We can count more than three major repair projects you can carry out in your home. But among all these major projects, replacing your home’s roofing is perhaps the most important.
You may not understand how important this repair is until your roof fails and inside your home gets damaged. Your attic insulation you just had installed, your remodeled kitchen, the TV you just got in your family room, all destroyed because you did not realize just how important it was to get your roof replaced.
So, this is one repair that should not be taken for granted or lightly, else the other repairs you prioritized over it may as well get destroyed when it fails. If you notice that your roofing is close to its end, do not delay even by a week. You have to do the needful and get it changed.
Below we will be discussing some of the basic things you need to know when getting the roofing in your home replaced.
Roofing Materials
Roofs are made with several types of materials ranging from wood shingles to cement or clay, slate, asphalt roll, and so on. You can visit https://www.yourownarchitect.com/ to find out more roof materials.
The material you choose typically will be based on your taste; your locality may play a role in your choice as well. For instance, metal roofs may be more popular in some areas because of their resistance to fire. While some areas tilt towards a particular architectural style that specific roofing is required for.
The pitch angle of your roof can also influence the material needed. For instance, if your roof is pitched more steeper, you can make use of wood shakes. But if the pitch is lower, this material will not exactly be suitable.
Some popular choices for homes include:
1. Shingles or Wood Shakes
These are not cheap, but they make up for their cost with how attractive they are. Their durability is also great. However, if your area is prone to fire hazards, they would not be a great choice.
2. Asphalt Shingles
These can be easily obtained and are also cost-efficient. However, they are not as attractive as other options because their appearance is flat. Yet, they are the most popular choice.
3. Slate
This is among the most attractive options on the list, but it is quite pricey and heavy. Also, if damaged, repairing it can be difficult because of how slippery it is when walked on.
4. Ceramic or Clay Tile
For a long time, this roofing option dominated Florida and Southern California. While they are still common, they are gradually being replaced by composite and metal materials.
5. Composite Slate
These are synthetic tiles that are made with recycled materials like rubber. Composite slates are becoming more popular by the day, and they look like stone tiles and slate. Despite this similarity in resemblance, they are not as prone to damage as stone tiles and are also lighter.
6. Metal Roofing
These are made of either aluminum or steel and have recently gained a lot of popularity. Their popularity is majorly due to them being fireproof and very durable.
They are also very expensive and have to be installed by specialty contractors. However, ultimately, they will save you more money because of their durability. There are several types of this option like raised-seam panels, as well as some that look like composite shingles.
You can click here if you will like to find out 12 interesting facts about this roofing option.
Should You Tear Off the Old Roofing or Have a Second Layer?
Before, it used to be a common practice to place the replacement roof on the old roof. Sometimes, this can even be done twice, making the roofing three-layered. But now, this is not allowed in certain jurisdictions. In places like these, you have to tear off the old roofing before the new one can be installed.
Even if you are in a state where getting another layer is still allowed, you need to properly consider it before you make your choice. Some things that may influence your choice include:
1. Weight
This is perhaps the biggest argument against layering roofs. The argument is that when the roof is layered, it may become heavier for your roof’s framing.
2. Telegraphing
Another issue with layering is that the surface issues that your current roofing has will be repeated with the replacement. Sometimes, the reason you even need a replacement is that you have waves, bumps, and bubbles that need to be remedied.
When the replacement is placed on the old one, you may simply end up with a new yet unattractive roof.
If you want to layer your roof despite this condition, you can mitigate the issues that would be eventually encountered by going over your current roof and correcting the problems you find.
3. Waste and Work Reduction
Layering cuts down the work done and wastes. When the old roof has to be removed before the new one is installed, the work would be more than that of just layering.
However, this should not be an issue if professionals are handling the project. For instance, if you live in Oregon, you simply need to get a professional Oregon City roofer and you won’t even need to bother yourself with the waste as they can dispose of your old roof if you want them to.
Cost
The amount you will spend for the roofing replacement project typically will be based on several factors. Some of these factors are the roofing materials chosen, the roofer (prices typically vary from one roofer to the other), and your roof’s square footage.
So, the best way to get an estimate of how much you will spend on this project is to get quotes from a couple of roofing contractors.
Conclusion
Replacing your roof once you notice it needs to be replaced is the only way you can prevent the damages a failed roof can cause. One major thing that you have to consider before you even embark on this project is the kind of material that you prefer. You also need to figure out if you will prefer having the old roof removed or have the new one layered on it. Finally, consider the cost and find out what your budget can cover before you proceed.