Frequently Asked Questions

Knowing when to replace a roof is one of our most popular questions. There are several key signs that indicate roof replacement is in order, such as:

• Bucking and curling shingles. Bucked shingles occur when moisture in the attic space causes nails to push out of place and loosen the shingle. This compromises the shingles’ performance and exposes the roof to the elements, which can result in leaks and even more moisture damage.

• Algae growth. Bacteria from algae eat through the shingles, especially if they are low-cost shingles that are made primarily of limestone. According to the Department of Energy, cool roofs are more susceptible to algae formation, although any roof color can experience algae growth.

• Missing granules. Asphalt roofing shingles are made up of small granules. When these granules come loose, it can impact the shingles’ performance. You can locate missing granulates by looking for fragments in the gutter system.

• Missing shingles. Professional roofing contractors are highly skilled at roofing installation and keeping shingles in place. However, these can blow away in the wind or become loose as they age. Missing shingles can allow rainwater into the home.

• Mold in the attic. This is one of the most concerning aspects of roof replacement. Mold forms in areas such as the rafter beams and the plywood on the underside of the roof.

• Hail damage.  Any time after a hail storm, you may have concerns of damage. It is best to contact a qualified professional roofing contractor, we will inspect the roof and determine if the time is right to get your insurance company involved with replacement. 

A roof consists of much more than a layer of shingles. Replacing the entire system, which includes the materials below, is the best route for enhancing the roof’s performance:

• Leak barrier protection Creates a seal to block water from vulnerable areas of the roof such as the valleys and chimneys.

• Synthetic roof deck protection: Provides a second layer of protection to defend against roof rot.

• Starter strip shingles: Prevents shingles from blowing off the roof.

• Lifetime shingles: Top-of-the-line shingles that are designed to last a lifetime and provide the best value. High-quality asphalt roofing can yield a return on investment of 65.8%.

• Ventilation: Ventilation is essential to the health of a roofing system. Without adequate airflow, energy bills can skyrocket and roof shingles can become damaged during hot weather.

If your roof is old and underperforming, roof replacement can help lower energy bills. It’s ideal that the attic remains close to the outside temperature, but overheating during the summer is a sign of inadequate ventilation. This can directly cause the HVAC to work in overdrive. A new roof lowers energy bills with ventilation and sound materials that prevent excess drafts and water leaks.

Quality roofing is one of the top ROI remodeling projects in Northwest Arkansas. New roof installation includes:

• Increased curb appeal with varying shingle colors that add depth to the home.

• Improved home value with 60%+ ROI.

• Potential energy savings with professional roof installation and attic ventilation.

• Ice dam prevention in the winter. Because, we get ice in the Ozarks. 

• Quality roofing replacement is designed to last for a lifetime

The most popular time of year for roof replacement is spring and late fall in the Ozarks, but wintertime works as well. An experienced roof installation team knows how to install a new roof without becoming damaged from cold temperatures. If you’re thinking of replacing a roof this year, now is the time to schedule an estimate before the fall rush begins.

Tar Streaking. Those black streaks on your roof shingles are most likely an algae called gloeocapsa magma, or as it is more commonly referred to, a blue-green or black algae. Algae is a solid deposit of spores and dirt, another form of mold. Mold and algae thrive in moist conditions, which is why you see it mostly on north-facing or deeply shaded parts of your home, including siding. We can have one of our professional roofing inspectors complete a site assessment, determine if you need a replacement or a cleaning.   

If you want your roof to last long, you have to take extra precautions on the overall roof design, design material and cost-competitiveness. Ultimately the house with a strong roof covering has to its credit, good insulation, a strong base to resist unwelcome environmental hazards such as powerful hailstorms, rain, snow, etc. Hiring a roofing service expert such as BMR will also help as we are very knowledgeable with the Ozarks ever changing climate. Having said this, the roofing material you choose plays an important part in what roof will last the longest.

Roofing material that last the longest has these specifications for a continuing life span:

Cedar Wood Shingles/Shakes : 30+ years

Asphalt Shingles: 15 to 25 years

Metal/Steel: 50+years

Slate: 30+years

Tile: 30+years

An average roof will last 20 years and a properly maintained roof will last longer. A roof is by no means a small investment and the duration that the roof will last for are based on a number of climatic conditions. If a roof is exposed to extreme conditions such as powerful hailstorms, extreme temperatures. 

The longest lasting roofing material is slate with life expectancy of 150 years followed by clay and concrete at roughly 100 years. If you need your roof-top to last more than 100 years, a design incorporating slate will be the design you need to consider for your house. But there are certain downsides to this design as listed here:

Cost: The initial cost could run high with premium materials and labor. The materials provide value in the long run but initial costs could run high.

Weight: The weight of the construction materials could be high and would add to the cost of construction. Especially, slate which is nothing but stone weights considerably.

Aesthetics: Finally there is the question of aesthetics and the choice for color in using construction materials of concrete and clay. This would be limited with slate because the color is limited to shades of grey. This would portray a very dull finish to suburban homes with other homes in the suburbs donning very attractive and regal splendors.

So if your roofing materials are clay, slate or concrete, the choice of colors is limited even though the construction cost remains high. This might not be what you're looking for! So you need to look at alternative options in roofing material. Here are some examples:

Asphalt shingles: Most of the houses in the Midwest have their roof constructed with asphalt shingles with products claiming life-expectancy of 10-25 years.

Architectural Asphalt: Higher quality asphalt with a life-span of 30 years.

Wood Shingles and Shakes: Wood maintenance is high but it will last for 30 years or more. Be aware, cedar shake shingles are natural product, so there’s no manufacturer warranty on the materials if they fail prematurely. This leaves you with only your roofing contractor’s workmanship warranty to rely on if there’s ever a problem with your cedar shake roof. As long as it’s properly installed and with proper maintenance, you can expect to get 30 years of life out of your cedar shake roof. If you invest in quality materials and live in an area with the right conditions, you could possibly get up to 50 years out of it.

Metal Roofing: Is expected to last 40 to 80 years.

These are the general patterns for buying or deciding upon a rooftop for your house with the above mentioned factors playing a huge part in the life expectancy of your roof. It would be ideal to bring Boston Mountain Roofing in for suggestions.