Do you know what kind of roof is on your home? How many more years until it will need replacing? The vast majority of us do not even consider the roof, unless a problem arises; water is leaking through the ceiling, or shingles are missing, blown off by the wind. Roofing materials generally fall under one of the following types:
Asphalt shingles, which are attractively priced, and do not require much expertise to install. It's fire resistant, easy to repair, and come in many colours and styles, with varying life span options and prices. 20 years is the typical life expectancy for these.
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 roofing material has no fire rating or is a Class C. 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.
Concrete or clay tiles are fireproof, attractive, and have a wide variety of style and colour to choose from. They typically last for 30 years, and are highly durable, with little maintenance required. Tiles are also very heavy, which means you may need additional roof framing.
Tar and gravel is a good option for a roof that has a slope to it that is on a low angle. Tar paper and asphalt are layered on the roof, applied using a molten asphalt system. Gravel is then added after the layers are laminated, and the gravel protects from UV degradation and keeps the layers flat on the roof. Typically, these roofs last for around 20 years.
Metal: This material is very popular in areas with high snowfalls. These roofs are safer from collapse due to weight, because snow falls off of them naturally. A metal roof will last for over 30 years if the homeowner had them properly installed, and maintains the roof correctly. In addition to its longevity, metal shingles are much lighter than most materials and very resistance to adverse weather.
Keep your roof well maintained
The longevity of your roof can be increased dramatically if you do yearly inspections, and take care of any damages. 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. This will help keep water from entering the house. Your home's eavestroughs should be checked periodically throughout the year to make sure that debris isn't building up. By taking care of the simple repairs and maintenance, you can make your roof last longer.
Look over your current home insurance policy annually
A home insurance policy is designed to protect a homeowner if unexpected and unpreventable damage occurs. Normally included in these policies are wind damage, hail, snow or ice weight damage, and falling objects, to name a few examples. 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. Check your policy carefully to see if you're covered for the entire roof to be repaired or replaced, or if you're only covered for actual cash value, or depreciated value.
Asphalt shingles, which are attractively priced, and do not require much expertise to install. It's fire resistant, easy to repair, and come in many colours and styles, with varying life span options and prices. 20 years is the typical life expectancy for these.
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 roofing material has no fire rating or is a Class C. 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.
Concrete or clay tiles are fireproof, attractive, and have a wide variety of style and colour to choose from. They typically last for 30 years, and are highly durable, with little maintenance required. Tiles are also very heavy, which means you may need additional roof framing.
Tar and gravel is a good option for a roof that has a slope to it that is on a low angle. Tar paper and asphalt are layered on the roof, applied using a molten asphalt system. Gravel is then added after the layers are laminated, and the gravel protects from UV degradation and keeps the layers flat on the roof. Typically, these roofs last for around 20 years.
Metal: This material is very popular in areas with high snowfalls. These roofs are safer from collapse due to weight, because snow falls off of them naturally. A metal roof will last for over 30 years if the homeowner had them properly installed, and maintains the roof correctly. In addition to its longevity, metal shingles are much lighter than most materials and very resistance to adverse weather.
Keep your roof well maintained
The longevity of your roof can be increased dramatically if you do yearly inspections, and take care of any damages. 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. This will help keep water from entering the house. Your home's eavestroughs should be checked periodically throughout the year to make sure that debris isn't building up. By taking care of the simple repairs and maintenance, you can make your roof last longer.
Look over your current home insurance policy annually
A home insurance policy is designed to protect a homeowner if unexpected and unpreventable damage occurs. Normally included in these policies are wind damage, hail, snow or ice weight damage, and falling objects, to name a few examples. 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. Check your policy carefully to see if you're covered for the entire roof to be repaired or replaced, or if you're only covered for actual cash value, or depreciated value.
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