Are you aware of the type of roof your home has? How much longer will it last? Typically, people don't give a second thought to their roof unless something out of the ordinary occurs; either the wind has blown shingles off, or water is coming in. There are a few common kinds of materials used for roofing:
Asphalt shingles, which are attractively priced, and do not require much expertise to install. Many kinds with varying life spans are available, and a wide range of colour and styles can be chosen, and they are fire resistant and easy to repair. The usual life expectancy is 20 years.
Wood shingles or shakes: This material is also very popular due to the aesthetic appearance and life expectancy. When properly installed and maintained, wood roofs can last 25 years. This material only has a Class C fire rating or none at all. Have a look at the building codes in your city. Your rating could be bumped up to a Class A if they are treated with a fire-resistant material.
Clay or concrete tiles: This material is another great option, as they are beautiful, come in many colours and styles, and are fireproof! It's easy to maintain and very durable, with a life expectancy of 30 years. These tiles can add a considerable weight to your roof, so in some cases, extra framing may need to be installed.
Tar and gravel roofs work best when the roof has a low slope to it. Using a molten asphalt system, this is basically just tar paper and asphalt that are layered on the roof. Gravel is then added after the layers are laminated, and the gravel protects from UV degradation and keeps the layers flat on the roof. The life expectancy for this type of roof is 20 years.
Metal: This material is very popular in areas with high snowfalls. The risk of the roof collapsing from snow weight is low since these roofs tend to shed snow. When properly installed and maintained, metal roofs will last 30 years or more. There are other advantages to metal roofs, as they are actually light compared to most roofing materials, and they do well in place with harsh weather patterns.
Maintain your roof
No matter which material your roof is made of, inspecting it annually can add many years to your roof's longevity. Asphalt shingles could have worn granulars, or curled edges and cracks, so have a look for these signs of wear. Get a professional to remove excess snow from your roof in the winter if it is building up too high. Leaks from excess snow on your roof can be prevented this way. Your home's eavestroughs should be checked periodically throughout the year to make sure that debris isn't building up. Taking these easy steps yearly will benefit you greatly in the future, as your roof will have increased longevity.
Review your home insurance policy
Home insurance is a basic necessity to protect a homeowner if an emergency occurs. Covered by these policies are things like damage from ice and snow weight, falling objects or hail damage. Damage that is caused by basic wear and tear is not covered, however. If your roof is not properly maintained, or it is of considerable age, your insurance may only cover part of the damages, and may not cover any damage at all. Some policies limit the payment for roof damage to its actual cash value (ACV) or depreciated value, while others will pay to repair or replace the roof.
Asphalt shingles, which are attractively priced, and do not require much expertise to install. Many kinds with varying life spans are available, and a wide range of colour and styles can be chosen, and they are fire resistant and easy to repair. The usual life expectancy is 20 years.
Wood shingles or shakes: This material is also very popular due to the aesthetic appearance and life expectancy. When properly installed and maintained, wood roofs can last 25 years. This material only has a Class C fire rating or none at all. Have a look at the building codes in your city. Your rating could be bumped up to a Class A if they are treated with a fire-resistant material.
Clay or concrete tiles: This material is another great option, as they are beautiful, come in many colours and styles, and are fireproof! It's easy to maintain and very durable, with a life expectancy of 30 years. These tiles can add a considerable weight to your roof, so in some cases, extra framing may need to be installed.
Tar and gravel roofs work best when the roof has a low slope to it. Using a molten asphalt system, this is basically just tar paper and asphalt that are layered on the roof. Gravel is then added after the layers are laminated, and the gravel protects from UV degradation and keeps the layers flat on the roof. The life expectancy for this type of roof is 20 years.
Metal: This material is very popular in areas with high snowfalls. The risk of the roof collapsing from snow weight is low since these roofs tend to shed snow. When properly installed and maintained, metal roofs will last 30 years or more. There are other advantages to metal roofs, as they are actually light compared to most roofing materials, and they do well in place with harsh weather patterns.
Maintain your roof
No matter which material your roof is made of, inspecting it annually can add many years to your roof's longevity. Asphalt shingles could have worn granulars, or curled edges and cracks, so have a look for these signs of wear. Get a professional to remove excess snow from your roof in the winter if it is building up too high. Leaks from excess snow on your roof can be prevented this way. Your home's eavestroughs should be checked periodically throughout the year to make sure that debris isn't building up. Taking these easy steps yearly will benefit you greatly in the future, as your roof will have increased longevity.
Review your home insurance policy
Home insurance is a basic necessity to protect a homeowner if an emergency occurs. Covered by these policies are things like damage from ice and snow weight, falling objects or hail damage. Damage that is caused by basic wear and tear is not covered, however. If your roof is not properly maintained, or it is of considerable age, your insurance may only cover part of the damages, and may not cover any damage at all. Some policies limit the payment for roof damage to its actual cash value (ACV) or depreciated value, while others will pay to repair or replace the roof.
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