What You Need To Know To Maximize Your Roofing Investment
One of the most important decisions youll make when installing a new roof for the first time, upgrading your old roof, or assessing the roof of a property youre looking to buy is the type of material used in the homes roof construction. The roof is the most crucial part of your homes defense against nature, especially harsh Australian elements like rain, heat, fires, dust, and wildlife.
Not all roof types should be considered, especially when discussing roof types for Australia. The roofing material you choose will ultimately affect your homes value and aesthetics as well as your and your familys quality of life and wallet.
In this article, well discuss a few relevant roof materials, their expected shelf lives, what makes them so durable, and ultimately which one will last you the longest
Remove Rust Spots On The Flashing
Rusting is a common problem on iron materials, but its easy to keep your roof rust-free.
All you need to do is clean up the metal components of your house regularly with a hose! This will help remove any moisture that may be present and prevent future damage.
To get rid of existing rust spots before sealing the material, use sandpaper or steel wool in order to avoid further corrosion.
What To Consider Before Choosing A Roofing Material
LongevityLong-lasting roofs are particularly suitable for homeowners who do not mind frequent house repairs. A cheaper roof that lasts 10 to 15 years, for example, might be just what those people need. For those who have found their forever home, investing in a roof with enhanced longevity would be the best choice, so they would never have to worry again.
CostThe cost of a roof may be one of the most significant considerations for homeowners and business owners. You want to ensure that you are making the right decision and spending the appropriate amount of money, since roofs are one of the greatest investments you can make. However, just because something is cheaper doesn’t always mean it is of lesser value, particularly when it comes to roofing materials.
Required Roof MaintenanceMost roofs require proper maintenance throughout their lifetimes to maintain them and maintain their longevity. Unfortunately, many people dont want anything to do with maintaining their roofs. Those that require less maintenance can be a great option for those who dont want to perform the maintenance work.
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Comparing Your Roof Estimate Prices
Be sure to shop around and compare prices from different roofing companies. Most Florida roofing companies will do a free estimate so that you can get an idea of what it will cost for a new roof. However, you may find that a different roofer gives you a much lower price.
If you notice a significant difference between your estimates, dont be afraid to ask your roofing contractors what the reasons for the price differences are. Any roofing company that you work with should be willing to provide total transparency. So if you see an estimate that is much lower than other companies, be careful. Do your research to find out if the company tacks on hidden or surprise costs to their customers quotes.
Comparing roof estimates can also give you an idea of the type of people you want to work with. When a roofer comes to your home to inspect your roof, youll likely have lots of questions for them. Pay attention to how they answer. Is your roofing contractor happily willing to answer all your questions? Or are they hesitant?
The Second Longest Lasting Roof Is A Metal Or Steel Roof
When a metal roof is installed with proper care and quality materials, it should last just about as long as your home or business building. Metal roofs are highly resistant to deterioration of environmental factors. The average life span of a metal roof is 50-70 years. You can trust that water and snow will be sealed out and normally damaging winds will have little to no impact.
Metal is also impervious to fire, mold, and insects. You can expect most companies to deliver a product warranty anywhere from 20 to 50 years. And finishing it off with a fresh coat of paint can also come with around a 30-year warranty.
Metal roofing typically runs at about the same weight no matter where you source your materials. Generally running at about 750 pounds per square, this may seem like a lot. But just one square can cover a surface area of up to 100 square feet.
This weight is lighter than others and can benefit you if you are building a new home by saving money in your costs for engineering. Its also fairly easy to install, and an experienced contractor can get you fixed up in no time with a possibly lower labor cost when compared to other choices.
Along with that, routine maintenance can include checking for dents and leaks. Depending on which type of metal you select, some roofs are softer than others such as aluminum or copper.
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What Roof Lasts The Longest
The life span of a roof system is determined by a number of factors: climate and environmental conditions, building and roof designs, material quality and proper application.
Climate and environmental factors are important to the lifespan of any roof. Roofs that are exposed to tremendous heat or cold tend to have shorter lifespans. In commercial or industrial areas, chemicals, exhausts and residues from the manufacturing process can break down most types of roofing materials more quickly than just sun, wind and weather.
Building and roof designs do play a part in the lifespan of a roof. Flat roofs, most commonly used on commercial or industrial buildings typically have a shorter lifespan simply because of the choice of materials available. Foam, BUR or Single-Ply roofing are the common choices and last 25- 30 years, while a residential home with a metal or slate roof can expect a 50-year lifespan.
The quality of the roofing material selected and proper installation are two of the most important factors in determining the lifespan of any roof. You can select the best materials available, but if they are improperly installed, the roof wont last very long. The reverse is also true. If you select poor quality materials, no matter how well they are installed, the lifespan of the roof will be less than if you had selected a good quality material.
Material lifespan:
Work With A Roofer Your Can Trust
Our roofing company has many years of experience in repairing roofs and installing high quality new roofs in and around Lakeland, FL. If you need roof repair or roof replacement done on your home, call Residential Roofing Depot today. Well schedule a time to come and do a free roof inspection and offer a free roof estimate.
After you get your inspection with us, and choose us as your roofing company, well be with you until well after your roof replacement is complete. If you ever have any questions during the process, were here to answer them for you.
Whether it is about the quality of the roofing material or the quality of the installation, we provide you with the best of the best. You can feel confident that our roofing technicians will carry out the entire project with utmost competence, skills and professionalism.
Work with a roofer you can trust. Residential Roofing Depot offers the best roofing services in & near Lakeland, FL.
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What Roofing Materials Are Covered By Home Insurance
Any homeowners policy will cover structural damage to your home. This could include the cost of replacement for nearly any material if the damage was caused by severe external conditions, like the weather. However, having a more durable, newer roof can lower your premiums when purchasing an insurance plan.
How Long Does A Roof Last
One of the key factors that determine if you need a new roof is age. Now, we all know roofs dont last forever, but homeowners may be asking themselves: how long does a roof last?
Generally, you can expect your roof to last about 20 years. But, the actual lifespan of your roof depends on a number of things, including the type of roofing materials that were used as well as the environment.
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How Long Do Roofs Last 5 Roof Types And Their Lifespans
The age of your roof is a great way to determine if its time for a roof replacement. Image source: Greenco Construction Services
Whether youre buying a new home or youre planning on staying put in your current house, you probably have an idea of the condition of your roof. But, it can be hard for homeowners to gauge exactly when they should get a roof replacement.
In this article, we discuss 5 different types of roofs, how long each different roof type lasts, and what signs to look out for when your roof needs to be replaced.
What Kinds Of Roofs Are There
In the olden days, materials like straw and branches, wood, slate, and clay were often used for roofing. While some of those are still in use today, the world has developed new, more effective materials to use for modern homes, such as asphalt shingles and standing seam metal. Nowadays, you will easily find:
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Best Shingles Roofing Material Providers
When purchasing the best shingles for your roof, its wise to do your homework on what companies have longevity in that industry. Owens Corning is such a company. And we at AmeriPro Roofing are proud to be an Owens Corning Preferred Platinum Contractor, which means we can offer the Owens Corning Oakridge® Shingles Lifetime Limited Warranty to our customers.
The Importance Of Underlayment
Many homeowners have never even heard of underlayment. But underlayment is very significant to the longevity of your roof. Underlayment is a material laid directly on the roof and underneath the shingles. Generally, the two types of underlayment used on homes are felt and synthetics. Underlayment is water resistant, not waterproof, but it serves as a good emergency barrier in the case of damage to the shingles above it. In the case of asphalt shingles, it prevents shingles from bonding directly to the plywood roofing, making it easier to remove when the time comes to replace the roof.
Not all roofs require underlayment, but it is important to consider, as it can be the achilles heel of even the longest lasting roof. A low quality of underlayment can limit the longevity of otherwise long lasting roofing materials. But when you look at historic buildings that used slate, clay, and concrete tiles, none of them used underlayment. Yet they still function today. This just demonstrates that underlayment is important to consider, but not necessary in every situation.
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Clay Or Cement Tile Roofs
Clay tile roofs are very popular in the Southwest United States but they can be found anywhere in the country, thanks to their incredible strength and durability.
Traditional tiles are made from terracotta clay, but there are also ceramic tiles roofs , as well as concrete tile roofs. All consist of individual tiles installed in overlapping layers over the roof surface, and all have roughly the same degree of strength and durability. They require a sturdy roofing framing sufficient to hold the weight and must be installed by skilled professionals. This may well be the only roof your home ever needs.
Tile Clay Concrete And Sandcast: 50+ Years
Tile roofs are the second most popular roofing systems in Arizona. They can be made of clay, concrete, and sandcast. Concrete tiles are generally more affordable than clay, but tend to not last quite as long due to the underlayment being of lesser quality than what typically comes with clay or sandcast tiles.
- Advantages of Tile Roofs: Tile roofs can last up to 50+ years in Arizona. Some Arizona tile roofs have even been even known to last up to 80 years! While tile roofs longevity may last the entire duration of a homeowners lifetime, the underlayment will need to be replaced every 25-35 years. Undamaged tiles can be re-installed and re-used.
- Tile roofs are also fireproof, resist rot, and the majority of Arizona insects. The concrete tiles themselves are actually cooler than other roofing options, like asphalt shingles, which helps to reduce ambient temperature in the attic and can help save on overall electricity costs.
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You Can Extend The Life Of Your Roof By:
- purchasing a quality roofing system designed to handle the weather conditions in your area.
- hiring a preferred contractor that is specially trained to install the roofing system.
- maintaining your roof by having it regularly inspected by roofing professionals.
For roof installation, repair, roof replacement, and maintenance, reach out to AmeriPro Roofing. Our standards are through the roof.
Longest Lasting Roofing Sheets
|
Metal |
40 60 Years |
Averaging at a 40-60 year life expectancy, metal roof sheets are the longest lasting sheet material available to buy. Although lightweight in structure, metal sheets can actually withstand high windspeeds of up to 120mph without damage. This means if you live in an area prone to some pretty harsh weather, you wont have to carry out repairs and maintenance every time theres a storm. Metal roof sheets are resistant to corrosion and fire, plus create a tightly sealed structure that minimises moisture issues such as rot and mould.
Contrasting with a typical lifespan of just 10-20 years, polycarbonate roof sheets lack the level of durability needed for long-term use. Although great for smaller structures such as carports and patio coverings, polycarbonate sheeting can be prone to scratching and denting when exposed to falling debris and hail. We recommend that polycarbonate be used in shorter-term projects where only a decade or two of use is expected.
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Considering A Roof Replacement Contact Us Today
When choosing a new roof material, consider both the short-term installation costs, longevity, and long-term maintenance costs.
Our roofing specialists are here to help you choose the best roofing material for your property. Reach out to us now, and get a free price quote for your project.Call us at 813-373-9088. Or fill out our online form.
What Is The Most Commonly Used Roofing Material
Asphalt roof shingles are currently the most popular roofing material and are currently used on more than 80% of all residential roofs. Their versatility, ease of installation, and affordability are all among the leading reasons for their popularity. The drawback is that youll have to replace asphalt more often than you would for other roofing systems.
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Are You In Need Of A Roof Replacement Or Assessment
At Clemens Home Solutions, we offer a variety of roofing services to and around the Muncie area including:
- Complete tear-off of existing shingles and underlayments
- Inspection of existing roof decking to ensure no rotted or damaged wood
- Re-secure all roof decking as needed
- Gutter apron installed along all eaves
- T-drip edge along all rakes
- Ice and Water shield on all eaves, in all valleys, around all roof penetration, and on all slopes less than 4/12 pitch
- Synthetic Underlayment on the rest of the roof
- Starter shingles along eaves and rakes
- CertainTeed Landmark shingles or other quality shingle
- Step-flashing along all walls and raised penetrations
What To Expect With Metal Roofs
Metal roofs usually consist of panels or shingles and sometimes a combination of the two. Panels are made from steel and aluminum and can be solid, corrugated, or perforated.
They might have exposed fasteners that require protective coating.
Shingle roofs have a variety of panels that are made from a combination of aluminum and zinc, galvanized steel, copper, or stainless steel.
Some metal roofs have interlocking components which require minimal fastening.
There are various types of metal roofing such as standing seam metal roofs which consist of overlapping panels that provide a sleek, uninterrupted appearance.
Some metal roofs are translucent which allows some light to enter the structure.
Shingle roofing is another common material, but it typically lasts 15-30 years depending on climate conditions.
Its less expensive than other types of roofing materials, but there are different grades and quality can vary widely.
Shingles that are made from polymers are more expensive, but they can last 50 years or longer with proper installation.
Polymer shingle roofs have the following Pros:
There are several types of polymer roofing materials which include acrylic and modified bitumen.
Polymer roofing is made with polymers that create long-lasting durability on any type of building structure.
Its made to resist mold and mildew as well as environmental damage such as rust, corrosion, and termites. It can survive for up to 50 years in ideal situations.
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