Chicago is located in an area that experiences large seasonal temperature differences due to its humid climate. Both summers and winters here can be extreme. Precipitation is well distributed throughout the year as well. To make things worse, the city lies right next to the Lake Michigan, which is an instant source of all sorts of weather irregularities.
This type of climate can have a tremendous impact not just on people’s lifestyles but also on the structural stability of buildings in the city. One component of buildings that is constantly affected by natural forces is the roof. High winds, heavy rains, and blizzards can easily take its toll on this structural element. This is especially true for most residential buildings that are built with less stable roofing systems.
Common Types of Residential Roofs
Most commercial buildings look the same, a box-type structure with a flat roofing system as the primary architectural goal for this kind of building is efficiency. Residential buildings, on the other hand, are usually more diverse. Apart from efficiency, comfort and aesthetics are also factored in the design. Here are the most common types of roofing used for homes.
- Gable Roof. It’s normal for a roof to have a slight slope to allow rainwater or snowmelt to flow down the gutter. Even a flat roof is angled a bit to prevent water from pooling and causing water damage to the underlying structure. A gable roof, however, is quite unique because it is slanted higher than the standard. This allows for more efficient drainage, although this shape of roof is not ideal in areas where there’s constant high wind.
- Flat Roof. This type of roof has approximately 10 degrees slope, making it look almost flat when viewed from street level, hence the name. It’s ideal for buildings in areas with an arid climate, because wind can simply slide past on its surface. A lot of homeowners prefer a flat roof because it requires fewer materials to build and therefore costs so much less than other roof shapes.
- Hip Roof. In terms of slope, a hip roof is almost similar to a gable roof. The only difference is that all four sides of a hip roof are covered with roofing material, edges of which meet at the hip, hence the name. Depending on the owner’s preferred design, a hip roof may or may not have a ridge. One apparent advantage of this design is that it allows for easy connection between two intersecting sections of the house.
- Mansard Roof. This type of roof is a combination of flat and hip roof. It is divided into two parts. The lower and bigger half is commonly transformed into a functional loft with overlooking windows on all or some sides. The upper half is usually less slanted and resembles a flat roof. A Mansard roof is the ideal choice if you wish to maximize your attic space.
Types of Roofing Material According to Longevity
There are many types of roofing material available on the market. Each has a unique set of features where you can base your choice of type suitable for your home. You definitely want a roofing material that lasts long and can give you the most bang for your buck. To help you decide, here’s a list of the most common roofing materials according to their longevity.
- Asphalt or Composite. Despite having the shortest lifespan among all kinds of roofing materials, only around 15 years, asphalt or composite shingle roof is still the most popular choice for homeowners, and for several good reasons. Apart from being the least expensive option, it is also easy to install. Most asphalt roofing today have a base layer of glass fiber, which adds to the overall performance of the roof. With proper maintenance, this type of roof can last for up to 20 years.
- Wood Shingle. Believe it or not, wood shingles can last up to 25 years, quite longer than asphalt shingles, and it’s not difficult to understand why. Asphalt shingles are made of asphalt granules that can be depleted by constant wind blow and rainfall. Whereas, wood shingles are made of denser material, which doesn’t disintegrate over time. The real negative of this type of roofing material is decay and moss growth, which happens to all kinds of organic materials. You can prolong its lifespan, though, by applying a protective coating.
- Metal. A lot of modern homes have metal roofing, particularly made of preformed standing seams or panels. This type of roofing can last for 30 years. One great advantage of metal roofing is that it can be coated with any color of paint to match with your home’s architecture. Should you decide to make changes on your home’s façade, you can simply recoat the roof with a different color. The most desirable color for metal roofing is white as it helps reflect heat back into space.
- Wood Shake. Obviously, this type of roofing material is made of wood. However, unlike wood shingles, wood shakes are much thicker and therefore more durable. It is expected to last up to 40 years if taken care of property. It can also stand up to weather and UV rays better than wood shingles. Although wood shakes are properly treated to become resistant to weathering, they can still succumb to nature’s forces at some point in their lifetime. Therefore, they require constant coating and maintenance.
- Tile. If you’re looking for a roofing material that could last for generations, tile is most likely your best option. Made from clay, a tile roof will neither decay nor slough off. Because of that, this type of roofing material can last for up to 100 years. It is important to note, though, that tiles may be a little heavier than the previously mentioned roofing materials, so a special decking design may be necessary.
- Slate. This is perhaps the most durable type of roofing material. It can last for over 100 years. In fact, there are homes from the time of Shakespeare whose roofs are still intact. Slate is even heavier than tiles, so installation must be done impeccably. Those who are not planning to move from their homes will absolutely benefit from having a slate roof.
When to Repair or Replace Your Roof
The signs that you need roof repair or replacement as well as the kind or work your roof needs will depend greatly on the type of roof you have. Now that you know what type of roof your home has, it won’t be difficult to tell whether or not your roof needs repair or replacement. Here are some of the most common signs to watch out for.
- Broken or Missing Shingles. When you find more than a couple of cracked or curled shingles, it could be a sign of a severe damage that needs attending to. Keep in mind that all sides of your roof are exposed to the same types of elements. Therefore, the damage on one piece of shingle may also occur in others. So when you find damaged shingles, or worse yet missing pieces, it means the whole roof has to undergo thorough inspection. If it’s already impossible to repair, replacement must be in order.
- Granules in the Gutters. When you notice a sudden change in the shade of your asphalt shingles—from black to grey—the most plausible reason is the depletion of the granules that protect the shingles from UV rays. Confirm your suspicion by checking the gutters for accumulation of these granules. When you see large amounts of it, then it means it’s only a matter of time before your entire roof finally collapses.
- Cracked Tiles. Ceramics like roof tiles are extremely durable. No matter how rough the weather is, tiles can hold up, except when hit by hail. A piece of hailstone the size of a coin can fall from the sky at great speed, hitting the roof with great force. Depending on the age and quality of the tiles, the hailstone might hit their surface with enough force to leave cracks. You can choose to meticulously inspect each piece of tile and replace those that have cracks or replace the entire roof to be sure you’ll leave nothing unfixed.
- Rust on Metal Roof. Most preformed standing seams or panels are galvanized or dipped in melted zinc to improve their corrosion resistance. However, over time, and depending on the potency of the air within your home’s location, your roof may start forming rust. It will take years before the entire roof turns brown and develops holes, but it pays to have them replaced early as soon as rusting can no longer be reversed.
The Importance of Hiring Professional Roofers
The roof is your first line of defense against the elements. It also plays a major role in keeping your home comfortable and your electricity bills low. Therefore it is only right that you give it the best care it deserves, something that you or anyone in the family may not be able to properly provide. You need help from professional roofers. Here are the reasons why:
They have the skill. Roofers did not get their title by chance. They’ve earned it through training and experience. They have the skill required to get the job done fast and successfully. Whether you need to install a new roof or fix an existing one, they can definitely manage.
They have the tools. Most of the tools roofers use for installing or fixing a roof cannot be found in your home. Roofers have the right tools and know how to use them well.
DIY is not the best option. With no proper training and tools, you can do more harm than good to your roof. It might be too late before you realize that you will end up spending more on fixing the damage you’ve caused than if you just hired expert roofers. Furthermore, a professionally installed roof will last for a long time so you can save money on repair, maintenance, and replacement.
There’s no better way of making sure that your investment will pay off hiring the right roofing company. If you leave the fate of your roof in the hands of reputable roofers like Muller Exteriors, you can experience superb workmanship, which will lead to great results.
