Your roof is your home’s primary defense against the elements. While most shingles are effective at repelling wind and rain, hailstones may be a whole different story. You may have heard about hail resistant shingles; learn more about why they’re a smart upgrade for your home. 

Hail Is Destructive

The force of hail falling on your roof can crack, dent, warp or break tiles, shingles and other roofing materials. Your home is left vulnerable to water damage and pests. Small openings in your roofing material can let in a steady stream of water, leading to wood rot, mold and mildew in your attic. 

Even Small Hail Can Damage Your Roof

Maybe the hail storms that pass through your area don’t seem very strong. However, it doesn’t take large hail to harm your roof. Even hailstones measuring less than one inch in diameter can jeopardize your shingles. And hail damage can be cumulative, too. The hail that hits today may weaken the shingles so the next storm’s hailstones are the ones that crack and break them.

Hail May Void the Warranty On Your Shingles

Typical roof shingle warranties don’t cover damage from weather like hail. That leaves you with costly repairs that you’ll have to pay out of pocket. Instead, consider hail resistant shingles. They’re designed to withstand the impact of hail and last for many decades, giving you a more robust warranty and greater financial security.

Ready to Install Hail Resistant Shingles in Edmonds?

Urbizo Bros. Roofing is your source for top-quality roofing products and installation, offering results that not only look great but last for years. We specialize in residential roofing and light commercial roofing work. Our other services include roof inspection, skylight installation and roof maintenance to keep your home protected. Contact us today to learn more about your roofing choices, including hail resistant shingles.

Gain Peace of Mind with Hail Resistant Shingles for Your Edmonds Home

Serving Edmonds, Seattle, Lynnwood, Mill Creek, Mercer Island, Mukilteo & South Everett

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Posted on October 21, 2022 | Published by Ignite Local | Related Local Business

A roof warranty is similar to insurance. It protects your roof in the event it requires extensive repairs. Warranties are available for both commercial and residential roofs in Edmonds. There are, however, instances that may void the roof warranty. Find out what causes the warranty to become null.

1. Roof Misuse

Some facilities use the roof as an additional floor. Rooftop restaurants and bars, for instance, are not uncommon and are quite popular since they provide a scenic backdrop. However, heavy foot traffic can lead to wear. Warranties typically don’t cover damage from foot traffic, since roofs are not intended to be occupied by people.

2. Work on Rooftop Equipment

One of the reasons commercial roofs are flat is so they can be a staging area for large machinery like HVAC units. HVAC technicians aren’t roofers and may unknowingly cause damage when servicing the system. Continue Reading →

We recommend that businesses in Mercer Island install a commercial skylight and treat it as an investment. The obvious advantage is more natural lighting and decreased energy costs. However, there are also secondary benefits as well. This is why most roofers install skylights as part of their additional services.

How Do Commercial Skylights Increase Facility Productivity?

There is research that examines the link between sunlight exposure and work productivity. One study comes from Chicago’s Northwestern University. It compared performance when working in a typical room vs a room with zero windows and only artificial light. The subjects that worked in the typical room with windows received 173% more sunlight exposure. The same group also outperformed the subjects from the windowless room. In addition, the group also scored higher in a quality-of-life survey.

Moreover, a separate study found that employees exposed to more natural light were 18% more productive. Finally, a report published in the American Society of Interior Design revealed that 68% of staff across multiple industries reported a lack of lighting as a work hindrance.

What About Artificial Lighting?

Some employers may be on the fences about modifying their commercial roofs. Instead, they may just add more fluorescent lighting. This isn’t the optimal approach. Most artificial lights strain the eyes. The lights also tend to be dimmer, which can lead to effects like migraines and sleepiness. 

Maximizing Natural Light Is the Key

Light is an essential component of how we see. Installing a skylight is a smart move from both a financial and performance point of view. We recommend skylights even if your building already has ample windows.

Invest in a Commercial Skylight for Your Mercer Island Office

A commercial skylight is a major building upgrade with significant secondary advantages. Our residential roofers install skylights for homes as well. In any case, contact Urbizo Roofing to get started.

Commercial Skylight Installation in Mercer Island

Quality roof replacement & repair in Edmonds, Seattle, Lynnwood,
Mill Creek, Mercer Island, Mukilteo & South Everett

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Posted on August 21, 2022 | Published by Ignite Local | Related Local Business

You may want to consider the installation of a white roof, also known as a cool roof. What does this roof type entail and why might it be advantageous for commercial roofs? Learn all about this form of roofing and whether it’s right for your establishment.

What Is a White Roof in Lynnwood?

A white roof is a roof with white panels, making its name kind of self-explanatory. The purpose, though, is that it’s more energy efficient and more effective at deflecting heat versus darker-colored panels. Think about it: why is it generally considered a bad idea to wear black clothing on a hot day? Dark colors absorb more heat. The same applies to roofing panels. The more heat the panels absorb the more heat is transferred into the interior. It stands to reason then that lighter roof colors absorb less heat.

According to research from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, white roofs slash energy use by 20% on a sunny day. In high-density urban areas, white roofs have the benefit of lowering overall temperature. This is advantageous due to the heat absorbed by paved roads, which makes temperatures hotter at ground level.

Continue Reading →

Summer is in full swing; with it comes peak-high temperatures. The heat can be just as taxing on commercial and residential roofs. Here are some warm weather roofing stressors that erode roof health and longevity.

1. UV Rays

Constant UV ray exposure can cause shingles to dry out and eventually crack. Cracked shingles may also begin to peel in the corners. The edges may start to curl, creating openings for water to seep in.

2. Humidity

Mukilteo isn’t the most humid region in the country. Even so, summer does mean increased humidity. When the roof’s surface temperature is lower than the air around it, condensation takes place. This is why it’s important that roofs have soffit or ridge vents to maximize circulation. Our additional services include vent installation and replacement. Continue Reading →

Sustainable homes are becoming a trend in the Mill Creek area. Many homeowners want to live in a house that leaves behind a minimal carbon footprint. The roof, though, plays a huge factor. Learn about green roofing and how it contributes to a better environment. 

How the Roof Affects the Environment

America has over 3,000 landfills. Americans also throw away enough trash daily to fill 63,000 garbage trucks. The waste consists of everyday household trash, including roofing materials like shingles.

Here’s an eye-opening fact: roughly 80% of the work residential roofers do consists of replacing an aging roof rather than making repairs. Replacement means a new one is installed, and the old one makes a one-way trip to the landfill.

Do you see why regular roof maintenance is essential? When you care for your roof, it lasts far longer and stays on the top of your house rather than becoming waste. Continue Reading →

Installing a new residential roof? Maybe you need repairs to an existing one. The contractor may ask about the type of roof you want. The two primary choices are an open valley roof and closed valley roof. Most homeowners probably don’t know the difference and are unfamiliar with these terms. Learn about these two roof types and how they contrast.

What Is a Roof Valley?

First, let’s explain what a roof valley is. In a typical home with a sloped roof, the valley is the section where the flat area meets with the sloped area to form a V-shape. This part usually contains flashing to offset leaks.

Open Valley

In an open valley, the valley area is fortified by a metal or aluminum strip. Some styles may also include a water and ice shield to further protect against ponding water. The intersection point, however, is open and lacks the outermost roofing material. Continue Reading →

You don’t see an access hatch on residential roofs, yet they’re quite common for commercial roofs. Business facilities require more frequent roofing maintenance in order to meet building code guidelines. A hatch provides convenient access for roofers.

Considerations for an Access Hatch

First, you need to determine an appropriate hatch size. Do you plan on using the hatch as an entrance for personnel, or do you also plan on transporting large equipment? The latter is often the case if your roof contains an industrial HVAC unit.

A hatch also needs a built-in ladder or stairs. For smaller single-cover hatches, a fixed ladder is good enough. For larger hatches and getting large equipment through, the roofer may need to install ship stairs. Continue Reading →

Many homeowners are aware of the different shingle types. However, when it comes to metal roofing, people tend to think there’s just one type. There are actually multiple styles. Learn of the different types and which one may be a good fit for your residential roof.

1. Steel Roofing

Steel is an alloy composed of iron and other elements. This option is also sustainable since most roof makers produce the panels from recycled material. Most steel panels consist of weathering or galvanized steel.

2. Aluminum Roofing

Aluminum panels are highly resistant to corrosion. This makes them a great option for coastal properties since these areas have high humidity. When aluminum reacts with oxygen, it forms aluminum oxide. This acts as a protective barrier that shields the inner layer from rust. Continue Reading →