How Do I Know If I Need a New Roof?

Performing regular visual inspections of a roof to check for signs of damages is critical. Natural disasters such as tornadoes, earthquakes or fires are clear signs of roof damage, but more common signs may be stains or drips on ceilings, signs of wear and tear like cracked or missing shingles, rust spots, moss or lichen growth, discoloration or peeling paint under eaves.

Granules are included in asphalt shingles, and these granules break down with age. Granules in a house’s gutters could be a sign that the shingles are deteriorating and should be replaced.

If a ceiling has a spot of water damage, homeowners may be able to trace the leak’s source themselves if the home has an unfinished attic or pitched roof that’s safe to access. For simple leaks, solutions can be as simple as filling a crack with caulk, replacing a few shingles or installing flashing to move water away from the home. When leaks happen in a home that doesn’t have an unfinished attic or above-ceiling crawl space, it’s often easier to call in a pro to track down the source of the leak and what to do next.

Roof professionals may even say that if there are no signs of damage to the roof but it is above 20 years of age or is out of the warranty period and then the roof should be replaced. Removing and replacing a roof is one way of proactively but only a way of preventing major damage to the roof structure and other parts of the house in future.

Types of Roofs

Some types of roof work can be considered when it is about needs, cost, climate, and labor. Read on to see what option works for you.

Asphalt Shingles

As a roofing material, asphalt shingles are still the most common. According to the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association, four out of five homes in the U.S. have roofs made with asphalt shingles. This translates to low labor costs when hiring professional contractors due to their durability, inexpensive cost, and ease of installation. Asphalt shingles consist of fiberglass, asphalt, and ceramic granules. Lightweight, shingles come in many textures and colors, are waterproof, and provide moderate insulation.

Asphalt shingles also require zero maintenance and perform extremely well on extreme temperature climates where heavy wind, rain, and ice are common. There are many varieties and textures in the architectural style that allow homeowners to achieve almost any look they want at an economical price point. Asphalt shingles have an average lifespan of 20 years — it can be as low as 10 years in warm humid climates. Amateur D.I.Y.-ers can learn how to lay shingles themselves if the roof isn’t too steep.

Slate

Slate roofs are often encountered in the Northeast, where hundreds-of-year-old Gothic and Victorian-style houses are ubiquitous. It is available in dark grey, green and red. You have in Slate something virtually indestructible that can last up to 100 years populations with extreme weather. Slate roofs are typically a high-end choice among homeowners, because the material is costly and heavy.

Slate roofing jobs are not something common roofing professionals have the equipment for. Slate is generally best installed by specialized masons, the few professionals who know how to do it properly. DIYers, we do not recommend you cover a slate roofing install or repair.

Tiles

If you live in Florida and the Southwest, then tiles are a good choice of material as it can beat the heat effectively. They reflect heat and looks like Mediterranean or Spanish-seeming architecture. Tiles are a usefull and time-consuming business to set up, it is wise to use a professional. The two types of tiles used most often in U.S. homes are clay and concrete.

The traditional clay tile has a barrel configuration and is reddish-brown in color. Due to their durability but weight, before switching to clay tiles, the roof structure should be checked. Clay tiles have a lifetime that can reach 75 years, but a common concern is that they will chip or break under pressure.

Concrete tiles are durable, fireproof, insect-proof, and resistant to hail damage. While more expensive than asphalt shingles, concrete tiles can be made to resemble more expensive barrel-style clay tiles, slate roofs, or wood shakes — for less than half of the cost. Concrete tiles are heavy, and before transitioning to them, you should evaluate the roof structure.

Metal

Most metal roofs are composed of long strips, panels, or tiles. The most common there are steel, aluminum, copper, and alloy. They are ubiquitous across the U.S., in various climates. With a skilled roofer, metallic roofs are much longer lasting than asphalt shingles (up to 50 years, on average). They usually feature ridges or textured surfaces, providing more options for style. Additionally, factory paint finishes can also concern colors and combinations, improving the overall appearance of a home.

Metal roofs are durable, lightweight, rot-resistant, fireproof, and recyclable. They reflect sunlight, therefore they are a good option for homes with warm weather climate. But metal roofs can be slippery, especially in colder climates, where it snows often. Snow guards placed at the edges of a roof are advisable, to avoid sending heavy snow to the ground and injuring passersby.

If there are no worries about injuring passersby, the smooth surfacing of metal roofs can be a significant advantage when it comes to snow removal from roofs. So metal panels can be noisy when it rains or hails. That can make cheaper metal susceptible to denting, though textured surfaces can help hide the appearance of dents, and heavier grade metal shouldn’t dent at all.

Generally metal roofs are expected to last and function well for several automations to come, this get rid of the fear of corrosion, with a wrong installation of the roof, rusting of the metal roof can also be a problem and can only be avoided by a trained professional roofer.

Wood Shingles and Shakes

Wait, you said it was worth the extra cost? Well, wood shingles or shakes are premium materials offering a classic, natural appearance. They weather to a soft gray over time, lending a home a subtly rustic appearance. For amateur DIYers, wood shingles or shakes are a no-go. He added that it’s also crucial to check local codes to know whether wood shingles are permitted. In some parts of the U.S., wooden roofs are not permitted because of the risk of fire. When properly maintained, wood shingles or shakes can remain intact for up to 50 years.

Rubber Composite Shingles

An Alternative to Asphalt Shingles: Rubber Composite Shingles Made with a mix of plastic and recycled rubber, rubber shingles are quite eco-friendly. The Longo Shingle are almost like slate and wood shakes in one, which makes Longo Shingle a relatively low-cost material that looks really nice. Rubber shingles are strong, long-lasting, resistant to decay and insects, and can last up to 50 years.

Popular Roof Styles

Regardless if a homeowner has a gabled, hip, or flat roof style, asphalt shingles allow homeowners to get a refined look while being economically feasible. With 3-tab standard shingles, a homeowner can achieve some texture to an extent depending on the quantity, shape, and position of the strips.

Architectural shingles can also provide a depth layer that creates a roof appearance that looks tailored with non-repeating patterns. Interlocking shingles are attached to one another, which can enhance their wind resistance in an extreme climate. Most shingles also are offered in a range of colors. The possible designs are nearly limitless, depending on the homeowner’s desired look and the skill set of a hired contractor.

Note that the steeper the roof pitch, the more pronounced it will be from the ground. Talk to a professional roofer about which type of design would best fit into your home.

Roofing Shopping Tips

Homeowners need to compare the cost of the best roofing material and the most reliable contractor to install roofing. The shopping process starts with finding out what kind of material is wanted and searching for various suppliers. Work on getting the estimates and quotes from different manufacturer before shelling out your money. Most contractors will make recommendations, but beware that many contractors probably get sales commissions.

How to Estimate Cost

Manufacturers price roofing by the square (a square is 100 square feet). To estimate the cost, measure roof sections in feet, then multiply the length and width to find the area in square feet. If measuring multiple sections, add the areas together, and also add approximately 10% of the square footage to get the total area for the waste that could occur during installation. To find out how many material squares are likely needed, divide the total by 100.