The Benefits of Replacing Your Roof

A properly installed roof has a lifespan of approximately 30 years, which means that most homeowners don’t go through the replacement process very often. If you are in the market for a new roof, it’s likely your first time shopping for this essential home feature.

What you may not realize is that selecting a new roof is just as important as painting walls, updating a kitchen or making other interior home improvements, if not more critical. Many homeowners overlook the condition of their roof or put off a replacement because it’s not as glamorous as marble tile or a new refrigerator. Sure, it’s easier to part with money when you can see the results from the comfort of your own couch, but a new roof is one of the best investments you’ll ever make as a homeowner.

If you’re looking at the financial aspect, a new roof can have as much as a 100% return on investment (ROI). But finances aside, a new roof offers security and protection for your loved ones that you aren’t going to find in new flooring alone.

If you’re considering roof replacement, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the benefits of re-roofing and what to expect during the roof replacement process. The more you understand, the easier it will be for you to make decisions about the best roof for your home and the right company for the job.

The Benefits of Replacing Your Roof

We hear this question all the time: Why get a new roof?

An updated, sturdy roof protects your home and the people who live there. It’s a shield from the elements — wind, rain, snow and extreme temperatures — but it also keeps moisture from creeping into your home and encouraging mold and other potentially dangerous substances.

So what are the benefits of re-roofing? And what will you get if you make the investment on a new roof now instead of putting it off?

1. High Return on Investment

One of the biggest benefits of a new roof is the return on investment that comes with this project. As we’ve already mentioned, you’ll likely recoup most — if not all — of the roofing costs when you go to sell your home. Potential buyers typically prefer homes that don’t need a lot of structural work, so a new roof allows you to sell your home at a higher price and makes your home more appealing to potential buyers. Most people are attracted to a home that isn’t going to require them to pump a lot of money into it immediately after they move in.

A new roof can also demonstrate to potential buyers that you have maintained your home and protected it from things like water damage. In a 2019 survey from the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) and the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), 33% of Realtors® found that a new roof helped them close a sale on a home.

2. Improved Curb Appeal

Popular home decor magazines and home improvement shows may not spend a lot of time talking about roofing design, but don’t let that fool you. A new roof goes a long way toward improving a home’s curb appeal.

A house’s roof is one of its most visible features and makes up a significant percentage of a home’s exterior. An old roof with missing shingles and moss growing on it makes a house look old and poorly maintained. A new roof, on the other hand, is a great way to enhance the look of any home to make it look fresh and exciting.

When you work with a reputable roofing company to design and install a new roof, they can help you select the right color and style of shingles to complement the color and style of your home. The variety of colors, shapes and designs can really bring a home back to life. In the same NAR-NARI survey, 65% of homeowners reported feeling a greater desire to be home after their new roof was installed. Nearly half of those same homeowners (49%) also said that they enjoyed being home more once their new roof was in place.

3. Greater Energy Efficiency

If your roof is reaching the end of its lifespan, it probably isn’t doing a great job of keeping heat away from your house. Besides being prone to gaps and places where air can leak in, older shingles weren’t designed to repel heat away from the house. They were more likely to absorb heat and bring it into the home.

Today’s shingles are designed to do more than just keep your house dry. Several shingle options on the market today are designed to repel heat. By repelling heat from the sun away from the house, the shingles on the roof prevent excess heat from entering into the house. The less heat in the house, the less a home’s HVAC system has to work to keep it at a cool, comfortable temperature. When the HVAC system doesn’t have to work as hard, it doesn’t use as much energy — and homeowners save money.

Besides the technology behind today’s shingles, the color and design of a new roof can also lower energy costs. Darker colored shingles absorb more heat than lighter colored shingles. If your current roof has darker shingles, replacing them with a lighter, energy-efficient option can save you even more on energy costs.

4. Healthier Home

One of the biggest problems with older roofs is that they don’t always repel water away from the house, allowing water and moisture to creep inside. Even if it’s a slow leak, water and moisture can build up over time, creating mold and mildew and causing potential health problems for family members. Even people who aren’t allergic to mold can experience problems with their eyes, nose, throat and lungs if mold is present in the home.

5. Safety

Besides repelling water, your home’s roof is also designed to protect it from debris, falling trees and wind. As a roof ages, it can become structurally unsound and unable to withstand all of the things it’s designed to defend against. Even if you can’t see evidence of weakening from the outside, a roof that is nearing the end of its lifespan is in danger of failing when you need it most. If an older roof is left unaddressed, it can become unstable and even collapse. Being proactive and replacing an aging roof goes a long way toward keeping your home structurally sound and able to withstand the elements, especially if you live in an area prone to storms or high winds.

6. Peace of Mind

All the reasons listed above are important to consider if you have an aging roof. Rather than worry every time there’s a rainstorm or high winds, you can take action to protect your family by installing a sturdy new roof.

Working with a reputable roofing company also means that your new roof will likely be covered under a manufacturer’s warranty. Depending on the terms, the warranty can last anywhere from 25 to 50 years and protect you if the materials break or become damaged.

A manufacturer’s warranty doesn’t cover damage caused by faulty installation, so make sure you choose someone who’s going to do it right the first time. In addition to a manufacturer’s warranty, choosing a reputable, experienced roofing installation company is essential to ensuring the longevity of your roof and lasting peace of mind as a homeowner. The last thing you want to do is cut costs by hiring someone who doesn’t know what they’re doing.

Tips for Replacing Your Roof

Now that you’re convinced it’s time for a new roof, it’s time to start shopping. But before you sign a contract with the first company you find online, remember to:

1. Comparison Shop

Although the cost of a new roof is always an important consideration, don’t choose a roofing company based solely on their pricing. The quality of their work and good customer service are also important to a job well done. It’s a good idea to ask friends and neighbors for a recommendation. There’s a lot to be said for personal recommendations, and people you know aren’t going to shy away from telling you the good and the bad when it comes to a certain company they’ve worked with before.

Roofing manufacturers also have lists of certified installers on their websites. These installers have met the manufacturers’ strict criteria to sell and install their products.

Once you’ve narrowed down your list to a couple of reputable companies, read online reviews and ask the companies for references from previous clients to ensure you hire a company that does high-quality work.

2. Don’t Go Cheap

It’s tempting to choose cheap materials and the lowest quote you can find, but consider this: cheap materials and poor workmanship can decrease the longevity of your roof. The conventional “good” option usually consists of traditional three-tab shingles. These are available in a variety of neutral colors and provide a clean look to any roofline. But if you opt to spend a little bit more, laminated shingles may give you additional protection and design options. Laminated shingles weigh 50% more than three-tab shingles because they have two — or more — layers of material. This means they’re more durable and they typically come with a longer manufacturer’s warranty.

Laminated shingles also provide a lot more variation in the design of a roof because they aren’t cut in standard rectangular shapes like three-tab shingles. The variation in sizes and shapes of each shingle, as well as the wide range of color, is reminiscent of a wood or slate shingle roof.

3. Get Rid of the Old Roof

Depending on how many layers of shingles are already on your roof, your roofing installer might be able to install a new set of shingles on top of the old. By eliminating the time and effort it takes to remove old roofing material, you can save some money and this is appealing, especially if you’re on a budget. However, if you agree to this, the installer can’t inspect and repair what’s underneath the old layer of shingles, potentially leaving your home vulnerable to the elements and damage down the road. It’s best to have them strip everything away so they can inspect the integrity of the entire roof and make any repairs necessary to prevent water from leaking into your house. If you live in a colder climate, the installer can also add an ice and water shield designed to prevent leaks due to ice build-up.

4. Obtain the Proper Paperwork

Installation of a new roof likely requires a building permit from the city or county where you reside before the start of the project. Make sure you have this in hand before any work starts. Check with your installation company about how to obtain a permit.

You’ll also want an itemized contract that specifically lists all costs associated with the project. This contract should include details about the manufacturer’s warranty and any additional warranties the installer offers. Additionally, be sure to obtain a letter from the installer’s insurance company confirming that they are insured and your project is included in their liability and compensation plan.

5. Keep an Eye Out for Nails

Before you give the installer the final payment for their services, ask them to use “the magnet” to pick up discarded roofing nails that may have landed in the yard. This machine makes it easy to spot and pick up these small metal nails that can cause serious problems if they’re left lying around your yard.

Why Replace Your Roof?

If your roof is reaching the end of its lifespan, don’t wait until it starts leaking or begins to crumble. Being proactive about roof replacement is the best way to protect your home and family.

As a family-owned and operated renovation company, Ideal Construction is committed to providing high-quality roofing and remodeling services to homeowners in Northern Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C. Our project managers treat each project as though it was happening to their own home. When you hire us to do a job, we stick with you from planning all the way through clean up and completion.

If you’re in the market for a new roof, our experienced project managers are ready to answer your questions and help you choose the best product for your home. Don’t wait. Schedule an in-home consultation today.