This Job was recently completed in Fallbrook CA.
Woolbright’s Latest News and Recent Projects
Escondido Medical Arts Building
Escondido Medical Arts Building
225 E. 2nd Avenue Escondido 92025
Complete re-roof over existing BUR roof using Dura Last PVC single ply roof system.
Petroleum Prices Affect Asphalt Roofing Cost
As oil prices hit a new high, increased costs are evident in every facet of our lives. Most people first notice the pinch to their pocketbooks as they’re filling up their gas tanks. For homeowners, the costs of general home maintenance and upkeep are certainly on the upswing as well. For those homeowners with asphalt shingle roofs considering a roof repair, more cost increases may be on the way.
The rising costs of roof repairs can be attributed to several issues. As with any business, transportation costs have greatly increased, meaning that transporting supplies and daily driving are taking a significantly larger chunk of roofing companies’ operating expenses. At WRC for example, we have held off on passing that increased cost of doing business on to the consumer.
Oil – A Roofing Company’s Double Burden:
However, roofing companies actually have a double burden to bear. Not only have their transport costs risen, but the cost of one of their main supplies is quickly increasing. Roofing companies rely on asphalt shingles to complete their work. Asphalt shingles are made up of several layers, including an inner reinforcing mat, hard asphalt and mineral coating, a mineral granule surface, and a mineral dust coating on the back. It takes two different kinds of asphalt to create a shingle: soft asphalt in the mat, and harder asphalt for the outer surfaces. Since asphalt is created from crude oil, the cost of asphalt shingles is directly tied to that of oil. As oil prices rise, so must the price of asphalt shingles.
Despite rising prices, asphalt shingles are still the most commonly used in roofing today. Even as they become more expensive, they’re still a great value and tend to cost less than other options like copper or slate. They wear well and are less expensive to replace as they age. Asphalt shingles are also available in a wide range of colors, shapes and sizes to fit any home.
Solar Attic Fan Controller
Product Features
We would like to take this opportunity to introduce a new product that was released this year by US Sunlight (the makers of your solar attic fan). The new product is a controller that is compatible with your existing fan. Right now your fan will only run when the sun is out. On cloudy days or on summer evenings when you may need it the most it is not running. This controller will give you the power to turn the fan on when you want it on. It also will inform you of the temperature and humidity in your attic.
Power your fan after dark
The addition of the Solar Controller with Dual Mode Technology will enable your Solar Powered Attic Fan to run after sunset or when there is no light available from the sun. When there is no sunlight available to power the fan and the Solar Controller has the optional house power connection enabled, the Solar Controller will cycle house electricity for 8 minutes every half-hour in order to power the fan. This will allow your attic temperature to continue to drop after sunset and help remove the hot, stagnant air that can build up on those warm summer evenings.
Temp
erature Sensor
Monitors attic temperature and will turn on the fan when the temperature reaches 80 degrees and turns off the fan when the temperature dips below 77 degrees. This allows the fan to only run when it is necessary to vent hot air from the attic space.
Humidistat
The built-in humidistat monitors attic humidity and will turn on the fan if the attic air reaches 75% relative humidity and will turn it off at 65% relative humidity. Too much humidity in the attic can cause condensation on the surfaces which can lead to the growth of mold and mildew.
Won’t this add significant cost to my electric bill?
No! The Solar Controller is uniquely optimized to run the least amount of time possible; using the least amount of electricity possible. Since the ambient temperature continues to drop after sunset, the fan only needs to run in short intervals. And since it uses a DC powered motor, the amount of actual energy drain is minimal. The additional electricity required will cost less than $5 per year.
If you find that you are interested in this new product please contact us to set up an appointment for installation.
Proper Roof Ventilation
VENTILATION
Typical household activities can wreak havoc on a roof and attic if proper roof ventilation is not provided:
- In the summer, heat build-up encourages the premature aging and cracking of wood and other roofing materials. Unwanted heat also can transfer back down into living areas – which reduces energy efficiency.
- In cold weather, warm air generated by laundry, showers, dish washing and cooking can linger in the house and cause moisture build-up.
The only way to combat these problems is with a balanced Top of the House® roofing system. That means it’s important to have proper ventilation, plus the appropriate amount of attic insulation to maximize performance.
In a balanced system, wind blowing over the ridge creates negative pressure that draws the warmer air out of the attic. Replacement air then enters through the undereave or soffit vents, bathes the underside of the roof, and exits at the ridge cap through ridge, roof or gable vents. Even without wind, the natural convection action of rising warm air maintains a continuous air flow along the underside of the roof.
Ultimately, proper ventilation — along with attic insulation — helps maintain a comfortable temperature inside a home, increase energy efficiency, prevent moisture damage and contribute to the longevity of a roof.
Determining Your Ventilation requirements
The following U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Statutes covering the ventilation of structural space are basic guidelines to determine the proper ventilation styles and sizes for any home. These statutes appear in the latest edition of the “Minimum Property Standards” (MPS 403-3).
The The Correct Amount of Roof Ventilation:
- As a general rule, one square foot of net vent area per 300 square feet of attic floor or area to be vented is recommended.
- In the rare situation where no vapor retarder is used and proper distribution of undereave and ridge vents cannot be achieved, one square foot of net vent area should be provided for each 150 square feet of attic floor or area to be vented.
- For a balanced system, ventilation should be equal at the undereave and ridge.
- In cases where a balanced system cannot be achieved, always provide more than 50% of the total required ventilation at the undereave and the remainder at the upper portion of the roof.
Poor Attic Ventilation Can Ruin Your Insulation, Destroy Your Shingles, And Raise Your Energy Bills!
Why Take Risks?
It is estimated that 9 out of 10 homes in North America do not have proper attic ventilation. Why? Because most people are unaware that attic ventilation can impact the longevity of their entire home!
For example, in the summer, improper ventilation can cause attic heat to build in excess of 160°F. This super-heated air eventually penetrates the ceiling insulation into the living area below.
Types of damage that can result include:
- Premature aging of your roofing system (“fried” shingles)
- Warping, cracking, or breaking down of wood framing
- Damage to siding, exterior or interior paint, and wallpaper
- Higher energy costs
A properly ventilated attic can help reduce the load on your air conditioner by moving the super-heated air out of your attic before it builds up and causes damage.
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. The moisture will condense and fall, soaking the attic insulation and reducing its efficiency.
Additional structural damage can include:
- Roof deck warping and rotting of the wood frame
- Mildew growth
- Buckling of shingles and felt
Ventilation Ensures a Healthier, More Durable Roof
The Natural Ventilation
A natural ventilation system utilizes ventilators installed in openings in the attic and properly positioned to take advantage of natural air flow to draw hot summer or moist winter air out and replace it with fresh outside air.
Roof Ventilation Benefits
- Allows outside air to flow naturally
upward and out of attic. - Promotes a cooler, drier attic.
- Helps prevent moisture from becoming
trapped in insulation, structural wood,
shingles and roof deck. - Helps prevent rotting, mildew, drywall
damage, peeling paint and warped siding. - Provides year-round performance for
consistent ventilation without energy consumption.
Finally, attics should be properly ventilated to help prevent ice dams in cold northern climates. During the winter, ice and snow on a roof will melt and run down the deck to the cooler eaves. This run-off can re-freeze, creating an ice dam that may force water back up under the shingles and leak into your home — causing hundreds or thousands of dollars of damage to your ceilings and walls. Adequate attic ventilation reduces the amount of initial melting that occurs on your roof, thereby reducing the chance that ice dams will form.
Add Sunlight To Any Room In Your House
Solar Tube
The Skylight Tube from U.S. Sunlight adds clean natural light to any room in your house while also enhancing the appearance of your roofline. With our revolutionary new square dome design, you are no longer restricted to “hiding” traditional round bubble tube lights to the backside of your house—Show off your upgraded roof appearance with our attractive and functional Skylight Tube.
Benefits of natural light
The benefits of pure natural light have been proven in studies throughout the years. Clean natural light enhances mood, mental and physical well-being, concentration, and overall energy. It’s easier on the eyes and enhances the appeal and decor of any room in your house.
Solar Powered Attic Fans
Ventilate your attic with free, clean, and abundant solar energy
U.S. Sunlight’s line of Solar Powered Attic Fans provide the active ventilation your attic needs to reduce the heat build-up in your attic that can reach temperatures of 160F and higher. It’s this heat build-up that can overheat your air conditioning ductwork and raise the temperatures in your home’s living spaces.
Adding a Solar Powered Attic Fan will provide the circulation and improved airflow to effectively ventilation your attic and lower your attic temperature. The result will be a reduced strain on your air conditioner, a cooler house, and a more comfortable living environment.
Click on link to download PDF : The Benefits of Attic Ventilation
Cool your house in the summer
By running the fan year-round, you can also effectively remove moisture from your attic in the colder winter months. The Solar Powered Attic Fan provides the air circulation that prevents the moist air from condensing on the surface. Keeping your attic drier and helping to prevent mold and mildew inside your attic and ice damming on your roof.
Remove moisture and protect your house in the winter
In the winter, warm moist air rises from the inside of your home and collides with the cold underside of the roof. The Solar Powered Attic Fan provides the air circulation that prevents the moist air from condensing on the surface. Keeping your attic drier and helping to prevent mold and mildew inside your attic and ice damming on your roof.
Moisture in the attic can also lead to other troublesome problems. Humidity can cause saturated insulation, sheetrock pops and truss uplifts, which can cause damage and cracks to the drywall inside.
Federal Tax Credits
Tax Credit Information
The opportunities for tax credits are tied to the re-insulation of residential homes generated by the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (also known as the $787 billion Stimulus Bill) passed in February 2009.
Two key components of this newly passed legislation include the following:
- Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)
– The WAP was founded in 1976 to provide weatherization services to low income residential households every year. Historically, the federal government has allocated about $250 million dollars annually to this program over the past 35+ years. With one stroke of the pen on February 17, 2009, the Feds allocated 20 times the normal annual amount. This amount equates to more than $5 billion to be spent on weatherization between July 1, 2009 and December 31, 2010. Some of the largest components of the WAP include re-insulation of attics and exterior sidewall re-insulation. - Thirty percent (30%) Federal Tax Credit (up to $1,500)
– The maximum tax credit in 2006 and 2007 was 10% of the material purchase price (up to $500). Now the maximum tax credit is 30% of the material purchase price (up to $1,500) for qualified energy efficiency improvements and qualified energy property.
Smoke-Eating Roof Tiles
Breathe Easier with Revolutionary Roofing!
Los Angeles based homebuilder, KB Homes, has joined forces with Boral Roofing to create and utilize a concrete tile roof that neutralizes the nitrogen oxide that forms into smog. KB Homes began offering this special roof in January of 2011 to 25 housing developments located in Southern California. When the smog-eating tiles are used in an entire neighborhood, the air quality will be improved in the immediate area
.
The science behind the tiles is the titanium dioxide which is incorporated into the surface of the tiles. When daylight hits the roof, it activates the titanium oxide, which in turn breaks down the nitrogen oxides in the air into oxygen and nitrates. When installed on a standard 2,000 square foot home, the tiles are able to neutralize in one year the amount of nitrogen oxide a typical car produces after 10,800 miles of driving.
With an upgrade to smog-eating tiles available for approximately $800, it’s a relatively small price to pay for cleaner air to breathe.