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The content on our YouTube channel is primarily an introduction to our company, our services and the way we approach our work. We also share our credentials within a competitive industry, including our status as a GAF Master Elite Roofing Contractor. These videos are a terrific way for us to complement the information on our website, and give you a look at the quality work we do for your friends and neighbors in Tampa Bay.

One particular video demonstrates the importance of training within our company. TPO Training shows how Arry’s Roofing trains all installers to perform professional services with consistently high standards. The two-and-a-half minute video features an outdoor workshop that included topics such as welding, proper adhesive, and installation for drains.

When you watch the videos on our channel, feel free to share your comments. Better yet, respond with your own video of a roofing project handled at your home or business by Arry’s Roofing. Be the star of your own video by getting in front of the camera and talking about how the finished project is making an impact now.

After checking out the Arry’s Roofing YouTube channel, feel free to subscribe to receive updates when future videos are posted. Then contact us for a free estimate for your next roof replacement project in Tampa, St. Pete, Clearwater and surrounding areas. You can also learn more about Arry’s by liking our Facebook page, and following us on Twitter @ArrysRoofing.

GAF Tips for a “Greener” Reroof Project

1. Recycle. The average roof is many thousands of pounds of material—the weight of several years’ worth of household trash. Most roofing material can be easily recycled by your contractor. Find out where to recycle at http://www.shinglerecycling.org—it’s an easy way to make a big difference.

2. Energy audit. A home energy audit is a professional evaluation of the best ways to improve your home’s energy efficiency. The start of your reroofing project is a great opportunity to make energy-efficiency improvements to your structure. When the roof is off, your contractor can work from the top down and improve attic air barriers, seal around can lights and bath fans, make sure there isn’t wind wash around soffit vents, and check the overall energy performance of the home. It’s not uncommon to save double-digit percentages on utilities after these improvements. Find qualified auditors at http://www.resnet.us/directory/raters.

3. Proper attic ventilation. Attics should maintain a temperature as close to the outdoor temperature as possible, with vented areas along the eaves (the underside of the overhangs of the roof, in what is called ‘soffit’) bringing in cooler air, which is then vented along the ridgeline of the roof. This steadily moving air keeps your attic from heating up, and clears out any moist air from the living space that does make it into the attic through the ceiling. Many homes were designed without enough of this ventilation; increasing this attic ventilation during your reroof helps make your roof system more effective and helps improve the energy performance of your home.

4. Solar readiness. Most residential solar installations go on the roof. Putting the solar panels up on the roof gets them out of the way, optimizes exposure to the sun, and keeps them close to utility connections. However, it is very common to find a plumbing vent or fan running right through that perfect southern exposure. Even if you’re not having solar PV or solar thermal put on as part of this reroof project, think down the road and get your roof ready by moving this “clutter” to other parts of the roof. You can also add additional leak barrier — the peel and stick self-sealing membrane material that is used in high-stress areas of the roof — in the areas where penetrations for utility connections would go. Making these changes when the roof is being replaced will save additional hassle and cost in the future.

5. Cool roofing. Some options, including Timberline® Cool Series Lifetime Shingles, preferentially reflect the infrared spectrum — the non-visible, heat-carrying portion of the light spectrum. This means your roof can be an attractive, medium or dark color, but still reflect more heat away from your home than conventional roofing. In many parts of the country, for air-conditioned homes (and especially those with A/C ducts that run in the attic), cool roofing can save enough energy to justify the extra expense — and you’ll be doing your part to reduce the urban heat island effect. Learn more about GAF’s Timberline® Cool Series Lifetime Shingles and use GAF’s Roof Wizard to see how these shingles will look on your house at http://www.gaf.com.

6. Last but not least: a durable, efficient, properly detailed roofing system. The number-one job of the roof is to keep the rest of the home dry. It’s tempting to think that you can just get new shingles, but it’s the entire roofing system—consisting of leak barrier, flashing, underlayment, and shingles together—that works to keep the home dry. That’s why a complete roofing system is so important. GAF is the only roofing manufacturer to offer a Lifetime Roofing System warranty. Make sure that your roofing contractor is knowledgeable about all of the proper components of a full roofing system—selecting a factory-certified contractor is your best way to ensure this. You can find a factory-certified professional at http://www.gaf.com simply by entering your zip code.

In Tampa Bay and surrounding areas, rely on the expertise of Arry’s Roofing for your next roof replacement project. With more than 25 years of award-winning service and a team of licensed roofers, Arry’s is ready to handle your roofing needs, no matter how big or small. Call 727.362.2230 to schedule a free roof estimate, and be sure to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @ArrysRoofing.

Why is a roofing company talking about recycling? Perhaps it’s because roof tear-offs account for millions of tons of landfill waste every year. There’s movement in the industry to increase recycling efforts involving used roofing materials. But even more important are the efforts we can make on an individual level to reduce, reuse and recycle items within our daily reach.

5 Ways to Start Recycling Today

1. Start with a spot.

Pick a place in your home that provides easy access and room to store a container for recyclables. The kitchen is ideal since it’s where most glass, plastic and aluminum items tend to collect.

2. Start with a routine stop.

Leftover plastic bags can be taken back to the grocery store during your weekly (or daily) stop there.

3. Start with the mail.

Place junk mail, flyers, and unwanted correspondence (that doesn’t include personal information) in your chosen recycling spot before setting it down on the closest flat surface. Newspapers and magazines can be collected around the house too.

4. Start with old technology.

Donate or recycle cell phones, PDAs, chargers, and batteries. Cell phone service providers are among the numerous drop-off locations, and recycling one million cell phones saves enough energy to power more than 185 US households with electricity for a year, according to the EPA.

5. Start with the family.

No, you’re not recycling the kids or your spouse. Sit down with them and plan a recycling strategy that involves everyone. Instruct your children to recycle that paper they bring home weekly in the form of assignments, reports and classroom activities.

A first-time homeowner has plenty to think about once the move-in is complete. Unpacking and decorating is a given, but finding the perfect painting to hang in the living room is not a critical issue. What becomes critical is the ability to effectively maintain the home over the period of time you plan to live there.

Let’s take a look at five areas to consider as a new homeowner. This won’t be a comprehensive analysis. But it will give you a chance to give some thought to important topics and issues you’ll potentially face in the coming years.

5 Areas for a First-Time Homeowner to Consider

1. Maintenance Costs
The expense of maintaining a home should be part of a monthly and annual budget. This includes cleaning areas such as the roof or a fireplace.

2. Hidden Surprises
Whether it’s a new home or a home that’s new for you, every home has hidden surprises. It could take you weeks or months to discover them. Anticipate a time when some issue about your home, such as hot or cold spots in a particular room, reveals itself.

3. Repair Resources
Repair needs are inevitable. Accidents, storm damage and other events will send you scrambling to find reputable professionals. Before the need arises, make a list of the key types of contractors you’ll need, including roofers, plumbers and electricians.

4. Energy Efficiency
Energy savings is a hot topic, and you can find numerous ways to reduce energy consumption. Newer appliances, better insulation and replacement windows and doors are just a handful of options.

5. Market Value
Sure, you just moved in but treating your home as an investment is aided by remembering that someday you may want to sell it. Whether that day will come five or fifteen years from now keeps you focused on ensuring every area of the home is in tip-top shape.

Arry’s Roofing is an award-winning GAF Master Elite Roofing Contractor, serving Tampa Bay for more than 25 years. For a free inspection and estimate, contact Arry’s at 727-362-2230. Also, like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ArrysRoofingServices and follow us on Twitter @ArrysRoofing.

Becky and "Arry" Housh receive Triple Excellence awards at the March 2012 GAF conference in Nashville

For the third year in a row Arry’s Roofing has once again earned a trio of Excellence awards from North America’s largest roofing manufacturer. GAF named Arry’s Roofing as one of the recipients of Consumer Protection Excellence, Training Excellence, and Installation Excellence at a conference in Nashville, Tennessee. “Arry” and Becky Housh attended the conference to graciously receive the honors, including the sixth time the company has earned the Consumer Protection Excellence award.

Arry’s Roofing is proud to be among a small percentage of roofers nationwide who have earned the status of GAF Master Elite Roofing Contractor. In fact, only two percent of roofers in the country have this certification. The designation underscores the Arry’s Roofing commitment to high standards for workmanship, materials, customer service and ongoing training.

As part of our mission, our company is dedicated to educating roofing customers in Tampa Bay about roofing systems, warning signs of leaks, the importance of gutters and other roofing-related topics. Helping consumers make informed decisions when considering options for contractors is another aspect of that education. We actively promote the idea of carefully researching all home improvement contractors and relying only on licensed contractors with a proven track record in their respective fields.

When you’re ready for roof replacement, or in need of roof repairs, maintenance or cleaning, we welcome you to rely on Arry’s Roofing. We keep our website stocked with helpful information, such as signs you need a new roof and insurance/mitigation. We also provide free hurricane damage inspection and assessment.

Discover why Arry’s Roofing has earned a solid reputation among your neighbors and accolades many times over from GAF. One call to 727-362-2230 is all you need to schedule a free roof inspection and estimate. Be sure to like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ArrysRoofingServices and follow us on Twitter @ArrysRoofing.

Imagine coming home to this.

Considering the financial burden of your mortgage, it’s likely you’ve wondered about ways to pay it off early. But without a hefty inheritance, a lottery win or a fairy godmother, you expect to be carrying that burden for years. That’s why the news that a California marketing company wants to offer Tampa Bay residents the chance to live mortgage-free for a year may be getting your attention right now. But it comes with a big and brightly colored catch: you have to willing to allow your home to be turned into a billboard.

For anyone who wants his or her home to stand out from the rest of the neighborhood, this is one sure-fire way to accomplish that goal. The “billboard house” concept has already been tested in one California town. We won’t mention the company’s name; it’s already gotten a great deal of exposure that has led to 40,000 applications through its website, including more than 200 from Tampa Bay. So don’t be surprised when you’re driving around this spring and you see a billboard house somewhere in the area.

Is a billboard house the kind of offer that’s too good to be true? That remains to be seen, pun intended. But here are a few things to keep in mind when you encounter a money-saving offer connected to your Tampa Bay home.

5 Key Aspects of Any Money-Saving Offer
1. Terms of agreement: What is negotiable and non-negotiable? In the billboard house scenario, what extent of input does the homeowner have? Is the homeowner free to reject an advertiser and what is allowable for the basis of that rejection?

2. Expertise: Who is doing the actual work you’re paying for and what credentials do they come with? In this case, a marketing company must hire contractors to handle the painting.

3. Materials: Precisely what type of products are being used on your home?

4. Insurance: Is the company contracted to do the work insured in the event of accidental damage to your home or property or in case of injury to a worker?

5. Potential impact: Does the company providing the services or any company affiliated with the services foresee any issues developing that stem from the original service? For example, are there any restrictions to altering your home in this way? Will neighbors complain and do they have any recourse if they oppose it?

Asking intelligent questions throughout the process will lead to becoming a more informed decision maker. With as much time, effort and money that you’ve invested in your home already, retaining your control over the situation is the ideal place for you to be. Allow the “experts” to provide their expertise, but keep in mind it’s you who has the final say about what does and does not happen at your home.

@WilliamShatner, tell you Tampa Bay friends to call @ArrysRoofing.

Yes, Arry’s Roofing is on Twitter. It’s likely that Bill Shatner isn’t following us yet. We still have fewer than 200 followers right now. But we know Tampa Bay is using the social media site so we’re aiming to increase our numbers, with your help of course.

For Arry’s Roofing customers who consider themselves Twitterers or Tweeters (we won’t judge you for picking one over the other), we invite you to follow us and share your comments about the roofing work we did at your Tampa Bay home. Feel free to throw in an acronym or two, if you like. LOL. For homeowners who are shopping around for a roofing contractor, follow us and let us know how you found us initially. Whether it was word of mouth or a Google search, we’d love to hear what moved you in our direction.

We’ll collect the best comments and roll them into a future blog post. If you have pics to share, posting them on Twitter is a great opportunity to illustrate whatever points you make in your comment. Just be safe taking those pics; there’s no reason to attempt an aerial shot of your roof if it’s potentially dangerous.

For the 90% of you reading this blog who only found us because of our mentions of Piers Morgan, Charlie Sheen and William Shatner, tell you Tampa Bay friends to check out the rest of the site. Arry’s Roofing has been satisfying customers for more than 25 years and we’re among a small fraction of contractors in the nation who have earned the status of GAF MasterElite Roofer. One call to 727-362-2230 is all it takes to set up a free inspection. Shatner, use the phone; your Star Trek communicator won’t get a signal in 2012.

Some say the day after the Super Bowl should be a national holiday. Football fans won’t argue against that idea. But apparently Tampa Bay residents, and anyone else affected by the switch to Daylight Saving Time should be more concerned about the Monday after we Spring Forward. Experts say the change in our sleep times can leave us more tired as the workweek begins if we go to bed at our normal bedtime instead of an hour earlier to match the change.

The exhaustion that you may feel on Monday could lead you to spend more time “cyberloafing”, a term that is pretty self explanatory. Apparently, the more tired an employee is, the more time he or she spends browsing the web. It’s supposed to be a big deal on Monday so don’t be surprised if productivity is down in your workplace.

Certainly lost sleep is a serious issue in any workplace, but especially in one that demands strict adherence to safety procedures. A warehouse where employees work on and around forklifts, for example, is a place where exhaustion can be not only counterproductive but also hazardous. Even driving to and from work, or driving for work, can be lead to increased risks with more sleepy people on the streets and highways of Tampa Bay.

Keeping yourself and others safe on Cyberloafing Monday is important. Sure, there’s not much damage you can do inside a cubicle, but even office jobs come with their share of risks anytime equipment is involved or you’re having to climb to reach top-shelf supplies. The goal is to make any work environment a safe one that day and every day.

As a GAF MasterElite Roofer with 25+ years in the business here in Tampa Bay, Arry’s Roofing understands the need for safety at all levels of the project. Our crews adhere to the highest standards of safety to protect themselves, the residents of that home and the home itself. Without safety standards in place 100% of the time—and only licensed roofers on the job—we’d be just another contractor. Give that some thought while you’re browsing the web on Cyberloafing Monday.

Photo from TBO.com/Courtesy of Wayne Staples

The 1967 pop song by The Association may have been on your mind on Sunday as windy conditions swept through Tampa Bay. But this “windy” wasn’t the carefree kind described in the Oldies classic. This one came with the straight-line wind variety and downed power lines, toppled trees and created a mess for residents all over the area, including occupants at the Armenia Village condominiums who lost a roof.

If your home didn’t escape the damaging winds, hopefully you’ve been able to get through to a reliable contractor to get the repair process started. We’re fortunate to have many reputable roofers in Tampa Bay. Choosing one of them is preferable to randomly picking a name out of the Yellow Pages or Googling “Tampa Bay Roof Repair.” 

It’s also a good time to remind residents from Tampa to St. Pete to Clearwater and beyond that weather events, like the one yesterday that knocked out power in places such as Lakeland and Apollo Beach, tend to draw out those undesirable types of home improvement contractors. These are the ones who often go door-to-door, come equipped with no references and no license, and may ask to get paid up front and never return.

Let’s be vigilant in these times as friends and neighbors and make sure that those so-called roofing and other home improvement contractors don’t profit off of our hard work. If someone like that shows up at your home, politely ask them to leave and then let your neighbors know what’s going on. If you have an elderly person or couple living nearby, take the time to make sure they didn’t get a visit from someone posing as a contractor.

As a veteran of Florida’s wild weather, Arry’s Roofing is here and plans to stay here to mend roof damage quickly and professionally and guide homeowners through the roof replacement process when that becomes necessary. Get acquainted with our services anytime online at www.arrysroofing.com. For immediate attention, call us now at 727-362-2230 to schedule a free roof inspection.

Fitness seems to get a lot of attention these days. Whether it’s about personal fitness or financial fitness, someone is telling you how to improve your health, your wealth or your life every day. So we might as well jump in and talk about getting house-fit. Don’t sweat it if you haven’t heard that term. It might be made up.

On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate your home’s fitness? 10 means your home is in top physical condition. If it’s closer to 1, you might want to put on a hard hat before continuing to read.

You might think a new home is instantly a 10. Not true. Maybe you haven’t heard the stories about the failures of new construction, including roof replacement that became necessary less than a year after installation. That can happen to a homeowner who relied on a less-than-adequate contractor who lacked a) experience b) expertise c) quality materials d) all of the above.

Just like it takes time to get in shape, returning your home to a high level of fitness won’t be accomplished overnight. Beginning a regimen of maintenance of all areas, including your roof, will help. By keeping an eye on the exterior and interior components of your home, you can avoid the financial burden of having to face multiple repair or replacement projects simultaneously. Not only will your bank account be better protected, so will you by a more secure home.

As for Tampa’s place among heftiest cities, maybe we could all agree to avoid fast food restaurants for a month. Or a week. Or how about just for today?