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A roof is one of the most essential aspects of your home to get right as it is a part of the exterior appeal and a solid roofing solution protects your home from water leaks, water damage, mold and a multitude of other issues. If your roof seems to have lived its natural life and is in need of a serious remodel, here are some tips to have a successful roofing project.
The Best Contractor You Can Find
Much rests on the shoulders of a roofing contractor when a roof installation or remodel is concerned. Consult the yellow pages and online forums in your area to find the best contractor you can afford and discuss your roofing options with him/her. Different roofing materials are more practical or indeed aesthetic for different climatic conditions and it is always better to prioritize practicality and durability of the roofing material before considering how aesthetically pleasing it is.
A good contractor should be skilled, properly licensed, experienced and an expert in the roofing style you want to emulate. Good communication skills and an amiable personality are always a plus so they can discuss options with you and give you honest feedback about pricing and resilience of materials. For the roof you want someone you can trust who has the skill to execute your vision.
To make matters run smoothly, ensure you get the cost breakdown in writing as all remodel projects have a set budget. Worker costs, material costs, extraneous charges and so forth may all add up in the cost and you do not want any surprise costs surfacing after your roofing project has concluded.
Are You Insured?
Accidents during roofing projects are rare but not unheard of. Make sure your contractor has proper employer’s liability insurance for his/her employees in case there is any mishap. Damage to materials should also ideally be covered in this so you do not incur extra costs when you are remodelling your roof with better, more expensive roofing materials. Hiring an experienced contractor is ideal since their sub-contractors will also similarly be experienced and therefore less prone to dangerous mistakes.
The All-Important Roofing Material
When you are renovating your roof, the roofing material you are installing makes all the difference as far as visual appeal and longevity. Learn from the mistakes you or a previous owner may have made regarding the roofing material and choose better materials as countless innovations have been made even in cost-effective materials like rubber shingles. The main roofing types are listed below and they all work in varying circumstances such as budget, climate, type of house and aesthetic appeal.
Asphalt is probably the most popular roofing material due to its longevity and low cost. It is widely preferred in residential properties also partly since it is easy to install. Asphalt shingles can be plain or 3-dimensional depending on how much a homeowner wants to spend on a roof remodel but they work well in most climates and are a fool-proof choice for someone who may not have all the knowledge about roofing options. Asphalt roofs can be good to go for up to 30 years or more but in extreme weather conditions when their granules start eroding, they do require a replacement.
Sustainable solar tiles are the newest eco-friendly roofing option that looks very high-tech and futuristic and also works to lessen your electric bills. While the cost is relatively steep, the roof repays the investment in future energy bills and most homeowners that opt for solar tiles are looking at the long-term benefits of such an installation. If you are remodelling your home to reduce your carbon footprint and go green then there is nothing better than solar tiles although for obvious reasons they do come with a maintenance cost and less resilience to the elements.
Slate is a more natural and aesthetic choice although since it is a type of stone it does have quite a bit of weight which can weaken the structure if the latter was not built to support it. Only choose slate for your roof remodel if you have reinforcing pillars or other structural elements to offset the weight of the tiles.
For many new-age architectural styles, metal roofing is incredibly trendy whether it is the installation of metal shingles or full metal sheets. Copper shingles are a pricey but stunning option for homeowners that prefer metal roofing materials as metal can last even longer than 5 decades with minimal maintenance costs.
Clay and terracotta tiles are an age old favourite due to their familiar, vintage look and also because they last a long time and cost relatively less to install. Clay tiles come in a multitude of colors and can be painted to match any exterior color scheme. Clay works great for humid or coastal areas or where there is a lot of rain as they absorb moisture well and limit the chances of water damage in the home. If a shingle breaks, it costs little to replace it in the same style. Just make sure no one is climbing on the roof a lot as they can be fragile!
Concrete roofing is right up there with metal roofing in terms of longevity and durability and just about any roofer will recommend it. Concrete roofs are widely preferred for commercial buildings but they are becoming popular for more home remodels as well.
While there are many more roofing options available, you need to balance many factors in order to arrive at the right material choice for your home. Be sure to educate yourself about local regulations and laws regarding permitted roofing materials or consult your contractor if in doubt so you do not face legal problems as you complete your remodel. Being very sure of the exterior look you are trying to achieve in your roof remodel and adequate research about the best materials for each climate will lead to a great outcome.
