roofing

GAF Roofing Shingles: Timberline Shingles Costs, Pros & Cons

GAF shingles are among the most popular asphalt roofing shingle brands in North America. While not necessarily considered the very best shingle brand, GAF shingles get good ratings from roofers and homeowners, and are considered a good value for the money at between $4.00 and $7.50 per square foot installed, depending on the shingle and accessory choices.

GAF Timberline Fox Hollow Gray shingles

The GAF Timberline shingles are the best-known of the brand’s products. The company makes complete asphalt roofing systems from underlayment to hip and ridge cap shingles.

This comprehensive GAF shingles guide includes a digest-style overview of available products, pros and cons, costs for shingles and accessories, and additional details to help you make an informed buying decision, as well as compare GAF to Owens Corning, CertainTeed, Atlas, and Malarkey roofing shingles.

This review starts with the GAF Timberline shingles and then moves to 3-tab shingles and premium Designer shingles.

GAF Timberline Shingles

GAF claims that its Timberline shingles are the “North America’s #1 selling shingle.”

Read more

Most Efficient Rooftop Solar Panels for Homes

In simple terms, the efficiency of a solar panel can be described as the percentage of incoming sunlight that gets converted into electricity. High efficiency modules tend to be more expensive, but they also use space more efficiently, generating more watts per square foot covered. This is a major benefit when you have limited roof space for solar panels, or when you want an installation to be as compact as possible.

source: SunPower

When comparing solar panels, keep in mind that efficiency is not equivalent to product quality. You can also find lower efficiency solar panels of great quality, in case you have ample rooftop space and want to reduce your total project cost. Do keep in mind that you will get fewer kilowatt-hours per square foot with less-efficient modules.

Here we will review the top 5 most efficient solar panels available today, and the typical costs you can expect when purchasing them. We will also highlight other strong points they offer, in addition to high efficiency. The most efficient solar panels that are commercially available range from 21% to 23%, with SunPower leading the way at 22.8% conversion efficiency.

Read more

What New Roofing System Should I Get Before Installing Solar Panels?

“Is my roof suitable for solar panels?” You have probably asked yourself this question if you’ve been considering a photovoltaic system for your home.

Luma Solar Roof
source: Luma Solar

The good news is that you can install solar panels on almost any roof, as long as they have a suitable racking system.

For example, you can use clamps if you have a standing seam metal roof, or penetrating mounts for shingle and tile roofs. Ballasted mounts are also viable if you have a flat roof, although this is less common in residential settings.

Having an asbestos roof is one of the main factors that can limit the use of solar panels. While the installation is technically possible, most solar contractors will decline this type of work due to the health risks involved.

The fibers released when drilling asbestos can be extremely hazardous if inhaled, and this is not only a health risk for installers, but also for anyone living in the home. Asbestos can stay in your body for years without symptoms, and then cause severe lung issues without warning.

Even if you have an asbestos-free roofing system, you need to consider three important things about solar panels:

Read more