frequently asked questions

Sometimes it can be easy to notice that you should replace your roof, while at times, it can be subtle. However, if your roof has lasted for fifteen to twenty-five years, you'll probably have to replace it. Here are a few signs that prove that you should replace your roofing.

The Shingles Are Curling

Shingles can curl in two ways. It can cup when the edges turn upwards and claw when the edges stay flat, and the middle starts coming up. Both are signs that indicate that there is a problem. So, depending on the extent of the curling, it would need a year to five years before you replace the roof.

You Can See Sunlight from the Attic

Seeing the sunlight from the attic isn't a good thing. If light can get into your house through the roof, so can cold air, rain, and snow. As you're looking for a light, look out for water stains as well. Apart from that, if you can find water after a few rainfalls, it means that your roof has deteriorated over time and needs to be replaced. 

Your Roof Appears Droopy and Saggy

A sagging and droopy roof prove that you should replace it before it brings further damage to your entire house. Check the roof surface for any sagging spot, trapped moisture, and rotting boards to determine the extent of damages on your roof.

There's Algae Growth on The Shingles

The bacteria in algae usually eat through shingles, especially if they are low-cost limestone options. If your roof is full of algae, you'll probably need to replace it sooner than you expected.

If you're planning to sell your house, finding someone to bid on your home can be challenging. Even when you're lucky enough to have a buyer, there are chances that the bidding will be lower than your expectations.

Remember, most house buyers are usually on a budget and wouldn't want to spend money on major repairs after buying a house. Therefore, deciding to replace your roof before you sell it can help you find a suitable buyer while still recouping your expenses after selling it.

As a rule of the thumb, 25-30 years' benchmark works in roof replacement. However, several factors can affect the longevity of a roof, including:

• The local weather
• Age of the roofing material
• The frequency of yearly maintenance and care
• The quality of the roofing materials used
• The upkeep with minor repairs
• The measures that you keep pests and rodents away
• The building and design for your roofing

Based on these factors, it's hard to determine the exact timeline that you need to replace your roof. However, the following is a general recommendation of the timelines that's most suitable to replace your roof based on the material used:

• 12-20 years for composite shingles
• 15-30 years for asphalt shingles
• 2-25 years for wood shingles
• 30-35 years for rubber roofs
• 50-75 years for metal roofs

Countless things can affect the cost of replacing your roof.  Items like the shingles, ventilation, flashing, labor, and nails might inflate your replacement cost. However, the average cost to replace a roof is between $5,100 and $10,000. Even so, it can be as low as $1,200 and as high as $30,000.

Most roofing companies would charge between $3.50 to $5 per square foot. Nevertheless, the price might change depending on factors like the square footage, material, and the extent of the damage.

Be careful when choosing a roof that falls on the lower end of the spectrum. This can easily get you a roof with lower quality materials and low quality work, resulting in needing your roof replaced sooner. Communicate with your roofing company before you decide on your replacement to consider all these factors.

Replacing your roof can be expensive, but it can save the money that you spend down the road. It will help you save money both on your energy expenses and repair other items in your home. An energy-efficient roof keeps your home comfortably cool in the summer and comfortably warm in the winter. Some of the factors that can help you save your energy expenses by replacing your new roof include the following:

The Flexibility of Choosing an Energy-Efficient Roofing Material

While replacing your roof, you have the opportunity to choose the best energy-efficient material that offers a high level of solar reflectance. A solar reflectance material can reflect energy from the sun into the environment, and it will not be absorbed into your home. Some of the roofing materials with this property include concrete, asphalt, metal, and tile. You can also use photovoltaic cell roofing that will help you save your energy bill by creating electricity through sunlight.

Adding Insulation to Your Roofing

You can add efficiency to your roof by revamping its insulation property. The insulation capacity of roofing material is measured with its R-value. Therefore, if you live in cold climates, you will benefit from choosing a material with a higher R-value since it will help trap heat inside your home and lower your energy bills.

You Can Revamp Your Ventilation

Improving your attic insulation might seem counterproductive, but adding vents plays a vital role in the health of your roof by admitting fresh air from outside. An attic can become extremely hot during summer without some ventilation. Excessive attic heat can warp your roof decking and shorten the lifetime of the singles. It can also pass through your insulation to the rest of your house, forcing your air-conditioning system to work harder.

However, adding vents will draw fresh air into the attic when you place them at the lowest point of your roof. When you pair the exhaust vents, which are usually positioned higher on the roof, a natural airflow circulation process will occur.

If you are handy and have some roofing knowledge, then you can continue to replace your roof. However, if you are new to this task, you should consider hiring a professional roofing contractor. Tearing down your old roof is about sweat and muscles. But, applying a new roof requires more skills and needs to be completed as soon as possible before it becomes vulnerable to some element. Apart from this, the danger of being on a roof for the first time can prove to be a task that you shouldn't undertake if you are inexperienced.

Replacing your roof is one of the greatest investments that you can make as a homeowner. If you're looking at the financial aspect, a new roof can achieve as much as 100% return on investment (ROI). It also offers protection for your loved ones.

If you want to replace your roof, it's best to familiarize yourself with the benefits of re-roofing and what you can expect from the replacement. The more you understand this, the easier it will be to decide on the best roof and the right company for the job. Some of the benefits that come with roof replacement are as follows:

• Allows greater energy efficiency
• Guarantees a return on your investments
• Offers a healthier home
• Guarantees safety to your family
• Guarantees peace of mind

You've probably stayed for long without replacing your roof, and you've probably been using the existing roofing materials while repairing it. However, if you have decided to replace it, you can explore the available materials to determine which matches your needs, style, and budget. Some of the materials that you can consider are as follows:

Composite Shingles

Composite shingles are usually widely preferred. They compromise shingles with a backing of cellulose or fiberglass, mineral granules, and asphalt. Even so, they are generally costlier than other roofing materials.

Metallic Roofing Shingles

Metallic roofing shingles are sold in different materials like aluminum, steel, and copper. They are also sold in forms like tiles and sheeting. Most of the metallic roofing shingles are smooth, but homeowners can buy a stone-coated steel roof with an asphalt roofing texture that’s durable and long-lasting.

Wooden Shingles

Wooden shingles can be made of materials like pine, redwood, western cedar, and pine. They guarantee a beautiful appearance, especially on houses with steep-pitched roofs. Nonetheless, it can be susceptible to pests and fire. Even so, wooden roofs can be made fire retardant,  although they aren’t natural fireproof. However, this property deteriorates over time.

Slate Roofing

Roofing slates are made from real stones and are also durable. They come in different shades, allowing you to choose one that suits your style and design. Slate roofing is heavy. So, you must use roofing frames that can support them.

Concrete or Clay Roofing Tiles

Tiles roofing is commonly made from concrete and clay. They are widely preferred due to their longevity, although they can be extremely heavy and unsuitable for most homes. You must ensure that the roofing framework can withstand the heavyweight of the concrete or clay roofing tiles.

Replacing your roof doesn't automatically guarantee that your roof will last longer. You should employ several measures to ensure that it lasts as long as possible. Some of the steps that you can take are as follows:

• Cleaning the gutters
• Removing leaves
• Removing moss
• Trimming overhang branches
• Preventing ice dams
• Checking on the roof frequently

When it's time to replace your roof, your preferred time of the year might not be the best. Ideally, fall is the best time of the year to replace your roof. At this time, the cooler temperatures allow roofers to work without being overheated and make installation easier.

However, you can replace your roof in the springs if you don't expect to have any problems with the roof during winter when the snow piles up and freezes. Spring isn't busier than summer and fall. So, you'll probably buy all the required materials at an affordable price and narrow it down to a contractor who matches your requirements.

Consequently, the early summer times can be a great time to replace your roof. However, you shouldn't consider mid-summer since the temperature is always the highest and might be unfavorable. Replacing your roof in the middle of summer will expose roofers to high heat. This can be unpleasant to roofers and affect the material used. If you prefer to replace your roof with shingles, the high summer heat will weaken the asphalt making it less durable in the long run.

Early fall and late summer are the busiest times for roofing companies, making them inflate their prices. They know that winter is approaching fast, and most homeowners want to replace their roofs, making it their crunch time. Therefore, when replacing your roof most affordably, contact your contractor before these times of the year.

Do not consider replacing your roof during winter for obvious reasons. Apart from the ice and snow, cold temperatures could make the roofing materials harden and brittle. Shingles can also crack during their installation, and roofers cannot apply the sealant as effectively as it would in high temperatures.