What to Know Before Replacing Your Home Roof This Year

Your home's roof is important for many different reasons. First, it keeps water out of the interior, preventing damage to wiring, contents, finish materials, etc. Second, it helps insulate the home, reducing energy costs. Finally, it provides value to your home by performing well in those areas and by making the home more attractive. If your roof is nearing the end of its useful life, there are four things you should know about replacing it.

Choose a Good Right Contractor

Some homeowners think that nailing down shingles is a pretty straightforward task that anyone can do. Of course, that is not the case. Choosing a bad contractor will set you up for many problems that could haunt you for years, costing you money long after you've forgotten about the good deal you thought you had gotten.

One simple issue is poor installation. Shingles that do not lap properly or are not installed straight will leak and look terrible. Inexperience is a key factor here, so be sure to choose a roofer with many years of proven performance. You could also be at legal risk if you use an uninsured contractor and one of the workers gets hurt at your home. You'll pay more for an insured contractor, but the protection you receive will be well worth the extra cost.

Your Insurance Might Help with Cost

Many homeowners have to replace the roof after high winds or hail have damaged it, but you can only get help from your insurance company if you file the claim immediately. Damage you find two or three years after the event cannot necessarily be covered by the policy.

It's also important to know the age of your roof. The amount your insurance will pay toward repairs or replacement will be prorated based on the age of your roof; in other words, if you installed a new roof last summer and it was damaged by hail this spring, your policy will cover more of the replacement than if the roof is ten or twelve years old. It might be a good idea to notify your agent when you've installed a new roof so that you have documented its age for a potential claim in the future.

Materials Matter

Almost any well-installed shingle will provide a good finished look, definitely long enough for your check to be deposited in the home improvement store's bank. It is critical to make sure you choose a contractor who will advise you on what type and grade of shingle will provide long-term performance for you.

In fact, asphalt shingles might not even be the route you want to go. There are a number of other types of shingles on the market, such as clay. These can be better options to create the appearance and durability that you want. You may not even want to use shingles at all but instead opt for a metal roof. A company that provides roofing in Austin states that some of the different roof types are “standing seam metal, single and multiply, clay and concrete, or asphalt/fiberglass.” Spend some time with your contractor to determine what material is best for you.

A Roof is a Long-Term Investment

Finally, you need to think of your roof as an investment. We've already talked about all the ways a good roof provides benefits to your home, and they're all helpful for the long haul. You can cut corners here and there to reduce the cost of replacing your roof, but you'll miss out on a number of benefits.

First, a good roof is a great selling point if you ever place your home on the market. Buyers like seeing that the roof has many more years of useful life because they don't want to turn around and spend a lot of money on it soon after buying. Keep the paperwork for your new roof so that you can later verify its age. The look of your roof will also increase its curb appeal, bringing better offers. Finally, a good roof now will keep you from having to spend money on it again later on. Quality materials with proper installation will increase the life of your roof and improve its durability in the harsh weather conditions it faces all day, every day, all year long.

Replacing a roof is a big undertaking, one that you want to do right the first time so that you don't have to do it again so soon. A good roof will provide reliable service for decades. Plan out the process so that your completed project will be durable, beautiful, and functional.