Many homeowners loathe the idea of replacing their roofs. But at the same time, they know it’s inevitable. At some point in time, you’re going to need to replace your roof to protect your home. And it can be a reason for excitement rather than a chore.
Replacing your roof is expensive. But it improves the comfort, appearance, and (perhaps most importantly) value of your home. Let’s take a look at some of the most important things you should know before you start in on your replacement.
Is It Even Time to Replace Your Roof?
Obviously, the first question is whether you need to replace your roof at all. Sometimes this can be a gray area. If your roof is 20 years old and failing you, it’s easy to assume that the best idea is to replace it.
But what if your roof is 15 years old and just experienced hail damage? What if your roof is 25 years old, but apart from a single leak, it’s still doing just fine?
In general, if your roof is 20 to 30 years old, and you’re starting to experience issues with it, it’s best to replace it. Most roofs are only rated to last about 20 to 25 years (at least asphalt shingle roofs, which are the most popular type of roof). Once you start having problems, you’re likely to have more problems — until the problems become as expensive as the replacement.
But if your roof is still fairly youthful, you might want to call in a qualified professional to give you a consultation. You might be surprised at what they can fix.
What Material Are You Interested In?
Most people go with asphalt shingle, but that’s just because it’s been the most popular and affordable option for some time. There are new materials that are also very affordable and very durable.
Shake roofs have a rustic feel, are naturally pest resistant, and are low maintenance. Metal roofs are attractive, can be designed in many styles, and last for a very long time — a well-maintained metal roof could last a hundred years. Likewise, ceramic roofs can last a hundred years or more. They are just very heavy.
You may want to take some time to educate yourself on the newer options before you decide to just install the same type of roof you had previously.
Is There Any Structural Damage Beneath the Roof?
A professional contractor will be able to assess the condition of your home under the roof. This is important. If your roof is old or damaged, it’s very possible that water has infiltrated your property. You could also have issues with pests or other structural damage like termites.
If there’s structural damage beneath the roof, it has to be fixed. Otherwise, important parts of your house could just collapse. This is especially true if you’re installing heavier types of roofing, such as ceramics. When installing ceramic roofs, it’s very likely that your home will need to be reinforced to hold the weight.
Structural damage needs to be fixed before your roof is replaced, or it can cause damage to your brand-new roof. If there isn’t enough support, the roof can start to bow in and break. It’s not always easy to tell whether there’s structural damage with a cursory inspection. You may need to get up into your attic, and even then it’s possible some damage may not be identified until the job has started.
Are You Going to Try to Install Over an Existing Roof?
It’s simple: most types of roofs can be installed over an existing roof. Once.
An asphalt roof, for instance, can be installed over an asphalt roof once before the roof starts to become too bulky and too heavy. So if you already have an asphalt roof on, you can save money by installing another one directly over. Plus, this increases the insulation of your home, and it means that your home will be even better protected because there will be multiple layers.
Metal roofs can also be installed over asphalt roofs, but they can’t be installed over existing metal roofs. Many things can be installed over existing asphalt roofs. Since the top layer will be water safe, you don’t need to worry about the roof leaking. In the case of metal roofs, asphalt can also reduce noise. But if you’re concerned there may be damage under your roof, it might be better to remove it entirely before replacement.
Do you need to repair your roof? You have an exciting journey ahead. The right roof doesn’t just protect your home but can also dramatically change its look and feel. To get help with roof replacements and repairs in Dallas/Fort Worth, contact Bert Roofing today.