It’s an exciting time in your life! You’ve been dreaming of this day for a long time now, and you know that it is just around the corner. Your first thoughts are about what colors to paint the walls or what kind of furniture you should buy. But one thing that deserves serious consideration before moving forward with your move is roofing. How much does roof replacement cost? What should I look for in a good quality shingle? Is re-roofing my home worth it? These are all important questions to ask yourself as well as those who will be helping you make these decisions going forward.
The last thing you want to do is spend all of your hard-earned money on a new home only to have nothing but trouble with the roofing. This buyer’s guide is intended to give you a much better idea of what to expect from your investment and how best to go about choosing the right kind of roof for your new home. There are many things that need consideration when it comes to this vital part of your newly purchased property, so sit back, grab a warm drink and relax. This guide is going to give you the knowledge and power to make an educated decision about your future roofing plans.
Spotting Potential Roofing Trouble
It’s important to have an idea about what risks you may be facing prior to making your final purchase. Not all roofing is created equally, and some of the shingles out there are not going to last very long. You want something that will hold up for a long time, so it’s best to do some research beforehand. The easiest way to ensure this kind of longevity is by doing a bit of homework on any potential homes before even stepping foot inside.
If you know anyone living in the area or who has lived there for a while, ask them if they would mind sharing their experiences with local roofing contractors and service providers. This could save you hundreds or thousands of dollars over time if you find issues early on and can get those problems corrected before you even make your purchase.
The cost of a new roof is often higher than some people expect, but if you take the time to check around for costs from different roofing contractors in your area, you can get an idea about how much a quality home ought to run. Keep in mind that most contracts include professional cleanup and disposal of any refuse left behind during the process. This helps ensure that you won’t end up with anything extra to worry about once your old roof has been hauled away and replaced by a beautiful new one!
Tearing Off The Old Roof
Replacing an existing roof is not a difficult or time-consuming process. Anyone with basic construction skills and good physical fitness can perform this task if given the proper training and tools. Of course, it goes without saying that you should avoid doing any work on your own unless you are certain about what you’re doing.
If at all possible, hire a professional to do the job for you! Not only will they save you money in the long run by doing it correctly the first time, but they also provide full guarantee of their workmanship. This means that they are willing to stand behind everything that they did for as long as necessary. This is especially important considering how easy it can be to damage a roof during installation if certain safety standards are not met.
Basic Roofing Types
There are many different materials that can be used in roofing, and each of them offers various benefits. It is important to identify your needs when shopping for a new roof so that you know what kind of material will serve you best in the end. Here’s a quick breakdown on some of the most basic types:
Asphalt
These roofs are generally considered to be one of the least expensive options out there, but they come with their own set of drawbacks. They often get damaged during high winds and heavy rains due to their relative thinness. However, if you have a good contractor do the work, asphalt can make a solid roofing option regardless.
Tile
This is quite possibly the longest lasting roofing option available today. Tile comes in a huge variety of shapes, sizes and colors. It can also be used on both commercial and residential buildings alike without any major problems. The most expensive part of tile roofing is the installation costs, but it’s well worth it in the end.
Metal
This kind roofing material has become increasingly popular over the past several years because of its high durability and cost-effectiveness. It offers excellent water resistance as well as protection from fire and wind damage due to its thick aluminum composition.
Slate
This type of roof comprises individual pieces that are carefully waxed to help prevent moisture build up within the surface layers. Slate works extremely well for very steep roofs that have high levels of foot traffic or snowfall. The biggest drawback for slate is that it can be quite heavy and expensive to install.
Wood
This roofing material has a very long history, but its popularity has waned over the years as other options have become more affordable. However, wood still makes a great potential choice due to its natural beauty and high level of flexibility in terms of style. It’s important to use plywood or other stronger materials for this type of home since they typically need support from underneath.
Roof Repair Costs
One of the most common reasons why people end up needing a new roof is because their current one just isn’t performing as well as it used to. Roof leaks are often caused by cracks and other damage that occurs over time, and this is why regular inspection and repair play such an important role in keeping your roof in good condition.
The cost of repairs can vary significantly from one situation to the next, but they’re generally quite affordable when compared with other types of home improvement projects. The most effective way to ensure that you won’t spend more than necessary on repairs is by learning as much as possible about potential problems before they have a chance to happen!
Roofing Styles and Shapes
Although there are many different materials available for use in flat roofs today, most homes still end up with some kind of basic tile or asphalt composition. Flats can be built using anything from concrete tiling to individual pieces of natural stone. They also come in a huge variety of shapes to match specific home designs, although the rectangle is probably the most common shape overall.
Do you have a pitched roof? These are generally much more difficult for new and inexperienced contractors to install because they involve a decent amount of climbing in order to make sure that all angles are properly secured. The main problem with many pitches is that there’s simply not enough surface area for tiling or shingles, which means that alternative materials must be used instead. This type of situation often leads to an increased need for high-level maintenance even after installation is complete, so it’s definitely worth looking into these issues before hiring anyone for your own project!
