Eco-Star Roofs

Eco-Star Roofs

Have you ever wanted a cooler roof that would help your house and the environment? Eco-Star tiles may be the way to go.

In the City of Denver, the certification of “green roof” certification, which is Eco-star. A green box with a Big white E and a white star next to it. 

Eco-Star roofs are mostly made up of recycled tiles and shingles, that either were scraped off a roof, or not used on one. The impact of not making newer shingles or tiles is a huge benefit to the environment.

There are multiple roofs that can be used to help the environment without compromising on quality, durability, or longevity. The list includes asphalt shingles, clay tiles, metal roofs, and Synthetic Shake.

Eco roofs will have a longer life span than other materials that are out there. Because of the durability, they can withstand and reduce the frequency of roof replacements and maintenance for it overall, saving money and resources over time.

Consider where you live when you would like to install an Eco roof. Here in Colorado, it has up to 300 days of sunlight, and being positioned closer to the sun. Eco roofs may be a good place to start.

Benefits with eco-friendly roofing is the reflection of the sun. If you have a dark toned roof, it will absorb a lot of sunlight, not letting it have a chance to reflect the sunlight so much. Making it much hotter on top of your house. During the summer, roofs can be hotter than the ground with a difference between 20 degrees. In our climate of Colorado, we are closer to the sun, and it makes it harsher because of direct light towards your roof.

Overall, do your research to see if you would like an eco-roof on your house. Decide which material you would like that is energy efficient. Eco-star roofs can save money in the long run, because it will keep your house cool during the hotter months and warm in the cold months.

 

https://ecostarllc.com/5-key-environmental-benefits-of-synthetic-roofing/#:~:text=DURABILITY%20AND%20LONGEVITY,heavy%20rains%20and%20extreme%20temperatures

6 Essential Safety Requirements for Roofers

6 Essential Safety Requirement for Roofers

Roofing can be a dangerous business and there are many ways to prepare yourselves for each job you do as a roofer.

1.    Follow the OSHA rules. OSHA stands for Occupational Safety and Health Administration. A federal agency of the department of Labor. OSHA is a Private Workers Federal division, that covers most private businesses in the United States. Especially in Colorado. It is important you follow rules because it is for your safety. For more information, please visit their website. (link on the bottom)

2.    Check your surrounding areas before you start the job. There could be anything on the roof you may not know about, holes, rocks, loose items and other debris.

 

3.    Using the proper roofing equipment is important for working on a roof. Make sure you are properly dressed. Long pants and short sleeves are a minimum. You want to make sure you’re fully covered and don’t have baggy pants that can get in the way. Wear proper footwear like gym shoes with a good grip, not vans with a super flat bottom. Hard hats, glasses, and gloves are important things to wear to avoid getting hurt from unknown hazards. Preparing yourself for any type of potential hazard that could happen.

 

4. Bring a ladder that is appropriate, to get to the lowest platform of the roof. Check the ladder is tied off and secure for yourself and others.

5. A safety harness is very important. If you fall or slip, the harness will catch you, potentially saving your life. All harnesses should be tied to an anchor point.

6. Lastly, decide whether the weather is good enough to be out to work, because wet roofs can cause slipping hazards making it even more dangerous to be on top of the roof. Extreme temperatures over 90 degrees, will not be able to be worked on. Roofs absorb and reflect light, making it much hotter than normal. If someone were to work on a roof in hot weather, they would scuff the asphalt from foot traffic. Meaning, moving the gravel/asphalt form the shingles. To avoid this, by not working in hot temperatures. Working in hot temperatures could cause problems like being dehydrated, getting bad sunburn or heat exhaustion. Please be aware of your symptoms if this happens.

Overall, please follow the rules that keep you safe. No job is worth losing your life because you decided not to follow rules. Have fun roofing and for more information please visit our social media sites.

https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/publications/OSHA3755.pdf

https://ohsonline.com/articles/2023/01/31/10-important-safety-requirements.asp

What Is Roof Flashing?

roof flashing on an opening

What is Roof Flashing?

If your roof has been inspected or replaced, you may have heard the word flashing used to describe certain parts of your roof.  Maybe the flashing needs to be replaced or water is getting under the flashing and causing a roof leak.  Just what is flashing and why is it important?


Roof Flashing Materials

roof flashing on an opening


Flashing can be made from many different materials like plastic, tin, or galvanized metal.  Flashing is used as a transition from the roofing material to something that is not a roof. Flashing is installed at intersecting roofs and parapets and walls. It typically consists of angled strips of corrosion- resistant metal that overlap in such a way as to stop water from reaching your roof decking.


Where Does Flashing Go?


For example, you need flashing where a skylight, chimney, dormer, plumbing vent or air vent extends through a roof. The roofing material stops where these elements go through the roof, and something must connect them to the roof so there is no leak. That’s the job of a flashing.  Flashing protects your roof in the areas where it is most vulnerable to leaks.


Shingles on a roof play a similar role as do feathers on duck.  The feather pattern and layering keep the water from ever reaching the skin of a duck.  The duck stays dry.  Flashing keeps this “feathered” pattern in tact on your roof and keeps the rain from ever reaching the roof decking.  Without proper flashing, your roof would leak where something was extending through your roof.


Flashing has been an essential piece to proper roof construction for hundreds of years.  Its design hasn’t changed much in that time period either.  It is very important for the flashing to be properly installed.  If you think your roof flashing is old or worn, call Excel Roofing and we will perform a free inspection to your roof.

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