Depending upon where you live, the building material you use, the type of plinth you have, and a lot more would change.
One of the most critical parts of your home or office building is the roof.
And, as such, where you’re staying or constructing the building would also affect the type of roof you get.
- In 2020, thousands of California residencies were destroyed or damaged by wildfires.
- Hurricane Zeta devastated many homes in Louisiana.
- Derecho windstorms ripped off roofs from thousands of homes in the Midwest.
What does all this mean?
The climatic conditions, the possible disasters, and the type of building material usually decide the durability of any structure.
Combined with the pandemic last year, the costs for roofing increased across the country.
Although other factors like labor shortage and production slowdowns also impacted the industry.
Reports suggest this increase in costs and shortage of labor would continue this year too.
Nonetheless, when you need a new roof, you can’t hold back forever.
So, what are your options?
This article has laid down some easy-to-follow tips that can help you get the right roof according to your region.
Keep reading to find out more.
Deciding The Material
The first thing you ought to be deciding on is the type of roof you want.
Generally speaking, asphalt shingles remain by far the most popular choice. Simply because they are economical and easy to install.
But there are other options too. For example, you can choose between metal or tile roofing. Or you can go for slate roofing.
Consider this; tile roofs are more prevalent in Southwest and Florida. People choose them as they reflect heat and match up with Mediterranean-style houses.
Likewise, slate roofing is more prevalent in the Northeast, where Gothic and Victorian-style houses from the 1800s can still be found.
On the contrary, metal roofing can be found all across the country.
It is also worth mentioning that all these roof types, except asphalt shingles, can usually last longer. For example, the average life span of a metal roof can easily last up to 50 years. More so, slate roofs can last up to 100 years, with proper upkeep.
However, in actuality, the performance of your roof would depend upon your roofer.
Warranty And Insurance
When shopping for your shingles, you may find it hard to digest that many manufacturers offer a lifetime warranty on their products. But, the reality is far away from this terminology.
In most cases, the manufacturers would ideally reimburse the actual value for up to 10 years. Beyond this point, they would usually consider the depreciated cost of the shingles.
It is, therefore, better to look for installers that can offer you insurance for the installation. Or if not, they should accept payments from insurers, at least.
Besides, there are other factors involved when you consider warranties.
For example, the roofer would consider the condition of your under-structure to validate the fault in shingles. However, as per a spokesperson from a michigan roofing company, your home’s ventilation also plays a crucial role in the life of your roof.
Given all those intricacies, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that warranties should be the least of your concern.
It is somewhat better going for roofing insurance than seeking better warranties.
Besides, the environmental conditions in your area would also decide the durability of your roof.
Other Considerations
Shopping for shingles isn’t only about the material and durability. There’s a lot more to it.
For example, you could be considering installing solar panels on your roof.
Well, congratulations first of all for choosing a sustainable energy source.
Being said that, in some cases, installing solar panels can void your roof warranty.
So, it is better to consider such factors as well when shopping for shingles. Of course, you can ask the manufacturer or your roofing contractor for any such clause.
Besides, you should also think of your building structure before choosing the type of roof.
For example, if you own a small timber house, it would be better to choose tiles or metal roofing. These materials are lighter as compared to asphalt shingles and do not burden your building structure unnecessarily.
Moreover, the design of your roof would also affect your choice of roofing. For example, you can double up the top layer with some materials, but not with all materials.
Finally, Finding A Roofer
Last but not least is finding the right roofer for the job.
As mentioned already, the skills of your roofer would affect the performance of our roof. This is one of the many reasons that you should find the best roofer for the job.
Apart from this, you should also consider your budget, their experience, and the area they serve.
Perhaps, you wouldn’t want to hire a roofer in Michigan when they serve Florida.
First of all, the roofer would deny serving you in a different area. And in cases if they do, the costs would be sky-high.
Another thing that you should consider when finding a roofing contractor is the types of roof they offer.
For most roofers, asphalt shingles are a staple. But, rarely do some roofers specialize in other types of roofing materials.
So, carefully enquire about the type of roofing material that your roofing contractor has to offer.
To Sum It Up…
Although there are several roofing types, you may consider several factors before finalizing on any.
From materials to design and your roofing contractor, everything affects your roof and its longevity.
But, most important of all is your location.
In some cases, you would need a more robust material that could withstand strong winds and heavy snowfall. In other cases, you may need to go for easy replacements in case of any damage.
The final decision is a balance between these factors and, of course, your budget.
After all, no matter what, you wouldn’t want to be burning a hole in your pocket to get the best roof over your head.
So, to sum it up, when choosing your roofing type, carefully assess where you’re staying, the purpose of your roof, and how much money you can spend on it.
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