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Most homeowners in the US have composition shingles on their home. The word composition is used because the shingle is a composite of asphalt, fiberglass or cellulose mat and then covered with shiny granules that are made from ceramic, minerals or metal. 

The granules in a shingle wear over time and are lost due to contact with debris, foot traffic and weather patterns - sun, rain, hail, snow. Luckily in most parts of California we don’t have to deal with the last two — with hail being particularly hard on roofing systems. How do you know it’s time to replace your shingles? As you examine a worn roof, you will notice that granules can collect in the gutter or on the roof leaving the mat of the shingle visible...

In our last blog we reviewed some questions home owners might ask before delving into options for solar energy. Another topic that comes up frequently is PPA. 

What is PPA? PPA is a leased solar system. It stands for Power Purchase Agreement and they are packages that are meant to be very attractive with little or no cost to the consumer up front. 

Homeowners, beware! There can be unforeseen circumstances with these kinds of agreements and especially for your roof. Sean Featherstone, Co-President of Castone breaks down the cons of a PPA for you: 

1. You need to make sure that your roof is in good condition BEFORE you install a PPA - Solar panels are rated at 25 years, and most steep sloped roofs are rated for 30 years - therefore you will have an overlap of needing a new roof unless your roof is less than 5 years old...

John Bennett is the Vice President of Operations at Castone, Inc. and supplies our solar license. We got him to answer some FAQs that homeowners ask regarding Solar.

How do you know if your home is a good fit for solar? Is solar possible for all types of roofs?

JB: Solar is the last step in the "pyramid of sustainability." best practices dictate that you should perform as many energy-efficiency measures as possible before you install a PV (photovoltaic) system; ideally you will seal the building envelope, attic, walls, crawlspace; insulate the attic, walls and anywhere practical, and upgrade that old HVAC system with a newer more efficient unit and, so important...

CASTONE ROOFING & CONSTRUCTION is made up of a core team of employees that are passionate about helping our customers solve problems and deliver excellent service. Jesus "Chuy" Garcia is just one of those exemplerary team members. Leading our Fresno based team, Chuy is the Foreman and leads the crew with knowledge based on years of experience. He's also a master painter and great Dad. Let's get to know him!



When did you start working with Castone?

I have been with Castone  for 3 years, since Sean and Christian founded the company. I have known Christian for a long time. He and I were coworkers and it was there that we began a good friendship...