It is safe to say that the various roles your roofing plays is fundamental to your overall comfort and safety while in your home. It is also safe to say that your roofing more than any other part of your home takes a constant bombardment from the elements. With the importance of the above two statements, it is a wonder why many homeowners neglect their roofing systems and only pay attention to their roof once there is noticeable damage.
With regular inspections of your roof, you can keep an eye on the state of your roof and pinpoint potential issues before they become major problems. Adding an annual inspection to your seasonal chores is a great step to maintaining your roofing in top condition, no matter if it is metal roofing or shingles.
The following are some signs to keep in mind when inspecting your roofing
1. The Roof’s Age
Every roof comes with its manufacturer’s expected lifespan, metal roofing for instance, can last up to 50 years and most shingles have a life expectancy of 15 – 25 years. Knowing how old your roofing material is, gives you a better understanding of when you should be planning for your next roof replacement. Now these life expectancy dates are not ironclad, your roofing may last longer or need to be changed prior to this date based on installation, exposure to harsh weather as well as other factors.
2. Significant Physical Damage
Whether your home is covered with metal roofing, shingles or another roofing material, significant damage is a cause for replacing your roof as major damage can and will lead to additional damage to your home and can compromise the integrity of your framing. Before you make the decision to replace your roof, contact a professional roofer to inspect your current roof, they will be able to let you know if the damage can be repaired or if a replacement is the best option.
3. Home Renovation
Another time you should consider replacing your roof is if you are completing a full home project. A new roof undoubtedly improves the home’s appearance and structural integrity. As a result, if installing metal roofing will boost your home’s curb appeal and value, invest in the replacement project now, while your home is already a construction zone.
4. Extreme Weather Events
If you live in a region where there are chances for extreme weather events, such as heavy winds, torrential rain storms or even hurricanes and tornadoes, make sure to have a professional inspect your roof routinely to ensure that the last weather event didn’t cause any damage and that your roof is in good condition to protect your home from the next one.
5. Changes in Building Codes
Even though this is rare and really only will affect older homes that have an aged roofing system, from time to time the building codes regarding roofing are reviewed and amended. If your roof does not meet the current requirements, you should consider replacing your roof with new roofing that meets the requirements of the law. You would hate for something unexpected to occur and find out that your home insurance will not cover it as your roofing was not to code.
A roofing system that is in good condition is essential for your home, if you haven’t had your roof inspected in a while, it may be a good idea to have an inspection completed in the near future. If your roof is experiencing any of the above signs, it is probably time to start planning your roof replacement.
What Are The 5 Major Roofing Materials Types?
When considering a roofing replacement, most homeowners stick with the same material that is currently on their roof. SO, for most homeowners this is shingles. However, there are more options available than just your standard shingle, in fact there are a variety of shingle options alone. So, if you are planning on replacing the roof on your home in the near future, take some time to better understand your options before making your final decision.
Here are the 5 most popular residential roofing materials:
1. Asphalt Shingles
It’s undeniable that asphalt shingles are the most popular residential roofing material used on the market. But, these aren’t the same shingles that have been used for decades, shingles have seen improvements over the years and new varieties have been introduced. They have been enhanced with fibreglass for improved performance and durability, they have had different designs and thicknesses to help provide longer and better protection. Asphalt shingles are easy to install and come at affordable prices. They are available in a variety of colours and shapes. However, asphalt roofs do not offer any insulating benefits and they have a shorter lifespan ranging between 10 to 35 years.
2. Metal Roofing
Metal roofing is arguably the second most popular roofing material and has been growing in popularity steadily over the past decade. It is made from stainless steel, zinc, copper, and aluminum. Metal roofing is lightweight and highly durable. It has a higher resistance to extreme weather changes. Metal roofing is available in panels and shingles, and it can be recycled once their lifespan is up. Metal roofing also offers a long lifespan of sometimes more than 50 years. Always have an experienced metal roofing contractor install your metal roof, as special skills and tools are required to ensure the job is completed properly.
3. Wood Shakes
Wood shakes (more often cedar) have been used for roofing for centuries and they come in different shapes and sizes. The strength of these wooden shakes help secure your home’s structure. The rustic and natural look of wood shingles contributes to the overall curb appeal of a building. However, wood shingles are one of the most expensive materials.
4. Slate Tiles Roofing
Slate tiles are another pleasant roofing material that comes in a wide variety of colours and designs. They are versatile and durable, lasting up to 50 years. However, tiles are heavy and need additional support and reinforcement of the trusses. They are more expensive than metal roofing.
5. Rubber Roofing
Rubber roofing materials are relatively new in the industry but they are suitable for residential roofing. Rubber roofing materials are easy to repair, durable, and lightweight. They can last up to 50 years. However, this type of roofing material is costly because they are installed like shingles and the labour cost is high.
It is crucial to choose the right type of roofing material for your home, keeping in mind the home architecture, need for insulation, durability, and cost. Meanwhile, metal roofing is one of the best options you have whether you want to replace or update an existing roof.
How To Choose A Roofing Contractor
When looking to have some renovation work completed at your home, it is always natural to have a few questions about finding the right individual or company to take care of the project. After all, if you choose the wrong contractor the project may not be of high quality and may need to be redone shortly after, where the right contractor can provide peace of mind and a hassle-free experience. Searching for a professional roofing contractor is no different, as not all roofers have the same experience, skill set or abilities. For instance, if you are looking to replace your old roof with metal roofing, you will need to find an experienced metal roofing professional to take care of your needs properly.
Below we cover a few tips on how to choose a roofing contractor for your next roof replacement project:
1. Ask for Referrals
When looking for a trustworthy contractor, it never hurts to first ask your friends, family and neighbours for referrals. If they have recently had the same work done at their home and they are happy with the outcome, they will be more than happy to refer you to the same contractor that they used. Just remember, that just because a contractor is referred, it doesn’t mean that you don’t need to do your own due diligence.
2. Experience
Do not compromise when it comes to experience, anytime you want to choose any contractor. The number of years a contractor has been in the industry is important, but the number of similar projects to yours is the crucial indicator to the quality of their expertise. When looking for a roofing contractor, ask if they have completed projects in your neighbourhood previously and if they install the same type of roofing as yours often.
3. Ask for References
Ask for references. The contractor should be able to provide you with several addresses of previous projects. If possible, visit these locations to see the finished product. Just keep in mind that in most cases the contractor has already asked the homeowner for permission to give out their address for future clients to drive by and see their work and they probably only ask those that have had a superb experience. Even so, these locations give you a good understanding of the contractor’s finished work.
4. Insurance
Insurance is there to protect both the contractor and you in case of an accident that causes an injury or damage to property. So, don’t consider hiring a contractor that isn’t full insured. Ask the roofing contractor about their insurance coverage, they should have 2 types of insurance, one to cover their employees if there is an injury and a separate liability insurance to cover any damages. Without insurance, you may be left liable if there is an accident and that can be costly.
5. Written Estimate
A reputable roofing contractor will always provide you with a free no-obligation written quote. This will give you an idea of how much the project will cost, and give you the opportunity to compare pricing and project details with those of other potential contractors.
Consider the above when you are looking for the right roofing contractor for your next roof replacement. Remember that not all roofers have the same skill sets and tools to complete different types of roofing replacements such as metal roofing.
