Lyons Roofing

Roof Replacement and Repair Contractor Louisville, KY and Indiana

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Louisville: (502) 689-0338
Indiana: (812) 294-3595

How to Interview a Roofing Contractor

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Interviewing an Indiana Roofing ContractorIf you have realized that you need something done on your roof, it can be incredibly difficult to decide how to choose an Indiana roofing contractor. Unlike many jobs around the home, there is little that you can do or see when it comes to your roof, and you will only have the word of the roofing contractor you chose that they have done the work properly. So how do you choose an Indiana roofing contractor? The best thing to do is to interview the Indiana roofing contractor and make sure a roofing contractor meets all of these points.

1. Are they punctual?
There are very few good excuses for being late, and this is definitely something that should concern you if you are going to be paying them by the hour. How will you know when they are going to start charging you, if they say that they’ll come at one time, but actually start work a few hours later? No one wants to worry about that, so if a roofing contractor comes around to your home to have a look at your roof and they are much later than they said they would be, perhaps it’s best to give them a miss.  Even if you are paying them by the job, you want the roofing contractor team around your home for the shortest amount of time and when they say they will be there.

2. Are they ready to work?
Working as an roofing contractor can get messy, but if they are covered in mess when they arrive at the beginning of the job, that is not good. This will reveal not only how they treat their tools, but how they will treat your home.  And more importantly, how they will leave your yard when they have finished the job.

3. Are they polite?
You need to be very aware of this if you have young children that may hear your roofing contractor. Do they swear, or use demeaning language you are not comfortable with? You don’t want that around you and your home. The best relationships between home owners and contractors are those based on mutual respect, and if you cannot respect your roofing contractor, you are going to have issues.

4. Are they able to do the job?
For your own safety, it is vital to check the qualifications of the roofing contractor before you even let them think about getting a ladder out. The last thing that you want is an accident, either to them or a member of your family, and then for a law suit to hit you in the face. If you hire someone to go onto your roof without the right qualifications, you are just asking for trouble.  Be sure to ask to see their licenses and certifications as well as to confirm they are bonded and insured.

5.  Did they get up on your roof?
You can’t see your roof from the ground.  It is important that your Indiana roofing contractor takes the time to survey your roof ON YOUR ROOF to provide you with the most accurate estimate.  In some cases, your roofing contractor may also ask to enter your attic to see the roof from the underside.  While it may be impossible to catch all the possible problems with your roof, a quality roofing contractor will do their best to discover the most visible problems needing repaired or replaced.

Roofing Materials Explained

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Are you in the process of making choices for your new roof, and pulling out your hair over the myriad options? If so, then you could definitely benefit from a clear break-down of the different roofing materials available to you. Fortunately, you’ve come to the right place. Here are roofing materials explained:

Shingles.

Shingles are the least expensive option you have when it comes to roofing materials, and they come in a wide array of styles and colors. For example, you may choose simple asphalt shingles, plastic polymer shingles that look like slate, or super-thick architectural shingles. While shingles are inexpensive, they also carry the shortest life spans and may require more maintenance and repairs than many alternative materials.

Tile. Generally made of clay (but sometimes concrete), tile is one of the more expensive routes you can take when choosing a roofing material. However, tiles are very durable, and can last fifty years or more. Tile is well suited for Mediterranean or Spanish style housing, but there are also tiles made to look like slate or wood, which would be suitable for any style.

Wood. Wood shingles and shakes are made of rot-resistant wood, and they give a warm, natural look and feel to any home. Wood is in the mid-range when it comes to price, and it requires perhaps the most upkeep of all the roofing materials. Additionally, wood does not carry a very long lifespan and it is not very fire resistant (unless you have it specially treated).

Slate. This is the most expensive roofing material you can go with, but it is also the most durable and long lasting. As a matter of fact, a slate roof’s life span may be one hundred years or more. Slate is very heavy, and is only suitable for steeply pitched roofs. Therefore, you will need to ensure that your home’s foundation walls are strong enough to carry a slate roof before you commit. Your builder or architect can give you guidance in that arena.

Metal. Available in aluminum, steel, copper, or zinc alloy, metal roofing is a mid-range material when it comes to both cost and life span. You may choose to purchase the material in its natural finish, or even to install a sleek, painted version. Either way, metal roofing is a suitable option for virtually any type or style of home.

There is a lot to think about when it comes to choosing the best roof for your home. Experienced professionals can help you make that important decision, and can also bring your vision to life. To put your roofing project into the hands of a contractor you can trust, contact Lyons Roofing. We can be reached by phone, in Indiana at 812-294-3595 and in Kentucky at 502-689-0338. You can also request a free roofing estimate online

3 Reasons You Know You Need a New Roof

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Replacing a roof is a fairly hefty expenditure for most families and businesses. For this reason, people often put it off for as long as possible. Unfortunately, there are some circumstances in which you should replace your roof right away, no matter what, and whether you want to or not. Do you fit into this category? Here are three reasons you know you need a new roof:

Dips in the roof.

It is easy to spot dips in the roof if you back far enough away from your house and look carefully. Dips in the roof are exactly what they sound like: areas in the roof that are dipping below other areas. They are often indicative of either rot or water swell in the foundation of the roof – both signs that it is time to replace your home’s topper. Also, remember that your entire roof should be one flat surface. Otherwise, your roofing material will have a hard time holding and it will be easy for puddles of moisture to build up. For this variety of reasons, you should consider replacing your roof if it is dipping.

Aged shingles.

Shingles that are curling up generally indicate that a roof has reached the end of its life. This is because it is easiest (and most likely) for shingles to curl when they have lost the entirety of their UV coating. You also need to pay attention to the amount of granules your shingles are losing. If it is an excessive amount, then that is a tell-tale sign that your old shingles need to be replaced for new ones.

Leaks.

You may be able to stretch the life of a leaky roof with repairs, but if you notice that the leaks seem to be larger, or multiplying, it is likely that you will need to replace your roof altogether. Keep in mind that some leaks are easier to spot than others. While a puddle in the floor is obvious, you also need to be on the lookout for discolorations on your ceiling. Any brown spots are indicative of moisture, which could be coming from a leaky roof.

There is a lot to think about when it comes to choosing the best roof for your home. Experienced professionals can help you make that important decision, and can also bring your vision to life. To put your roofing project into the hands of a contractor you can trust, contact Lyons Roofing. We can be reached by phone, in Indiana at 812-294-3595 and in Kentucky at 502-689-0338. You can also request a free roofing estimate online.

The Best Way to Keep Your Roof Clean

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Cleaning your gutters in IndianaEveryone loves the idea of having a maintenance-free roof, and many roofing manufacturers aim to meet that need by offering products that are as low-maintenance as possible. However, regardless of the type of roof you have, the fact of the matter is that you will inevitably have to perform some routine upkeep on your roof if you want it to continue to look and function at its best for as long as possible.

Here are some tips for the best way to keep your roof clean:

Apply a roof cleaner

You may purchase roof cleaner from any home improvement store. It is likely that you may have to mix it with water before applying it. Just follow the manufacturer’s instructions, mixing in an insecticide sprayer or power washer. If you can, climb up onto your roof so that you can be sure to give it a thorough spray. If you do decide to use a power washer, be sure to use it on an extremely low pressure setting, so as not to damage your roofing material. Allow the cleaner to sit on your roof for as long as the manufacturer suggests- usually about 25 minutes.

Rinse the roof cleaner

After you have allowed the roof cleaner to soak for the specified amount of time, rinse the cleaner off using a garden hose or a power washer set to a very low pressure. If there is any mildew or stains left, blast these away using the force of the water, or scrub if necessary.

Clean your gutters

It is likely that there will be a good deal of waste in your gutters after a thorough roof cleaning. Prevent the gutter drains from clogging by removing large debris by hand, then use your garden hose to flush out the remainder of the waste.
Adhere to a regular cleaning schedule. You don’t have to clean your roof all too often, but a cleaning every one to three years is a good idea, if you want to keep your roof looking its best. Also, keep in mind that the better you care for your roof, the more likely you are to see it to its fullest possible life span.

There is a lot to think about when it comes to choosing the best roof for your home. Experienced professionals can help you make that important decision, and can also bring your vision to life. To put your roofing project into the hands of a contractor you can trust, contact Lyons Roofing. We can be reached by phone, in Indiana at 812-294-3595 and in Kentucky at 502-689-0338. You can also request a free roofing estimate online

3 Most Popular Roofing Designs

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Although it is true that your roofing designs wilIndiana Roofing Designsl certainly not be the first thing you pick out when designing your home, it is undeniable the design of your roof is extremely important to your home’s overall look and feel. Roofs come in a wide array of types and styles, and your roof of choice can dramatically change your home’s appeal; it can even make it look like a different home altogether. For this reason, you need to be knowledgeable of the decisions you make when it comes to your roof’s design.

Roofs come in many shapes in styles. Here are the three most popular roofing designs:

Gable roof.

This is easily the most common type of roof. It is also the easiest to build. A gable roof is a simple structure created by adjoining two roof lines at an obtuse angle (think of a wide, upside-down V). For houses that are not square or rectangular in shape (“L-shaped” homes, for example), two or more gable roofs may converge. There a many benefits to having a gable roof including: water runs off easily and plenty of ventilation. This design may be applied to any type or style of home.

A-frame roof.

This style is very similar to the gable roof. It is basically the same thing, except the two roof lines are joined at a smaller angle, creating a more defined upside-down V shape (or, an A – hence the design’s name). The difference between an A-frame roof and a gable roof is that, with an A-frame roof, the roof also creates the walls of the home. Originally used solely in the design of cottages, the A-frame is now a popular roofing choice for houses of all types.

Hip roof.

Again, the gable roof may be considered the basis for this type of roof. The difference is that, with a hip roof, the ends (where you would normally see the upside-down V shape) are capped off at an angle, creating a triangle shape (with the point at the top). Hip roofs are appropriate for any style home, but are a little more difficult to construct than the previously mentioned roof types. They are not the best roof style for ventilation or water drainage. Hip roofs are considered a higher-end roof, as they are more complex than many alternative styles.

There is a lot to think about when it comes to choosing the best roof for your home. Experienced professionals can help you make that important decision, and can also bring your vision to life. To put your roofing project into the hands of a contractor you can trust, contact Lyons Roofing. We can be reached by phone, in Indiana at 812-294-3595 and in Kentucky at 502-689-0338. You can also request a free roofing estimate online