Do you know what kind of roof is on your home? How much longer will it last? Typically, people don't give a second thought to their roof unless something out of the ordinary occurs; water is leaking through the ceiling, or shingles are missing, blown off by the wind. 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. 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 are quite commonly used because of their durability and aesthetically pleasing look. If the wood roof is maintained carefully and of course, expertly installed, they can last for 25 years or more. This roofing material has no fire rating or is a Class C. The building codes in your city should be reviewed. You may be able to get a Class A rating (with fire-resistant treatment).
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. Extra framing may be required with these tiles, as they add extra weight to the roof.
Tar and gravel is a good option for a roof that has a slope to it that is on a low angle. Using a molten asphalt system, this is basically just tar paper and asphalt that are layered on the roof. Lamination is used on top of these layers, and then gravel is spread over top to protect from UV damage, and to hold the layers on the roof down. Typically, these roofs last for around 20 years.
A metal roof is commonly seen in places where snowfalls are heavy. 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. 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
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. Hire someone who is qualified to remove snow from your roof if you have heavy snowfall in the winter months. This will help keep water from entering the house. The rest of the year, keep your eavestroughs clear of debris. By taking care of the simple repairs and maintenance, you can make your roof last longer.
Check your home insurance
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 are quite commonly used because of their durability and aesthetically pleasing look. If the wood roof is maintained carefully and of course, expertly installed, they can last for 25 years or more. This roofing material has no fire rating or is a Class C. The building codes in your city should be reviewed. You may be able to get a Class A rating (with fire-resistant treatment).
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. Extra framing may be required with these tiles, as they add extra weight to the roof.
Tar and gravel is a good option for a roof that has a slope to it that is on a low angle. Using a molten asphalt system, this is basically just tar paper and asphalt that are layered on the roof. Lamination is used on top of these layers, and then gravel is spread over top to protect from UV damage, and to hold the layers on the roof down. Typically, these roofs last for around 20 years.
A metal roof is commonly seen in places where snowfalls are heavy. 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. 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
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. Hire someone who is qualified to remove snow from your roof if you have heavy snowfall in the winter months. This will help keep water from entering the house. The rest of the year, keep your eavestroughs clear of debris. By taking care of the simple repairs and maintenance, you can make your roof last longer.
Check your home insurance
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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