Orange County

You look up in the spring and notice that the shingles on your roof are looking a little curled-under or wavy. That’s not good! If your shingles look like that, or if you’re missing lots of clay tiles, it may be time to replace your roof.

This is a project no homeowner looks forward to. But tackling your roof replacement sooner rather than later may actually save you money. If you can replace the roofing material before the underlying plywood is damaged, you’ll save a ton!

The actual cost of replacing your roof will depend on a number of factors. And only a qualified contractor can tell you exactly how much your roof replacement project will cost. The best Orange County roofing company will be up front with a quote, and will detail exactly what goes into that final cost.

Thinking of ways to save money in 2015? One excellent option could be going solar. According to multiple sources, California is one of the least expensive places in the country to install solar panels. With government incentives, it's possible to spend as little as ten to fifteen thousand dollars on some residential solar systems. Often, solar energy systems can save 50 - 90% of your electricity bill in California homes and the return on investment is quicker than it's ever historically been.

So there's many obvious reasons for installing solar - saving money and helping the environment - but what makes 2015 a great time to install solar panels on the roof of your home or business?

Home solar power is easier to install than ever. And with Orange County solar panel installers, you can work with a local business to set your own home or business up with money-saving solar power.

The Best Orange County Roofing Company is State Licensed

These days, it’s easier than ever for SoCal individuals and companies to find a roofing company. A quick Google search turns up literally hundreds of options in the area. So the problem isn’t just finding someone to fix your roof. The problem is ensuring that you’re using the best Orange County roofing company for your needs.

Obviously, there’s plenty to think about when it comes to shopping for a roofing contractor. But one of the top requirements on your list should be that your contractor is licensed with the State of California.

In fact, any company that doesn’t provide potential customers with a current, verifiable license number isn’t worth your time. Here’s why:

Orange County Roofing Company

Want to resolve something besides “lose weight” and “pay off debt” this New Year? In 2015, make some New Year’s Resolutions for your roof. These five resolutions can save you money in the long run by keeping your roof in great condition. Here are five resolutions SoCal residents should make about their roofs:

1. Install a clay tile roof

 There’s a reason clay tile roofs are ubiquitous in the Southern California area: they’re incredibly energy efficient. The curve of the clay tiles creates a space for air between the tile and the roof. This air space creates a natural thermal barrier, so that less heat transfers from the roof tiles to the inside of the home. 

When less heat transfers into your home, it makes your home easier and more affordable to cool. So check with your local Orange County roofing company to get a quote for installing a clay tile roof in 2015.

How often should you maintain your commercial roof?

Roofs are one of those things that we tend to think about only when they malfunction. As long as the roof is doing its job - protecting your building - you may not give it much thought. But as soon as a problem arises and the roof is no longer working properly, it’s an emergency situation!

One way to avoid these emergencies is obviously to maintain your commercial roof on a regular basis. Commercial roof maintenance may not be the most exciting thing on your business’s to-do list, but it’s important. After all, your roof protects the rest of your building, which protects your business’s assets from weather and other problems.

So commercial roof maintenance from an Orange County roofing contractor is actually pretty important. But how often should you pay someone to inspect your roof and do routine maintenance? Well, industry standards suggest that twice-a-year inspections are ideal, especially for commercial roofs.

Replacing a roof isn’t cheap. That’s why it’s important to repair your roof - rather than replacing it - whenever possible. Unless the shingles or tiles on your roof are completely worn out, repairs are able to fix many issues you might be having - including leaking. Orange County roof repair often addresses a group of very common problems. Here are some of the most common repairs that we do:

1. Damaged flashing.

Flashing is a piece of metal that adds extra protection to your roof’s extra vulnerable points. It’s found around skylights, around chimneys, and sometimes in the valleys of your roof where two surfaces meet. These areas are more prone to leaks, and are harder to get shingles and tiles into properly.

Flat roofs can be a great option for businesses and homes alike. They’re more efficient and cheaper to build, and they can give you usable space on the roof of your home. But flat roofs can also require a bit more maintenance than their traditionally-sloped counterparts. It’s important when you have a flat roof to perform regular maintenance.

One key to maintaining a flat roof is regular inspection. Even if you don’t notice any leaks right now, inspect your roof at least twice per year. This will let you keep on top of potential problems, catching leaky spots before they even start.

If you already notice an issue with your roof - like a leak or an area where the roofing material is peeling or bubbling - it’s time to call in the professional Orange County roofing contractors. A professional contractor will know how to look for underlying issues, and will be able to tell you whether your roof needs replaced or can simply be repaired.

One of the benefits of installing a tile roof on your home is that they’re virtually maintenance-free. But “virtually” maintenance-free doesn’t mean the same thing as totally maintenance-free. You still need to do some maintenance with your clay tile roof - or hire OC roofing companies to do it.

Luckily, maintaining a clay tile roof is relatively simple. Here are the steps you should take to keep yours in excellent shape:

1. Inspect regularly

First, make sure that you regularly inspect the clay tiles on your roof. This is especially true after a storm or strong wind. While clay is very durable and not likely to break, it does happen sometimes. And you definitely want to replace a broken tile as soon as possible, before more damage occurs.

If you do notice broken, slipped, missing, or chipped tiles, be sure that you call a qualified Orange County roofing company, like Luke Roofing, Inc. to fix the problem. Clay isn’t as simple for DIYers to fix as asphalt shingles.

2. Power wash

Like all roofs, you definitely need to be sure that you keep your clay tile roof clean. Dirty roofs invite all sorts of problems - from nesting critters to mold growth. So make sure that you regularly clean your roof, especially if it gets debris on it from nearby trees.

One of the easiest ways to clean your clay tile roof yourself is with a power washer. Power washing can be done in an afternoon. If tiles are growing algae, rinse them in a special roof rinse that will break down the algae without harming the environment around your home. Talk to OC roofing companies about how best to wash your roof.

The best roofers in Orange County know a thing or two about clay tile roofs. After all, they’re some of the most popular roofs around this area. They fit right in to the Spanish-inspired feel of many Orange County homes. But clay tile roofs can work well with many other home styles, too, and they have tons of advantages.

Getting ready to replace your tile roof, or thinking of a switch to tile from another type of roofing material? Here are some of the most frequently asked questions the best roofers in Orange County are asked regularly:

1. Isn’t tile expensive?

Yes and no.

The answer to this question is yes because, on the front end, tile roofs are more expensive than their asphalt counterparts. Typically, concrete tiles cost about three times more than high-quality asphalt shingles, and clay tiles cost a bit more than that. This type of roofing is much less expensive than the increasingly-popular slate, however.

The Pros and Cons of Orange County Roofing Materials

Until you build a custom home or re-roof your existing home, you might not even think about all the types of roofing materials that are available today. But take a cross-country road trip through America, and you’ll see many different types of roofing materials - metal, asphalt shingles, clay, cedar shake shingles, and more.

Orange County homes can use any of these types of roofs, but before you choose your ideal roofing material, you need to know the pros and cons of all of your options. Here are the pros and cons of the most common Orange County roofing materials:

Asphalt shingles: Because they’re easiest to install, about ¾ of American roofs are covered in asphalt shingles. They come in a variety of colors, and they’re less expensive than other types of roofing materials, costing between $50 and $150 per 100 square feet.

Hiring roofers in Orange County is a big deal for a homeowner. Getting your roof repaired or replaced can cost big money. And you want to be sure you’re spending your cash wisely and well. So before you sign a contract with a roofer, ask these 9 questions to be sure you’re hiring the right roofing company:

1. Are you licensed?Roofers in Orange County should be licensed by the state. A license doesn't guarantee excellent work, but working with an unlicensed contractor is sketchy, at best.

2. Are you a member of any roofing associations? Again, the fact that a roofing company is a member of a roofing association doesn't guarantee that they do good work. But those who are association members tend to be more up-to-date on the latest methods and products on the market. Association membership can prove that a roofing company is serious about its work.

Orange County Roofers

Roofs and roof repairs cost homeowners a huge chunk of change - between $4,000 and $15,000 for a full replacement. So you definitely want to be sure to get your money’s worth when hiring an Orange County roofer. Here’s how:

Know How They Charge

Typical roofers charge according to “squares” - ten-by-ten sections of roof. The average roof has between 28 and 32 squares, which may or may not need replaced, according to your needs.

When it comes to actually replacing a roof, Orange County roofers will start by charging for the removal of the old roof. And your costs will depend on how many shingle layers are on the old roof. And if your roof is extra high or extremely steep, expect to pay more.

The Orange County roofer will also charge for installation of the new underlay and shingles. And, of course, you’ll have to pay for the actual materials used to complete your new roof or roof repairs.

Know Your Options

When it comes to roof repair and replacement, you’ve got plenty of options. For instance, you could have the roofer install new shingles over the old ones, instead of removing the old shingles. This is cheaper, but it also reduces the lifespan of your new shingles. However, if you’re on a really tight budget, this is an option to consider.