The roof of your home plays two roles. It protects everything in the house from direct sunlight and the elements, and it is a point of reference when considering the aesthetics of the building. As such, it is good to invest in an attractive roof. However, you should take the time to consider the following 11 things when planning a roofing do-over for your home.The roof of your home plays to roles. It protects everything in the house from direct sunlight and the elements, and it is a point of references when considering the aesthetics of the building. As such, it is good to invest in a good looking roof. However, you should take the time to consider the following 11 things when planning a roofing do-over for your home.
1. Look And Style Of Roof
The look you want to achieve with the roofing should be based on a particular roofing style. Considering the roof takes up 40% of a home’s exterior aesthetics, it makes sense to want it to exude and exquisite look.
2. Sneak A Peek
Pick a place with a good vantage point from where you will inspect your roof using binoculars. Look for cracks as well as curling or missing shingles. Check for spots without a granular covering if you have a roof done with asphalt shingles. After that, you can inspect your roof from inside the house. Go to your attic and use a flashlight to check for any signs of leakage, look for water stains
3. Take A Picture
Do a photo of your home and the roof capture different angles of the roofing so that you can do different renderings of it using different materials.
4. Ask The Right Questions
Be informed about all aspects that concern the roofing project. The best source for the information you need would be an experienced roofing contractor. Approach a contractor who has a business license, a known location of the company, and known phone number. In addition to these efforts, ensure the contractor has a compensation plan for the workers to avoid being liable for any accidents or damages.
5. Know The Code
Check with the local municipal building department to know if your roof qualifies for a do-over and how many times it can get such a replacement using the same materials. In some communities, roofing materials can be layered over each other twice; any additional layer will require the existing ones to be torn off to make room for the new roofing.
6. Get Hip To The Square
How much shingles you need to cover your entire roof is determined by house many you will need to cover 100 square feet.
7. Get It In Writing
Never allow the roofing contractor to start the project without coming up with a detailed proposal of what the job entails. The proposal should state the suitable roofing style, roofing materials to be used, the color, textures, and other relevant details include the scope of the work at hand. All these information should be done in writing and signed.
8. Vent A Little
Ventilation is necessary for the roof; it helps in stretching the roof’s life hence the need for an attic. The ventilation requirements differ from state to state but have standardized requirements of a minimum of a square foot of free ventilation area for every 150 square feet of the attic floor; this is as set by the National Roofing Contractors Association.
9. Top It Off With The Usual
On average, four out of five homes in the United States are done with asphalt shingles; this is according to stats from the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association. The asphalt products are made in of fiberglass or organic materials and come in an array of styles, visual textures, and colors. The fiberglass shingles are, as the name suggests, made of glass fibers. The organic shingles are made from cellulose fibers such as recycled wood or waste paper. Of the two types of shingles, fiberglass shingles are more prone to breakage than organic shingles, especially during the cold months. However, the fiberglass shingles have superior moisture and fire resistance.
10. Consider Alternatives
Redwood and cedar roofing may be an attraction roofing option, but concerns of first safety make it a less favorable choice for most homeowners. Checking the local codes for such roofing materials will ensure that you get the best of timber shingles that are made with excellent fire resistance. Synthetic and metal shingles that have a woody look can also be a suitable alternative that can also mimic tile and slate roofs. Clay tiles, as well as those, made from concrete offer a mission style or southwestern roofing style. Consider the roofing materials to use and ensure your home can bear the weight of the roofing.
11. Consider The Annual Roofing Costs
The roof is a valuable investment for your home, and you should give the annual cost of roofing some lengthy thought. Divide the overall costs of the materials and labor by the life expectancy of the roofing materials to see if it is a worth choice.
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