Not only does your roof play an essential role in protecting the contents living inside its walls, but it also significantly impacts the lifespan and value of the overall property.
While interior features of your home, such as the kitchen, powder room, cabinetry, or wallpaper might be more charming aspects to show off to guests, a high-quality, functional roof is undoubtedly important.
If you already have a roof on your home, there are two main ways it can be upgraded: roof replacement or re-roofing.
While re-roofing installs an additional roof covering without removing any of the existing parts of the roof, roof replacement involves the removal of an existing roof covering and repairing any damage before installing a new roof.
Roofing Upgrades Worth the Investment
A roof replacement is a substantial investment. However, instead of getting hung up on all the costs, focus on how you can maximize the return on your investment (ROI) by choosing reliable materials and installation techniques.
Whether you are trying to decide if it’s time to replace your old roof or are looking for a roof replacement, here are several aspects of your roof that you can invest in to maximize the lifespan and efficacy of it:
- Shingles
- Ventilation
- Warranty
- Gutter Guards
- Underlayment
Roof Upgrade 1: Shingles
The most essential aspect to pay attention to regarding the durability of your roof is your local climate. In other words, it is vital to choose a roof material according to your area’s climate trends. For instance, asphalt and wood roof shingles are not suitable for homes in locations that experience hot temperatures.
Here are the most popular roofing materials, along with their corresponding climate pairings:
- Metal – Known for excellent durability, metal roofing panels can handle harsh weather conditions such as freezing climates, winter storms, and intense heat.
- Slate – With an average lifespan of 75 to 200 years, slate is another highly durable and versatile roofing material.
- Asphalt – Ranked the most popular roofing material in America, asphalt shingles can last for several decades in various climates and are considered a cost-effective option.
It is important to note that your roof’s overall durability and reliability rely heavily on the quality of not only the shingles themselves, but the work of the manufacturer and installer as well.
Roof Upgrade 2: Ventilation
An often overlooked but key component of the roofing system is your ventilation. Unfortunately, many homeowners put emphasis on how the roof looks and end up disregarding necessary inner workings of its makeup that affect the interior of your home.
Contrary to popular belief, attics serve more of a purpose than solely for overflow storage of old belongings and misfit items. Attics primarily regulate the temperatures of a house and provide a large mass of slowly moving air. Depending on where you live, a properly ventilated roof will help the attic stay cool throughout the summer and remove unwanted moisture in the winter. This can help the entirety of your house remain at homeostasis.
Ridge Vents
You can install ridge vents across the top of your roof to keep the attic and your home cooler. Ridge vents are discrete, barely noticeable from a street view, and permit air movement through the ridge cap shingles of your roof.
Soffit Vents
Additionally, soffit vents can be installed underneath the roof’s overhang. Soffit vents are an excellent upgrade for air intake and help contribute to a cooler attic so that you don’t have to spend a fortune on air conditioning. The number of soffit vents you need will depend on the size of your roof and its overhang.
Roof Upgrade 3: Warranty
Typically, roofing shingles come with a limited lifetime warranty. The standard is rated for 40 years. While that may sound like a solid amount of time, it’s only during the first ten years that the warranty fully covers most items.
But no need to fret; you can add additional warranties to extend their coverage. A warranty is often provided by—or can be purchased through—the manufacturer of your roof shingles.
Roof warranties are often worth the additional cost, especially if you have already invested in high-quality and expensive materials for your roof installation. If you plan to live in your same home for several decades, consider researching long-lasting roofing materials and a company that offers an excellent warranty.
Roof Upgrade 4: Low-Maintenance Gutters
Gutters are a fundamental part of your roofing system. Gutters channel water away from the house, preventing unwanted build-up of moisture, which could otherwise cause damage to your property.
Old gutters are more likely to get clogged, making the need for regular maintenance essential. Contemporary gutters, on the other hand, are seamless in design, making them less prone to leaking. Thus, upgrading to a modern gutter system will reduce the amount of maintenance you need to do.
Whether you are replacing your roof entirely or simply re-roofing, installing low-maintenance gutters is a considerable upgrade. Today, gutters come in various colors, so you can find one that perfectly suits your roof both structurally and aesthetically.
Roof Upgrade 5: Underlayment
Underlayment is a word that is commonly found in construction jargon. Essentially, underlayment lies between the shingles and the roof sheathing, or “roof deck”. Once installed, underlayment provides a secondary layer of protection from outside climate elements, such as rain, snow, and wind.
The three primary types of underlayment are asphalt-saturated felt, rubberized asphalt and non-bitumen synthetic. These are designed to provide extra protection for your roof. If the outermost layer of your roof experiences a leak, for instance, the underlayment helps keep your roof deck dry.
Especially if you live in an area that often endures tumultuous weather systems, investing in quality underlayment can help ensure your roof stays intact.
Roofing Improvements Can Improve Your Home ROI
Each of these upgrade suggestions can enhance your roof’s overall quality and durability. Who wouldn’t want a solid roof that can last for decades with little-to-no maintenance?
Many investments you make into your house can lose much of their value in a short time. In contrast, a well-maintained roof retains most of its value over the years. If your budget allows, investing in even one of these upgrades can increase the value of your home and give you a strong ROI.
Let A Trusted Arizona Roofing Company Help
The roof is a crucial feature of your home that keeps you secure and improves your home’s efficiency. If you want to learn more about upgrading your roof, contact us here at Legacy Roofing!
