Even though it’s one of the main structural elements of the house, the roof of many homes becomes an afterthought, giving way to more eye-catching elements like windows and landscaping. But make no mistake, a well-maintained roof that suits your home makes a big impact on curb appeal.
Because it’s such an important part of your house, it’s advised to inspect your roof annually, and after potentially damaging events like storms with high winds or hail.
It may be time to replace your roof if:
- Your shingles are cracked, worn, cupped, or damaged; rubbers are warped or shrinking
- You have water damage upstairs or in the attic
- The roof is sagging, or shingles, flashing, or fascia are missing
- Moss, mold, algae, or fungus are growing on the roof
- You’ve had recent hail or wind damage
- Your roof is over 20 years old.
How to choose your new roofing:
When it’s time, it can feel a little overwhelming to navigate all the options, here’s a little help to guide your planning and decision-making process.
Cost –When evaluating your options, avoid basing your decision solely on the cheapest price, aim for a good value – a quality installation, sound materials, and a good lifespan. Prices vary widely between materials, both for the roofing itself and the installation. The good news is that you can achieve a variety of looks to fit your budget with metal, synthetic, asphalt, wood, solar, green, clay, and slate options.
Style – You’ll want to choose something that coordinates with the architecture and aesthetics of your home. There are several materials and colors to choose from.
Structure – What can your home support? While wood shake, asphalt, and standing seam metal roofing materials are lightweight, clay tiles, slate, and green roofs can be heavy and require special support, ventilation, drainage, or even wiring for solar.
Environment – Do you have snow and ice? Intense heat or cold? High humidity? Fire- or flood-prone? High winds? Make sure the materials you choose are a good match for your climate and surroundings. If you’re considering solar, ensure you’ll have adequate sun exposure.
Durability – Slate tile shingles may last 200 years or more, rolled roofing may last only 5-10. Given the investment that replacing your roof requires, durability is an important factor.
Installation – Quality installation is crucial to the function and longevity of your roof. Some materials will be easy, some will require specialized expertise and systems. Understand what’s required and interview multiple contractors to ensure you get the most from your investment.
Sources: forbes.com & thisoldhouse.com
