During the winter months, your home’s roof can suffer much wear and tear from snow and ice accumulation. Luckily, there are several seasonal roof maintenance tasks you can complete to better guard against the roof problems that snow and ice cause. Some of this roof maintenance can be performed by handy homeowners themselves, but most of it should be done by professional home roofing experts. Today’s blog post reviews just how damaging freezing and snowy weather can be to your roof. We’ll also review a few practical items for better roof maintenance. You can add these to your to-do list, which will help protect your roof in winter. [Read more…]

When it comes to major changes in life, we all want to make sure that we are choosing the right solution. That same thing goes for roofing. So when the times comes that you need a new roof, you want to make sure it is done with the right material and expertise, by a team that you trust. Roof replacement is one of the major investments you make in your home, so the work needs to be done properly. Therefore, the professionals at Biniek Specialty Contractors want to giv you the tips you need to know what to look for when choosing a roofer:  ➢ Find out how long the roofing contractor has been in business. When a company has an established business, it is more reliable and more likely to be there when you need them.   ➢ Make sure that the roofing company is both insured and licensed. That way, you avoid contractors that aren’t experienced in the industry. Ask about particularly liability and worker’s compensation, to avoid all sorts of risk that a roofer without insurance coverage can leave you with.   ➢ Ask the roofer for a list of references. If the roofing contractor is reputable, he will be more than happy to show you. Just remember that the list, of course, will consist of happy customers, and not those who were dissatisfied, since this isn’t in the best interest of the contractor. To find those, do your own online research.   ➢ Find a roofer with good communication skills, that you can talk to about what you’re looking for and who will answer any questions you might have. Good communication is also essential in order for you to know where they are in the process. Through this, you will avoid misunderstandings and a result you may not be happy with.   ➢ Hire a roofing contractor that offers you a guarantee. If any problems should occur with the installation or the materials, a written guarantee from the contractor is important to ensure that he will take care of the problem.   ➢ Remember, companies are only as good as the workers that are employed. What skills or training is demanded of the workers and is workers provided with safety training programs? Workers that have been through safety training procedures are proven to have fewer accidents at their jobs.   ➢ If old roofing materials need to be removed, is the clean up then included in the overall cost? Some can be very punctual with cleaning up as they go, where others wait until the end, leaving your property looking messy.   ➢ Lastly, always get a written contract with the scope of the project, the beginning and end dates, the materials used, and a list of all costs.   Now, having looked through the list and set check marks by every point, you are ready to start your roofing! Contact Biniek Specialty Contractors online today, or give us a call at 717-486-7530, for a trustworthy and professional roofing experience. We will happily be a part of you new home project and deliver the roof of your dreams!

Shingles all come in different types and materials that all have each their own pros and cons. Some that might alter the decision making for your next roof replacement. Keep on reading for information on the materials you will have to choose between!   ASPHALT SHINGLES Since asphalt shingles are the most frequently used shingles, they are relatively inexpensive. If you want asphalt shingles even more cheap than they already are, three-tab asphalt shingles are the way to go about it. They are thinner and less expensive than architectural or laminated asphalt shingles. Even though this inexpensive characteristic is definitely a plus, it also means that asphalt shingles have a somewhat short lifespan of 20 to 30 years. If you decide to buy coated asphalt shingles, they can possible meet the Energy Star standards for a cool roof and you will earn a rebate. Asphalt shingles provide reliable waterproofing and are simple to install, but with the dark color of the shingles, fading and inconsistency in color is easy to see. TILE SHINGLES This type of shingle has a very unique appearance of Spanish architecture and of the Southwest states. They are some of the most expensive to install and purchase, but with that said, they are also some of the longest lasting on the market with its 50 years. Something you need to be aware of, is the fact that the shingles are so heavy that some houses might not be able to support them. SLATE SHINGLES These shingles are very durable, with a lifespan of up to 50 years. If taken care of the right way, it is possible to find old houses, with no leaks, still with their original slate shingled roofs. The tiles are very heavy yet fragile, and at the same time pretty costly. So if you are looking for a cheaper solution, synthetic slate products have a similar appearance, but just a shorter lifespan. WOOD SHINGLES This type of shingle is known for the aesthetically appealing characteristic, because of the natural look. Depending on the type of wood you choose, the shingles can last from everything from 30 years to 50. One thing to mention though, is the maintenance. These shingles require more maintenance that any of the other shingles available. Contact us at Biniek Specialty Contractors, and let us help you determine which shingles that work best for your home, in your part of the country. We look forward to hearing from you!

Replacing a roof is a big decision. It is a big investment and you want to make sure everything is done just right. So if you have a roof replacement coming up soon, continue reading for the questions you should be asking your contractor, to ensure that you are well-informed about the process.   

• How long have you been in business? If it’s a company with a well-established business, it is likely to be more trustworthy and more likely to answer for its work.
• Do you have a list of references? The company should be happy to provide you with a list of resources and previous work done to show how reputable they are.
• Do you offer any guarantees? Find a roofing contractor who offers you a guarantee. A written guarantee from your contractor is highly important, in case any problem with the installation of the roof or with the material should occur. With a guarantee, you can ensure yourself that the contractor will take care of whatever problems may occur.
• What is included in the cost of the job? Is removal of old roofing materials included? Are there any exclusions or extra costs associated with this job? These are all good questions to ask. Any roofer should be upfront and straight forward with their quotes. 
• Are you insured and licensed?  In asking this question, you make sure that you are working with contractors that are qualified within the industry. You can also ask about worker’s compensation and liability, in order to avoid the risk of being left with a roofer that has no insurance coverage. 
• How are your workers trained? Find out what training or skills are demanded of the workers in the company. Also, if the workers are provided with any safety training programs. The way the workers that are employed are treated, says a lot about a company.
• Do you provide a written contract? A last thing to remember, is to get a written contract. This should include important dates, the scope of the project, as well of a list of all costs and materials.

With all of these points checked, you can now feel safe when replacing your roof. Contact us at Biniek Specialty Contractors for a complete roofing experience!