If you’re considering repairing or replacing any part of your residential, commercial or agricultural property, then you can’t afford to make any assumptions. There are many common myths and misconceptions about roofing and insulation – and we’re about to dispel 10 of them.
5 Roofing Myths: Busted!
A roof only needs repair or replacement if it leaks: FALSE. Like car maintenance, roof maintenance must be proactive – not reactive. If you allow your roof to begin leaking before paying attention to it, then you risk needing far more expensive repairs to your roof’s decking and the underlying frame.
Dark-colored roofing causes higher energy bills: FALSE. Dark-colored roofing materials do indeed absorb more solar radiation. But if that necessarily meant higher air conditioning costs, then black and gray shingles would be almost totally absent in warmer climates. This is not the case, as sufficient roofing insulation and ventilation are sufficient to negate heat absorbed by the roof.
It’s okay to nail new shingles on top of old ones: FALSE. Granted, many homeowners do nail new shingles to their existing roofs and get away with it. Even so, it is not recommended. The average residential roof is designed to support 20 pounds of weight per square foot of surface area. Multiple layers of shingles can easily exceed that threshold. Overlaid shingles may not create an effective barrier against rain and snowmelt. The underlying shingles, which are presumably worn out, will therefore allow water infiltration. If you cannot be convinced to avoid overlaying new shingles on top of your existing ones, then please be advised to limit the layers of shingles on your roof to two.
All asphalt shingles are the same: FALSE. Shingles vary wildly in color, texture, durability and energy efficiency, as well as resistance to algae, fire and fading. Attractive, long-lasting and energy-efficient shingles are also more expensive. Finding the best shingles for your budget and goals for your property requires research – or, barring that, deference to the opinion of an experienced roofing contractor.
A metal roof makes a building hotter: FALSE. An unpainted metal roof can easily reach over 140 °F on a hot summer day. But if a metal roof is painted – or otherwise treated with a UV-resistant coating – then it can easily remain cooler than any asphalt shingle surface. Adequate insulation and venting only do more to guarantee a comfortable, energy-efficient interior. Once you factor in metal’s superior durability and longevity, it may just represent the best solution to your property’s roofing needs.
5 Insulation Myths: Busted!
Insulation is only important in cold climates: FALSE. You only wear thick clothing when it’s cold outside. By that logic, shouldn’t a building only need insulation when it’s located in a colder state, such as Vermont or Idaho? Not exactly. In addition to retaining heat, insulation plays an important role in keeping heat outside of a home. Proper insulation is especially important to farm roofing, as overheated livestock animals are less productive and more likely to fall ill.
It’s possible to repair moldy insulation: FALSE. Mold species are tenacious, and can easily receive the nutrients they need to thrive within fiberglass and other types of insulation. Once it has infiltrated insulation, mold can produce harmful spores and make the insulation less effective. Although it is possible to remediate insulation that has been lightly colonized by mold, removing a severe infestation simply isn’t practical. Total replacement is often the only advisable course of action.
Batt and roll is the only type of insulation available: FALSE. Insulation that resembles big sheets of pink cotton candy is the most popular solution to insulating single-family homes, but batt and roll is far from your only option. Cellulose and rigid foam are also appropriate for residential buildings. When these products aren’t suitable for agricultural or industrial applications, spray foam likely provides the best solution. In addition to its ease of installation on irregular surfaces, spray foam boasts outstanding durability and resistance to moisture infiltration. Spray foam offers an especially practical approach to grain elevator insulation!
More insulation is always better: FALSE. Adding more insulation to your home or business can indeed increase comfort and reduce your energy bills. But not necessarily! After a point, additional insulation cannot provide any measurable benefit – it may even make it more difficult to maintain a comfortable temperature. Worse yet, moisture that gets trapped between multiple layers of insulation can nourish mold.
Insulation lasts indefinitely: FALSE. It’s comforting to suppose that your property’s insulation is set to last forever. Unfortunately, any type of insulation is bound to degrade over time, and its degradation is only due to accelerate if it wasn’t sealed correctly during installation or becomes damp afterward. Different types of insulation have different lifespans, although it’s always wise to assess the condition of your insulation if it was installed more than a decade ago.
Trust the Roofing and Insulation Experts
If you need roofing or insulation services at your home or commercial property in the Midwest – or grain elevator roofing, concrete silo roof restoration, or other expert services at your agricultural property anywhere in the lower 48 states – then contact NIJAC Roofing & Insulation.