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The Cost of Your Old Roof
Just as a hat keeps you warm in the winter, your roof
functions in a similar way for your home – it
holds the heat in. But if your roof is old and
worn, if your home has no “hat,” your efforts to
heat your home could literally be going through
the roof. In addition, an old roof is often
leaky, contributing to mold and bacteria
overgrowth in your home. The end result can be
chronic allergy problems and even respiratory
infections for you and your family, because you
are breathing in contaminated air.
A trained professional roofing contractor is
best-equipped to identify problem areas on your
roof and let you know whether minor repairs need
to be done, or if there is enough damage, wear
and tear to warrant a roof replacement instead.
The Value of a New Roof
Replacing your roof is an investment, helping to cut
your energy costs and increase the value of your
home. A 2005 annual report by Remodeling Online
Magazine reported the average cost of replacing
a roof can range anywhere from about $11,500 to
$17,000, depending on where you live in the
United States.
And your new roof can prove to be a lucrative
investment if you ever decide to move. GAF
Materials Corp., (a manufacturer of residential
and commercial building supplies including
roofing materials) reports that, according to a
group of realtors surveyed, up to 40 percent of
your home’s curb appeal is your roof. Though its
impact is more subtle, the appearance of your
roof can attract buyers to your home and
increase the resale value of your home when
you’re ready to sell.
Before You Shop
Often, a poor-quality roofing job does not show any
signs of a problem for years. Getting a new roof
is a major investment in your home, so be very
careful when you begin to look for a contractor.
In addition to making sure you see a portfolio
of their previous work, ask for references and
make sure you call them.
When looking for a roofing contractor, you want a
qualified professional who will use the best
materials and back up their work with a good
warranty that doesn’t just cover the roofing
materials, but also covers the labor to repair
those roofing materials should you need repairs
done.
If you have a roofing contractor in your local area
that is a Certified Master Elite Roofer – only
2% of all roofers in the U.S. carry this
distinction – you can rest assured that the work
done on your home is excellent quality and is
covered under a strong warranty.
Roofing Accessories to Consider
As you talk with contractors, keep in mind that the
installation of a new roof involves more than
just nailing in your shingles. A good roofing
job will include at least a waterproof leak
barrier, and ideally an additional layer of
protection from the elements, sometimes called
“roof deck protection.” Once this foundation is
laid, then your shingles will be laid down.
Also discuss attic ventilation with your roofing
contractor – without it, in the summer, your
attic can get so hot that it actually bakes your
shingles. And in the winter, the hot moist air
heating your home can get trapped in your attic,
soak and diminish the effectiveness of your
insulation, and increase your energy bill.
Lastly, if you were ever thinking of getting skylights
for your home, now is the best time to plan for
them.
Many homeowners wait until their roof is leaking, there
is major, visible damage or there is a complete
catastrophe before replacing their roof. What
these homeowners don’t realize is they are
wasting money on their energy bills in the
meantime. A new roof will increase the beauty of
your home, cut your energy bills, and play a
major role in your ability to sell your home at
your asking price. Find out the condition of
your roof before the winter weather sets in so
that you can be aware of its condition and avoid
the headaches that come when catastrophe pushes
you into the emergency purchase of a new roof.
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