– How to Tell When a Roof Needs Replacing
– Choosing the Right Roofing Material
– What Causes Roofs to Wear Out?
– How Much Does a New Roof Cost?
– Budget Construction is a Roofing Contractor You Can Rely On
Replacing your home’s roof is a big job, but it’s also a worthwhile investment that will ensure the safety and integrity of your home’s interior. There are many modern materials that have been made available for roofing and making the right decision for your home will go a long way towards increasing its value and gaining a long lasting roof. It’s natural to want to get as much use out of your home’s current roof as possible, but if your home has an aging roof it may be time to consider replacing it rather than risk larger issues by waiting for something to go wrong. Because there are a variety of roofing materials and options to choose from we’ve created this handy guide to help you along the way.
How to Tell When a Roof Needs Replacing
It’s not always easy to tell when your roof is in need of replacing, especially since it’s not the easiest part of your home to closely examine. Too often we don’t really know when our roof needs replacing until we start seeing leaks or pieces of it are falling off. After all, how often do we really look at our roofs? Ideally, you’ll want to examine your roof once a year. Fortunately, this doesn’t mean you have to get out a ladder and climb up there every year. Instead you simply need a vantage point where you can view your roof through a pair of binoculars.
Finding Potential Roof Damage
When checking your roof for signs of damage or wear there are several things you should take note of. First, if you have a shingle roof, then look for any shingles that are broken, cracked, curled or completely missing. You’ll also want to closely examine your roof for any signs of moss, mold, discoloration or pealing.
Also, take note of any branches from nearby trees that may be touching or within 5 feet of your roof. Even if branches aren’t touching your roof they can still damage it or cause wear over time if high winds tend to blow the branches towards your roof and they end up scratching against it. Over the years this can cause loose or missing shingles. Preventing this kind of damage is as easy as making sure the branches are trimmed back far enough away from the roof.
Sometimes roof damage is more subtle. Check your walls and ceilings for signs of water damage or moisture that may be making its way into the house from the roof. The spots may look like small brown stains. Determining the source of the leak may be difficult, so it may be a good idea to consider replacing the roof entirely. If one part is leaking, it’s likely there will be others down the road.
Finding out how old your roof is will help you determine if it’s in need of replacing. Most older roofs are constructed with asphalt shingles, which typically have a lifespan of twenty years. In warmer regions, however, older style asphalt shingles can have a much shorter lifespan due to constant sun exposure and may only last 10 to 12 years. If you are looking to maximize the lifespan of your roof, then consider metal roofing as a long lasting alternative.
Choosing the Right Roofing Material
There are several material types that you can choose from when the time comes to replace your home’s roof. The specific material you choose is entirely up to your own style preferences and budget. Fortunately, roofing materials can come in various colors and designs, so you are sure to find the perfect match for your home’s style.
Asphalt Shingles
Also known as composition roofing, asphalt shingles are one of the most common types of roofing materials on the market today. That’s because they easy to produce, last a long time and are very affordable. They are also easy to work with and install on a home’s roof. In warmer climates asphalt shingles can be prone to moss buildup, which is why some varieties of asphalt shingles will include copper-coated ceramic granules that will help prevent this. Asphalt shingles can also have a high wind rating if you live in areas that frequently experience high winds. There are many varieties of asphalt shingles for different climates and they also come in a wide range of styles to match your home.
Wood Shingles
Wood shingles are very desirable for the natural color, tone and style they can bring to a home. Some homeowners prefer this more natural appearance as opposed to artificial materials. They come in a variety of wood tones and colors in order to match a home’s color and architecture. However, wood shingles are a premium product, which means they do run at a higher cost than alternative shingle options. It should also be noted that in some areas wood shingles are not permitted by local codes due to fire hazard restrictions. Local codes may require wood shingles to be specially treated with a fire retardant in order to be compliment.
Metal Roofing Panels
Manufactured in panels, metal roofing comes in long lengths and they are easy to install. This is because each panel is designed to be joined with the panel adjacent to it so that their edges overlap, which prevents water from penetrating beneath them. By looking at any metal roof you will most likely notice that they are not perfectly flat, but rather they have ridges equally spaced that run the width of each panel. Metal roofing has become popular on all styles of homes because they come painted to your desired color and they are very vibrant. Metal roofing can also mimic the look of shingles and textured wood if desired. They are fireproof, not susceptible to rot, lightweight and easy to work with. This makes metal roofing a popular solution for homeowners looking for an affordable, safe and reliable roofing material.
Clay Tiles
Popular in the American Southwest, clay tiles have a distinctive red color and are popular are many styles of homes. They are typically curved and overlap each other as they cascade over a roof. Clay tiles are made of a specific mixture of clay and water and are very heavy, which means installing them requires careful work. Because they are heavy, if you are considering having clay tiles installed as roofing your home’s frame will have to be inspected to ensure it can accommodate the extra weight.
What Causes Roofs to Wear Out?
Even the best roofs can wear out over time. If your home still has the same roof from when it was first built, then there are a variety of factors that can play a role in wearing it out. Knowing the primary factors in roof wear will help you make a wise decision when choosing your roofing material.
Rain: If moisture makes its way under your shingles or other roofing types then it can also sink deeper into your home’s frame and cause rot. Water may run down into your walls and ceilings, soaking through the drywall and causing brown stains to appear.
Sun: Depending on your current roofing material, the constant exposure to the sun’s UV rays can cause deterioration.
High Winds: In areas where high winds are a factor roofing materials are often the first parts of a home to get blown away, especially shingles.
Ice and Snow: If you live in colder climates then every winter snow and ice are going to buildup on your roof. Snow can melt on the roof during the day and then refreeze at night, creating a blockage in the roof’s drainage system. As water freezes and turns into ice it expands. If it gets into cracks in your roof it will cause that cracks to widen and weak the integrity of your roof.
If your aging roof is suffering from years of being exposed to the weather elements, then let Budget Construction help you replace that old roofing with newer materials. Call our team at 1-844-969-2448 today and find out just how affordable a new roof for your home can be!
How Much Does a New Roof Cost
Depending on the area and climate in which you live, your home’s roof may last around 15 to 20 years before it needs to be replaced. It’s easy to overlook the need for a new roof until you start to experience the effects firsthand, such as water leaking into your home, but by that time water may already have damaged the frame of your roof by creating rot. The last thing a homeowner wants to hear is that their roof’s frame needs to be replaced as well, so it’s better to get ahead of the problem and keep an eye on your roof’s condition.
The cost of your home’s new roof will primarily depend on the following factors:
- Labor Hours: A skilled team can tear off an existing roof and replace it with a new one with surprising speed, but it still takes time. The amount of labor hours the project requires will depend on the size and design of your roof. If your roof has multiple slopes to it or curvature it could take more time than it would with a standard roof.
- Roofing Material: The type of material you’ve chosen for your roof will also play a large role in the total cost. For example, wood or clay shingles cost more than asphalt shingles. Metal roofing material is often one of the most affordable options when it comes to roofing.
- Disposal of Old Roofing Waste: Before your new roof can be installed the old one must first be removed. This job requires some labor time, but it also requires that the old materials be hauled away and disposed of. Depending on the type of roof you currently have on your home, the materials can be very heavy and require a large waste container to remove them.
Having a new roof installed is a significant investment in your home that will not only provide added beauty and safety, but will greatly enhance the resale value of your home as well. Modern roofing materials can be very affordable, and Budget Construction specializes in being able to fit into any homeowner’s spending range.
Budget Construction is a Roofing Contractor You Can Rely On
We understand that your home is important and special to you, which is why all of our staff are 100% certified and capable of getting the job done right the first time. We have the tools and experience to install work with the finest roofing materials and install a brand new roof that will last for many years to come.
Budget Construction pledges that with every project we work one you will experience:
- Friendly and caring staff.
- Clean, safe and organized job site.
- Noticeably detailed finish work.
- 2 million general liability insurance.
- Full workers compensation.
- 96% on time completion record.
- Quality installations guaranteed.
Not only will you receive outstanding service when you employ Budget Construction, but you will also enjoy our one of a kind affordable rates. No other construction company can compare to the affordable prices we take pride in offering all of our customers. Your roof plays an important role in protecting your home and safeguarding your family, which is why we take special care with every shingle we install.
Aging roofs can present a serious safety hazard to any home, not to mention the unseen damage they may be causing by allowing moisture to leak into your frame.