subject: Have Your Roof Evaluated Regularly [print this page] For people who have purchased a house and didn't see it built from the ground up, it might not be what they expected. Was it built with cheap materials to keep the expenses down as they went? Unfortunately, you might not be able to tell what the quality of materials used was until you find a problem. A home inspection can turn up any major problems, but it might not find all of them. And, the problems might not show up until five to eight years or more down the road until after the house is built. The roof is one of the most common places where people skimp in order to save money.
Upgrades for Your Roof
Did you have an inspector tell you that the shingles were rated for 30 years, but they weren't in very good condition, and it's only been 10 years? Cheap shingles, especially ones on houses that have a lot of wind and elements to deal with, can show their age faster and wear a lot more compared to durable ones. That is, if the shingle is strong enough to remain on the house and not blow off during a storm.
When you have shingles that crack, lift up in the wind, or even have leaks coming into your house, it might be time for a roof upgrade. If you don't need a complete upgrade, then it is time to have a few repairs done so the interior of the house does not suffer. Ask either your insurance adjuster to come and look at the roof or have a contractor that you trust tell you the condition of your roof, and if it needs to be repaired or replaced.
Different Styles for Your Roof
There are many styles of roofs to pick from. Not only can you choose to go with 3D asphalt shingles, but you could choose to have a metal roof put on your house. Both are nice looking roofs, but which one is the one for you? Which one will require the least amount of work and hold up the best?
The answer would probably be the new metal roofs. They are advertised to last for 100 years, so that makes them an excellent choice for buildings, such as municipalities in cities, libraries, schools, and even businesses. They are starting to show up on some houses as well, but they have a drawback. That drawback is the cost.
A metal roof can cost double, or even triple, the cost of a shingled roof. However, the trade-off is that it will never have to be replaced in your lifetime. You will have to weigh the cost and if it is a viable option for you and your lifestyle. If you can't get up on the roof to replace a few shingles every now and then, then maybe metal is the way to go. If you can, then maybe asphalt is all you need to stay warm and cozy all year long.
