TIPs for Choosing Your New Asphalt Roof
By Mike Holmes Jr.
Thursday, June 13th, 2019 @ 11:31am
Taking care of your roof is a very important part of your home maintenance. As a key component of your building envelope, a roof is a system that needs to work together-that includes the underlayment, the flashing and the sheathing and of course the shingles. I always recommend protecting your home from the outside in, and your roof is a big part of that defence system
Think About Curb Appeal: Buying Or Selling Your Home
Your roof can impact the curb appeal of your home, whether you are selling or staying put. When it comes to a house, if the outside looks bad you can guess that the inside probably won’t be any better. The outside can usually tell you how much maintenance was put into the home overall.
A good roofer will fix flashings and soffits and replace missing or sagging shingles—and let you know if your chimney needs repairs. These aren’t expensive fixes, but if your home needs them and you go without, they can scare away buyers.
Don’t just think about landscaping and putting nice outdoor lights out to entice buyers. Your roof is a big part of your curb appeal so pay attention to an asphalt shingle roof that has shingles that are curling, have black streaks running down it, or worse, water leaks. If you have determined that it’s time to replace your existing roof, research your options.
TIP# 1 Research Your Shingle Options
Your roof’s first layer of protection is the shingles. During a rain or windstorm, the shingles are likely to get damaged first. Obviously, your roof protects your home year-round, but in the fall and winter any weak spots in your roof will really be tested. That’s why it is so important to have your roof inspected by a professional on a regular basis.
There are plenty of shingle choices out there. Asphalt shingles are the most common type of shingles.
The upfront costs of a metal roof are higher than an asphalt roof, but metal roofs are durable and fire resistant and to me, definitely worth the investment. I also know that a metal roof isn’t for everyone. No matter what roof type you choose, quality of the materials and quality of the installation is key. A roof installed properly and with high quality materials will protect your home for years.
For homeowners looking to do a have their roofs done on a budget while maintaining a fairly attractive look and weather tightness of their home, asphalt shingles are a cost effective solution.
You will also have to decide on the colour, size and type of asphalt shingles. Do you want architectural shingles or laminated shingles? Do you want a metal roof? It is tempting to rely on your contractor’s recommendation for shingles, but you are the one who has to live with that roof for decades. Make sure you research your shingle options and the cost to install your roofing materials.
TIP# 2 Research Your Roofing Contractor
The hassle of re-roofing is a headache for everyone. Find a good roofing contractor who doesn’t cut corners. Finding a roofing contractor is no different than hiring a regular contractor. Stay away from “fly-by-nighters,” including contractors offering to do the work for cash.
If your roof is improperly installed, it can create major issues on the inside of your home. I always say when it comes to home construction, you get what you pay for.
Here are some questions to ask your roofing contractor:
What is the manufacturer’s warranty on the roof?How will the shingles perform when subjected to high winds and extreme weather?Are these shingles susceptible to ugly streaks?
TIP# 3: Get Involved In Picking Your Shingles
If you have found a good contractor, their advice will be valuable. However, I encourage all homeowners to do their own research on the shingles as well. If you’ve watched our TV shows, you know that we are constantly in search of ways to use sustainable, recycled building materials, including eco-friendly roofing.
I love working with 3M and was very excited to hear they have launched a smog-reducing roofing granule for roofing shingles. In fact, this was even in Time Magazine’s Inventions of the Year for 2018.
My wife, Lisa, and I are always thinking about ways we can reduce our carbon footprint by making small changes, like eliminating our plastic water bottle use. As a contractor, I try to bring that mentality to our jobsites – so learning about building materials that actually BENEFIT the environment? You know I wanted to learn more.
What is the manufacturer’s warranty on the roof? How will the shingles perform when subjected to high winds and extreme weather?Are these shingles susceptible to ugly streaks?