Roofing Contractors In New York

The New York State Roofing Contractors Association is a good starting point when it comes to seeking a roofing contractor in the state, though it should be noted that New York seems to have an inordinate amount of contractors who handle all aspects of remodeling, taking care of siding, dormers and kitchen and bath jobs as well.

Typical Climate In New York

Because of its size, particularly on the North/South basis, the climate in New York is much dependent on the location one is talking about. On Long Island, temperatures can reach the teens in winter yet venture into the 90s during summer. In the Northwest region of the state, where the notoriously frigid city of Buffalo sits, temperatures can dip below zero in the winter, yet still reach the upper 70s or low 80s in the heat of summer. Snow is abundant in the Northwest throughout the winter months, while Manhattan and Long Island--the latter in particular--deal with severe storms and, at times, hurricanes.

Common Roofing Issues In New York

The varying climate in New York lends itself to a variety of roofing problems. Humid air and an abundance of trees--which drop a host of organic matter, particularly in Long Island residential areas--set homes up for algae, lichen and moss growth. While humidity aids their growth, the shade caused by trees also expedites the process. The more direct sun on a roof surface, the less likely it is that algae and other greenery develop on the surface. An associated roofing concern is cleaning roof surfaces that suffer from the aforementioned growths. Homeowners may power wash or use chemicals that can either break or loosen protective roofing tiles because they don't know the proper care instructions. Ice dams are a particular problem in cold weather areas such as upstate New York. Ice dams form when snow melts and runs down the roof, refreezing when it reaches the edge of the roof and gutter. The peak of a roof will be its hottest point, as direct sunlight and the hot air rising inside increase the temperature. As such, snow runs down until it gets to the freezing gutter, which re-ices the snow. When enough accumulation occurs, the eventual melting snow will have nowhere to go except in the crevasses of the roof, thus leading to water damage.

Licensing In New York

There's no statewide license for any kind of construction work in New York. Rather, all licensing is done at the local level. For example, a company may be licensed in multiple counties, and even particular incorporated cities within those counties.

Legal Issues And Complaints

As with licensing, complaints are handled on a local rather than state level. For example, in Nassau and Suffolk counties, complaints are made to the County Office of Consumer Affairs. Homeowners must file a consumer complaint form that outlines both parties, the contract information, whom at the contracted company the complaint was originally expressed to and details of the complaint itself. Plaintiffs must also express the satisfaction they're requesting.

Energy Efficient Roofs In New York

Surprisingly, ENERGY STAR lists only one roofing partner in New York. Intellicoat Technologies Inc. bills itself as the Energy Savings Company, and its focus is proprietary Cool Roof technology. According to Intellicoat, the company and its technology:

• Reduces kwh consumption and KW peak load demand, leading to reduced air conditioning costs of 25 to 50 percent each year
• Includes a comprehensive energy savings analysis that leads the company to quantify, measure, verify and guarantee post-installation energy savings
• Lowers peak roof temperatures by up to 100 degrees, leading to extended roof life of 10-plus years and reduced roof maintenance costs
• Seals, protects and waterproofs both new and most existing roofs
• Reduces internal temperatures by as much as 30 percent for buildings with no air conditioning
• Reduces greenhouse gases and the urban heat island effect