– Replacing the roof of your home is a major undertaking. It is expensive, time-consuming, and can make you struggle with several important decisions, from shingle style to how the color will impact the appeal of your house. A roof is more than just something that sits on top of your house. It helps protect your home from the elements. Before you make decisions on potential roof replacement, make sure you can understand all the different components of the task.
– Here is a list of things to consider and learn about:
- Replacing a roof – there are definitely times when you can do roof repairs or partially reproof your house, but if the roof is old, has missing or damaged shingles in multiple areas, or has recurring problems, such as shingles coming off often, it may be time to think about replacing your roof. Your first step is to get the roof inspected by a reputable roofing company like Roofer Athens in order to find out if a roof replacement is required.
Source: Bartch Roofing
- Types of roofing materials – new roofing materials come on the market almost daily. If the last time you reroofed your house was 20 years ago, it is definitely time to take a look at what else is on the market today. Additionally, to some of the more common and traditional shingles (like asphalt, slate, and shakes), there are also metal roofs that give the appearance of other materials, and architectural shingles that are above traditional asphalt in terms of look ad performance. Newer materials are often more expensive than traditional ones, but they usually last longer and give a better appeal.
- Layering or Stripping – if you have asphalt shingles on your roof, you may have to choose how you proceed with the new ones. You can have up to two layers of asphalt shingles on your roof. Putting one layer on top of another is a good way to save money on installation costs. Keep in mind that you can only do this once. If you already have two layers, you will be taking them down no matter what, as the weight of a third layer is too much for any roof to handle.
- It is going to be loud – when replacing a roof, keep in mind that it is most certainly going to be loud. The scraping and stripping off the old shingles and the hammering and installation of the new ones are going to cause a lot of noise. If you, your family or pets are sensitive to noise, you might need to find a place to be. The amount of shingles needed to cover a roof also takes up a lot of room. Make sure your car is out of the garage or driveway before the shingles are unloaded if you plan on going somewhere for the day of installation.
Source: Swords Roofing
- Proper installation – before you let the workers up onto your roof, you should be able to understand what the whole process is going to look like. Make sure you find out about the stripping and layering, whether or not there will be a height difference, and that they will take care of trimming appropriate areas. Roofers should let you know exactly what they are planning to do, but it never hurts to ask extra questions.
- Get a contract – before you even allow workers to work on your roof, make sure that you have a contract where everything will be listed. You should see the type of shingles and the appropriate color choice, the area or areas being worked on, etc. Also, make sure that you can trust your contractor.
Conclusion
– Replacing a roof is quite a major investment, so do not leave anything up to chance. Stay as informed as you can and carefully decide on the choices you have to make. In the end, your new roof will last you at least 20-30 years, so make sure that you and your family will be happy with the end results.
