Asphalt shingles are the standard material used on residential roofs. While they effectively serve the intended purpose, they also put an increased burden on our already fragile environment.

“There are alternatives that are equally aesthetically pleasing and eco friendly.”

Many people feel that standard shingles themselves are a large investment; implementing eco-friendly material into the job seems like a waste of money. What they fail to realize, however, is that the right combination of quality roofing material and proper insulation converts over the lifetime of the roof into savings on heating and cooling costs. Choosing the right green roofing material involves careful consideration of the quality of the material.

 ”Darker colors can actually raise the overall outdoor temperature due to the heat absorption they promote.”

Little consideration, if and any, is often put into the color they choose for their roof beyond what they find pleasing to the eye. It is worth noting, however, that darker colors can actually raise the overall outdoor temperature due to the heat absorption they promote. Larger cities with a high percentage of dark roofs, for example, will often register an increased high temperature on a sunny day than surrounding smaller communities. This speeds up the already looming problems posed by global warming, and it requires people to further strain the environment through increased power demand to cool warm houses. Opting for a lighter colored roof is always an excellent choice with any material.

There are a couple of options for those considering implementing green roofing materials into their upcoming roof job. Metal is a popular choice due to its increased ability to reflect sunlight which significantly reduces utility costs, but they are expensive to transport and require a lot of energy to produce. Wood, another green option, is also a good insulator, but its natural tendency to frequently inflate and compress makes it more prone to damage.

Clay is an excellent material to utilize on a new roof. It is a terrific insulator, fire resistant and perfect for reflecting damaging sun rays. The initial price tag tends to scare off potential customers, but they fail to keep in mind the money it will save over time. Recycled materials can also be used to create a beautiful new look while maintaining the environment.

Choosing to spend the time and consideration in implementing green roofing materials is a wise, eco-friendly step to take. This small yet considerably significant favor to the environment, when implemented by enough people, can make an enormous difference in the world our children will live in tomorrow.

To A.J., Gus, Chris, Daid and the entire staff,

While the average family will change their clothes and even their cars fairly frequently, replacing the roof on their home is not a common event. While most of us have a regular barber, lawn service, or favorite place to eat, it’s not likely you will have a favorite roofer.

With the average roof lasting twenty years of more, it is just not a regular event in one’s life. The problem is when you do need a roof, finding a company that will do a good job at a fair price may prove to be a little more difficult than finding a good pizza place. The construction and remodeling business is full of substandard companies that can make it a virtual land mine when trying to find someone you can trust and who will stand behind their work.

In my case, with a roof at twenty years old, I knew I was going to need a replacement in the next few years. During this past year, our area experienced a rare hail storm which had damaged a large number of roofs in our neighborhood, including mine. As a result, a series of events placed me in contact with AJ Wells roofing. Having built our homes ourselves twenty years ago, I would always get a least three estimates for each part of the construction process. Initially, that was my intent here, but after meeting with AJ, Guss, and Chris over the course of two weeks, I decided to let them do the job. For me, this was a really rare exception to my getting three estimates.

What you have with AJ Wells roofing is a group of young men who grew up together and have formed a construction company. Aside from the fact that every one of them are some of the most personable individuals I have met in the building trade, they look sharp, they do what they say they will, they are on time, and the job is done quickly and professionally from beginning to end. If you have a question, they can answer it. They know their business and they have it down to a science.

I don’t write very many letters of recommendation, but when it’s deserved, I do. By their own admission, they told me that they have had a few clients they could not make happy. I find that hard to believe after working with them myself. It’s my guess that it was the client who had the problem, not the other way around. So, if you need a roof replaced, I personally don’t see how you could do any better than working with AJ Wells Roofing and the really great guys that own and run this company.

Ward Corr
Pace Island, Florida

If you’re a Jacksonville, Florida, homeowner, then you know how important it is to maintain your residential roof.  Should something detrimental happen to your home, and more importantly your roof, the first thing you may be asking yourself is “How much is this going to cost?” Aside from checking your homeowner’s insurance policy, it’s also important to check your residential roofing warranty.

Why is a warranty important?

Your roof can last anywhere between 25 to 40 years. That being said, it’s no wonder it’s a big investment as the cost of a new roof can wipe your homeowner’s budget down to a negative if you need to replace it before it’s time. As with any big investment, it’s important to know in advance what your warranty covers to save you thousands should a problem arise.

What Should I Look For In A Roofing Warranty?

In a roofing warranty, there are typically two types of coverage: coverage against manufacturing defects in the materials and coverage against workmanship errors. Normally, all roofing manufacturers provide a warranty against defects for their roofing products. For instance, a typical shingle warranty will cover defects for a period that may range between 20 to 40 years. However, other components may be covered for only a few months to several years.

When choosing a roof, it is important to remember that coverage against manufacturing defects is provided by the manufacturer. In other words, it is important to choose a manufacturer that is financially strong and has been around for a long time. Should something happen to your roof after your manufacturer goes out of business, then they will not be able to honor the warranty.

It may seem like Florida goes straight from summer to winter, from hot and muggy to cold and dreary but there are some preparations that you should consider for your home before the seasons change and you get left behind.

You should decide what to do with all of your summer clothes. In Florida, you may not want to put all of your summer clothes up right away but sweaters and jackets will replace the majority of your shorts and t-shirts. It is also a good idea to wash your clothes before you store them away for several months. Pack your clothes with some kind of freshener to keep them smelling good during the winter months.

When it begins to get really cold here in Florida, you may decide that you want to store your patio furniture (which may not be a bad idea). Before you put your patio furniture away for a month or two, remember to vacuum all of the moisture off. This prevents your furniture from growing mold on it and smelling funky. Another tip is to trim back the branches before the fall foliage starts to fall. This will save you lots of time when leaves and small branches start to fall because you have already handled that.

Clean your roof off of any leaves and make sure that any patchwork that needs to be done gets done before the cold months arrive. Even though here in Florida snow is an unlikely visitor, you never know. We do get slush sometimes and that can be hard on your roof. You have to be careful of that cold rain that could stick for just a little bit. You should try and clean out your gutters and possibly try and keep up with it during the winter months. Those leaves are going to be coming down like crazy in October and November and it tends to rain more as well. Let your gutter start out this season all cleaned out.

If you have a fireplace try and clean out your chimney as well and get it ready to be used. It is also important to look at all of the windows in your home and see if they need to be sealed tighter than they are. The last thing you want to do is allow of that warm air in your home to escape out into the cold. That makes for a high-energy bill!

When your fall checklist is done, you can sit back with your family and enjoy this beautiful weather that fall brings.

When you have your roof inspected, you’ll be issued pretty thorough information about the condition of your roof.  You’ll also receive an estimate of how long you can expect your roof to last.  At that time, you can also find out what repairs may be needed, and get a cost estimate.

As a homeowner, it’s important to thoroughly understand the condition of your roof. When you receive a thorough inspection, you’ll have the facts in front of you: what’s the longevity of your roof? Are there any issues with it currently? What should you be cautious of?

Also, if you’re buying or selling a house, a roof inspection is essential: as a seller, you’ll be required by law to provide potential buyers with information about your roof’s condition.  If you’re interested in buying a new home, a roof inspection can tell you what you can expect.

How does a roofing inspection work?

The roof inspector will climb onto your roof to check for any glaring problems. If there are issues that are present, the inspection will then notify you of the diagnosis. Often, the same inspector can provide you with an estimate of how much it will cost to repair said repairs.  In other words, the sooner you find out about a problem, the easier it will be to solve.

When should I get a roofing inspection?

At AJ Wells, we suggest having your roof inspected twice a year: in the spring and before winter. Or as stated previously, it’s important to getting your roof inspected should you inspect a problem or when you’re selling your home.

To learn more about the importance of roof maintenance, contact our professional roofers today. We’ll be happy to assist you when your roof inspector has detected a problem.

As a homeowner, it’s important you know and practice proper roof safety. In fact, a recent study provided by the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission revealed that about 165,000 Americans require medical treatment for ladder-related injuries every year.

To help prevent injuries, here is a roofing maintenance checklist provided by AJ Wells to ensure you stay safe when ascending and descending from your roof.

Before getting onto your roof, check for overhead electrical lines when carrying your roof to the access point and again when walking on the roof. Also, before walking on the roof, check the roof sheathing from the attic for deterioration.

• Use a harness. If you have a steeply pitched roof, be sure to wear a harness that is securely tied off to a fall resistant device. To find one, be sure to check your local hardware store or online.
• Avoid slippery roofs. Avoid getting onto the roof when it is slippery from rain, snow, frost or dew. Wait until the roof is dry should you have to get on it.
• Keep it clean. Clean your roof of sawdust, wood, shingle particles, or any other type of debris before entering onto the roof.
• Wear rubber-soled shoes or boots. Rubber soles provide better traction in contrast to leather soled ones. Also, ensure the condition of the boots prior to getting onto a roof. The better condition they are in, the higher the traction of the soles.

The most important aspect to remember during all of this is that it’s recommended to use a licensed, professional roofer for repairs. It is essential that your roof is protected much like any other investment in your home. Repairs must be performed correctly and thoroughly by a licensed professional. At AJ Wells, we ensure all of our roofing technicians complete your roofing repair with accuracy and efficiency.

Ever look up at your roof to find black and dark green matter across the top? It is plant matter growing and feeding on your roof. Gross right? The name of those black streaks is gloeocapsa magma. Typically growing on the north side of your home’s roof, it is a very hardy strain of blue-green algae. This is an airborne algae/fungus. It travels through the air and lands on your roof and starts to grow and grow. When you look at your roof after a rain, the algae looks shiny and it really stands out. Like a plant, it is getting watered, time to grow more.

How does the blue-green algae get there in the first place? Today’s asphalt shingles contain a large amount of crushed limestone in the granules that provide the UV protection for your shingle. Gloeocapsa Magma feeds on the limestone in your shingles. The algae then multiplies and begins to form the unsightly black streaks that stains your roof.

The algae take root on the surface of your shingles helping to dislodge the protective granules on the shingle. As the algae grows naturally, the shingle begins to hold more moisture and heat. This additional moisture and heat aid to amplify the harmful UV rays of the sun. As more and more granules are damaged, the protective asphalt layer of your shingle gets exposed to those harmful UV rays and that is when the real damage begins! The shingle begins to break down leading to premature roof failure!

The damage isn’t just unsightly. Algae covered shingles retain much more heat than clean shingles. Surface temperatures of algae infected shingles can be 10 to 20% higher than clean shingles.  As a result, shingles that are darkened by algae growth can increase air conditioning costs by at least several hundred dollars. This makes your home much more difficult to cool in the summer.

What can you do to avoid the costly and ugly damage to your roof? Trust the professionals at AJ Wells to assist you with your roof inspection, maintenance, and replacements. If you stay on top of algae-darkened shingles, then you should be able to maintain the look of your home without much money out of your pocket. However, if there’s been too much damage to complete a standard maintenance, we offer affordable shingle replacement and repair.

Much like any other costly home modifications, a roof replacement is an investment that comes with upfront and backend costs. In addition to the obvious price of the roof itself, you must also consider the time and labor required with a roof replacement service. To earn the highest possible return on this investment, you must factor in three aspects to the cost of your roof replacement service.

Roof Replacement Material

The single greatest expense is the material used. Typically, asphalt is the most affordable roofing material that costs anywhere from $50 to $150 per 100 square feet. Aside from asphalt, other materials used include metal, wood, or concrete tiles that starts from $100 per 100 square feet. At the upper end, materials include ceramic, clay, and slate tiles that may cost anywhere from $300 to $600 per square 100 feet.

Roof Replacement Labor

It may seem as though replacing your roof yourself is the least expensive option. However, hiring a professional contractor will save you energy and time, which has economic value as well. Unless you are extremely competent in roof repairs, you may end up costing yourself more money with a repair and replacement. To get the best deal, seek out multiple quotes and request individual quotes for material and labor.

Roof Replacement Durability

As mentioned previously, there are backend costs to a roof replacement service. When replacing your roof, you need to consider the longevity of the service. Will your roof last ten years? Twenty? Fifty? The better materials and craftsmanship that you in invest in, the longer you can go without another roof replacement. To learn more about the benefits of a reputable roof replacement, contact the professionals at AJ Wells.

Roof inspections are imperative to keeping a long lasting roof.  AJ Wells knows that a roof installment is a considerable investment for any home and should be maintained as one.  We suggest a biannual inspection, one in the spring and one before winter.  As a result, having your roof inspected is a simple and pain-free process.

Whether you are buying or selling a home, a roof inspection is essential: as a seller, you’ll be legally required to provide buyers with information about your roof’s condition. Then if you are interested in buying a new home, a roof inspection can tell you what to expect on the roof’s durability for the next few years. Be sure to learn about the type of maintenance your roof will require over time.

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Purchasing a new roof is a necessary, but expensive home investment. How can you ensure that you avoid the pitfalls of purchasing a new roof? Follow this handy guide to find the best roof possible for your home.

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