Green Roofing Installation and Retrofitting

Green Roofing Solutions

Heating and cooling our houses is getting more expensive and accounts for 17 percent of greenhouse gas emissions. It's time to put the the sun and the 78 million house roofs to work with solar photovoltaic roof modules. By doing so, you could reduce your electricity needs by 30-50 percent.

Flat panels are in
Most of us have seen solar collectors alslo known as photovoltaic modules on a few houses or commercial buildings. These are not the most attractive devices. They protrude from the roof and are noticeable.

Solar energy manufacturers have been working with the roofing shingle makers. Now solar roof panels like Sharp's ND-62RUI are another option that will do just as well as solar collectors and be far less offensive to you and your neighbors. These flat panel solar roof modules are rated at 62 watts; larger sizes are available.

The solar roof panels lie flat on the roof top and interact with the existing roof via a special mounting system. We think in the future, traditional roof shingles will be replaced by solar roof shingles. Just imagine what an impact 78 million roofs would make on our national energy security, the environment and of course our wallets?

Today's solar system's have the potential to reduce your home's total power consumption by 33 to 50 percent. The electrical energy that you don't use can be sold back to the power company in most instances if there is a net metering program in effect.

A typical 2,500 to 3,000 square foot house can produce about 62 watts of power. This is roughly 300 volts and a maximum power current of 7 amperes. Of course this will vary with your location and how your house sits on the lot.

Sharp's 62-watt solar panel module is 59 inches x 15.6 inches x 1.3 inches. One panel will cover about five standard roof shingles. The solar panels have a 25 year warranty.

Other solar roof panels are available for new construction. These solar panels will actually replace the roofing materials.

What will it cost?
A standard 3-kilowatt hour system costs between $20,000 and $30,000 installed. That's before rebates and incentives that States and local communities are offering. We think that rebates and other incentives may can reduce your cost by 50 percent. Federal tax credits may also apply.

Many people are concerned with the payback period. This can range from as few as 5 years to as many as 30 years. Most experts, however, estimate a payback period of 10 to 12 years. Keep in mind that electricity prices are tied to natural gas prices. The large reserves of natural gas are owned by, you guessed it, the oil producing countries. In the absense of significant technological break throughs the cost of heating and cooling your house will only go up. Solar systems also add value to your home and may help sell it in the future.

What is net metering?
Net metering is another benefit of a solar energy system. Here's how it works. When you have a grid-tied photo voltaic system and it's producing more electricity than you are consuming, you can sell your extra electricity back to the utility. Your meter will spin backward.

In order to participate in net metering, you will need to have at least one special meter installed on your homeís exterior that spins backward and forward. The meter costs about $300, but your utility company may cover part or all of the cost.

Do your homework
Home owners will find many resources availalbe at the local level. A good place to start is to see what solar energy incentives your State offers. Also see what your county offers.

Leaky Roof Solutions

A leaky roof can damage ceilings, walls, and furnishings. Earthgroup Construction repair and install roofs made of tar or asphalt and gravel; rubber or thermoplastic; metal; or shingles to protect buildings and their contents from water damage. Repair and re roofing—replacing old roofs on existing buildings, our roofers can do it all.

There are two types of roofs—low-slope and steep-slope. Low-slope roofs rise 4 inches per horizontal foot or less and are installed in layers. Steep-slope roofs rise more than 4 inches per horizontal foot and are usually covered in shingles. Most commercial, industrial, and apartment buildings have low-slope roofs. Most houses have steep-slope roofs. Earthgroup Construction work on both types.

Most low-slope roofs are covered with several layers of materials. Earthgroup Construction first put a layer of insulation on the roof deck. Over the insulation, then often spread a coat of molten bitumen, a tar like substance. Next, we install partially overlapping layers of roofing felt—a fabric saturated in bitumen—over the surface. Earthgroup Construction use a mop to spread hot bitumen over the felt before adding another layer of felt. This seals the seams and makes the surface watertight. Earthgroup Construction repeat these steps to build up the desired number of layers, called “plies.” The top layer is glazed to make a smooth finish or has gravel embedded in the hot bitumen to create a rough surface.

An increasing number of low-slope roofs are covered with a single-ply membrane of waterproof rubber or thermoplastic compounds. Earthgroup Construction roll these sheets over the roof’s insulation and seal the seams. Adhesive, mechanical fasteners, or stone ballast hold the sheets in place. We make sure the building is strong enough to hold the stone ballast.

A small but growing number of buildings now have “green” roofs that incorporate plants. A “green” roof begins with a single or multi-ply waterproof layer. After it is proven to be leak free, roofers put a root barrier over it, and then layers of soil, in which trees and grass are planted. Earthgroup Construction are responsible for making sure the roof is watertight and can withstand the weight and water needs of the plants.

Most residential steep-slope roofs are covered with shingles. To apply shingles, Earthgroup Construction first lay, cut, and tack 3-foot strips of roofing felt over the entire roof. Starting from the bottom edge, Earthgroup Construction then staples or nails overlapping rows of shingles to the roof. Earthgroup Construction measure and cut the felt and shingles to fit intersecting roof surfaces and to fit around vent pipes and chimneys. Wherever two roof surfaces intersect, or shingles reach a vent pipe or chimney, Earthgroup Construction cement or nail flashing-strips of metal or shingle over the joints to make them watertight. Finally, Earthgroup Construction cover exposed nailheads with roofing cement or caulking to prevent water leakage. In some cases we use tile, metal shingles, or shakes (rough wooden shingles) which follow a similar process.

Earthgroup Construction will also install equipment that requires cutting through roofs, such as ventilation ducts and attic fans. Earthgroup Construction are experts in waterproofing and dampproof masonry and concrete walls, floors, and foundations. To prepare surfaces for waterproofing, we hammer and chisel away rough spots or remove them with a rubbing brick, before applying a coat of liquid waterproofing compound. We also may paint or spray surfaces with a waterproofing material or attach waterproofing membrane to surfaces. We usually spray a bitumen-based coating on interior or exterior surfaces when dampproofing.

Recycled Shingles

EcoStar is a company that makes shingles, shakes, and other products from recycled plastics.  80% of what goes into an EcoStar shingle is plastic that would otherwise have gone to clog up our landfills. Instead, they are giving these plastics new life by using them to create durable, great looking roof tiles.

EcoStar offers roofing tiles in nine different colors and five different styles, so just about any business or home owner should be able to find a style that suits them.  EcoStar warrants their shingles to over 50 years, nearly doubling the life of a traditional asphalt shingle, and can resist winds of up to 110 miles per hour.

Work environment. Roofing involves heavy lifting, as well as climbing, bending, and kneeling. Earthgroup Construction work in all types of weather, particularly when making repairs. However, we rarely work when it rains or in very cold weather as ice can be dangerous. Earthgroup Construction work overtime to complete jobs quickly, especially before forecasted rainfall.

Using the latest roofing technology, tools and materials, our highly skilled team of workers dedicate all of their time and effort ensuring your roof not only meets your requirements but also exceeds your expectations

Chicago Roofing services we provide:

• Flat roof felting
• Traditional pitching roofs
• Over cladding systems
• Fascias and Soffits
• Strip and re-tile
• Renovation work
• Minor and major roof repairs
• Tiles and slates
• Chimney stack pointing
• Chimney stack flunching
• Chimney stack repairs
• Loft conversions
• Loft insulation
• Lagging pipes in loft space
• Aluminum and Copper Guttering
• Lead Flashings
• Lead Work

Earthgroup is proud to use products from:

Gaf-Elk:

Marquis® WeatherMax® 3-Tab: The top of the line in traditional 3-tab shingles, Marquis® WeatherMax® is designed for the discriminating homeowner who demands outstanding performance, classic detailing, and a traditional appeal.  For just pennies more than standard 3-tab shingles, Marquis® WeatherMax® shingles provide outstanding, all-weather performance. This shingle comes with a 30-year limited transferable warranty with Smart Choice® Protection for the first five years (non-prorated material and installation labor coverage.)

Royal Sovereign® 3-Tab: Royal Sovereign® shingles combine a simple, timeless beauty with GAF-Elk's well-known quality, making it the most-preferred fiberglass strip shingle in its class among contractors and builders.  The Color Lock™ firing process maintains true color longer.  Class A fire listing from Underwriters Laboratories - the highest rating possible.  25-year limited transferable warranty with Smart Choice® Protection (non-prorated material and installation labor coverage) for the first five years.

Timberline® Prestique® Lifetime High Definition® Shingles: Increase your resale value for just a moderate amount more than the standard architectural shingles.  In return, you can enjoy having the longest-lasting, thickest, and most-dimensional wood shake look for your roof.  Thanks to layers that are up to 32% thicker than standard architectural shingles, combined with our patented High Definition® blends, Timberline® Prestique® Lifetime shingles offer a natural beauty and increased thickness that you'll notice and appreciate.  30-year limited transferable warranty with Smart Choice® Protection (non-prorated material and installation labor coverage) for the first five years.

Timberline® Prestique® 40 High Definition® Roofing Shingles: Perfect for those who want to upgrade from standard architectural shingles.  Thicker than standard architectural shingles, Timberline® Prestique® 40 shingles feature GAF-Elk's patented "High Definition" color blends and enhanced shadow effect.  Class A fire listing from Underwriters Laboratories, the highest rating possible.  Heavyweight design and extra-strong Micro Weave® core makes it a popular choice in the Timberline® series - the most popular architectural shingles in North America! Dura Grip® adhesive seals each shingle tightly and reduces the risk of shingle blow-off.  Shingles warranted to withstand winds up to 110 mph.  40-year limited transferable warranty with Smart Choice® Protection (non-prorated material and installation labor coverage) for the first five years.

Timberline® Cool Series: Now get potential energy savings (and even tax credits) when you install GAF-Elk Timberline® Cool Series Shingles.  Thanks to modern reflective technology, you can join the green revolution with Cool Series roofing shingles.  Our highly reflective shingles can help to reduce temperatures in your attic, so your home will stay cooler in the summer.  Cool Series shingles use specially-designed roofing granulates that have greater reflectance than traditional shingles.  The result is, it minimizes the transfer of heat to the space below to keep you cooler.  Timberline® Cool Series shingles are made with the patented StainGuard® algae protection to assure the beauty of your roof against unsightly blue-green algae.

Timberline® ArmorShield II Impact-Resistant Shingles: Potential Insurance Savings and Extra Protection with the beauty of Timberline® shingles.  Passes UL 2218 Class 4 impact test and may qualify for insurance discounts of up to 30% or more.  Each shingle is labeled with special information needed to qualify for premium discounts according to the requirements of the Texas Department of Insurance - a standard that most hail insurers accept.  Revolutionary design includes FLX™ formula for rubber-like flexibility and ArmorStrip™, a patent-pending puncture resistant elastomeric tape for maximum impact.

Camelot® Lifetime Designer Shingles: Combining Uncompromising performance with timeless beauty, Camelot® shingles may be the finest designer asphalt shingle ever made. Camelot® is GAF-Elk's top of the line shingle - yet it's only a fraction of the cost of expensive slate or wood shakes.  Over 400 pounds per square for ultimate durability, Camelot@ shingles are up to 60% thicker than each layer of many other premium asphalt shingles. Lifetime Limited Transferable Warranty.

Grand Canyon™ Lifetime Designer Shingles: Carefully sculpted shingle tabs combined with a subtle "shadow effect" result in a sophisticated yet rugged design.  Grand Canyon's massive, extra-thick shingle tabs are up to 20% thicker to give your roof the unmatched dimensionality and depth of real wood shakes. At over 400 lbs. per square, compare Grand Canyon shingles to any of the so-called "heavyweight" shingles on the market. Liftetime Limited Transferable Warranty.

Country Mansion® Lifetime Designer Shingles: Unique design creates a timeless, turn of the century look, great for historical properties, victorians, or even charming cottages.  Artfully sculpted shingle tabs and versatile color palette will make your home look great. Class A fire listing from Underwriters Laboratories - the highest rating possible.  Custom specified, ultra-high performance Micro Weave® core provides better protection layer for layer.

Slateline® Designer Lifetime Shingles: Patented, extra-large shingle with bold shadow lines and tapered cut-outs help create a timeless, turn of the centry look. Class A fire listing from Underwriters Laboratories, the highest rating possible.  Double row of Dura Grip® adhesive seals each shingle tightly and reduces the risk of shingle blow-off. Shingles confidently warranted to withstand winds up to 130 mph. Lifetime Limited Transferable Warranty.

Grand Sequoia® Lifetime Designer Shingles: Patented, extra-large shingle with unique design helps create a dramatic visual impact for prestigious homes and properties.  Class A fire and wind ratings from Underwriters Laboratories - the highest ratings possible. Super-heavyweight design and extra strong Micro Weave® core provide outstanding performance in all climates.  Lifetime limited transferable warranty with Smart Choice® Protection for the first ten years (non-prorated material and installation coverage)

CertainTeed:

All CertainTeed shingles in Star White, qualify for an energy tax credit of up to $1500 under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  For more information, visit the CertainTeed Energy Tax Credit page.

Ct 20: A tough, one-piece shingle ideal for situations where the highest quality roofing products are called for at an economical price.  Installation is fast and easy to minimize roofing time and disruption.  Built on a tough fiberglass base, the shingle performs for years and years.

XT™ 25: If you are looking for a shingle with staying power, your search stops here.  When it comes to weathering the elements, XT 25 is at the top of its class.  Built on a super tough fiberglass base, XT 25 provides excellent durability and performance.  Rated the #1 shingle and best buy by a leading consumer products magazine.

XT™ 30: XT 30 is the heaviest fiberglass three tab shingle in its class for long life and durability.  Beautifully color-blended line of shingles.  The widest array of colors to suite any trim, stucco or siding color.  An exceptionally strong shingle with unrivaled tear strength.

If you have a question green roofing options would like to schedule your free in-home estimate, please call our office at: (773)  930-4533  email us at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or simply fill out an online estimate form for a free in-home consultation.