WHAT ARE SOME SIGNS THAT A ROOF NEEDS REPLACEMENT?
The most obvious sign is shingles that are curling. “Roofers refer to this as the shingle ‘waving’ to you,” Other signs include an excessive amount of shingle granules in gutters, cracked shingles, loose or fallen shingles, water stains or leaks inside the home, and a cosmetically poor appearance.
WHAT ROOFING MATERIAL SHOULD I CHOOSE?
When it comes to choosing a roofing material most decisions are made based on appearance. A practical guide is to choose something you like and back that decision with a good hard look at the facts, such as a good no-nonsense warranty. Also ask the following questions: What’s the expected life span of the new roof? Does it improve the insulation value of the roof? Does it have comprehensive warranty coverage, including specific guarantees against wind and hail damage? Is this a color you can live with for a long time? Is it a good color if you decide to sell the house? Does it keep its appearance or will algae leave ugly black stains?
When deciding which material to use research Consumer Reports to find out which products are the best. Look at a manufacturers’ history and experience in making roofing materials. Also deal with a reliable company you can trust to make suggestions and provide good advice.
When choosing roofing materials, remember to compare products based on cost and life expectancy.
For all roofing jobs, unless weather prohibits work, installation time should be no more than two or three days. Any longer and homeowners should look for another contractor.
WHAT IS INVOLVED IN REPLACEMENT ROOFING?
Installing a new roof or replacing an existing roof involves more that shingles. First, the base of any roof is the decking, or sheathing, under the roof. This must be in good condition before even the best roofing can last long term. Generally, the decking consists of plywood that is nailed to the truss (or framework) of the house. Roofing felt is then placed over the decking. It acts as a waterproof barrier between the decking and the roofing material. An additional waterproofing layer, known as a membrane, also may be included for additional protection.
Next, flashing is placed in areas susceptible to water leaks. The most common locations for roof flashing are at valleys, chimneys, roof penetrations, eaves, rakes, skylights, ridges and at roof-to-wall intersections. Flashing generally is made of metal, the most typical types being aluminum, copper, lead-coated copper, lead, stainless steel, galvanized steel and zinc.
Finally, shingles are placed on top of the flashing and felt. They come in a variety of styles, colors and materials. The most common shingle is the asphalt (or composition) shingle and it consists of either an organic fiber mat or fiberglass core. Corrugated sheet shingles also come in two main types: fiber or fiberglass. For wood shingles, homeowners can choose between shingles in a specific size with a smooth finish or shakes that are irregular and rough-textured. Most often, wood shingles are made of cedar.
A key component of every roofing system is ventilation. Good ventilation is essential in preventing moisture build-up, unwanted heat, and premature aging and cracking of roofing materials. A balanced ventilation system will include ridge vents, roof vents, gable vents, and/or undereave or soffit vents.
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