Replacing a roof shouldn’t be super complicated. The truth is it can become a very stressful experience-especially if your roof is in the wrong hands. There are a series of decisions to make within the process that can play a huge role in the outcome of your roof replacement.
If you know what to expect and what to look for when shopping around it can save you the hairs on your head and hours of sleepless nights. The following are a few helpful hints and interesting facts to help you along the way to a successful roof replacement.
1. Educate yourself on the process of roof replacement
Knowledge is power. You can’t argue that knowing more about something is going to hurt you when it comes to making large investments. A roof is considered a major home improvement and is an eventuality for every homeowner with a shingle roof.
It’s important to understand the general process of what it takes to replace a roof. It’s not like changing a light bulb. If you’re due for an entire roof replacement, you’re in for a day or two of some major construction at your home.
· A roof is not just about the shingles
The roof over your head is an entire system that needs to be effective at keeping the elements out of your home. This means that not only do the shingles need to be installed correctly as a shield to rain snow and ice, but there is also the drainage system and ventilation of your home to consider.
When you understand what makes a roof perform well against the elements and last the full life of its warranty, you can make better decisions on who builds it and with what materials they use.
· No surprises work well with big investments
When you know what to expect during the process you’re much more comfortable with what’s happening because you understand why. When you invest a lot of money into your home, you don’t want to be caught off guard wondering why things are happening.
For example, there will most likely be a large dumpster that’s parked somewhere on your property or on the street. You need to prepare your home by creating space and making parking arrangements for the time the dumpster is being filled with old shingles and construction debris.
If the weather takes a turn for the worse, don’t be surprised if your roofers don’t show up. It can get dangerous for a company to attempt installing shingles when it is raining, icy or too cold out there.
Small things that set your mind at ease make for easy planning and a stress-free process when you know what to expect.
2. Learn about the different types of shingles
How do you know what type of roof you’re installing if you’ve never read about the different types of shingles? Homeowners require a shingle that is appropriate for the climate that is characteristic of their region.
· Choose a shingle that’s popular in your region
If you’re roofing in Oshawa Ontario, Canada it’s an easy decision. The climate is generally 8 months of colder weather with 4 months of a summer season. Asphalt shingles are the most popular option with metal roofs becoming fairly popular.
Fibreglass asphalt shingles are a popular choice because they are cost-effective and provide excellent insulation throughout extreme swings in temperature.
Metal roofs are gaining more popularity because of their ability to perform in the same climate but also because they last so long. Compared to the 15-20 years of most asphalt shingles, metal roofs can last up to 50 years.
· Warmer climates
In the same respect, if you live in a warmer climate where the sun is always shining, asphalt shingles would perform horribly. A clay tile shingle or cedar shake are better choices for homes that are constantly exposed to the sun’s powerful UV rays.
Knowing which shingles perform well in the different types of climate gives you more options to choose from.
3. Research shingle manufacturers
Many people fall victim to companies that offer low prices for a roof replacement because they don’t realize the brand that’s being used is absolute crap. Unfortunately, there are a lot of shingle manufacturers that exist (and do very well) by making a low-quality product that doesn’t last very long.
You can expect an asphalt shingle roof to last 15 years at the very least. With the lower quality brands, people require maintenance or even an entire roof replacement after five years.
· Read the reviews
Before agreeing to a roofing contract, you need to research the brand of the shingle the contractor is installing. Due to the nature of the roofing industry, there are thousands of reviews out there on roofing companies and manufacturers. Make sure whatever review your reading is objective and RECENT.
· Old reviews may not be accurate
If you’re reading reviews that are 5 years old or more, you may be getting inaccurate information. What you need to know is that shingle technology has changed dramatically over the last 10 years. One of the biggest major changes was the discontinuation of organic shingles by major roofing brands.
The reason this is important is that the organic shingle stirred up so many complaints that there were thousands of lawsuits against the companies producing them. Since 2011, no reputable company manufactures this type of shingle, however, the effects of the organic shingle echoed on for quite some time.
Roofs that were installed in 2011 or shortly thereafter may have been installed with organic shingles. If that were the case, five years later or so, the complaints started pouring in. IKO is still settling lawsuits over faulty shingle claims.
To get an accurate picture of the quality of shingles you’re getting from the manufacturer, make sure you’re reading reviews on the product that’s being proposed for your home.
4. Get a roofing contractor referral from a trusted source
Installation is everything, If your installer isn’t experienced or cuts corners, you can be sure you’re going to regret going with them to save a few hundred bucks. The damage that can occur as a result of a botched roof replacement can spiral into the thousands-if not cost you the same as a new roof replacement.
Get a referral from people that are happy with their roofers. The best referrals come from people who have great work to show you. If they have a great-looking roof that lasted throughout the years with no problems, you can trust their contractor to do a similar job.
Take the necessary steps to hire the right roofer and get a referral from a trusted source.
Make the best decision that’s right for you
A new roof is an important investment that you’ll need to make at some point in your life as a homeowner. Take the steps necessary to ensure that you make informed decisions throughout the process. The time you spend on improving your roofing IQ is well worth the dividends it pays back.
Article Submitted By Community Writer
