Factors You Need to Consider Before Roof Replacement
Your home’s roof is designed to last for years. However, once you see that it's shingles are already visibly damaged or have moss growing on them, it’s probably time to replace your roof. You should also consider your roof’s age. While most roofing materials promise a lifespan of decades, some factors may accelerate your roof’s aging and make it look older than it is. Once you decide to go for a roof replacement, you need to consider several other factors before getting the project off the ground.
Type of Roof
There are different roof types from which to choose.
There’s the gable roof, which is probably the most common and most recognizable roof type, with its triangular shape.
A flat roof is also an option, especially if you’re thinking about a roof garden or a rooftop patio.
If you’re planning on building an attic, a Gambrel or a Mansard roof would be an excellent choice.
Whatever type of roof you go for, make sure that it goes with your home’s design or style.
Roofing Material
There are plenty of roofing material options available to you these days. One of the most common roofing materials is asphalt shingles, primarily because they’re cheaper than most other materials. Other roofing materials you can choose from include:
Metal
Wooden shingles and shakes
Plastic polymer
Clay tiles
Concrete tiles
Rubber slate tiles
Green roof
Solar tiles
Slate
These roofing materials have their own set of pros and cons, so do your research on what each has to offer before making a choice.
The Location of Your Home
Your choice of roofing material may boil down to the location of your home. If your home is anywhere near the ocean, then you might want to avoid installing a metal roof, which may corrode and rust easily because of the salt the sea breeze carries.
If you live in an area battered by strong winds on a regular basis, slate would be your best choice, as they have proven to be quite sturdy in such conditions. The same goes for asphalt shingles and metal roofing.
Living in a place where it rains all the time is not a good place for wooden shakes and shingles, which could quickly rot and mold because of all the moisture. For rainy locations, asphalt shingles and slates would be great.
Expected Lifespan
The lifespan of roofing materials varies. Asphalt shingles could last 20 to 22 years. On the other hand, wood shingles are expected to last 25 to 30 years, although their lifespan would depend heavily on weather conditions and the level of maintenance it gets. Metal roofing tends to last longer at 40 to 70 years.
However, if you have no interest in replacing your roof within your lifetime, you might want to go for slate. Although it’s the most expensive roofing material on the market, slate also happens to be the most durable, as it can last 125 years at the very least and up to 200 years in some cases.
Your Budget
Roof replacement will never be cheap, even when you go for the most inexpensive roofing material available. The cost of roofing materials varies widely, so do your research carefully to make sure your budget can afford them.
On top of the cost of the roofing material itself, you will also have to spend for its installation. To ensure that your new roof is installed properly, you must hire roofing contractors with proper roofing insurance coverage for the job. With all the costs involved in roof replacement, you have to make sure that everything will fit into the budget you have created for the project.
Shopping for roofing materials yourself will help you determine which one would be just right for your budget. In your search for skilled and experienced roofing contractors, always ask for quotes from each roofing company you contact so you can see for yourself which one you can realistically work with considering the funds you have allocated for your roof replacement.
With the significant investment you’ll be putting into your new roof, it’s only fitting that you consider all factors as carefully as you can. It’s the only way to get the replacement roof that will be right for your needs, preferences, and budget.
Author Bio:
Rachel Porter is the content specialist for Custom Contractors Insurance, LLC, an Arizona roofing and contractors insurance company. When not writing, she enjoys reading and mountain biking with her friends.
