There are many reasons why you should be thoughtful about selecting a new roof. It is an essential part of your house as it protects you, your family, and your home from the outside elements. It keeps out wind, rain, snow, and extreme temperatures. Since it is such a critical piece of your house, there are many considerations when getting a new roof. While all of these considerations may make you uncertain about what choice to make, you want to feel confident. It is expensive and can impact the value and look of your home. The considerations listed below help guide you in the right direction for your roof choice.
Your Home’s Aesthetics
A roof can add to or take away from the curb appeal of your home. As a result, the style and current look of your home are important considerations when getting a new roof. One of the first things to consider about your house before you contact any roofing companies is the architectural style of your house. Every house has a type of style. It could be a colonial, traditional, contemporary, or other style. When you have a good understanding of the style of your home, you are better able to select the roof color that matches your house. For example, if you have a Mediterranean-style home, then you may want to consider a tile roof. However, if you have a more traditional house, you should think about a simple gray roof. Of course, the architectural style of your house is not the only key point to which you should pay attention. You also want to pay attention to the exterior features of your home. This includes the shutters, flower boxes, and color of the siding.
Something you may not consider when you are determining what roof to get for your home is when the sunlight hits your roof. Depending on where you live and the time of day that the sun hits your roof makes a difference in the way it looks. The sunlight in the North has a blue hue, while the sun in the South has more red. The darker your roof is means it will absorb heat from the sun. They can be as much as 20 degrees warmer. If you live in a warmer climate, you may want a lighter color.
How Long You’ll Live in Your Home
One of the considerations when getting a new roof you should think about is how long you plan to stay in your house. If you are planning to stay in your house for a long while, you may want to spend a little more money now. It would be best if you considered getting a roof that is going to last for as long as you stay in the house. You also want to get the roof you want and look how you want it to. On the other hand, if you are planning to stay in your home, you may decide that right now, a repair is what fits your budget best. There are some additional considerations when making the decision about a new roof versus repairs.
However, if you are planning to put your house on the market, it may change your plan for your roof. Before you contact residential roofing services, you should decide which path is best for you. If you are selling your home, you may decide to get traditional asphalt shingles, which are the most affordable. You may not want to put a lot of money into the roof, especially if you won’t get a full return on your investment. The fact that your house has a new roof automatically makes it more desirable to potential homebuyers. They are willing to pay more for peace of mind.
The Roofers You Hire
Another one of the top considerations when getting a new roof is determining if you want to hire a roofing company or a roofing contractor. You may not realize that they are two different types of people that provide you with different things. They both can accomplish the job, but depending on the project, one may be better than the other. A roofing contractor is often one person doing the job. The contractor may have one person helping, but typically it is one person on their own. You have one point of contact, but this person may be better able to handle repairs instead of full replacements. The downside is that the job may take much longer because only one person is doing the work.
A roofing company, on the other hand, can handle much larger jobs. You may find that you get a better price and discounts when using a larger company. The work can be completed faster and with a warranty. The downside could be that you end up interacting with different people instead of the same person consistently. Regardless of the size of the company, you want to ensure that you have your estimate in writing. This helps you plan your budget and avoids unexpected costs.
Future Maintenance Appointments
It is exciting to get a brand new roof for your home. When installing a new roof, you may not even think about future repairs and maintenance, but they are key considerations when getting a new roof. You want to understand what type of roof maintenance you may be facing with your selection. Some of the types of maintenance you may face include recoating, painting, and cleaning it. You may need to contact a professional to handle these maintenance items for you. The materials that you select for your roof indicate the type of maintenance it needs in the future. The expected lifespan of your new roof is also dependent on the materials that you select. You may have to spend a little more money upfront to get longer-lasting materials over the long term. These materials are also more resistant to damage. This also means that the more expensive materials are less likely to need roof repair. However, it would be best if you kept in mind that when there is an extreme storm or weather, your roof may sustain damage.
The Project’s Time Frame
When you are having work done to your home, you want it completed as quickly as possible. One of the considerations when getting a new roof is how long it is going to take. The average roof can be replaced in one day. The average-sized roof is about 3,000 square feet or less. If you have a larger roof or a special type of roof, it could take as many as five days. The weather does play a major role in scheduling a roof replacement. If the weather is not cooperative, it can take as long as three weeks to have your roof finished.
Even when you use local roofing services if your roof is complex, it is going to take longer. The facets, valleys, pitch, and angles on your roof can make the job more challenging and take longer. This also increases the price of a replacement. The more angles and steeper the pitch you have means that the roof is going to take longer to complete. The contractor may also need to take additional precautions for safety if the pitch is steep. It also means they may have to work slower to ensure their safety. If your roof isn’t easy to access, it will take longer. Things like landscaping, fences, and bushes can make your roof difficult to access.
Future Inspections
When you are looking at the considerations when getting a new roof, one of those items is inspections in the future. You should be aware that you may need to contact roof inspection companies. It is ideal for planning to have your roof inspected at least two times each year. An inspection allows you to catch any necessary repairs and address them quickly. This enables your roof to last longer. It is also helpful to understand what you can expect from a professional roof inspection.
During an inspection, the contractor assesses your roof for leaks. Wear and tear, damage from strong winds, mold growth, and any other concerns. The inspector will look at four main components: material, structure, interior, and quality of work. A structural inspection includes signs of sagging, uneven roof lines, and an inspection of the gutter system. Chimneys should be assessed for cracks, damage to chimney caps, and crumbling grout. Your attic is also checked for proper venting. When it doesn’t vent properly, it can cause the buildup of moisture and heat, which increases the risk of ice dams. During a material inspection, the shingles are inspected. They are specifically curling loose or missing shingles. The flashing and fasteners are checked.
The Type of Roofing Material
There have been a large number of changes to roofing material, including metal roofing, over the years. This means that there are numerous options available to you when you are making decisions about roofing material. This puts the roofing material on the list of considerations when getting a new roof. To do this, you should consider the way the material makes your house look. In addition, you should consider the full price of the installed material. Your budget is critical when making decisions about roofing materials. The larger your roof is, the more you end up paying for the installation.
Shingles made from asphalt are the most affordable option. They also have the shortest lifespan, but you can still expect them to last as long as 25 years. If you want a material that lasts longer, you should consider metal or slate. When thinking about the material you choose, you want to consider the weather of the area in which you live. When you live in an area that has a significant amount of snow, metal is a better option. It can handle a much heavier load than asphalt shingles. If you live in an area that is warmer, you should consider a clay roof. A clay roof gives your roof a unique look.
Your Budget
While this may be last on our list, your budget should not be the last of your considerations when getting a new roof. It is critical to understand how much you can afford to pay for a new roof. It would be best if you were realistic, or you may find yourself in a hole you can’t get out of. If you cannot afford a new roof right now, you may have to make repairs until you are able to pay for a new roof. You can expect the average cost of a roof replacement to be between $5,619 to $22,000. This is a large difference between the two costs. You can expect the average cost to be around $11,000. There are many items that make up the difference in the cost.
When you understand what makes a difference in the cost, you may have a better feeling about how much money you are going to spend on the roof. It may make the most sense for you to look for an affordable roofer that offers payment plans which may be a better route for you to go instead of repairs. If the payment plan that the roofer is offering doesn’t appeal to you, you may have other options when determining how you are going to pay for the roof. You may want to consider taking out a loan for the roof that you can pay back each month. This may prevent you from paying more than you are able to.
Here is the list of considerations when getting a new roof that is important to keep in mind. When you use this list, you are better situated to make a good decision about your next roof. With these, you can create a comprehensive list of all the features you want in your roof.