Maryland Roofing Contractors

Maggio Roofing is a Maryland roofing contractor serving the needs of homeowners and businesses in the Montgomery County, Baltimore, Annapolis, Frederick and central Maryland region. If you live in Maryland and are in search of a local roofing contractor, contact us for a free estimate.

Asphalt Shingles

The most common roof type installed on steep-sloped roofs in the Montgomery County area are asphalt shingles. These popular materials are made with either organic or fiberglass materials. Shingles reinforced with organic felt have been around much longer, but fiberglass reinforced products now are the overwhelming favorite.

An organic shingle is made from recycled wood pulp and paper. It is then saturated with asphalt and coated with granules. The granules are crushed rock that is coated with a ceramic coating and fired. These granules come in many different colors.

Fiberglass shingles are made from fibers condensed into strong, resilient mats. The mats are then saturated with asphalt and the same ceramic granules.

The ceramic granules serve two purposes. The first and primary reason is to protect the shingles from the UV rays of the sun. These rays are very damaging to asphalt and cause it to deteriorate prematurely. This is one of the same reasons that gravel is used to cover built-up roofs (on flat roofs). The second, a more obvious reason, is for the aesthetics. The ceramic granules are available in a wide variety of colors.

The lifespan of asphalt shingles depends highly upon the environment. Shingles in cooler climates such as our area seem to last longer than those installed in warmer climates (such as Florida). A major factor that affects shingles is Thermal Shock. Thermal Shock is what is experienced when the ambient temperature changes dramatically within a very short period of time, usually 24 hours. Roofing materials are unable to expand and contract to accommodate such a dramatic temperature change in such a short period, so cracks and splits in the materials can occur. Moisture can then enter the material and damage them even further. The presence of water will permit algae and fungus to grow on asphalt materials. These two things will damage asphalt. Another way water damages the materials is in the freeze-thaw cycles. In the cold winter months, water will get into the cracks and freeze. Water expands as it freezes so the more this occurs, the bigger the cracks and splits become. This is why steeper roofs tend to last longer than lower sloped roofs. The better the roof sheds water, the less problems it will usually experience.

Still another factor affecting asphalt shingle roofs is attic ventilation. Proper attic ventilation is crucial for a long-lasting roof system. Without it, heat and moisture build up in an attic area and combine to cause rafters and sheathing to rot, shingles to buckle, and insulation to lose its effectiveness. It is estimated that 9 out of 10 homes in North America do not have proper attic ventilation.

It is important never to block off sources of roof ventilation, such as louvers, ridge vents or soffit vents, even in winter. In the winter, various household appliances, bathtubs, showers, and cooking vapors can contribute to excess moisture build-up. Improperly ventilated attics will allow this moisture to collect and cling to the underside of the roof. There, it will condense and fall, soaking the attic insulation and reducing its efficiency. In the summer, an improperly ventilated attic can cause heat to build in excess of 160°F. This superheated air eventually penetrates the ceiling insulation into the living area below.

The FHA (Federal Housing Administration) recommends a minimum of at least 1 square foot of attic ventilation (both intake and exhaust) for every 300 square feet of attic space. For example, if your attic is 900 square feet, you need a total of 3 square feet of ventilation. This amount is generally divided equally between intake and exhaust ventilation (i.e., 11/2 feet of each), to insure proper air flow through the attic.

Most people think of a new roof as just banging on some shingles. Well informed homeowners realize that it takes more. Many more things need to be considered when selecting a new roof system. While cost and durability are important, you should consider what problems you have, what products will solve those problems, what people will install those products, and what price you will pay. The right roof system for your home is one that takes all of these things into consideration.

Wood Shingles/Shakes

Another type of roof that is common to the Montgomery County area are wood shingles and/or wood shakes. Wood shingles and shakes are made from cedar, redwood, southern pine and other woods. Many wood shingles and shakes only have Class C fire ratings or no ratings at all. However, Class A fire ratings are available for pressure impregnated fire-retardant treated products.

Most people often think wood shingles and shakes are difficult to differentiate, but in fact are recognizably different. According to the Cedar Shake and Shingle Bureau, wood shingles are sawn on both sides for a smooth finish and are available in 16-, 18- and 24-in. lengths. Manufacturers offer a wide range of fancy-butt shingles, including a semi-round shape known as the fish scale; a pointed butt to provide a diamond-shaped finish and arrow, half-cove, hexagonal, octagonal and diagonal shapes. These are recommended for sidewall applications where a decorative appearance is desired. Standard red cedar shingles, on the other hand, provide a tailored appearance for the roof.

Wood Shakes are available in two basic types. The first is hand-split and resawn. It is split from the wood block on one side and sawn on the back to provide a more rustic appearance. These are available in three butt thicknesses: 1/2-in. (medium), 3/4-in. (heavy) and 1-in. (jumbo) and are available in 18- and 24-in. lengths, although specialty or custom shake products come in lengths up to 36 in.

The second type of shake is taper sawn, which is sawn on both sides for a smooth appearance. It is typically thicker than a shingle and provides a heavier shadow line. These are generally available in 5/8- and 7/8-in. butt thicknesses and 18- and 24-in. lengths.

Shakes and shingles are also available in various grades. The selection depends on where the house is and its style. A ranch-style home or vacation mountain-side cabin, for example, would likely use a more rustic looking hand-split and resawn shake, but a city home where owners seek a more tailored look would probably want a taper-sawn shake or shingle.

Proper care and maintenance is extremely important with wood shakes and shingles. One problem that is common in the Maryland / Virginia area is the growth of moss on the roof. In order to control moss, zinc or copper strips nailed at the ridge cap can be an effective method. Reaction between rain and the zinc or copper forms a mild solution that is carried down sections of the roof.

Small branches and other debris should be kept from building up on the roof and keeping the roof wet. One way to accomplish this is to trim overhanging branches. As with most roofs, gutters and downspouts need to be cleaned regularly. Downspouts should run to the ground or into another gutter below. Try to never let a downspout drain directly onto a lower roof surface.

Another good thing about cedar is that it is possible to replace and repair parts of the roof, without worrying that the replacement shakes or shingles are significantly different in composition from the original shakes or shingles. Over the hundreds of years that cedar has been used, the product has remained unchanged…it's still cedar. As cedar gets older, it is natural to expect some pieces to require replacement. Individual repairs are possible, and with prompt attention, proactive repairs can extend the life of your roof.