Orange County

One function of an Orange County roofer, of course, is to install roofs. This job, however, requires more than laying down a few tiles. In fact, when an Orange County roofer installs a new roof, this professional must deal with a variety of components.

Whether a residential roofer or commercial roofer is on the job, these components remain fairly consistent. The first of them is the visible layer familiar to everyone, the roof covering. The material selected to cover and shield your rooftop is available in variety of styles and textures. The most common covering is shingles. Seen almost everywhere, these may be of the tile, slate, or metal variety. The choice depends on your personal preferences and objectives.  

Naturally, your chosen roof covering requires support. In roofing circles, that support is known as sheathing. This foundation typically is a board made of a sturdy material such as plywood. An Orange County roofer connects this board to your rafters, thereby supporting shingles or other covering.

Sheathing, in turn, requires its own support. That’s the job of rafters and trusses.  The first of these, rafters, are beams that run from the eaves to the roof peak. Consider it the basic framework of a roof. Similar to rafters, trusses provide support in the form of posts and struts.

The final component an Orange County roofer deals with is flashing. This is critical for preventing water from seeping into your home during inclement weather. Typically constructed of sheet metal, flashing is installed into roof joints and valleys.

If you have any questions about what an Orange County roofer installs in a roofing system, be sure to reach out to Luke Roofing. A long-established Orange County roofer, we provide prompt, reliable expertise for every residential or commercial roofing need and situation. From roofing services in Fullerton to roofing services in Laguna Beach, Luke Roofing has Orange County covered.

With Orange County and all of Southern California heating up under the summer sun, many of the community’s rooftops will really take a beating before the season is over and things cool down. Given the harshness of those golden rays, it’s not surprising that extreme temperatures are one of the leading causes of shingle damage. If you wish to prevent or at least minimize the potential for such damage, you may want to have a reliable Orange County roofer install shingles that can withstand the summer sun.

Which kind of shingles work best? Many a commercial roofer would advise homeowners in hot zones such as Orange County to choose from among the following possibilities: slate, terracotta, concrete tiles, reflective roofing, membrane roofing, and photovoltaic shingles.

If cost is a factor shaping your decision, you’ll definitely want to give strong consideration to concrete tiles. While high on quality, these tiles consistently earn the distinction of being the lowest priced option among high-end roofing materials. But no matter what type of material you select, be sure to factor in all costs associated with the installation of new tiles, not just the tiles themselves.

Along with roofing materials, roof coatings also can be an effective means of cooling down your roof and preventing it from heat damage. Coating works like a mirror, reflecting the sun’s blistering rays away from your home. And let’s not forget the effectiveness of what’s beneath the roof -- namely insulation. Proper insulation can go a long way to keeping those high summer temperatures at bay.  

Should you think your roof is vulnerable to heat damage, it’s best to get expert input. For instance, if you live in a sunny community such as Irvine, get the opinion of an Irvine roofer. Being proactive in this manner will help you protect your roof and make your home as cool and comfortable as it can be.

If you have any questions about the best shingles for hot weather, be sure to reach out to Luke Roofing. A long-established Orange County roofing company, we provide prompt, reliable expertise for every residential roofing need and situation. Whether you need roofing services in Irvine, Trabuco Canyon, or anywhere else in OC, you definitely can count on Luke Roofing.

The state of your roof can tell you a lot about your home, in general. Water stains may mean that you have backed-up gutters, for instance. And a roof that is waving or denting in places may have storm damage or underlying structural issues. One other thing your roof can tell you about: mold.

Mold under the roof is a less common issue in SoCal than in wetter areas of the country, but that doesn’t mean it never happens. After all, it only takes a little water damage for mold to crop up in otherwise sheltered areas.

So what should you look for to tell if there’s mold happening on or just under your roof? And when should you call an Orange County roofing contractor to take care of the problem? Here’s what you need to know about finding, dealing with, and preventing mold on your roof.

Signs to Look For

First, it’s always important as a homeowner to know what signs to look for as a problem might arise. When it comes to mold in or around your roof, you might notice actual visible stains and streaks that seem to spread on your roof, for instance. If your roof is poorly ventilated, mold can actually grow on top of the roof or just under the shingles, causing discoloration that seems to get worse as time goes by.

It’s more likely, though, that mold signs will be visible inside your home. For instance, you might notice cracked or peeling paint on your ceilings, or even water stains coming through to the ceilings. If you notice signs like these, you either have recent water damage or, potentially, mold.

Also, you should always be on the lookout for worrying physical symptoms in yourself, your children, or your pets. Symptoms of mold reaction can be subtle, and may look like cold, flu, or seasonal allergy symptoms to begin with. But if you notice family members who have increased respiratory issues, itchy skin, runny nose, sneezing, coughing, or sore throat on an ongoing basis, it’s a good idea to look for mold. Other mold exposure symptoms include rashes, headaches, or chest tightness.

If these symptoms are ongoing and out of the ordinary, you’ll want to talk to a doctor, of course. But you may also want to talk to an Orange County roofing contractor who can thoroughly check the top of your home for mold. This is especially true if you notice these symptoms in connection with other physical signs of mold around or outside of your home.

Dealing with Mold on Your Roof

When it comes to dealing with mold on your roof, it’s really best left to the professionals. Mold and mildew growth on the outside of your roof, such as between your tiles, is less likely to cause serious health problems for your family. However, you’ll want to have contractors take care of this unsightly problem before it does further damage to the roofing underlayment.

Usually, contractors will clean the roof thoroughly if exterior mold is the problem. They may use a bleach solution to kill the mold growth, and they may need to replace some of the more affected tiles or shingles, if necessary.

Mold growing under the roof can be a larger problem to deal with, and you may need to talk with a contractor who specializes in mold remediation.

Mold growing in the attic may be harmless cosmetic mold that can be scrubbed off or even left alone. But if the mold variety is potentially hazardous, you’ll have to decide whether to clean it up or actually replace the roofing underlayment.

Replacing underlayment is a costly venture, but could be more efficient than trying to scrub mold off of the wood, treat it, and then keep mold from coming back. Again, though, this is a question for an experienced contractor, and you’ll need to have them come to your home to scope out the problem in order to get a feel for this particular issue.

If you do decide to replace the underlayment, be sure to find out what was likely the cause of the mold growth in the first place. Take steps to prevent such an expensive issue from cropping up again in the future!

Preventing Mold on Your Roof

Preventing mold on and under your roof comes down to two things: design and maintenance.

Design is important because you’ll want to be sure that your attic has enough ventilation. Lack of ventilation traps humid air near the roofing underlayment, which can encourage mold growth. But too much ventilation can also be a bad thing for the health of your home, in general. This is why it’s important to consult with a professional when deciding on the layout of your roof and its ventilation system.

Maintenance is also important. The major cause of mold in and under roofs is leaks, which are often caused by lack of proper maintenance. If your roof isn’t maintained properly, it’s more likely to crack and have leaks, which can, in turn, allow for mold growth.

It’s important to have your roof inspected regularly by an Orange County roofing contractor who can catch small problems before they turn into major issues. During regular inspections, you may find minor issues that the contractors can fix quickly, thus preventing underlayment damage and costly mold problems down the road.

If you have any questions, be sure to reach out to Luke Roofing. A long-established Orange County roofer in Villa Park and surrounding areas, we provide prompt, reliable expertise for every residential roofing need and situation. Wherever and whenever you need roofing services in OC, you definitely can count on Luke Roofing.

Your roof is one of the most important components of your home, since it protects the rest of your home from wear and tear. Even the best-installed roof from the best materials will need replaced eventually. But you can mitigate the need to repair or replace your roof by establishing and following a maintenance plan early on. Here’s how you can establish and keep track of your roof’s maintenance plan.

1.First, understand the whys

Before you’ll take time to follow a maintenance plan for your roof, you’ll want to know why you should do such a thing. Talk to your Orange County roofers about this, and they’ll tell you why it’s important to actually follow a roofing maintenance plan.

You need to change the oil in your car to keep larger problems from cropping up down the road. The same thing goes for your roof. Though you don’t need to replace the oil, you do need to be sure your roof is in good repair on a regular basis to avoid more expensive repairs down the road.

When considering an Orange County roofer for the job of installing a new roof, one thing on your mind will be the material utilized.  There is a diversity of roofing materials to choose from, each offering its own benefits. What you ask your Orange County roofer to install will depend largely on your personal preferences.

For durability, nothing stands the test of time like slate shingles. Roofs made of this material are among the longest lasting on the market. Some slate roots are more than a century old. And believe it or not, they’re still doing their job superbly, keeping water out and the heat in as needed.

For certain Orange County residents, slate roofs may be just what they’re looking for. How would you go about getting one? Well, let’s say you lived in Tustin. The first thing you’d do is call in a Tustin roofer to provide an estimate. During this estimate, the commercial roofer will present you with an overview of the roof type, pointing out its advantages.

The Advantages of Slate Shingles

As mentioned already, slate shingles are highly durable, with their useful lifespan ranging from 80-100 years. Along with longevity, slate offers tremendous water-resisting power. The reason for this resistance is its position on the water absorption index, which is .4%. Yeah, very little gets past it. Not surprisingly, the material also is exceedingly strong, providing substantial protection should the winds kick up.

On the aesthetic side of things, slate has a very unique appearance that sets it apart from the crowd. If you’re looking for that ‘special look’, slate shingles could be the way to go.

If you have any questions about slate shingles, be sure to reach out to Luke Roofing. A long-established Orange County roofer, we provide prompt, reliable expertise for every need and situation. Whether you need roofing services in Foothill Ranch or anywhere else in OC, you can definitely count on Luke Roofing.

You know they have something to do with leaks. But Orange County roofers do much more than patch holes. In fact, commercial roofers are known for a wide range of abilities.

What if you lived in Costa Mesa and were considering a new roof. What kind is best for your home, your budget? Can you answer these questions comfortably and accurately? A Costa Mesa roofer certainly could. When you call in one of these Orange County roofing companies, you’re connecting with a group of professionals who know the territory inside and out.

And quite a territory it is. Roofing can be made of any number of materials, with the list growing rapidly as new technologies impact the industry. A commercial roofer must know them all – tar, asphalt, gravel, rubber, thermoplastic, metal, and shingles. The list goes on.

Any one of these materials can safeguard homes and other buildings, making roofs virtually impervious to moisture -- even if it’s raining like a monsoon. Without this protection, water damage would ruin ceilings, walls, and furnishings.

With a proven Orange County roofing company, you get experts who know which of these materials offers the best protection for your home. Equally important, these professionals are trained to recognize subtle signs of deterioration in these materials. When commercial roofers spot these signs on your own roof, they give you advance warning. You’ll know in plenty of time whether you should repair or replace those worn shingles.

In order to practice their craft with acceptable proficiency, many Orange County roofing contractors go through some serious training.  Some receive their education through intensive apprenticeship programs, which include on-the-job training, as well as classroom instruction.

If you have any questions about what Orange County roofers do, be sure to reach out to Luke Roofing. A long-established Orange County roofing company, we provide prompt, reliable expertise for every need and situation. Whether you need roofing services in Costa Mesa or anywhere else in OC, you can definitely count on Luke Roofing.

Orange County roofers know the importance of a well-functioning roof. Of course, sometimes those functions go beyond the typical ones. Indeed, we Orange County roofing contractors are aware that roofs can have a variety of unique uses.

Case in point is the roof garden. Why would you want plants growing atop your home sweet home? Consider this for a moment -- What if you lived in Laguna Beach and craved a larger garden? You step outside the door and realize what you’ve suspected all along – there just isn’t enough room for another crop of lettuce and tomatoes. But you’re far from out of luck. Laguna Beach roofers see a ray of hope headed in your direction. You can farm lettuce, tomatoes, and whatever other plant life your heart desires atop your very own roof.    

Also known as a green roof, a roof garden is a large raised-bed containing flowers and plants personally selected by you.  These gardens offer various advantages, starting with a certain aesthetic appeal. They just look good up there – assuming thoughtful design has been applied. And depending on what’s being grown, it may taste good, as well. A variety of farmable goodies, including lettuce, tomatoes, and carrots can thrive atop your home.

Getting your roof garden started is fairly straightforward. After your roof has been thoroughly prepared by a qualified commercial roofing contractor, your garden will be ready for planting. Essentially, there are two ways in which this can be accomplished. You can utilize either a modular system consisting of plant trays or you can layer the roof with soil and drop in plants or seeds, just as you would with a ground garden.

If you have any questions about roof improvements such as roof gardens, be sure to reach out to Luke Roofing. A long-established Orange County roofing company, we provide prompt, reliable expertise for every need and situation. Whether you need roofing services in La Habra or anywhere else in OC, you can definitely count on Luke Roofing.

What will the roof of a house in Anaheim or any other Orange County community look like in the years ahead? What materials might Anaheim roofers utilize for this all important part of a home’s exterior?  While there is no definitive answer to this question, there are a number of innovative roofing possibilities looming on the horizon. More than likely, Orange County roofers will be making one or more of the possibilities part of their game plan.  Among the likely materials that will be worked into the repertoire of Orange County roofers is transparent solar films.   

If adapted in a large-scale capacity, transparent solar films will drastically alter the energy-saving characteristics of roofs. In essence, this material will make solar panels unnecessary.  In place of large, bulky gatherers of sun energy, there will be a roof coating incorporating transparent solar films. The coating could be installed by a commercial roofer, just as with any other kind of material.

Aside from being unobtrusive and essentially invisible, the roof coating described above offers several other huge advantages. First, the material helps block excess heat. The upshot of this, of course, is lower air conditioning bills. 

But the second, far more impressive advantage is the ability of transparent solar films to generate electricity. The coating does so by absorbing light and converting it into electrical power easily used for a variety of applications. Basically, it’s solar panels without the panels. Unlike solar panels, however, transparent solar films absorb only infrared solar light. Since infrared light doesn’t require dark colors for absorption, the roof coating can be clear.  

Transparent solar films promise to have other household applications, as well. In the future, chances are good that we’ll see windows and walls also coated with the electricity-generating material.  

If you have any questions about roofing innovations, be sure to reach out to Luke Roofing. Among the long-established Orange County roofers, we provide prompt, reliable expertise for every need and situation. Whether you need roofing services in Anaheim or anywhere else in OC, you can definitely count on Luke Roofing.

Once upon a time, metal roofs were merely sheets of tin tossed up over southern shanties and red barns. The corrugated metal looked attractive, in a rustic, woodsy sort of way. But metal wasn’t a material you’d use for most residential roofs, especially not if your house was of a certain style.

But today, metal roofing has expanded its repertoire. It’s now a versatile, good-looking option that can look like more traditional roofing materials for residences. Whether your home is a European-style Colonial, a contemporary home, or even a classic SoCal mission style, there’s a metal roof for your home.

But first, the benefits

Of course, other types of roofs will also work for these styles of homes. Colonials, for instance, are often roofed in wood shingles or even asphalt shingles. Contemporary homes typically use shingle roofs, though some other options are used. And on mission-style adobe homes, you’ll usually find slate or clay tile roofing.

If you live in an Orange County city, for example Laguna Hills, you probably want to maximize the beauty of your home. Frequently, home improvements will be part of the beautification program. If your own program includes roof improvements, you may be considering a Laguna Hills roofer to provide assistance. Is there a good time to seek the help of an Orange County roofer?

While the time to summons a commercial roofer can vary, a good rule of thumb is to start with a roof inspection. You needn’t call in a professional Orange County roofer for a first glance. This is a task you can do yourself. A personal roof inspection should be carried out at least twice a year – more if you’ve got a wide open schedule. Yeah, right.

When conducting a self-inspection of your roof, be on the lookout for obvious signs of wear and tear. These include moisture streaks on shingles, curled or buckled shingles, missing granules, or rusted flashings. If you notice any of these tell-tale signs, by all means call in an Orange County roofer for an assessment of the situation.

You’ll also want to conduct an inspection of your attic. If the ceiling or walls are marred by water stains, mold, or moss, you can bet your bottom dollar that moisture has entered the region … very likely unwanted moisture sneaking in through a roof leak. Often this obvious evidence will be accompanied by higher-than-normal energy bills. Should you notice any of these giveaways, absolutely seek the opinion of reputable commercial roofer.

If you have any questions about when to seek the help of an Orange County roofer, be sure to reach out to Luke Roofing. Among the long-established Orange County roofing companies, we provide prompt, reliable expertise for every need and situation. Whether you need roofing services in Laguna Niguel or anywhere else in OC, you can definitely count on Luke Roofing.

Perhaps you’re selling a home in Orange County community such as Tustin. You look the place over, and everything seems fine until … you notice the roof is not what it used to be. In fact, it’s worn out and ready for immediate replacement – clearly a deterrent to a timely home sale. So you call in a Tustin roofer to get an idea of your options – and there are many. One of the possible materials presented by your chosen Orange County roofer will be fiberglass.

Fiberglass is composed of plastic backed by glass fibers – hence, the name. The vast majority of contemporary fiberglass shingles employ two separate layers. Each of these fiberglass layers is bonded with a sealant, then coated with asphalt. The dual material composition of fiberglass shingles gives them comparatively more weight than conventional types. But with this added weight comes greater strength and durability.

As any commercial roofer will tell you, another advantage of fiberglass is its ability resist the scorching heat of the sun. Likewise, the material is extremely waterproof.  So fiberglass covers both extremes quite nicely -- neither rain nor scorching sunshine will make much progress with fiberglass on guard.

A roof made of fiberglass shingles also provides a certain level of security, as the material is more fire resistant than many other types -- particularly the older materials. Consequently, fiberglass shingles frequently receive a class ‘A’ fire rating. The strength and durability of fiberglass shingles is backed by manufacturers. In fact, many offer generous long-term warranties for those on the high-end.

If you have questions about fiberglass shingles, be sure to reach out to Luke Roofing. Among the long-established Orange County roofing companies, we provide prompt, reliable expertise for every need and situation. Whether you need roofing services in Tustin, Midway City or anywhere else in OC, Luke Roofing is an Orange County roofing company you can count on.

A recent post introduced the issue of roof moss and some general solutions for eliminating this unwanted addition to your home. For people in an Orange County city such as Newport Beach, roof moss is something that can crop up any time. Newport Beach roofers routinely deal with the issue, particularly in damp coastal areas. This post delves a bit deeper into the problem, revealing a highly effective solution backed by most Orange County roofers.

The earlier post pointed out that moss thrives best in shady conditions. Therefore, removing or reducing as much roof shade as possible is crucial. How do you achieve this all-important objective? The easiest and most efficient way is by grabbing your favorite gardening implements, utilizing them to clip overhanging tree limbs and other sunlight-blocking foliage.

Admittedly, this is a tough decision -- especially if you reside in a sunny climate. Those scorching summer months in particular can be beastly, making any heat-controlling elements, such as shade, exceedingly welcome. (We hard-working Orange County roofers know the value of shade as much as anyone). Moreover, shade contributes wonderfully to lower air conditioning bills.  That’s a couple of solid plusses. Still, shade must be eliminated or reduced if you’re besieged by roof moss. It certainly won’t leave on its own.  

While shade removal or reduction is a highly effective strategy, you could be thwarted by one factor -- overcast weather. If gray skies are common in your community, nature is providing miles and miles of irreversible shade. And nothing will alter those conditions until the sun makes its appearance. If your overcast lasts and lasts, you’ll likely require the intervention of a reputable commercial roofer to conquer the moss.

If you have questions about removing roof moss, be sure to reach out to Luke Roofing. Among the long-established Orange County roofers, we provide prompt, reliable expertise for every need and situation. Whether you need roofing services in Newport Beach or anywhere else in OC, Luke Roofing is an Orange County roofing company you can count on.

Interested in New Roof Tax Credits in Orange County?

Are you considering replacing or repairing your roof in 2016? Or did you make some improvements in 2017? If so, you might qualify for tax credits from either your federal or state income taxes.

Not all home improvements are eligible for tax deductions or credits, but many that make your home more energy efficient are. Here’s what you need to know about possible roofing related tax credits if you’re considering hiring an Orange County roofing contractor to make energy-efficient roofing improvements this year.

Federal Tax Credits

In 2016, you can claim 10% of costs--up to $500--or a specific amount from $50 to $300 on certain ENERGY STAR products. You must make the repairs or upgrades on your existing home, which must also be your principal residence. Vacation and rental homes, and new construction homes don’t count.

For roofs, the tax rebate applies to metal roofs with certain pigmented coatings, and asphalt roofs with appropriate cooling granules. You can also include costs for items like weather stripping, spray foam, house wrap, and caulk to seal air leaks.

Let’s say you’re selling a home in Irvine. In that case, you might need the assistance of reliable Irvine roofing services. The reason is simple: a faulty roof often is a stumbling block to a sale. Should an appraiser notice you need a new roof, he or she probably will include this in the report: “contingent on roof replacement or acceptable roof certification.”  Which means the buyer likely won’t get a loan until the matter is taken care of. So no matter what OC city you reside in, the sale of your home may depend on the skilled intervention of an Orange County roofer.    

When faced with such a contingency, homeowners obviously need to call in a recognized Orange County roofer to conduct a roof inspection. No matter which commercial roofer you involve, remember that 100 % perfect predictions are impossible.  Estimating the exact moment a roof will be completely worn out and beyond repair is an educated guess. One commercial roofer may say your roof is good for a year. Another may believe it can last two or three more years before leakage commences. Despite the divergent opinions, however, you can count on most estimates to be fairly accurate.

Remember, your Orange County roofer likely will be extremely careful during an inspection, as he or she must be aware of even the subtlest hints of potential problems. In most cases, however, evidence of wear and tear is fairly simple to spot.

If your roof is completely worn out, repairs probably aren’t an option. In that case, you’ll want a dependable Orange County roofer to install a new roof. Don’t expect buyers to foot the bill for the installation. They want neither the expense nor the hassle involved with the job.

If you have questions about roof inspections, be sure to reach out to Luke Roofing. A long-established commercial roofer, we provide prompt, reliable expertise for every need and situation. Whether you need roofing services in Irvine or anywhere else in OC, Luke Roofing is an Orange County roofer you can count on.