Unfortunately, a new way for smaller companies to save money for themselves is to lie to customers about what type of materials they are using on the jobs. Oftentimes they’ll upsell you the strongest materials in the industry which are proven to last, and then you find yourself with a leak a few weeks later. There are many unscrupulous roofers who fool customers with inferior materials. Customers may pay for the best, but may not receive the best!
Here at Elite Roofing, we pride ourselves on our honesty and transparency, which is why we’ve curated a list of materials that you may have never heard of; this will inform you of what the materials are, what they look like, and how they’re used for your specific project. We hate to see our Hudson County residents scammed by devious contractors, so read on to learn about the common materials of the trade so you don't fall victim to this scam!
Asphalt Composite Shingles
One of the most common roofing materials used all across the United States is Asphalt Composite Shingles! Also commonly referred to as “composition” shingles, Asphalt Composite Shingles can be made from fiberglass, cellulose mat, asphalt, and/or mineral granules. This type of shingle is especially popular as they come in a wide variety of different colors and offer three types of styles (3-tab shingles, dimensional shingles, and luxury shingles) to best fit the style and structure of your home! Because of their durability and affordability, Asphalt Composite Shingles have found their way onto the roofs of many American homes! Look at the photo below to see what Asphalt Composite Shingles should look like!
EPDM Rubber
If you live in the Jersey City area, you’ll notice many of your neighbors have flat roofs. One of the most common materials used for flat roofs are EPDM Rubber, otherwise known as ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber. EPDM Rubber is an extremely durable synthetic roofing membrane that can last for upwards of 50 years if taken care of properly! Although EPDM Rubber is the go-to material for many roofers, EDPM can be used virtually anywhere; it can be used in vehicles and even non-slip coatings for decks and playgrounds! Not only do EPDM Rubber roofs withstand the sun's harmful UV rays, but EPDM material is fire-resistant! Refer to the image below to see exactly what EPDM Rubber roofs look like, and how they look when properly installed.
Flashing
Roof Flashing is a thin metal material used to direct water away from certain areas such as walls, chimneys, roof valleys, etc. Unlike other roofing materials, metal Flashing is a crucial roofing material that every roof needs to have. Although necessary, Flashing can be made out of metals such as copper, aluminum, stainless steel, or galvanized steel; which one you pick is up to you and how you’d like the style to look with the rest of your home. Flashing is necessary as it drains water that can otherwise seep into the cracks and crevices of your roof, leading to issues with water damage and/or mold in your home. Look at the photo below to see what metal Flashing should look like on your roof!
Liquid-Applied Flashing
"The liquid-applied Parapro 123 Flashing System provides a proven, high-performance solution for special circumstances where isolated roof details cannot be properly addressed with conventional flashing methods. The Parapro 123 Flashing System is a layered application consisting of two coats of thixotropic catalyzed polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) resin encapsulating a layer of polyester fleece. The resulting resilient flashing membrane is fully reinforced and seamless. It is UV resistant and resistant to foot traffic, mechanical abuse, and many environmental contaminants. Parapro is compatible with a wide range of substrate materials including SBS membranes, plastics, concrete, and steel." http://www.siplast.com/ Check out the photo below to see what Liquid-Applied Flashing should look like!
Modified Bitumen
"Modified Bitumen is thought of as the evolutionary cousin of the built-up roofing systems (BUR) that have been used on low-slope roofs for more than 100 years. It is made of asphalt combined with polymerized rubber or plastic, then reinforced with fiberglass to create a rugged-yet-flexible waterproof membrane. Modified Bitumen roofing is primarily used on flat or low-slope commercial roofs. Depending on the type and material, these membranes may be installed as part of a two-layer system or as part of a multi-ply system." https://polyglass.us/ Take a look at the photo below to see what Modified Bitumen looks like, and how it's used on your roof!
Silver Coating for Rubber Roofs
A common roofing material called Silver Coating otherwise referred to as Aluminum Asphalt paint, is a reflective bitumen paint used for coating asphalt-based roofs in order to protect its integrity against the sun's harmful UV rays! The paint itself contains aluminum pigments which acts as a reflectant to the ultraviolet rays emitted by the sun which can degrade your roof over time. Silver Coating is used on flat roofs; many Jersey City homes have Silver Coat on their roofs! Check out the image below to see what Silver Coat is supposed to look like!
Slate Shingles
Slate Shingles, often found on the roofs of older homes across America, are considered one of the most long-lasting roofing materials there is available, but they come at a hefty price. Because of their outstanding durability, Slate Shingles have the ability to last more than 100 years, which is why they earned the nickname as the “forever roof”. They are so durable that they can even outlast 3 to 4 traditional Asphalt Composite Shingles roofs! Not only are Slate Shingles known for their durability, but Slate is water-resistant, fire-resistant, aesthetically pleasing, and incredibly environmentally friendly. The only weather that can affect the integrity of Slate Shingle roofs negatively is hail; oftentimes roofers will opt out of this material if you live in an area prone to hail storms. Other than hail, roofs made out of Slate Shingles are meant to last! Check out the photo below to see what Slate Shingles should look like.
Wooden Shakes or Shingles
On the less common side, we have Wooden Shakes or Wooden Shingles. “Natural wood shakes or shingles are a great, high-end option for roofing material. With proper maintenance, they remain durable, aging gracefully for up to 50 years. Generally made from pine, cypress, cedar, or redwood, wood shakes and shingles can be treated to be fire-resistant, prevent decay and rot, and deter insects.” https://firstamericanroofing.com/ Wooden Shakes or Shingles are less common because of their drastic price difference from traditional Asphalt Composite Shingles. Not only do these types of shingles cost more because of manufacturing labor, but these shingles also need to be applied strategically, one by one. Although a bit more costly than your traditional roofing material, Wooden Shakes or Shingles have the ability to last up to 50 years, if taken care of properly. Take a look at the image below to see a photo of what Wooden Shakes and Wooden Shingles should look like!
Although there are MANY more roofing materials to list, these are the most common types of materials used in the industry. Here at Elite Roofing, we believe in providing our customers with the best possible materials and we pride ourselves on our transparency! We treat each and every customer like family, and that means giving our customers the clearest and most comprehensive estimates out of any roofing company near you. When you work with us you'll be sure to know exactly what materials are being used, what work is being performed, and photos to prove our work! What are you waiting for? Contact us today for a F R E E estimate by calling (201)436-1011, or email us at eliteroofinginc@hotmail.com