What you don’t know about roof can hurt you…or at least cost you money. If you’re considering replacing your existing roof or perhaps evaluating the roof on a home you’re looking to buy, below are 11 things you’ll want to know about roofing:
1. Cost. Roofing materials vary greatly in cost. The least expensive materials are usually asphalt shingles, followed by composite roofing shingles, wood, metal and slate.
2. Installation. Even the best materials won’t create a solid, secure and attractive roof if the installation isn’t professional. Be sure to check the reputation and credentials of anyone you consider working on your roof.
3. Flashing. Roofing isn’t all about shingles. Flashings are the metal pieces that sit under the shingles where one plane of the roof meets another, and around things like vents and chimneys. You’ll need these too.
4. Location. Where your home is located is another consideration when choosing roofing material. A house along the coastline that gets a constant battering of sea spray needs a more durable roof than one in the middle of an inland housing development.
5. Material. There are a number of commonly-used roofing materials, from asphalt shingles to wood shake to slate. The material you decide to use will depend on the style of your home, its location and your budget.
6. Durability. If you’re planning on staying in your home more than two decades, durability is an issue. The average asphalt shingle roof has a lifespan of around 15 years. If you’re planning on living there longer, you might want to invest in a more durable product.
7. Warranty. Most roofing materials manufacturers and some installers offer a limited warranty if you should have an issue with your roof after it is installed.
8. Color. Asphalt shingles and composite shingles come in a virtual rainbow of colors. Other materials, such as wood and slate are limited to a certain palette.
9. Style. Your home’s architectural style will help you decide in part what type of roofing material to use. For example, a Cape Cod-style home works well with wooden shake roofing shingles, whereas a modern home may look better with a metal roof.
10. Pitch. The pitch or angle of your roof is another determining factor in choosing roofing materials. A flat roof or one with very little pitch may be better suited to using a membrane roofing system, rather than shingles.
11. Eco-friendliness. Recycled shingles are the most eco-friendly roofing option and protect the forests from being harvested for wood shingles or the shorter lifespan of asphalt shingles. Some recycled shingled roofs are guaranteed to last up to 50 years.
To learn more about roofing and/or to schedule a professional, thorough inspection of your Connecticut home, call Tom Morgan at Sound Home Inspection at 860-445-1236. Tom has been making sure that area homes are safe and secure for more than 25 years.