Planning a roofing project can get overwhelming, regardless if it’s your first or nth time doing so. The good news is that you don’t have to be in the dark regarding how to go about your roofing installation or repair. In this article, Clear Choice Exteriors Findlay, your trusted residential roofing contractor in Bowling Green, OH, shows you the ropes by putting together a basic guide that contains what you need to know to pull off a roofing project.
Getting Started: Choosing a Roofing System
The roof over your head, more accurately called the roofing system, will be your and your home’s first line of defense against the ravages of the elements. Needless to say, choosing a suitable roofing system for your home requires a thorough selection process. There’s a dizzying range of roofing materials you can choose from, and although what might work for other homes might not work for yours, narrowing your choices down is a good place to start. Here’s a rundown of the most popular residential roofing materials and their features.
Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt shingles are arguably the most commonly used roofing material in the United States. Asphalt shingles are popular due to their affordability, style variety and ease of installation. You can choose between architectural asphalt shingles which are thicker and offer more depth and dimensionality in terms of appearance, or the traditional 3-tab shingles which are more affordable but
However, you’d have to be wary since asphalt shingles vary in quality.
Best for: traditional suburban-style homes
Metal Roofing
There are a lot of misconceptions about metal roofing, but it is actually one of the most durable roofing systems on the market today. When installed properly, a high-grade metal roof can last for up to 75 years. On top of being long-lasting, a majority of metal roofs are also recyclable and have high solar reflectance. You can choose from aluminum, steel, copper and lead.
Best for: bungalows, cabins, cottage-style and contemporary homes
Slate
Slate roofing systems come in elegant shades of black, gray, green, purple and red. If you’re looking for a fire-resistant roofing material with a distinctive look, then slate is the way to go. It’s worth noting that slate is a heavy material and requires professional installation, but it can last for more than 50 years.
Best for: Colonial, European and French chateau homes
Clay and Concrete Tiles
Clay and concrete tiles are non-combustible, energy-efficient and extremely durable, with a distinctly elegant appearance to boot. These roofing materials tend to be heavy and usually require additional framing and professional installation but can last up to 50 years if maintained properly.
Best for: Mediterranean, Mission, Southwestern and Spanish-style homes
Note that these roofing systems have a better chance of lasting longer when made with high-grade materials, installed and maintained properly. Choosing the type that will offer the best protection for your home does not only involve the aesthetic aspect or what looks good. Here are other factors to consider when choosing your roofing system.
1. Location – consider the area where you live. If your house is located where wildfires are common, then a fire-resistant material is the best option. Similarly, if your house is located in an area where hurricanes happen often, then a wind-resistant roof is the way to go.
2. Roof Pitch – the slope of your roof dictates the type of roofing system that you should pick. Steeper roofs would not be able to support heavy materials, so it’s the wiser move to use concrete tiles and the like for lower-sloped roofs.
3. Budget – since some roofing systems are more expensive than the others, homeowners who have budget restrictions have to consider how much roofing material costs versus its quality.
Whatever roofing material you choose, it’s important that you pick products with the best quality and work with a reputable roofer to ensure that your roofing system will function optimally for years to come.
Maintaining Your Roof
A roofing project is considered done and completed once the last nail has been hammered and the last specks of dirt from the construction have been cleaned. However, roof installation is a lifelong commitment. As a homeowner, you hold your end of the bargain by making sure your roof is well-maintained even long after the roofing crew has gone. Here’s why roofing maintenance is so much more than the tedious task some homeowners make it out to be.
Maintenance Keeps Your Roof Beautiful
Even the best roofing systems succumb to wear and tear over time. This gradual decay is not only rough on a roof’s performance, but on its appearance as well. Regular inspections can help keep your roof looking as good as the day it was installed.
Maintenance Reduces the Need for Roof Repairs
Requiring residential roof repair services in Bowling Green, OH is inevitable, but regular roof maintenance can help keep repairs (and their costs) at bay.
Maintenance Helps Detect Roof Damage Early On
It’s possible to keep your roof in optimal condition without breaking the bank. Roofing maintenance stops premature roof failure in its tracks and keeps roof repair costs in check, a win-win for homeowners who like to stay on top of all their home improvement tasks.
Your roof is exposed to numerous elements, from excessive heat to high winds and even thunderstorms, so it only makes sense to protect your roofing system as much as it protects you and your loved ones.
Roof Repair or Roof Replacement?
When your roof starts to show signs of deterioration, you have the option to either have it repaired or replaced. Below are the factors that can help dictate which service is ideal for your roof.
Roof Repairs
If you are under time constraints and you need to get your leaky roof sorted out before your in-laws visit in a couple of weeks, your roofing system can probably get by with a roof repair (at least until after you get the time). Roof repairs are also ideal for when a roof replacement service in Bowling Green, OH is not exactly part of your budget just yet. Roofing features such as flashing can also be fixed via roof repairs.
Roof Replacement
If the affected area makes up more than 30% of your roof, it’s time to seriously consider a roof replacement. Roofs that are nearing the end of their service life are better off replaced, as repairs might not be able to address the underlying issues that an aging roof has. Note that when deciding to re-roof over existing asphalt shingles, building codes dictate that you can’t have more than two layers of shingles on your roof. If you already have two shingle layers, tearing off the entire roof and installing a new one is the best course of action to take.
It’s also wise to replace your roof after a particularly devastating severe weather has hit even if your roof looks intact from the outside, you can never be too sure about what’s going on in the inner structure. For your safety, always remember to leave all the roof inspection to the professionals.
Roofing Systems: More Than an Investment
Your roofing system is your home’s first line of defense against the elements. Needless to say, keeping your roof well-maintained and intact is not just a home improvement task that you need to stay on top of, but a necessary part of safeguarding yourself and your family against health and security risks.