Is it time for a total roof overhaul? Before you shell out your hard earned cash, make sure you choose a durable, long-lasting option. Most asphalt shingle roofs have a lifespan of 15 to 20 years. Even if you aren’t currently experiencing problems with leaking or discoloration, houses in the same community are often built around the same time, so that if your neighbors’ roofs are reaching the end of their lifespan, yours could follow soon.
Slate, aluminum, steel, and clay roofs all have lifespan of 50-plus years, some lasting up to 200! Upfront cost never tells the whole story. Even though another asphalt shingle roof may seem like a steal per-square foot, when you account for energy inefficiency and the replacement costs in another 15 years, going with a more durable, longer-lasting roof can be a better financial decision as well as more environmentally sound.
As with any larger roofing project, finding a licensed, bonded, and insured contractor for the job is essential. Because of the heaviness of clay and slate, your roof may require additional reinforcement. The right contractor can help you with that decision and others. Be sure to choose a material that looks great, is kind to the environment, keeps bills low, and lasts.
Is it time for a total roof overhaul?
Choose a durable, long-lasting option. Most asphalt shingle roofs have a lifespan of 15 to 20 years. Even if you aren’t currently experiencing problems with leaking or discoloration, houses in the same community are often built around the same time, so that if your neighbors’ roofs are reaching the end of their lifespan, yours could follow soon.
Slate, aluminum, steel, and clay roofs all have lifespans of 50-plus years, some lasting up to 200! Upfront cost never tells the whole story. Even though another asphalt shingle roof may seem like a steal per-square foot, when you account for energy inefficiency and the replacement costs in another 15 years, going with a more durable, longer-lasting roof can be a better financial decision as well as more environmentally sound.
As with any larger roofing project, finding a licensed, bonded, and insured contractor for the job is essential. Because of the heaviness of clay and slate, your roof may require additional reinforcement. The right contractor can help you with that decision and others. Find a pre-screened, certified roofer today. Because you come home to live under your roof every day, be sure to choose a material that looks great, is kind to the environment, keeps bills low, and lasts.
Metal roofs are definitely gaining in popularity. Not only for businesses, but for homeowners as well. Here are a few reasons why many are ditching the traditional roof and going metal.
1. Metal roofs are lightweight.
2. Fireproof. Because it’s made of steel, metal roofs are incombustible and safe from exposure to airborne burning cinders. The patented interlocking fastening system prevents the panels from lifting and allowing blowing embers to ignite the roof deck.
3. Hail resistant. Metal roofs provide weatherproof performance with a hail stone warranty. In some states insurance carriers even offer a discount for installing a steel roof.
4. Extremely durable. Metal roofs do not absorb moisture and therefore have excellent compatibility with snow and ice. The strong, stone-coated steel panels have been tested in excess of 224 lbs per sq. before panel deformation occurs.
5. Green. Steel is 100% recyclable. There is little waste and it can be recycled an infinite number of times without degradation.
6. Good for resale. You can expect to save 10 to 20% on your homeowner’s insurance. Real estate professionals say metal roofs add value to houses listed for sale. The appearance, long life, fire resistance and transferable warranty are definite selling points.
It’s no secret that metal roofs are definitely gaining in popularity.
Summertime is extremely busy for those in the metal roof industry. Why, you ask? First of all because high temperatures and intense sun are especially damaging to roofing materials. So, more and more homeowners are looking for more durable, lasting, and energy efficient options.
A traditional, asphalt roof has a hard time in extreme heat. It has to endure triple digit temps and great amounts of sunlight. Heat and sun cause most roofing materials to break down rapidly. They dry out, crack, curl, and disintegrate. As this happens, their lives are shortened and they become more susceptible to leaks and wind damage. But metal doesn’t do that. It is virtually heat and sun resistant.
Another major problem of a traditional roof is that many roofing materials dry out in the hot sun. They lose their fire resistance and can pose a great fire risk to homes and their contents. This is not the case with metal. Metal roofs create a lasting barrier against airborne sparks, providing ultimate home protection. These are just a few of the reasons both business owners and homeowners are making the investment and choosing metal over asphalt.
It’s easy to diagnose a leaky roof when stains appear on your ceiling or walls, but it’s much more difficult to find the source. Unless shingles are missing or obviously damaged, the origination of the leak could be hidden as water might enter at one part of the roof and travel before finally soaking in. Even if you do locate the point of entry, deciding whether to replace the shingles or the roofing cement — or both — can often require the expertise of a contractor.
This time of year, as more rain sets in, leaks often appear. Even if you’ve undertaken the dangerous endeavor of using a roof rake or shoveling snow off your roof in mid-winter, melting snow and ice can still cause issues. Most commonly, leaks occur around vents and chimneys or some other area in the roof’s armor.
Making sure that all joints around vents and chimneys are completely sealed is essential. Finding a competent contractor to weather seal your roof can keep it free from further leaks for years to come. Find a certified, licensed roofer to start your project now. You don’t want to wait until a bad leak causes damage to your walls.