It’s time to go green in Spring 2017!
This year, reduce cooling costs and protect surfaces from moisture, mold, and mildew with the combination of Energy Protect™ and CrystalShield™. Continue reading “Go Green This Spring!”
It’s time to go green in Spring 2017!
This year, reduce cooling costs and protect surfaces from moisture, mold, and mildew with the combination of Energy Protect™ and CrystalShield™. Continue reading “Go Green This Spring!” →
During a hailstorm, your roof is vulnerable to damage and future repairs. Just how much damage depends on multiple factors including wind, size and density of the hail, and the type of roof covering. Continue reading “Recognizing Hail Damage” →
Joseph K. Lamb, Jr., the CEO and Founder of Gulf Western Roofing, grew up with contracting in his blood. His father was the president of a very large building contractor on Florida’s booming east coast, and almost from the start, Joe Lamb was groomed to one day head up his own construction operation. Continue reading “The History of Gulf Western Roofing” →
Selecting the right manufacturer is a big decision when choosing a shingle roof. When helping homeowners make this decision, Rodney Porr reminds them, “good roofs aren’t cheap and cheap roofs aren’t good.” Rodney, who has 30+ years of experience in the roofing industry and currently works as a Central Florida estimator for Gulf Western Roofing, says he prefers to look out for the best interest of the homeowner. He finds that customers continuously select the GAF Weather Stopper® System Plus Ltd. Warranty shingle due to the peace of mind they have knowing that they are backed by the manufacturer, a certified installer, and the Good Housekeeping seal. Continue reading “A Great Warranty for a Great Roof System” →
Your roof is something you tend not to think about until you need a new one- but choosing a new roof is a very important process, one that can come with many advantages or disadvantages. Most homeowners are unaware of the many types of roofs that they have to choose from. We invite you to take a journey with us to explore the many shingle options that are available. Shingles can be made of asphalt, wood, metal, slate, or even concrete tile.
Asphalt shingles are the most common, mainly due to their relatively long lifespan, ease of installation, and inexpensive price. It offers three profile options and multiple color selections, creating an attractive look to enhance the curb appeal of your home. Although asphalt shingles are the most affordable option, they are also more susceptible to wind damage, and may decay in extreme weather instances such as hail. If you’re considering asphalt shingles, keep in mind that our Central Florida Division Manager, Keith Reece, has almost 15 years of experience in the roofing industry and has installed well over 1,500 shingle roofs.
http://www.gaf.com/Roofing/Residential/Products/Shingles
If you’re looking for a more natural, country-like feel with a lot of character, consider a wooden shingle roof, like the one seen in the 1970’s television series, The Waltons. Compared to asphalt shingle, wooden shingles are much more durable, and with proper maintenance, could last up to 50 years! They are also very easy to install and repair. On the other hand, wood shingle roofs are very susceptible to outdoor elements. Wood shingles are more likely to suffer from degradation by moisture, which may lead to mold and mildew; also, for clear reasons, they also have a very poor fire rating. Consequently, you do not see many wood shingles in the state of Florida.
A relatively new shingle that is slowly increasing in popularity is the metal shingle roof. In contrast to wood shingles, metal shingles are highly fire resistant and require little maintenance. They will not rot or develop mildew, and they have the potential to last 25-100 years. Metal shingles also provides energy savings during the summer months due to their ability to reflect heat. Due to its material makeup and popularity, metal shingles are typically higher in cost and harder to find. If metal shingles are not installed properly you can have an acoustic issue in the building. Properly installed shingles will provide you with a quiet, peaceful environment.
http://www.decra.com/products/decra-shingle
Consider this, the Cathedral at Notre Dame in Paris was completed in 1160 and although the Cathedral has seen many wars, revolutions, fires and renovations, some of the original roof still remains. Slate shingles, like the ones seen on the Notre Dame Cathedral, provide the benefits of being waterproof, frost resistant, and fire resistant. However, slate shingles are justifiably heavier than other shingles. As a result, it’s important to ensure that the structure of your home is capable of handling the extra weight. Although this is the most expensive roof option, slate shingles are known for their aesthetic beauty and durability. With any roof covering, there exist multiple options to be considered, which is why it is always important to do your homework before making a decision. If you are interested in a slate alternative, synthetic slate shingles provide the same protection as a regular slate shingle, but with less weight and cost.
Because tiles are not flexible, they cannot be considered shingles in the traditional sense, but they can be applied in a similar manner. Like slate shingles, concrete tiles are aesthetically appealing, and incredibly durable, but also come with added weight and cost. With proper care and maintenance, concrete tiles have the potential to last up to 80 years. However, when tiles do get damaged, the cost to fix them can be extremely pricey.
http://www.boralamerica.com/roofing/concrete
http://www.eagleroofing.com
No matter which shingle option you choose, it is important to understand the advantages and disadvantages each option brings. While some options may bring cost savings up front, others may last longer and provide more savings in the long run. Always consult with an experienced contractor who can walk you through each of the available options in order to help you make the best possible decision.
At Gulf Western Roofing, we are eager to answer any questions you may have. Mike Wheatley, our State Operations Manager, has over 40 years of experience in the construction industry and has been serving the residential and commercial roofing industry in the State of Florida for the past 25 years. Let us put that expertise to work for you. Give us a call today to make the first step to a brand new roof.
Spending his entire life in Florida’s unique environment convinced him of the need for preservation in the midst of progress. Since he reached age three, Tim fished and spent countless hours on the water. He bought his own boat at age 12 to explore both fresh and salt water environments. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies, he worked for the Department of Environmental Protection where he was exposed first-hand to the diverse environmental challenges to Florida’s fragile ecosystems and the best means to protect its land and water surfaces.
Tim is certified in a broad range of crucial disciplines such as habitat assessment, wetland delineation, uniform mitigation assessment method (UMAM) and environmental rules and statutes.
Michael is a solution-oriented environmental operations professional with over 13 years of experience in both the public and private sectors. He’s established a successful track record of managing projects across a variety of disciplines, including sustainability, land management, environmental permitting, remediation projects and environmental restoration and monitoring.
He also carries and impressive list of certifications related to environmental protection and maintenance. In fact, Michael’s experience and special training in natural resource damage assessment earned him a deployment to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill site. He is a tremendous asset to the GWES team.
Rick Vaske, a Cincinnati, Ohio native and now Florida Full Time Resident since 2006.
Over the past several years Vaske has been working on developing solar education for students and the entire staff of Gulf Western Roofing, to help ensure safety and proper installation. His quest was to also be on the cutting end of industry-leading products as well as the sales staff to better educate customers.
This effort has resulted in Vaske to become a NABCEP Certified Sales Executive & NABCEP Certified Solar Installer and NABCEP Certified Exam Practitioner.
Taking solar education to a new level became Vaske’s goal as we rewrote the solar curriculum for The Department of Education. Vaske is the proud owner of The Florida Solar School where he teaches this curriculum at The Fort Myers Technical College for the Photovoltaic & Solar Thermal Design and Installation Course where they utilize Vaske’s Best Selling Solar Book: “Understanding The Power of Solar”.
Vaske believes that solar is truly making an impact in the world and it is his goal to leave this planet a better place for his young daughter, Mia. That is why sits on the Board of Directors for The SWFL Future Forestry Foundation, where Vaske works to plant a tree for every solar system installed.
It’s hard to keep Vaske from talking about sustainability and his passion for solar, so he has combined it with his original passion of radio. Catch Rick every Sunday morning as the host of Watts Up Radio on Sunny 106.3 WJPT.
Vaske has led Solar Install Companies to the following awards: six-time winner of the Lee Building Industry Association “Green Home of The Year” for Design & Installation, Parade of Homes “Best Upgrade” for Design & Installation of Multi-Solar System Install, two-time winner of Florida Weekly’s “Best Solar Company” and Vaske has been featured four-times in Florida Weekly’s “Market Pulse”.
With solar on the rise, many unqualified companies, sales associates and installers are joining the industry. This is putting homeowners and consumers at risk of being sold inferior products and receiving unsatisfactory installations. This along with copious amounts of misleading information on social media, and the Internet, Vaske felt it was important for homeowners and business owners who are interested in solar to get the TRUTH and the FACTS about solar, so they can make educated and cost-saving decisions.