The roof of a home is one of the most important components of its overall structural integrity. Though it is often out of sight and therefore not something, you think about often, the roof needs careful attention to minimize damage to just about any other component of the home. Replacing your roof is an excellent opportunity to shore up your home and ensure it is in good overall condition.
There are obvious benefits of a new roof. For example, a new roof gets rid of leaks or that big hole in it from a tree branch striking it. It also helps you know that your home is protected from the elements. Yet, there are also a number of unexpected benefits to replacing your roof as well including the following:
A New Roof Increases Energy Efficiency
The roof of a home plays a big role in its overall efficiency. For example, during the summer months, it helps to keep the cool air in the home by providing a tight seal. It may also be able to reflect away the intense sunlight and heat depending on the coloring of the roof. In the winter months, the roof helps to ensure the home remains warm because it keeps heated air in.
Depending on the type of roofing material used, a new roof can contribute to a significant reduction in the amount of money you spend to heat and cool your home. That’s always a good thing. If you have high heating and cooling costs now, be sure to speak to your roof company to determine how much you can save by replacing the roof. Choose materials known to be energy efficient and the right color to help support your goal of reducing energy costs.
Improve Curb Appeal
If you plan to sell your home in the coming months, a new roof could give you an extra boost to your home’s curb appeal. You can choose from a range of materials and colors for your roof, which makes it easy for you to create a look that fits the rest of your home. If your home does not have the look you want it to have, updating the roof is one way to make a change.
You could see a substantial boost in the value of your home as well if you replace the roof. Simply, a new roof means that the new owners will not have to worry about the roof going forward, and that can be a key selling point to many people. It also shows that you take care of your home.
Less Maintenance
How much time do you spend now climbing on your roof and trying to keep it free from mold growth or patching holes? It is not safe for most homeowners to climb on roofs at all. If you find yourself doing this or calling a roofing company out on a consistent basis to make repairs, it may be time to make some changes.
A new roof is less likely to need any repairs year to year. While it still needs an annual inspection by a licensed technician and any preventive maintenance required by the manufacturer of the roofing materials, it may not need a lot of expensive work done to it. Not only is that good for your home and your budget, but it also means fewer weekends spent trying to pinpoint the leaks or figure out why the flashing around the chimney continues to leak.
Upgrade to Hail Resistant Products
One thing you may notice right away when it comes to replacing your home’s roof is that you have a lot of product options available to you. Take the time to compare them very carefully. Your goal should be to ensure they provide you with the very best results possible – including protecting your home from hail damage.
Many of today’s higher quality roofing products, including shingles, are designed to be hail resistant. That means that you can expect less, if any, damage to the roof when there is a hail storm. That’s good news because it means no risk to your home. It is also beneficial in the eyes of your insurance company. Hail damage is one of the most common reasons they have to pay to have the roof replaced. As a result, you may be able to get a lower insurance premium from the insurer if you can show them that the new roof you added is resistant to hail.
Less Risk of Pests Getting Into Your Home
Yet another reason to invest in a new roof is that it helps seal your home, helping to avoid the onset of critters getting into it. If you currently have a roof that has small holes, mice, squirrels, and even birds can find their way in. That creates a lot of risk for homeowners. Not only can some pests carry disease that are now in your home, but they also scamper and move through the space, creating so much noise that it can be hard to sleep at night.
More so, pests like this can also damage the electrical system, insulation, and plumbing when they do get in. That means costly repairs are very common. The best roofing materials eliminate this risk. Be sure the company you hire to do the work for you pinpoints areas of animal infestations so they can be sure they have taken the necessary steps to prevent further infestations.
Why Install a New Roof?
The most important reason to add a new roof to your home is to protect the structure from weather conditions. Doing so often presents numerous benefits, especially when you take the time to compare a wide range of roofing materials to get the best possible products available.
If you are unsure if a roof replacement is needed, ask a roofing contractor you trust to provide an estimate that includes the reasoning for replacement. That can give you more insight into why you should replace it now.
