutters and downspouts twice every season.

Fascia

Fascia boards are placed vertically along the roofline to help protect the interior of the house and the roof.

Gutters and downspouts are applied to this part of your roof. Fascia is essential, and its maintenance is vital to the health of your whole roof.

You don’t want rotting fascia, which means you need to clean it along with your gutters on a regular basis.

Shingles

Your shingles are what you can see, but they must be installed correctly to work.

The seams of your shingles are completely hidden so that they form the best possible barrier against the worst weather.

Takeaway

Hopefully, this gives you a sense of how the whole system of your roof works together.

If properly installed, a roofing system is a marvel of modern construction, and it will protect you and your family for decades.

Lastly, if you are interested in getting a quote and live in Southeast Michigan, please give us a call. We would be honored to help!

Call today

The post Everything You Want to Know About the Hidden Parts of Your Roof appeared first on Renovations Roofing & Remodeling, Inc..

There are a number of new roof price variables that impact the overall cost of a new roof.

We covered four of the major factors involved, including

However, these aren’t the only factors affecting the price or estimate you will get from competing companies.

We want to show you how much goes into that cost, and why the lowest estimate isn’t always going to be the best value.

New Roof Price Variables

Here are four more things that influence the price of your new roof:

Access

From a logistical standpoint, sometimes the job itself isn’t that hard. However, at times it is difficult and time-consuming to get to the roof and bring materials in and out.

When access to your roof is difficult, it means we are going to need additional equipment and labor to tear off the roof, load the materials, and stage and install the new roof. More equipment and more time equal more cost.

Additional Components

Most people don’t know everything that goes on a new roof. You might be thinking only of the price of the final tile or shingle that’s being installed, but that’s not how a roof works.

Think of a roof as a whole waterproofing system. To work correctly, a roof has to be waterproofed underneath, and it has to have a working gutter system.

Either the underlayment or decking materials or both may need to be replaced on your new roof.

In addition, your ventilation system may need to be adjusted, and your insulation may need to be replaced.

Roof fasteners play a crucial role as well. The quality of your new roof construction can vary greatly depending on the quality of fastener due to different levels of performance and how long they last.

Warranties

Did you know there are different levels of warranties?

A standard warranty backed by the roofing company covers the labor and the workmanship of the project.

However, there is also what is called an extended warranty or no-dollar-limit warranty offered by the manufacturer.

These warranties require extra materials and fees that will back the contractor’s labor and workmanship.

Additional steps are required, like an outside inspection, to ensure the roof is installed correctly.

Warranties are necessary, but they do add a bit of extra cost. If you opt for a standard roofing warranty, which typically doesn’t require any additional steps, remember you pay for what you get.

All the Trim

In addition to the underlayment, the “detail” pieces of your roof can vary widely in quality and price including:

Bringing it Home

As you are pricing your new roof and looking at quotes coming in from different companies, hopefully, these guides will help you understand how many new roof price variables are involved in a roofing project.

If you have any questions relating to this guide and live in Southeast Michigan, please give us a call. We’re here whenever you need us!

Call Now

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As much as we like to make our job look easy, there are many variables associated with having a new roof installed.

If you, the customer, get three or four different quotes from different roofing companies, you might be surprised at how different the price estimates are.

We don’t recommend only choosing the lowest price available for many reasons. However, we recognize that cost is a factor.

Why would different companies price the same job so differently?

This is an excellent question. You probably aren’t going to get an exact answer about your particular roof from anyone but a knowledgeable roofing contractor.

However, we can give you an idea of some of the main factors determining the estimated price of your new roof.

New Roof Price Factors

Size Matters

Roofing contractors don’t price a job the way you might price your new hardwood floors.

This is because roofing materials are sold by the roofing “square.” A roofing square is the square footage of your roof divided by 100, not by the square foot.

So, one roofing square is 100 square feet.

Out With the Old

The removal of the old roof is an essential part of the job. At Renovations Roofing & Remodeling, Inc., we rarely recommend putting new roofing materials over old ones.

Not only does your roof get too heavy for your house, but there is too much chance of a significant problem going unnoticed when you fail to remove the old material.

Therefore, removal of the old material plays into the cost.

Our estimates will always include this step, but the price of removal may vary based on other factors.

The basic components determining the price of removal are the labor – or the time it takes to remove – and the dump charges to dispose of the old material.

 Dump charges are usually determined by weight. Therefore, the more old material you have, or the heavier it is, the more it’s going to cost to dispose of correctly.

Roof Pitch

The pitch of your roof determines the cost in several ways.

First, a very steep roof isn’t safe to walk on and therefore requires staging, safety measures, and more labor. That will drive up your costs.

Second, the slope determines what type of materials can be used, and how many layers of underlayment should be installed.

Different pitches may require more than one layer of underlayment, while others require specific types of underlayment to have a high fire rating.

Materials Used

There is a whole range of different materials that can be used as the outer layer of your roof.

The slope of your roof will determine which system needs to be used. However, other factors such as weight, durability, and aesthetics play an essential role as well.

Asphalt shingles can be relatively inexpensive or pricier, depending on the look you want to achieve.

There are clay and concrete tiles, composite shingles, wood shakes, metal roofs, and even slate tiles. The price range can vary widely.

The same is true of flat roof products. While some companies may still offer coatings, hot-mop built-up roofing, and modified torches, others will only recommend TPO and single-ply PVC systems. The price difference between these methods can be quite significant.

Bringing it Home

We know that it takes many years to gain so much knowledge and fluency about the world of roofing. Many factors go into a new roof price. It can make your head swim if you’re not familiar with it all.

If you are in the midst of this process and live in Southeast Michigan, we would be more than happy to walk you through your decision.

We are always glad to talk about why we do things the way we do. Please, give us a call. It would be our pleasure!

Call Now

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Do you know your roofing architectural styles? Do you know what sets a hip roof apart from a gambrel roof or a mansard roof?

You might be surprised to find out how many roof styles there are, let alone how many different roofing materials there are to choose from.

There are many architectural styles that “go with” their own type of roof.

Gambrel roofs are no exception. Let’s take a look at this classic style and find out if it will work for you,

What is a Gambrel Roof?

You may know the difference between a gable roof and a hip roof. Gable roofs have two vertical sides, and hip roofs have none.

The gable roof looks like a child’s drawing of a roof.

The gambrel roof is like that, with one difference: each sloping side of the roof is “broken” into two halves. There are two slopes are coming down from a central ridge instead of two.

Gambrel roofs were a very popular style in traditional Dutch architecture, which is why you might associate this roofline with an old barn.

This style of roof leaves plenty of room in the attic space. Therefore, it was used for a long time in this country for barn buildings.

Gambrel Roof Pros

A gambrel roof can be used for houses too. It’s a popular design for farmhouse style, Dutch Colonial style, and Georgian style homes.

This style looks clean and classic in any building. The top part of the slope is shallower, while the bottom slope is almost vertical, leaving an ample, open space under the roof that can accommodate a third story very easily.

The gambrel roof is also easy to build. On a simple gambrel, there are no hills or valleys or any complex joints to fit together. They typically use two beams with gusset joints for the underlying structure.

Because of the easy build, gambrel roofs are cheaper to install and maintain than a more complex roof system.

In addition, it takes fewer materials to build a gambrel roof, making it more cost-effective in that way as well. However, you will still have a unique-looking roofline that is beautiful and clean-lined.

Like a gabled roof, gambrel style roofs have excellent drainage.

Cons of a Gambrel Roof

However, gambrel roofs aren’t ideal for areas that get high winds or heavy snow or both.

Heavy snowfalls will inevitably sit on the lower slope portion, which is higher on the roof. This puts a strain on the whole roof, which can cause leaking eventually.

If you have a gambrel roof, making sure to reinforce the gussets can offset this problem.

High winds can be another big issue for gambrel roofs. They tend to be high and big roofs, structure-wise, and they may not weigh enough to stay down in a high wind. They are susceptible to uplift in high winds if not engineered correctly.

Some gambrel roofs have problems with ventilation, which can mean moisture damage if they are not adequately attended to.

If you have a gambrel roof and you have never replaced a roof before, be prepared to spend a bit more than you would with a traditional gable roof.

Gambrel roofs do add surface area, and therefore materials to the cost. It is also a design that requires specialized knowledge to replace correctly, so you don’t want to try to fix or replace this kind of roof yourself.

Bringing it Home

Gambrel roofs are unique, romantic, and they offer more space in the attic and excellent drainage.

However, make sure your gambrel roof is adequately supported and maintained, and that you consult with professionals who know what they are doing.

If you have any questions regarding your roof and live in Southeast Michigan, please call. We would be honored to help.

Call Now

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What is a mansard roof? Would you be able to identify this style if you see one?

You may not know it, but you have probably seen one. If you have ever been to the Louvre in Paris, you have seen a mansard style roof.

This style is also called a French roof, or a curb roof. If a gambrel style roof is a gable roof “broken” into two sections, a mansard roof is a hip roof broken into two sections.

The top section of a mansard style roof has a very low slope.

You often can’t see this part of it from the street; the slope is so low. However, it does slope slightly to a central ridge, coming down on all four sides toward the walls.

But the second section, the lower part, of a mansard style roof has a very steep slope. The slope can almost look vertical.

You will know a mansard roof if it looks like the upper portion of the house is shingled rather than covered in siding. That section is not the house; it’s actually the roof.

The History of the Mansard Roof

The mansard roof style is named after Francois Mansart (1598 – 1666), who was a famous French architect who popularized the style during the Baroque period, which was roughly from 1600 – 1750.

Mansart built chateaus and townhouses designed to be eye-catching. However, he copied the style from its creator, Pierre Lescot (1510 – 1578), who created the Louvre.

When Paris was rebuilt in the late 1800s, during the reign of Napoleon III, the mansard style roof was solidified as the highest fashion, and from there it spread to England, Italy, and into Europe.

Of course, we know it made its way across the Atlantic to Canada and the United States. French Second Empire architecture became very popular in this country just before the Civil War. For a relatively short time, mansard roofs became “all the rage.”

Today, this style of roof is still used in homes and buildings made to look like old French architecture, but it’s also used in a modern way.

Pros of Mansard Style Roof

The bottom portion of a mansard style roof can be flat, or slightly concave or convex, depending on which part of the roof.

Some of the rooflines on very old buildings can be quite ornate and utilize both convex and concave shapes.

Very often, dormer windows are set into the lower portion of the roof, making the attic space very roomy and full of light.

In fact, this was the original thought behind building so many structures with this roofline.

Parisians were taxed for the number of floors under their roof. The “garret” underneath a mansard style roof wasn’t considered a separate story but could be used as living space.

If your house isn’t designed with the attic space already finished, a mansard style roof provides an excellent way to expand without having to build on to your home.

Mansard roofs also support more even heat distribution in your house, which makes it more comfortable.

The mansard roof style can look very elegant and timeless if it is done right. In addition, modern materials make mansard style roofs last longer than they did in times past.

Cons of Mansard Style Roof

If you are trying to build a new house with a mansard roof, you have to know what you are doing to get a permit.

Typically, mansard roofs need to be capped at a certain height to protect your house from structural damage.

Mansard roofs can also be expensive to replace, due to how much longer it takes for the workers and the fact that they need more materials than other roof types.

A new installation of a mansard roof will require a certain degree of specialty. Not every roofer has experience with this kind of design.

Mansard roofs are also not ideal for areas with extreme weather, due to the low slope of the upper part of the roof. The lower the slope, the more easily snow and ice can sit on it and cause damage.

The best thing you can do for a mansard roof is to stay on top of maintenance.

Bringing it Home

If your house is built with a mansard style roof, you are to be congratulated! You have a classy-looking style that is sure to stand out in your neighborhood.

Make sure you get regular inspections and maintenance for your mansard style roof, and there’s no reason it won’t last for many years to come.

If you live in Southeast Michigan and have a mansard roof that needs attention, please give us a call. We would be honored to help!

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