Archivo anual 28 septiembre 2024

When considering home improvements, the roof is often overlooked until problems arise. However, in a tropical country like Panama, investing in a quality roof is not just a matter of aesthetics; it’s crucial for comfort, durability, and long-term savings. In this article, we’ll explore why a high-quality, waterproof, and insulating roofing system is essential for your home in Panama, particularly for English-speaking expats seeking to protect their investment.

The Unique Climate of Panama

Panama boasts a tropical climate characterized by high humidity, heavy rainfall, and intense sunlight. These conditions can take a toll on homes, particularly their roofs. Standard roofing materials may not withstand the harsh elements, leading to leaks, heat buildup, and premature deterioration. A high-quality roofing system specifically designed for these conditions can prevent many common issues, ensuring your home remains safe and comfortable.

1. Waterproofing: Protection from Heavy Rainfall

Panama experiences a significant rainy season, with intense downpours that can cause extensive water damage if your roof isn’t adequately waterproofed. Investing in a waterproof roofing system protects your home from leaks that can lead to mold, mildew, and structural damage. A quality roof acts as your first line of defense against the elements, keeping your living space dry and healthy.

2. Heat Insulation: Comfort Year-Round

The intense heat of the Panamanian sun can make your home uncomfortably warm, leading to increased energy costs as you rely on air conditioning to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature. A high-quality roofing system with excellent heat insulation properties helps regulate indoor temperatures, keeping your home cool and reducing your reliance on energy-intensive cooling systems. This not only enhances your comfort but also leads to significant savings on your energy bills.

3. Durability: Long-Term Investment

Quality roofing materials are designed to last. In contrast, cheaper alternatives may save you money upfront but often require frequent repairs or replacements, leading to higher costs in the long run. By investing in a durable roofing system, you ensure that your roof withstands the test of time and the harsh Panamanian climate. This longevity means fewer headaches and expenses related to roof maintenance.

4. Increased Property Value

A well-maintained, high-quality roof enhances your home’s curb appeal and significantly increases its value. For English-speaking expats looking to invest in property, having a superior roofing system can set your home apart in the competitive real estate market. Potential buyers will appreciate the added benefits of a waterproof and insulating roof, making your property more attractive and potentially leading to a higher resale value.

5. Environmental Considerations

As global awareness of environmental issues grows, many homeowners are seeking sustainable building practices. Quality roofing systems often incorporate eco-friendly materials and technology, helping you reduce your carbon footprint. By investing in energy-efficient roofing, you contribute to a greener planet while also enjoying the financial benefits of lower energy consumption.

6. Professional Installation Matters

While it’s tempting to consider DIY solutions or hire the cheapest contractor, the quality of installation is just as important as the materials used. A poorly installed roof can lead to leaks and other issues, negating any benefits of a quality system. Investing in professional installation ensures that your roofing system is installed correctly, maximizing its performance and longevity.

7. Peace of Mind

Knowing that your home is protected by a high-quality roofing system offers invaluable peace of mind. Whether it’s during the rainy season or under the blazing sun, you can rest easy knowing that your roof is capable of handling whatever weather Panama throws at it. This peace of mind extends beyond just the roof; it influences your overall comfort in your home.

8. Local Expertise and Support

When considering a roofing investment, partnering with a local company that understands the specific challenges of the Panamanian climate is crucial. Companies specializing in waterproof and insulating roofing systems can provide tailored solutions to meet your needs. They will also offer support and guidance throughout the installation process, ensuring a smooth experience.

Conclusion

Investing in a quality roofing system is essential for any homeowner in Panama, especially for English-speaking expats who want to protect their investment. With the unique climate challenges of the region, a high-quality, waterproof, and heat-insulating roof is not just a luxury but a necessity. It offers protection from the elements, enhances comfort, increases property value, and contributes to environmental sustainability.

Don’t wait until you face roof-related issues to take action. Consider the long-term benefits of investing in a quality roofing system designed for Panama’s climate. By making this investment, you’ll not only safeguard your home but also enhance your quality of life in this beautiful tropical paradise.

For more information about our high-quality roofing systems and how they can benefit your home, contact us today! We’re here to help you make the best choice for your living space.

INFO@LIVIATECHO.COM

When living in Panama, one of the most significant investments you can make for your home is the roof. Often overlooked, a quality roofing system is crucial not only for the aesthetic appeal of your home but also for protecting your family and belongings from the elements. In a tropical climate like Panama’s, where heavy rains and humidity are prevalent, the need for a durable, waterproof, and insulating roofing system becomes even more essential. In this article, we’ll explore the reasons why investing in a quality roof is critical for your home in Panama.

1. Protection Against Heavy Rainfall

Panama is known for its heavy rainy seasons, and a quality roof is your first line of defense against these downpours. A roofing system designed for waterproofing will prevent leaks that can lead to water damage, mold growth, and structural issues over time. When rainwater penetrates your roof, it can compromise the integrity of your home, leading to costly repairs. Investing in a high-quality roofing system means choosing materials that can withstand Panama’s intense weather, ensuring your home remains dry and secure.

2. Humidity and Mold Resistance

The high humidity levels in Panama create an ideal environment for mold and mildew to thrive. These unwanted guests not only affect the air quality in your home but can also cause significant health issues for you and your family. A quality roofing system with proper insulation and ventilation helps to control humidity levels within your home. By preventing moisture buildup, you can protect your family’s health and maintain a comfortable living environment.

3. Energy Efficiency and Heat Insulation

A well-insulated roof plays a critical role in maintaining a comfortable temperature inside your home. With Panama’s warm climate, a quality roofing system can help keep your home cool during the hottest months, reducing the need for air conditioning. This, in turn, leads to lower energy bills. By investing in a roof that offers excellent heat insulation, you are not just enhancing your comfort but also contributing to energy efficiency, which is beneficial for both your wallet and the environment.

4. Long-Term Cost Savings

While the initial investment in a quality roofing system may be higher than a standard roof, the long-term savings can be substantial. Quality roofs tend to last longer and require fewer repairs than cheaper alternatives. Additionally, a durable roofing system minimizes the likelihood of leaks and damage, which can lead to costly renovations. By investing in a high-quality roof, you can avoid the headaches and financial strain that come with frequent repairs and replacements.

5. Increased Property Value

A well-maintained roof significantly enhances your property’s curb appeal and overall value. If you ever decide to sell your home, potential buyers will appreciate the peace of mind that comes with a quality roofing system. A new roof can be a major selling point, especially in a market like Panama, where homebuyers often seek properties that are move-in ready and require minimal repairs. By investing in a quality roof, you are making a smart choice that will pay off in the long run.

6. Aesthetic Appeal

The roof is one of the most visible features of your home, and a quality roofing system can dramatically improve its appearance. Whether you prefer a modern look or a more traditional style, a high-quality roof can enhance your home’s architectural beauty. Investing in aesthetically pleasing roofing materials allows you to express your personal style while also adding to your home’s overall value.

7. Local Expertise and Customization

When choosing a roofing system in Panama, it’s essential to work with local experts who understand the unique challenges posed by the climate. Professionals familiar with Panama’s weather conditions can recommend the best materials and installation techniques to ensure your roof withstands the test of time. Additionally, they can help customize your roofing system to meet your specific needs and preferences, ensuring that you get the best value for your investment.

8. Warranties and Peace of Mind

A significant advantage of investing in a quality roofing system is the warranties that often accompany these products. Reputable roofing manufacturers typically offer warranties that cover materials and workmanship. This added layer of protection provides you with peace of mind, knowing that your investment is safeguarded against defects and issues that may arise in the future. With a quality roof, you can rest easy knowing you have made a sound investment in your home.

9. Environmental Impact

Choosing a high-quality roofing system often means opting for materials that are more environmentally friendly. Many modern roofing products are designed to be energy-efficient and sustainable, which can contribute to a lower carbon footprint. By investing in a roof that utilizes eco-friendly materials and technologies, you are making a positive impact on the environment while also enhancing your home’s performance.

10. Community and Local Economy Support

By choosing to invest in a quality roofing system from local providers, you are also supporting the community and the local economy. Many businesses in Panama specialize in roofing solutions tailored to the needs of residents. When you invest in these services, you help create jobs and support local craftsmanship, contributing to the overall health of the economy.

Conclusion

In summary, investing in a quality roof is essential for your house and Liviatecho will provide you the best way to do it. Stop loosing time and money.

Just send an e-mail at info@liviatecho.com

Some times my clients ask me why my system it’s better than uninstalling the old roof and install some sandwich panels.

There are some reasons

This article it’s very needed because sandwich panels in Panama are often compared to Liviatecho

Aesthetics

The first reason why you should not choose sandwich panels it’s because they look very industrial and “cold”. It’s not the proper solution for the house of your retirement in the warm weather of Panama. Can you imagine a hotel that looks like a warehouse? If you have a tourism business you need to provide a good first impact, you cannot cover your roof with ugly metal.

Do you really want to cover your roof with this?

Look at a 200 square meters roof with Liviatecho installed in Santa Catalina, Veraguas, Republic of Panama.

See the difference?

Second reason is the weight.

A sandwich panel will apply to your roof the double of weight compared to Liviatecho. Is your structure ready for the load?

Read this information from a renowned italian producer of sandwich panels. What you find in Panama will weight around 11kg per square meter compared to Liviatecho wich is around 6 kg per square meter.

Pitch

Inclination is very important in roofs, specially when it comes to the caribbean.

If your roof has a low pitch you will have leakings. You need at least 15% to install a metal roof and have no leaking problems, this apply also to sandwich.

Liviatecho works even on a flat roof with 2/3% inclination. You don’t have to modify the underlying structure, just install the system.

Life expectancy

Specially close to the sea, a metal roof will not last more then 15 years. Liviatecho will last 20 years and when the time comes you will only need to apply a second layer of asphalt polymer membrane, you don’t need to repeat alla the work. When a sandich panel is gone is gone forever and you have to remove it and install another one, or maybe try to fix it with paint, patches…a nightmare in a tropical weather.

Price

At this moment we provide a full service for 40$ per square meter. This includes all: materials, service and a real warranty of 10 years. We are the only company producing and installing our product. We bend custom drip edges for every roof and produce the insulation panel in Panama using local providers. We do all.

The price of a sandwich in the local market is around 43$ per square meter. You have to add the cost of installation, transportation, screws. It’s going to be around 60$ per square meter to install it.

This is the price at Novey, a very famous local provider. Price from their website at september 2024.

You also have to calculate an additional cost every time you uninstall your old roof and install a new one. You will eventually damage your walls on the upper side and you will have to fill open spaces. The sandwich will have a different shape, so You will have to use a chisel to adapt your masonry. Another problem you will not have with us.

Why loosing more time? Call immediately.

I am Luciano Felicetti, your expat italian roofer in Panama. Install my system and relax

They be like:

“Back home I never had this problem”

“even after fixing one leak we see another one when the next rain comes”

“we changed all the metal sheets but still have problems”

First you have to understand what’s different in Panama compared to the US or Europe. Here it’s very hard to find a real craftsman when it comes to roofing. Maybe it’s because of the extreme weather but generally speaking the smartest part of the population tends to end up working inside buildings, not outside. So when it comes to roofing local people see it as a plan B career. So they do everything fast, without passion, just to survive to the next meal. They don’t see the opportunity.

Think about the massive roofing market in the United States where most of the big residencial jobs are paid by insurance companies. Lots of blue collar guys made millions, specially after storms. Panama is a totally different market, almost nobody has a home insurance and roofs are not a gold mine like in the US.

Another reason is that this country is very little and we don’t have all the options that we can have in a first world country. This is why generally speaking you will always see cheap metal roofs and low quality service in Panama.

A metal roof is not the best option for a house. It looks industrial and “cold”, not like a real home. A metal roof makes your house look like a warehouse.

Plus it’s veeeery noisy when the rain comes…and guess what…in Panama we have rain almost every day. Is not the best experience to talk in a living room during a hard rain if your roof is made with metal sheets in Panama.

When you watch a movie and the rain starts hitting either you stop it or turn up the volume right?

But keep calm.

If it’s built properly a metal roof can still provide a good solution even in the tropical rain of Panama

So why we still see all of this problems in our metal roofs in Panama? Why is it always leaking?

As I already told you, you will not find the best brains of Panama on a roof, so the average roofer is not a nobel prize. You will hardly find a real roofer, but only self proclaimed “general contractors” that do a different service every day to bring some food to the table.

But rain and roofs are a serious issue in Panama, specially for expats. You don’t want buckets all around your living room like local people, it’s so damn frustrating!

This is why I have focused my company only on this big tropical issue. I only do roofs.

I will not lie, I never met another roofer in this country since 2017 when I landed from Italy. Apparently I am the only one who saw the opportunity.

Everybody is doing roofs here. Plumbers, electricians, retired police officers…but no roofers.

The main reason why your roof is leaking in Panama is because it has less than 15% inclination.

With this amount of rains, and specially with exposed screws, we cannot have a metal roof with less than 15% inclination and expect it to perform good. It’s simple physics. And by the way you can find this information on technical data sheets or websites. But, again, not the cream of the crop is working on this in Panama and local people hate to read an installation manual.

American standard for roof inclinations. Your Panama roof will probably have 1:12 (around 8%), that’s why it leaks.

If your roof has poor pitch you only have two options: rebuild it or install something on it. The “something” I am talking about is my Liviatecho system. I will simply screw on your existing roof a insulation panel to make it flat and then a waterproof membrane. I can install this system on every roof. We did it already on plastic roofs, metal roof, wood roofs.

Pic of Liviatecho system on plastic roof.

It’s the only way to solve the problem forever without living the nightmare of modifing all the house structure and build a new roof with a better pitch.

We will install our waterproof and insulation system on your roof in a matter of days, 5 or 10 days. You will not stress, not have too many people around and noise during the process.

Installing Liviatecho has solved some very big problems for my beloved customers throughout the years.

Your benefits will be:

• less heat
• zero leakings
• less rain noises
• better temperature distribution inside your house
• less electrical expenses on A/C
• no maintenance
• a safer roof because it’s very difficult to cut or break for any thief
• better aesthetics

Don’t loose anymore time. Contact me. I am Luciano Felicetti, your italian roofer in Panama.

Instalar sandwich en techo en Panamá

En los últimos años en Panamá se ha hablado mucho de los techos sandwich y muchos panameños están evaluando poner termopanel de sandwich en Panamá.

El sandwich aislante es un material multicapa compuesto dos laminas de zinc (chapa corrugada)unidos en el medio por una lamina aislante de poliestireno o poliuretano.

La lamina sandwich es una solución industrial que ha nacido en Europa muchos años atrás para cubrir galeras, depósitos, talleres.

La gran ventaja de este material es que aísla térmicamente y garantiza ambientes más frescos.

Sin embargo, este tipo de techo no es la mejor solución para el techo de tu casa ya que no ha nacido para este motivo.

Primero que todo el techo sandwich se ve industrial y frio. Le da un aspecto metalico y desagradable a una casa. ESTE PRODUCTO ES INDUSTRIAL NO RESIDENCIAL

Instalar esto en tu techo significa tener una casa poco acogedora cada vez que llegas de tu trabajo. Significa vivir en un taller, en una galera, en un criadero de pollos.

No es todo.

El sandwich es sumamente pesado. Debes tener mucho cuidado a meterle tanta carga a esa estructura existente, puedes rajar tus paredes o peor dañar toda tu casa.

El techo de sandwich tiene tornillos expuestos y esto genera filtraciones.

El sandwich es de metal y en la inclemencia del clima panameño se oxida muy rapidamente.

El sandwich es extremadamente caro, rodea los 50 dólares el metro solo en material.

El panel de sandwich para techos en Panamá tiene otra grande desventaja. Si vas a desarmar el zinc o panalit existentes despues de hacer tu cambio de techo en Panamá tendrás que llamar un albañil para que te arregle todos los bordes de los muros perimetrales que se han dañado o han sido picados para acomodar la nueva forma del sandwich.

El termopanel sandwich también tiene una incógnita que nadie te va a decir con tanto de vendértelo. Hay una pendiente minima. Como toda cubierta de metal el techo sandwich necesida minimo 15% de pendiente para no tener goteras. Sabemos cuanto la lluvia en Panamá es inclemente con los techos de metal. Si no tienes esa pendiente minima preparate a recibir buco filtraciones en tu casa papa

Nosotros te damos una alternativa competitiva y mucho mas estetica para tu casa. Con el sistema Liviatecho puedes tener un techo fresco y aislante termo acustico sin tener que desarmar el techo viejo. No vas a vivir el trauma de desarmar un techo mientras vives en esa casa. Además no vas a cargar tanto tu estructura.

El sistema Liviatecho es totalmente impermeable ya que tu techo va a tener una membrana continua en toda la superficie sin empates peligrosos o tornillos cogiendo lluvia.

Además con Liviatecho puedes instalar hermosas tejas encima sin problemas ya que vas a tener una superficie plana. En el sandwich no se pueden poner tejas.

Por fin deja ese techo sandwich poco eficaz y feo a las galeras y los criaderos de pollo e instala algo de mayor calidad.

Liviatecho es el techo más exclusivo en el mercado, si piensas poder pagar un servizio de calidad no dudes en comunicarte con nosotros aquí.