No homeowner wants to hear those words, “You will need to replace the roof”; it’s a gut wrenching comment that causes your wallet to shrink and your head to spin. But let’s face it, if you own a home; most likely in your lifetime, you will need a roof replacement. If you live in certain geographical areas of the United States that are prone to severe weather, you may even need two or three roof replacements in your lifetime. Thankfully, many homeowner insurance policies offer roof replacement for their policy holders, however, others do not. So always check to be sure, it never hurts to place a phone call or read over your policy terms.
Regardless, if the roof replacement is coming out of your pocket directly or indirectly; you will need to do your homework on choosing the most durable and astatically pleasing choice. Homeowner’s generally base their buying choices on emotion and that usually leads to purchases made quickly and without too much thought; this should never be the case when it comes to roof replacement. This expenditure as a homeowner will most likely be the largest you will incur. In general, a roof replacement can run you thousands of dollars.
Most roofing materials are now manufactured with long-term efficiency and most manufacturers do offer manufacturing warranties on their products. Even the less expensive asphalt shingle has a lifetime of fifteen to thirty years. But manufacturing warranties do not cover workmanship and finding a company to do roof replacement accurately and proficiently is important. Therefore, you will need to find a roof replacement company that offers some type of written warranty on workmanship and materials.
When choosing the material for your roof replacement, consider two or three characteristics; first, your geographical area and weather conditions; second, the lifetime of the material when installed correctly; and third, the style and look of the material. Just because it’s pretty and expensive, doesn’t mean it’s the best choice for you.
Asphalt shingles range in price from $1 to $4 per square foot depending upon style and color choice. The more popular three-dimensional asphalt shingle offers the homeowner a more pleasing look, as well as, a longer lifespan when compared to standard asphalt shingles. They do tend to cost more, but overall, they are a very economical choice.
Tile and slate roofs are very aesthetically pleasing to the eye. They are also very durable and offer roof life expectancy of up to 100 years. However, they are expensive and often require some type of structural support because of their weight. As well, if this roof is not installed correctly, leaking may occur; often times finding the leaks on tile roofs are hard to do. Therefore, make sure your installer is licensed and knows how to appropriately install slate, clay, concrete, or rubber roofing tiles.
Another popular choice in roof replacement is metal. Generally speaking a good metal roof will last a homeowner approximately forty to fifty years. If you choose to use copper, you can expect a 100 year life expectancy on the roofing. Metal roofs are often costly, ranging from $3 to $10 per square foot, depending upon the type of metal you choose. As well, metal roofing offers the homeowner a problem free solution in the long-run. There is little maintenance and that means no cost. Today’s manufacturer’s of metal roofs use special additives in their paint treatments and special coatings to prevent denting and fading.
Roof replacement can be a costly headache, but look at the bright side; you’re given the chance to upgrade your home to the newest and best products available. A beautiful roof replacement can add value and overall appeal to any home.