You are finally at the tail end of one of the worst rainy seasons in a decade. Your roof has been stormed on what seems like countless times, it's been battered by hail and tree branches, and you have even picked up a few stray shingles in your yard every now and then. After finding a sizable ceiling leak in your dining room, you have decided that it is time to finally schedule a roof replacement. 

Where do you start? Before you call up your roofing company, shouldn't you have an idea of what you want? How many different kinds of roofs are there anyway, and which one is best for you? 

The answer is that there are quite a few types, and there are several factors that play key roles in choosing the right roof for a home. Some consumers choose the roof material that is most aesthetically pleasing in coordination with the rest of their home, while others prefer to find the choice that is most economical. The champion factor, however, is durability, following by cost of purchase and longevity.

Which factor is the most important one at play for you? If it is longevity, there are some options that can live longer than you will--such as clay tile roofs and slate roofs--but, since the average roofing company and homeowner prefer shingles (in fact, 80% of American homes are covered with shingles), here is a breakdown of the shingles varieties available to you.

• Composite shingle roofs may or may not last. This is the most popular roofing material available, but because there are so many different brands and products under composite shingle roofs, the quality of the roofing material chosen might result in shingles that last 15 years, or as long as 50. High-quality manufacturers will offer warranties to cover your roof, but you should still prolong the life of your shingles by clearing debris off of your roof as soon as possible, watching for moss growth, and never power washing.
  
  
• Wood shingles and wood shake shingles are high maintenance. Since it is a natural material, a roof covered with wooden shingles is vulnerable to the elements, from weathering to decay to insect infestation. While wood shingles can last around 25 years and wood shake shingles up to 40, this longevity will be severely decimated if curled or cracked shingles are not replaced, moss is not cleared away, and rotting or otherwise damaged areas are not immediately addressed.
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• Avoid asphalt roll roofs. Your roofing company will strongly advise against you choosing an asphalt roll roof, and may even refuse to install it. With a lifespan of barely a decade and extreme vulnerability to debris and damage, it is an unwise choice for your home, but may be suited for a gazebo or small shed.

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If you are in the nation's majority of homeowners who choose shingles for their durability, convenience, and classic look, then make sure you pick out the material that is the right investment for you and your home. Some roofing materials may look beautiful and aesthetically pleasing but will bring you a lot of stress, costs, and maintenance obligations down the road.

If you have a moldy roof, it might be time to purchase a new one. While any roof is susceptible to mold, especially in moist areas, your twice-yearly inspection might reveal some nasty problems if the mold has been there for a while. 

But what exactly are the effects of mold on your roof? 

On your roof
If mold, lichen, and other forms of wet creatures make their home on your roof, you may face some serious consequences. Aesthetically, mold is known for causing an ugly, large stain. This looks bad but can be even worse if you're trying to sell your home. The roof of your home represents around 40% of your home's visual exterior, and if it has mold or other stains, it could prevent your home from selling. While aesthetics are an issue, however, the long-lasting effects are much worse. 

Mold has a bad habit of eating through your shingles and working its way to your wooden beams. Eventually, this causes wood rot, thus creating the perfect breeding ground for more mold to grow. This leads to structural issues in your home and makes it susceptible to water damage, flooding events, and pest infestations. 

On your family
Mold is a hazardous growth that can adversely affect your family, especially if you have infants, elderly relatives, and people with weakened immune systems in the home. 

Oftentimes, mold causes an allergy-like reaction in most individuals. This includes stuffiness, irritation of the eyes and throat, wheezing, coughing, and sometimes skin irritation. Those who are allergic can have more severe reactions including recurring lung illnesses and infections. 

What should I do?
If you notice mold on your home, you must get it off as quickly as you can. While you can try to do it yourself, that might result in disaster for the amateur roof repairman. Leave it to the professionals to get the job done right. Your contractor in Kentucky will have the right materials to keep your home safe and give you suggestions to fix the damage on your roofing, including new roofing shingles or general roof repair.

In the event you need a new roof, your Richmond KY roofer will be able to install it before the bad weather hits. Call the best contractor in Kentucky today, at Ideal Roofing. ​

We know a roof replacement is a pretty big job, one that shouldn't be taken lightly. Even though asphalt shingles have a lifespan of 20 to 50 years (depending on the climate), they're not invincible against the sands of time. There will come a point when roof replacement is necessary.

It's important to be looking at the life of your roof as time goes on. A faulty roof isn't something you want to discover through suddenly disastrous damage, leaks, or worse. When it's time for a roof replacement, summertime is the ideal season for a new roof installation. Why is this true? There are a few reasons roofing contractors know that most people aren't privy to. 

Construction lull
Springtime sees a big construction rush. People are realizing that the winter took a toll on their houses, the weather is warming up, and they flock to contractors to fix things up as soon as possible. You'll find long lines, packed schedules, and you'll be waiting a long time for your roof replacement to begin. Wait until after the spring rush when projects are complete and contractors are starting to slow down.

Time breeds quality
After the spring rush comes the steady but slower summer season. When roofing companies have packed schedules, the pace of their work is likely to be quicker, sometimes leading to a lapse in quality. When the season is slower, the attention to detail automatically increases. And, as per simple economics, when demand is decreased, you'll find better prices for materials and labor costs will fall slightly. 

Preparation
Ill-prepared people decide to get their roofs replaced in the fall, the seasonal crunch time before winter. This is the last place you want to be. Keeping ahead of schedule and preparing for the upcoming roof replacement will save you from a contracting headache that's completely avoidable.

Again, it's a big job. We're here to give you the advice, support, and expertise to get the ball rolling on your roof replacement. Get to it while the sun is high and the weather's warm. Tis the season this summer, so don't wait until crunch time and you'll avoid overspending, overstressing, and getting caught out in the rain. ​

With summer approaching, now is the perfect time for any home remodeling projects. You may choose to renovate your master bedroom or simply replace your roof.

Some homeowners may be inclined to replace or fix their roofs on their own. But, hiring roofing contractors has some major advantages. Let’s take a look at a few of them. 

They Know What They’re DoingJust like technology is constantly changing, roofing materials and techniques are always evolving. Experienced roofing contractors have taken the time to keep up-to-date on all of the changes. Because of this, they’ll know what they’re doing in any situation. If you were to handle the project by yourself, you might not have the appropriate knowledge. Sure a roofing contractor is going to cost you a few dollars, but you might end up costing yourself a lot more if you did the project by yourself. 

They Value SafetySince a roof project requires the worker to stand so high off of the ground, you can be sure that they’re going to take safety very seriously. Not only will they keep their safety in mind, but they will also consider the safety of you and your family. If they’re replacing your shingles, they’re going to be throwing the old pieces off of your roof. (Did you know four out of five homes in the U.S. are covered with asphalt shingles?) An experienced contractor will know exactly where to toss the garbage so it doesn't hit anyone. Old shingles tend to have nails sticking out, so if they were to come in contact with someone it could cause some major injuries. 

They Are InsuredSometimes accidents happen. These accidents may not be controllable but could lead to some serious injuries. An experienced roofer will have all of the proper insurance-related documentation on hand to cover themselves and you as a homeowner. If they were to fall off of your roof and have all of the proper insurance, you won’t get stuck paying the medical bills.

As the weather gets warmer, now’s the perfect time to do some work on your roof. You may choose to do the work yourself, but hiring a professional is extremely beneficial. They know exactly what they’re doing, know how to stay safe, and will come to your house with the proper insurance. 

​If you’re a homeowner, you probably know that your gutters are extremely important. In fact, some might say that they’re the most important part of your home. They keep your roof and home separate so that no water or contaminants can enter your living room. 

When it comes to installing and repairing your gutters, you shouldn’t mess around. While you may believe that you can do the work on your own, it’s probably not a good idea. There are a few reasons why you need to hire a professional before doing any work on your gutters. 

First, there are many technical issues that could happen. For example, you might not know, but gutters actually come in a variety of sizes. If you aren’t a gutter installation professional yourself, it might be hard to determine which size is best for your home. Also, it’s obvious that gutters require a bit of sealing. Applying the sealant to gutters is actually a tricky task. If you aren’t trained properly on how to do it, you might mess it up. These are a few of the first reasons why you need to hire professional roofers and gutter installers to get the job properly. 

Next, there are many safety risks that come with gutter installation and repairs. In order to get up to the gutters themselves, you’re going to need a ladder. Even though climbing a ladder might seem easy, it can actually be very dangerous. If you were to fall off of a ladder, you’re risking breaking bones, sustaining a concussion, or even a fatal consequence. Installing and fixing gutters also require you to use certain tools. If you’ve never used the tools before, chances are you won’t know what you’re doing. There’s plenty of room for error here, and a professional would be able to do better in the situations. 

Finally, many people may think that if they just do the work themselves, they’re going to save money. That's not true. Professionals actually buy their products in bulk, which allows them to get a cheaper rate and charge you less. If you were to buy your own supplies directly from a store, you would be paying an arm and a leg. Plus, if you do happen to mess up, you’re going to have to pay a lot of extra money to have someone come to fix the mistakes. A professional will also be able to tell you if there are any potential problems with your roofing shingles while they're checking your gutters. Typically, your roof should be inspected once or twice a year, which they'll be able to do right then and there. This will also help you to save some extra cash and time. 

Even though DIY gutter installation and repair might seem like a good idea, it’s not the best. To save yourself time, money, and protect yourself from injuries, look to a professional for help.

Roofs are a very important part of our homes. Without them, we'd have nothing to protect us from rain, hail, debris, and potentially animals. This is why it's essential to have a functioning and reliable roof.
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Roofs are usually installed with the best care and meticulous attention to detail. However, no matter how well the roof was installed in the first place, some potential problems may still occur. If you own a home, you need to always make sure that your roof is in good condition. Here are some potential problems that you need to look out for.

LeaksSometimes, a roof can leak. Unfortunately, if you live in an area where there is heavy snow, rain, sleet, hail, or other major weather factors, there's a chance your roof will somehow be damaged. For example, if you live in a place that sees a lot of snow, the snow can sit on your roof for a very long time and eventually seep under the layers. This is not good because anything that gets under your roof's layers can cause leaks, mold, and rot. On a regular basis, you should make sure that your roof has no potential areas in which any precipitation or moisture can enter. Keeping an eye out for holes or missing shingles will help you in the long run. 

PuncturesLast year, our country saw a lot of weather-related devastation. Different states throughout our nation were subject to hurricanes. With the hurricanes came high winds and heavy rain. These kinds of things can be extremely damaging to a roof and can cause punctures and penetrations in the roofing shingles. Metal roofs typically have a 140 mph wind rating, which is good for hurricane-ridden areas. However, many people don't have metal roofs. As a homeowner, it's important to keep an eye out for these kinds of things to prevent anything bad from happening to your home.

TreesMany homeowners don't realize that trees can do a lot of damage to a roof. If you have a tree with low-hanging branches near your roof, there's a chance that the shingles and other pieces of material are going to wear away. Make sure your tree limbs are always trimmed to prevent this from happening. If the shingles were to wear away, you'd be lacking the necessary materials needed for protection, and the roof will need immediate roof repair.

Consistently making sure your roof is in good condition can help you save a lot of time and money and can prevent the need for roof repair. Every week or so, take a look at your roof and see if there is anything that needs to be fixed. If there is, reach out to your local roofers for roof repair.