Roofing renovations are more than just choosing the color roof you want and getting started. And it certainly isn’t as fun as renovating the bathroom or kitchen, but it is one of the most important decisions you can make. A roof renovation can be the difference between water damage and a safe home. That leaves a lot of questions.
How do you know when you need a roof renovation? Where do you start? And what do you need to know before beginning? We’re going to answer all those questions and more.
When To Renovate A Roof
With routine maintenance and inspections, a roof can last between 20-50 years (or longer, depending on the materials). Yet, unforeseen events, such as severe weather, could mean that you need to suddenly repair or replace your roof sooner than expected. When a roof has been on your home for more than 20 years, call in a roofer to assess the health of the roof. They will be able to provide you with an accurate report of the condition and make recommendations about what to do next. Alternatively, you can check the roof yourself.
If you find any of these things, you may need to get your roof renovated:
- There are missing shingles or other materials from the roof
- Debris from the roof is clogging the gutters or found around your house after a storm
- There are stains on the ceiling and walls in your house
- Your home struggles to maintain temperature. It’s either too cold in the winter or too hot in the summer
You may find other visual signs of damage. In this case, schedule a consultation with a roofing company as soon as you can, because you’re going to need repairs before the condition worsens.
Materials
Before your roofing renovation, make sure you’ve decided on and have purchased the proper materials. These days, your options for roofing are plentiful
/l. You can add technology, like solar panels, or choose more sustainable materials. Ultimately, the cost and style of your roof is going to dictate what kinds of materials you can use, but it’s always nice to be aware of your options.
Here are some of the most popular residential roofing types right now:
- Asphalt shingles: the most common and also least expensive roofing material. You can choose between 3-tab shingles and architectural asphalt shingles. The latter is stronger, thicker, and provides incredible protection against the elements. If you live in an area that experiences a lot of hail, you might like impact-resistant shingles. Most asphalt shingles survive 20-30 years.
- Metal: growing increasingly popular for its durability and aesthetic, metal is slightly more expensive than asphalt but provides wonderful protection from poor weather conditions, especially snow and ice. Under normal circumstances, metal roofing can last up to 60 years.
- Cedar shingles and shakes: durable, energy-efficient, and fire-resistant, cedar shingles and shakes are great for curbside appeal. The downside to cedar is that you need to maintain it regularly. It’s also rather expensive. However, with proper maintenance, cedar shingles last 30-50 years.
- Clay or concrete tile: want natural insulation, minimal maintenance requirements, and aesthetics? Clay or concrete tiles are wonderful. Yet, only certain roof types can tolerate this material.
- Slate: a natural and classic roofing material that provides excellent insulation, fireproofing, and waterproofing. Slate can last for a hundred years or more. Since it’s so heavy, your roof might need added support installed.
Noise And Debris
Another thing you need to account for is the disturbance. There’s no way to make a roofing project less of a mess, and you can’t really muffle the sound. You might want to make plans to leave for the day or to relocate family members, such as children or pets, who are sensitive to sound.
Additionally, some debris might fall in the attic. If you’re using the space, it’s important that you move any fragile items from the space for the time being.
Building Permits And Compliance
As with any major home improvement project, roofing renovations often require a permit. Check with your local municipality to see if a permit is needed and when you need to put in the paperwork.
Secondly, look at the local building codes. There are some communities that have requirements for the kind of materials you use. For instance, some places only allow asphalt shingles or two layers of roofing on your home at a time.
Finding A Roofing Contractor
Roof renovation is a major investment of time and money, so you can’t choose a roofing contractor haphazardly. Beyond the cost of the project, there are several factors that will influence your decision to hire one roofing company over the others.
Here are some ways to find a local roofer or roofing company:
- Go online and search for a roofing company near me on Google or Google Maps
- Get references from family, friends, and coworkers
- Look on sites like Angi (formerly Angie’s List) and Better Business Bureau
- Check a list of licensed contractors in your area on the National Association of the Remodeling Industry website
- Visit the home improvement store and ask if they have any recommendations
These methods help you find a reliable roofer because, hopefully, your friends and family aren’t going to hire someone who does a bad job. Secondly, you can quickly search for reviews and testimonials, social media, and other evidence of the company and their work online. With that, you can come up with a list of contractors you’d like to call and get quotes from.
Do a little extra research before hiring a contractor to make sure you know how much the project will cost. If the roofer gives you a quote that is too high or too low, they might not be the most trustworthy.
Duration Of The Job
You might contemplate doing any roofing renovations yourself, but know this: while professionals are an added cost, they do the job correctly and in the shortest amount of time. Plus, the warranty on the roofing materials is protected when you use a certified roofing company. This diminishes the risks while getting your roof renovated faster.
In fact, most professional roofers can finish a roof renovation in just a few days. The exact duration of the job is influenced by the roof size and shape, weather, and the number of people on the job, so be sure to discuss the time frame with the contractor before starting the project.
Get Your Roof Renovated By RGB Construction
Now that you know what to keep in mind before getting a roof renovation, it’s time to start checking off boxes on the to-do list. First and foremost, find yourself a reliable roofing contractor, like RGB Construction. We’ll walk you through the entire roofing renovation process and assist with picking out the proper materials. With a number of manufacturer certifications and years of experience, we guarantee a job well done. Don’t leave your roof to chance. Give us a call today.
