FAQs

A. Flashings are connections to the roof covering to any protrusion in the roof system or any wall that the roof butts up to. These are critical areas that will allow rain to penetrate if they are not installed and sealed properly.

A. A roof should have one square foot of net ventilation area for every 150 square feet of attic floor space. Ventilation devices must be fastened or secured to the roof deck to resist wind pressures.

A. Asphalt shingles are the leading choice for residential roofing in the United States because they provide quality, durability, versatility and economy. Over 12.5 billion square feet of asphalt shingle products are manufactured annually – enough to cover more than 5 million homes every year. Four out of five homes are roofed with asphalt shingles.

Asphalt shingles offer consumers the broadest array of colors, shapes, and textures available. With an enormous range of styles, asphalt shingles can match almost every type of architectural design and achieve virtually any desired effect – and do it affordably.

• Product Performance. Asphalt shingles perform well in extreme temperatures and in areas where wind, water, and ice are prevalent.
• Affordability. The efficient, high-volume production and relatively low application cost of asphalt shingles provide consumers with an overall value that’s tough for other roofing materials to match, especially in terms of comparable life expectancy.
• Low Maintenance. Asphalt shingles, when properly chosen and applied, require little or no regular upkeep, and are easily repaired if damaged.
• Ease of Application. Asphalt shingles are considered to be the easiest of all standard roofing materials to apply. In addition, the flexibility and strength of asphalt shingles supports their application on a wide variety of roof designs.
• Fire and Wind Resistance. Asphalt shingles are manufactured to resist external fire and flammability standards, and carry Class A, B or C fire ratings, with Class A providing the greatest fire resistance. These fire ratings are defined by nationally recognized standards and tested by independent testing agencies. In addition, many asphalt shingles carrying a “wind resistance” label indicate that they have been manufactured and tested to demonstrate acceptable resistance in high-wind locations.”

A. Sooner or later, every roof needs to be replaced, usually due to the long-term effects of weathering. If a residential roof is more than 20 years old, it is a prime candidate for re-roofing. To determine if you need a new roof:

• On the ground, walk around your home with binoculars and inspect your roof for cracked, curled or missing shingles, as well as any excessive loss of the protective mineral granules. DO NOT CLIMB ON THE ROOF; walking on the roof is dangerous and can damage your roof.
• In your attic, take a flashlight and look at the underside of the roof deck and rafters for any stains or wet spots indicating water leaks.

While modified asphalt provides the primary waterproofing characteristics of these membranes a reinforcing ply adds strength and puncture resistance. Glass fiber and polyester plies are the most commonly used reinforcing fabrics. Each has distinctive properties. Polyester has excellent elongation, tensile strength and recovery. It provides good puncture resistance and stands up well to foot traffic. Glass fiber resists flame penetration and provides excellent tensile strength and dimensional stability.

It is a reflective roof product that lowers roof surface temperature by up to 100°F, thereby decreasing the amount of heat transferred into a building’s interior. ENERGY STAR qualified roof products save money and energy by reducing the amount of air conditioning needed to keep a building comfortable.

Products bearing the ENERGY STAR labels are more energy efficient than standard products, thereby saving energy and money. In general, ENERGY STAR qualified products including: appliances, HVAC equipment, office equipment, residential lighting, and even homes, reduce energy costs by at least 30 percent.

Roof products that meet or exceed solar reflectance, without compromising product quality and performance, qualify for the ENERGY STAR label. Manufacturers voluntarily sign an agreement with ENERGY STAR called a Partnership Agreement (PA) allowing them to place the ENERGY STAR label on the packaging of qualifying roof products. They can also use the label in product promotions and advertising for qualified products.

ENERGY STAR roof specifications are not restricted to any particular type of roof product. However, ENERGY STAR expects that, at least initially, metal, single-ply membrane, and roof coating products will be most widely represented.

Benefits of ENERGY STAR qualified roof products include:

Saves Money and Energy. According to EPA, about $40 billion is spent annually in the US to air condition buildings — one-sixth of all electricity generated in a year! ENERGY STAR qualified roof products reduce the amount of air conditioning needed in buildings, and can reduce energy bills by up to 50 percent.

Downsizes Cooling Equipment. A reflective roof can reduce peak cooling demand by 10-15%. As a result, the home or building owner may be able to purchase a smaller, more efficient, and less expensive cooling system.

Decreases Pollution in Urban Areas. Reduced energy demand means less burning of fossil fuels, which results in less pollution from power plants. Also, ENERGY STAR qualified roof products help to reduce the “heat island effect,” in which dark, heat-absorbing buildings and paved areas make the air in urban areas hotter, and more smoggy.

Increases Roof Product Life. ENERGY STAR qualified roof products maintain a more constant temperature and reduce thermal shock, which occurs when cool rain hits a hot roof, causing a sharp drop in temperature. During temperature changes, a roof expands and contracts, causing stress and degrading the roof.

A. RDM Construction, LLC works on roofs that are Composition; Metal; Modified Bitumen; TPO or PVC. We can also replace many types of roofs that are beyond restoration.

A.Ventilation helps remove the heat that builds up during the summer months and helps reduce moisture buildup under your roof. This helps your roof and shingles last longer by preventing the rooting of the wood and curling or distortion of your shingles.

A. Because metal roofing is a premium home product, you can expect your new roof to cost more than what an asphalt shingle roof costs. However, a metal roof is comparable in price to tile roofing or cedar shake roofing. If you currently have a slate roof, you can expect your metal roof to cost less.

No matter what kind of metal roofing style you choose, you’ll never have to worry about your roof again. Most come with a true 30 to 50 year warranty. Plus, your new metal roof will add to the resale value of your home, save you money on your energy bills, and give you piece of mind that you’ll likely never have to re-roof again.

A. Lightning is attracted to the highest point, not necessarily metal. A metal roof has no greater chance of being hit by lightning than any other type of roof. However, if your roof would be struck by lightning, a metal roof can help prevent your home from catching on fire because it can dissipate the electrical charge. More importantly, it is noncombustible.

A. Metal roof systems in most cases weigh between 1 to 3 pounds per square foot. The actual weight is dependent upon metal gauge and profile of the panel. Metal roof systems are considered a lightweight roof covering compared to their counterparts. The following illustrates the different types of other roofing materials and their respective weights per square foot:

Asphalt Shingle: 2 – 3.5lbs psf
Textured Asphalt Shingle: 3.5 – 5lbs psf
Wood Shingles/Shakes: 3.5 – 4.5lbs psf
Clay or Concrete Tile: 5.5 – 10lbs psf

A. This is a common question, and probably one of the biggest misconceptions about metal roofing. People usually think of an old barn roof where the metal is visible to the interior of the structure. On a residence, however, metal roofing is often installed over a solid substrate. Further, attic space and insulation serve as additional sound barriers. Research has proven that metal is not any noisier than traditional roofing products. In fact, you’ll hear more bad weather noise from your walls and windows than you will from your metal roof.

A. Not necessarily. Leaks can result from flashings that have come loose or a section of the roof system being damaged. A complete roof system failure, however, generally is irreversible and a result of improper installation or choice of materials or the roof system installation is inappropriate for the home or building.

A. Not very much. A clear driveway on day that the roofing project is scheduled to begin and delivery of roofing material.

A 3 pronged electrical outlet. Preferably a 20 amp circuit.

We will call you prior to the roofing material delivery and start date.

A. Keep trees trimmed so as to minimize shading on the roof, branches falling on the roof or touching the roof in a storm.

A. Our Safety Policy includes; an evaluation of each job site with the Job Site Safety Requirements laid out for each crew. Weekly training among the entire company on every topic in our industry from fall protection to fire safety training. This training is crucial to the safety of our employees on the roof. Every crew is required to have a minimum of two workers trained in CPR & 1st Aid. Finally, Job Site Safety Inspections are conducted to ensure results and the safety of our employees and customers. All Safety Equipment that is required is provided for each employee by the company.

A. Liability Insurance is simply that insurance that the roofing contractor should have that protects you the customer in event of unfortunate incidents caused by the contractor due to neglect, a mistake or sometimes by the weather. A good policy will have substantial coverage for your personnel and your property as well as the contractor’s equipment and material. This is not the same as Worker’s Comprehensive but it is almost as expensive. Currently the cost rate of Liability Insurance is in the range of $192 per $1,000 of payroll. The owner or manager should require a copy of the contractor’s insurance certificate sent directly from the contractor’s insurance agency to the owner.