Commercial Roofing, Regulatory Reform and Lower Taxes The field of commercial roofing often attracts brave entrepreneurs with impeccable work ethic and a desire to create something unique, and personal. The field also attracts hardworking, small business supporters, not well versed in political intrigue, legal regulations, and the tax patterns of the industry. Thankfully, Roofers are protected by their guardian, the National Roofing Contractors Association, which aim to represent the interest of roofers, everywhere. Reform Recently, the NRCA has made a call to reform, “we want to support candidates who are pro-business. The amount of regulation that has crept into our industry is daunting. A massive amount of nickel and dime red tape is tied up in all of it,” says Dale Tyler, president of the association. Indeed, a call for less stringent and onerous regulation is on its way to congress. Senate Majority Leader, Harry Reid, has yet to bring the bill to the floor, [...]

Common Causes of Roof Damage O the simple things in life, when confronted by that old maxim the most essential component is a “roof over your head.” Indeed, without a roof, there can be no home. Without a home, there can be no happiness. Thus, homeowners would be wise to expend the utmost care and protection towards the health of their roof. At Gryphon Roofing, we face the unique challenge of roof maintenance in the desert. There are of course some benefits. That is, we enjoy the convenience of avoiding the deleterious effects snow has upon roofs. But, the brittle, scorching summer sun, counterbalances the absence of winter. Indeed, the harsh dry climate takes a toll on your roof, and roof maintenance is required to protect against any of the following common causes of roof damage. Summer Heat and Summer Storms Basically, the most imminent threat to Arizona Roofs occurs during late July and August, [...]

Preparing the Roof for Spring Spring can be a magical time, full of sunny days, green fields, and the feeling of youth. However, a cracked shingle, or a roof leak will surely cause homeowners to lament the April showers which breed May flowers. At Gryphon Roofing we’re happy to share a few helpful tips to help ease homeowners into the spring season. Evaluate the Roofing Surface The first thing homeowners should do is briefly survey the visible condition of the roof. Are there any cracked, dissipated, or absent shingles? These areas are particularly prone to water damage. An absent shingle can serve as a natural funnel, drawing water to it and collecting rain water, forming a stagnant pool. Homeowners should replace any damaged shingles before the spring season rolls around, or call a qualified roofing professional like Gryphon Roofing if they are incapable of replacing the damaged shingle themselves. Cleaning the Gutter The Gutter serves [...]

Gutters 101 Ever since gutters became standard issue for every house, attempts to protect gutters from debris accumulation have been numerous. There is no magic bullet in the word of gutters that can completely prevent debris from accumulating. But a gutter guard can mitigate the buildup of unpleasant debris and unsightly waste. The word gutter comes from the Latin gutta which means drop. A gutter guard is essentially a rain catcher, which collects and diverts rainwater away from the roofs edges. This protections a buildings foundation and also helps reduces erosion, preventing leaks in basements and crawlspaces. Rain gutters can be made from a multitude of materials including cast iron, lead, zinc, steel, copper, and aluminum. Regardless of the materials composition, gutters are essential to roofs and without them the entire property is compromised. The genesis of gutters also spawned the creation of a rain gutter, which serves as a spout to deter water to [...]

Bizarre Roofs At Gryphon Roofing we stick to standard roofing solutions. Usually, asphalt, clay shingles, or slate suffices for our purposes. But there are few roofers out there who dare to be different. Below are a few honorable mentions in the world of bizarre roofs and unconventional roofing. Brazilian Leaf Roof In Rio de Janeiro, amidst beautiful beaches and salty ocean spray, lies a sliver of housing comprised entirely of leaf roofs. The open air of Rio De Janeiro is the perfect backdrop for these breezy roofing options. In fact, no air-condition is necessary, although these houses come with it. The breezy leafy roofs naturally cool the incoming air. Moreover, the trade winds blowing from the east provide a natural salty sweet breeze sure to satisfy. La Padera’s Roof In Barcelona there is a roof that stands out amongst the monotonous sea of industrial roofs, dotted with aluminum vents and boring brick chimneys. The architect [...]

Attic Ventilation The attic is a neglected area of the home. We at Gryphon Roofing feel a great degree of sympathy for it. People throw their useless belongings into the attic without any care or thought for the space itself. But of course, the attic is not without a sense of vengeance. Failing to provide the care and support your attic needs can result in mold, moths, and damaged property. Thankfully, there is a simple solution to attic care; attic ventilation. Due to humidity, moisture naturally infiltrates the attic and all that it houses. Mildew and mold are not uncommon in attic life. Moreover, this moisture can get stuck under your roof, making it fragile and vulnerable to cracking. But thankfully, proper roof ventilation can deter these scenarios from occurring. Ridge vents are the most obvious solution for protecting your attic from deleterious pathogens. Basically, their name describes the function. Ridge vents are installed along [...]

Remembering a Champion of Roofing Two weeks before receiving the coveted Pritzker Prize, a lifetime achievement award for architecture, German architect Frei Otto passed away. Mr. Otto designed the roof canopy for Olympiastadion, the innovative complex admired for its lightweight and strength. The Pritzker is regarded as the highest hope of all architects, not dissimilar to what the Pulitzer Prize is to literature, or the noble prize to physics. His ironic passing away two weeks before receiving the Pritzker is a testament to the irony, and transience of life. Awarding Mr. Otto was delayed until he reached the age of 89, most likely because the panel was hesitant to award the Pritzker to a German architect that flourished amidst the devastation of WWII. Otto was an air force pilot in the Luftwaffe, and he was captured in Nuremberg, where he spent two years as a prisoner of war in France. During this time, the French [...]

Metal Roofing As An Alternative To Other Roofing Products Today more than ever before, consumers have a wide variety of roofing materials to choose from when making a decision with regard to replacing a roof or having a new roof installed on a new home construction. Whatever the case may be, one thing is certain and that is that some roofing materials are clearly better than others. One example of a high quality roofing material is that of metal roofing products. Made Almost Entirely Of Recycled Materials Metal roofs offer many advantages including the fact that they reflect sunlight in a highly efficient way. This serves to lower air-conditioning costs and over all energy and utility expenses. In addition, today's modern metal roofing products are often made almost entirely of recycled materials. This makes choosing a metal roof an eco-friendly option in a world where recycling and reusing is becoming increasingly more important. Best of [...]

Understanding The Basics With Regard To Residential Roof Inspections Having annual roof inspections is one of the best ways to extend the longevity of any modern roof. In fact, one of the greatest advantages of having regular routine roofing inspections is that it can actually save homeowners money in the long run. This is simply due to the fact that roofing inspections can detect problems long before they become serious and costly. For example, fixing a broken tile is far less expensive than repairing an entire roofing subsurface. Essential To Providing Greater Peace Of Mind In most instances a roofing inspection will include a detailed process that looks at both the interior and exterior of a roof and its entire structure. This is important because many times roofing defects cannot be seen at the surface. A roofing inspection will look at all aspects of a roof including its surface, its exposed flashing, the gutters and [...]