While it may not be your first consideration, aesthetics play a role when you decide on roofing replacement.
Re-roofing, or recovering, adds a layer of new shingles directly on top of your existing roof. Your roof’s pitch (angle) determines whether your roof can accept another layer. You also have to consider weight. Visit Website to learn more.
Copper is a luxurious roofing option that adds architectural interest to a home. It’s a beautiful metal that ages gracefully, developing a greenish patina over the years. It’s also one of the longest-lasting types of roofs. It’s more expensive than asphalt shingles, but it can last three to four times as long and offers superior weather protection. Copper’s durability makes it an excellent choice for homes in harsh climates.
There are two main types of copper roofing: standing seam and shingles. Standing seam roofs are made of panels that are locked together to form a continuous surface. They’re available in several different thicknesses and designs, including ribbed or corrugated patterns. They’re more upscale than shingle roofing and cost $11-$21 per square foot.
Alternatively, homeowners can opt for copper shingles that are shaped in a variety of ways for a more customizable look. These are typically found on the eaves and dormers of a home and can be shaped in unique ways to create an artistic focal point.
A copper metal roof is the perfect choice for sustainability-conscious homeowners. It lasts a lifetime and is 100% recyclable. It’s also fireproof, which can help lower your insurance premiums. It offers superior weather protection, as it’s invulnerable to hail and high winds. It’s also highly reflective, which cuts down on cooling costs.
Its biggest detractor is its price tag, making it out of the reach of many homeowners. For this reason, some choose to limit the use of copper to a small portion of their roof, such as around bay windows or turrets. Another option is to mix copper with other materials, such as affordable shingles on a low section of the roof and higher-end metal on a dormer or spire. This creates an eclectic, vintage aesthetic and is a great way to make a statement without breaking the bank.
Asphalt
Asphalt shingles are the most popular residential roofing material and offer hundreds of color and style options. They are designed to protect your home with decades of weathering and require little upkeep. However, they do have a shorter lifespan than other roofing materials and may be more susceptible to damage from severe weather or high winds.
Your roof’s shingle material and other components come with warranties from the manufacturer and your roofing contractor. The materials warranty covers the shingles and their other components to protect against manufacturing errors or defects. The labor warranty protects you against workmanship errors by your roofing company during the roof replacement process.
Before attempting to repair or replace a shingle roof, wait until the roof is dry and follow ladder safety protocols. You’ll want to make sure you have the proper asphalt fabric patch kit for the type of shingle on your roof. Cut the asphalt fabric patches to a size that allows at least 3 inches of overlap with undamaged asphalt. Then apply the patch kit by spreading an asphalt layer of cement on your roof’s surface and pressing the fabric into the damp cement with a trowel or putty knife.
Wood
If you have wood rot on your roof, you’ll need to have it replaced. A reputable roofing contractor will inspect the rot and the surrounding area, discover what caused it (and fix that issue, if necessary), and then replace the rotting pieces.
It’s important that your roofers use a wood replacement material that will stand the test of time, like new wood shingles or shakes. Both are available in edge grain and flat grain, but edge grain is the best option for durability. Edge grain shingles and shakes are cut perpendicular to the tree’s rings, so they are more stable than flat-grained alternatives.
Wood is a flammable material that isn’t suitable for homes in fire-prone areas. It also deteriorates faster than other roofing materials, and it’s vulnerable to mold, mildew, and fungus. Additionally, it’s expensive and requires regular treatments to protect it from rot.
When you choose a wood roof, be sure to install the right type of sheathing for your home. Solid wood tongue and groove boards are not a good choice because they lack lateral load stability. Structural panels like plywood and OSB transfer lateral loads to the walls of your house, making them the ideal sheathing material.
Many homeowners don’t mind the faded look of a weathered wood roof. However, if you’re someone who wants your roof to maintain its color, you might want to consider another type of roofing material.
Thatch
Thatch is a tightly-woven blend of dried vegetation that covers a roof and sheds rainwater. Thatching has been used for thousands of years and is found from English countryside cottages to Polynesian tiki huts. It is a green, energy-saving roofing option. The overlapping and tightly-packed layers of straw, water reed, bracken fern, sedge plants, or palm fronds act as an insulator to keep a house cool in summer and warm in winter.
Thatched roofs are incredibly attractive and can add an instant charm to a home or building. However, they are not a roofing material for the faint of heart. Thatch is highly labor intensive and can be expensive to repair or replace. Thatch also requires significant maintenance and can be a fire risk if not properly cared for.
In most of the UK, thatched roofs require a rethatching every 12-15 years. Rethatching is a costly job as it involves stripping back the thatch and sometimes replacing roof timbers – a major project. It is important that a thatched roof is maintained correctly and rethatched at the right time to prevent damage, water leaks and other problems.
The long lifespan of thatch is attributed to the fact it is a dry, natural material and therefore does not absorb much moisture. A thatched roof also benefits from a good roof pitch as this allows rainfall to move quickly and avoid causing problems to the structure of the property.
Thatched buildings are also very popular for those wanting to maintain a traditional look. They are often found on historic buildings, but they can also be a feature of modern new builds and extensions, as well as in gardens to create a rustic or romantic feel. Many thatched houses are in conservation areas or are listed buildings and cannot be de-thatched unless it is for the purpose of restoration.
A thatched roof is extremely durable, but will eventually need to be replaced – usually after 20 or 30 years depending on the type of thatch (water reed, combed wheat straw, long straw, etc). Thatch needs regular inspections and repairs to prevent the build-up of moss, damp or insects. The thatch should be kept as clean as possible, removing any trees or bushes that might hinder the sun and wind drying it, to help extend its life.