A radiant barrier is made of highly reflective materials, such as aluminum foil, and is installed in Orlando homes and even commercial buildings to either keep heat inside or outside the building or the home. For homeowners and commercial property owners, radiant barriers can aid in reducing energy bills and ensuring the home or building is much more comfortable in terms of temperature. Radiant barriers tend to be installed on the underside of the deck of the roof, inside surface of the end of the gable, or other vertical surfaces located inside an attic. The objective of radiant barriers is to protect the home of building’s insulation from maintaining contact with heat that is generated outside the building or home.

When a radiant barrier is placed underneath roofing materials, the heat coming from the sun’s rays will be redirected to the very top of the roof rather than having the heat flow in a downwards fashion and right into the home or building. It will keep the area inside nice and cool because all that thermal radiation trying to come in will be moved right back to where it came from.

The type of roof the home or business has will often dictate how a professional roofing company will install radiant barriers. If a building or home is new or if it has been around for awhile, it will change the approach of the professional roofer when it comes to installing radiant barriers. For instance, radiant barrier decking may be used for home currently under construction. On the other hand, radiant barrier attic foil can be used on already existing homes that homeowners are looking to modify in some way. Installation of radiant barrier necessitates the utilization of a gap or air space. This enables the radiant barrier to have the space it needs to function properly and do what it is supposed to do. For instance, homeowners in humid locations across the United States should first perforate the radiant barriers prior to installing them. This will enable moisture to easily escape.

There are numerous types of radiant barriers currently available on the market. Most homeowners, for instance, select between double sided foil, single sided foil, foil-faced roof sheathing materials, multi-layered foil, as well as radiant barrier chips. The primary difference between these types of radiant barriers is related to the total quantity of reinforcement layers, what kind of reinforcement is being utilized, and the material of the insulation.

If radiant barriers are properly installed on a roof, it can block out approximately 95 percent of all heat that is trying to penetrate through the roof and get into the home or building through the ceiling. It will also reduce the temperature in the home or building by up to 30 degrees. Many homeowners, for example, also state that by using radiant barriers, they are able to convert attics into workspaces, storage areas, or even additional bedrooms if need be as there will be no excess heat to negatively affect items or people.

For more information or a Free Quote, fill out the Contact Form, or call Collis Roofing at 877-COLLIS1.

March 2-4  2012
Home & Garden Show
Daytona Beach Ocean Center
101 N. Atlantic Ave.
Daytona Beach
Fri. 3-2   10am – 7pm
Sat. 3-3  10am – 7pm
Sun. 3-4   10am – 6pm
 
March 30 2012
Blood Drive
Collis Roofing Longwood office
Friday 3-30  12:30pm – 5:30pm
 
May 25-28  2012
Home & Garden Show
Orlando Convention Center
9800 International Drive
Orlando
Fri. 5-25 10pm - 9pm
Sat. 5-26 10pm - 9pm
Sun. 5-27  10am – 6pm
Mon. 5-28  10am – 6pm

GAF is now offering $300 in rebates for Active Military, Veterans and Retirees on their GAF Lifetime Roofing System installed by Collis Roofing.  Collis roofing will match that $300 for a total of $600 off!  If you are active in the Military or a Veteran, contact Collis Roofing today for more information!

A roof is an invaluable part of any commercial building. When it is time to repair or even replace a commercial roof, property managers and business owners will want to hire the best commercial roofer for the job. But how does one decide just which commercial roofer to select? The Yellow Pages are full of entries under “commercial roofer” and individuals get pages and pages of results in any online search engine. Narrowing the selection down can be quite a daunting process. By performing due diligence along with background and reference checks, individuals can find the right commercial roofer that fits needs and budget.

One of the first things to look for in a commercial roofer is the longevity of the business. It is best to hire established commercial roofing companies rather than a company that has only been in the industry for a few short years. Always look for companies that have been around for at least five years. Keep in mind that dishonest and unprofessional roofing contractors do not stay in business for long. Back up the business longevity with reference checks to ensure quality work.

Ask who will be in charge of the process of repairing or replacing the commercial roof. How much experience do they have in this business? What kind of credentials do they have? These are important questions to work. See if they have membership to organizations like the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA). The NRCA sets up standards of quality and professionalism that all members need to abide by. If the commercial roofer is a member of the NRCA, or any other likeminded organization, chances are they follow a strict code of workmanship.

While a certificate of membership to NRCA does prove professionalism, the certificate is only a piece of paper noting their qualifications, but it does not say anything regarding the quality of their work. It is extremely important to do a background check on the commercial roofer and be sure to call up references. Whatever past clients’ state says a lot about the level of workmanship and professionalism the commercial roofer has to offer. If the references offer positive reviews of the commercial roofer, it is a good indication that this roofer is a good one to be working with. Keep in mind that a commercial roof is extremely important as it protects not only the employees, but the entire contents of a building from computers to manufacturing equipment. Do not shoo references to the side because it is one of the best ways to learn about the services offered.

Always ask about licensing and insurance. Commercial roofers need to be licensed in order to work. If the roofer is not licensed, it not only means that they most likely do shoddy work, but it most likely also means they are not insured. When asking for license information, also ask for a certificate of insurance. The certificate of insurance will list all coverages the roofer has, including general liability, professional liability, and workman’s compensation. Do not take these at face value, however, but check them with the state licensing board and the insurance company listed on document to ensure everything is in order.

Reliability and availability are two last things to look into. Will the commercial roofer finish the project on time or are there going to be delays? No one wants an unreliable roofer that drags out the roofing process longer than necessary. Also check availability. If there is a leak, individuals want to know if the commercial roofer can come quickly to fix it.