Staying On Top Of Your Roof!

Is it time for a new roof on your home? If you are noticing that the shingles on your roof are buckling or curling -or even worse, you are finding water spots on your ceiling -you may need to think about reshingling. It is possible to simply repair small portions, but if the condition of the roof is really bad, then reshingling is the route you will want to take.

The process -on that many homeowners tend to put off until the damage is severe -is relatively fast and straightforward, depending on the size of your roof and where any of the roof boards or the roof deck beneath the existing shingles have to be replaced before the new shingles can be applied.

Although new singles can be applied over an existing layer if the surface is fairly flat, a build-up of more than two layers is considered too heavy for most homes to handle and results in a bumpy, somewhat uneven surface.

When you have your home reshingled, the existing shingle layer is usually stripped off and a new one installed. Most traditional shingles consist of pieces of felt or paper coated with asphalt and granules. They come in different weights and colours and can last anywhere from about 12 to 25 years or more, depending on the quality of roofing you choose.

One of the biggest wear factors with asphalt shingles is sunlight; shingles located on the sides of your home which receive the most exposure to sunlight will tend to deteriorate more quickly.

As an alternative, you may wish to consider wood shingles or shakes. There are considered to be more durable and likely to last longer than their asphalt counterparts, but are more costly and can become rotten if subjected to too much moisture and shade. They do, however, provide a unique alternative to a traditional asphalt shingle roof covering.

Other materials
Other alternative but fairly costly roofing materials are concrete or clay tiles and metal roofing. Concrete or clay tiles weigh more than traditional asphalt roofs but can last for several decades. They are notused as often a other types of covering but create a very distinctive look. In recent years, new, less costly products have been developed to mimic more expensive roofing materials like slate or cedar shakes. A good roofing supply company can show you a large selection of traditional shingles or alternatives.

Tar and gravel coverings have been used on flat roofs for many years. These multi-layered coverings consist of layers of roofing felt with asphalt in between and asphalt and gravel on top.

Single ply roofs are a more recent option for flat roofs. These are generally made of modified asphalt or plastic or synthetic rubber. For more information about this and other types of roofing, talk to a roofer about which type would best suit your home.

Shop around
Prices can vary from roofer to roofer, so get quotes from a few contractors before making a choice. Be sure to ask if the price includes disposal and clean up costs, and have that written into the contact. Disposal costs for an average-sized roof can be fairly hefty.

Also check into warranties offered. Generally, higher quality roof coverings have longer warranty periods, but compare carefully. Don't necessarily be swayed by the lowest quote. Look at the life expectancy and quality of the products being offered before making your final decision.

Also determine if the quote includes other related roofing items like the installation of new flashings and vents where required. After all, you don't want any extra little "surprises" down the road.