Monthly Archives: January 2020

One of the most important aspects of choosing roof material is making sure that it is going to last for a long time. While the term “long time” is a bit ambiguous, generally speaking, it indicates a rather extended period of time. In terms of how long most people want a roof to last, it generally means that they do not want to be concerned with having to replace it. At most, people only want to replace a roof once. This is one of the reasons that EPDM is an excellent choice. On average, EPDM roofing lasts at least 50 years and has the potential to last longer. This average is with little to no maintenance. With regular inspections and maintenance, it can last well beyond the expected 50 years. For more information about how long  EPDM roofing can and will last, contact a professional for commercial roof installation information.

Can EPDM Be Used On A Pitched Roof?

The short answer to this is yes. EPDM is quite versatile and flexible. It is recommended to stick to low pitched roofs, but you can consult with a professional if you are interested in installing EPDM on a higher-pitched roof. A professional will be able to assess your specific roof and advise you on the best method and materials to use. If you are unsure whether you have a low pitched roof or a high pitched roof, the minimum pitch is 2 ½ while the average pitch is between 4 ½ and 9 ½. Low sloped pitch is defined by anything under 4 ½. If you do not know how to obtain these measurements, it is best to call a professional. In fact, if you have any questions at all regarding your roof, it is best to talk with a professional.

Are EPDM Roofs Any Good?

To answer this, you must first consider this question; EPDM roof what is it? The scientific answer to this is ethylene propylene down terpolymer. The simple, layman’s terms answer is a synthetic rubber membrane. This rubber is incredibly durable, which is one of the reasons it makes a fantastic roofing material.

Benefits Of EPDM Roofing:

• Inexpensive. EPDM is one of the cheapest roofing materials currently available. For this reason alone, it is an incredibly popular choice.
• Sturdy and durable. This roofing material is tough and can withstand quite a bit. This also means that it will not scuff or scratch easily.
• Lightweight. EPDM is a lightweight material which means that you do not have to be concerned with installing reinforcements.
• Easy to repair. Should a breach occur, this material is incredibly easy to repair.
• Waterproof. So long as there are no breaches in the EPDM and it has been installed correctly, you do not have to be concerned with leaking.
• Easy to install. If you are a total do-it-yourselfer, this is a great choice. While it is always recommended to hire a professional to install your roofing, this is one of the easiest to install yourself. There are some EPDM roof how-to guides available, but again, it is best to consult with an industry expert.
• It can be used with a skylight. If you are interested in an EPDM roof with skylight installation, talk with your roofing professional.

Is EPDM Waterproof?

Since your roof is what protects you from rain and other weather, one of the most common questions is whether or not EPDM roofing is waterproof. The short and simple answer to this is yes, it is. It simply could not act as a roof if it were not waterproof. Many people often put EPDM against a similar roofing material TPO. In terms of how waterproof they are, there are not any real differences when it comes to an EPDM roof VS TPO debate. If you suspect a leak, call a professional immediately. Early leak detection is key.

Need EPDM roofing in Philadelphia, PA for your commercial property? Call 267-622-7158 today to speak with the professionals at Armour Seal Exteriors, Roofing, Masonry and Contracting.

If you need new siding on your home, consider Hardie board installation in Philadelphia, PA. For reliable installation services, choose the team at Armour Seal Exteriors, Roofing, Masonry and Contracting. Find out how we can help by calling 267-622-7158.

While siding protects your walls from the outside, your interior walls can get damaged by water from frozen and burst pipes if the pipes aren’t properly insulated from below freezing temperatures. If your pipes have burst, you want to get burst pipe repair as soon as possible.

Hardie board installation instructions

While it’s preferable to have a professional install Hardie board for siding installation, if you do it yourself here are some instructions you can follow to ensure you install it correctly.

• Before you install the siding, it needs to be stored in an area where it will stay dry. It also needs to be stored off the ground.
• Prep work includes sheathing the walls with plywood, oriented strand board or foam, and covering the sheathing with house wrap or felt paper. Mark location of studs with chalk.
• Cut the siding with either a circular saw, fiber cement shears, or jigsaws. 
• Install the trim, starting with the inside or outside wall corners. The corners should be at ¼-inch thicker than two pieces of siding so caulking can be applied later.
• Install the siding six inches or more above the home’s grade level. A one to two inch gap should be left between horizontal surfaces. Either nails or screws can be used to install the siding.

If you are wondering, “What nails do you use for Hardie siding?” or “What kind of screws are used for Hardie board?” The answer is corrosion-resistant, galvanized or stainless steel nails and or screws.The nails should be long enough to get through the sheathing and at least one inch into the studs.

Can I use a framing nailer for Hardie siding?

A framing nailer can be used for siding installation. When using a framing nailer, you need to use a nail that’s long enough to attach the siding to the wood sheathing. It’s preferable to use a siding nail gun to install siding. Siding nail guns don’t require as long of nails as a framing nail guns. Siding nailers are also preferable for fiber cement siding like Hardie board.

How much Hardie plank siding do I need?

For siding installation using Hardie plank siding, to determine how much you’ll need, you’ll first need to figure out your home’s exterior square footage. You’ll subtract areas like windows and doors that won’t be covered. It’s easier to make the measurements by dividing the home into sections and then adding the measurements together after calculating the area of each section. From there you can get the total square footage. Measure and get the area of your windows and doors and subtract these measurements from the total square footage. Add about 10% to this number, and you’ll have the total square footage of planking you’ll need.

Hardie board siding installation around windows

One of the many advantages Hardie board has over other siding are some of the innovative solutions developed for siding installation. One innovation is developing aluminum tabs that can be stapled to the back of window trims. These tabs prevent nails from sinking into the trim material and leaving holes that either have to be filled in or painted over. While useful, you may not want to use the tabs if you are planning to replace your windows anytime soon. The tabs make the trim tough to remove.

Hardie board installation problems

Although it is rare for Hardie board to have problems, most fiber cement siding products can experience issues from time to time. One of the main problems with Hardie siding is that it will need to be repainted about every seven to 10 years, as the paint on it will begin to fade or peel or crack or chip. You also will need to reapply caulking from time to time as it shows signs of wear. The caulking needs to be applied to areas like flashing, plank and trim connections, as well as between plank joinks. Signs of wear like dents, chips or cracks can easily be remedied with cement patching compound.