The roof is probably the most neglected part of your house and it’s easy to understand why. Apart from being almost inaccessible and quite dangerous to work on without the right fall arrest, it’s also too wide that looking for damage or leak source can be tricky. Then again, despite all these valid excuses to avoid the daunting task of maintaining your roof, it still has to be done and frequently, if you want it to perform well and last for many years.
The roof is probably the most neglected part of your house and it’s easy to understand why. Apart from being almost inaccessible and quite dangerous to work on without the right fall arrest, it’s also too wide that looking for damage or leak source can be tricky. Then again, despite all these valid excuses to avoid the daunting task of maintaining your roof, it still has to be done and frequently, if you want it to perform well and last for many years.
Here are some facts about your roof that you might find interesting and perhaps useful when making decisions about your roofing in the future.
Wood shingle isn’t the most attractive of choices.
Homeowners who prefer a natural and rustic appeal for their home exterior normally go for wood shingles. Indeed, wood shingles offer a refreshing feel, perhaps because it doesn’t absorb as much heat as ceramic and metal. But these perks come at a price. Because wood is organic, it decays and is an easy target for insects and pests looking for a comfy haven to breed in. It burns quickly, too, so the risk of fire is quite high. As a result, expect a pretty huge insurance premium when choosing wood shingles for your roof.
Leak usually occurs in areas where flashing is needed.
It’s unusual to see leak coming from the center of a roof panel. That only happens when a shingle has been blown off or has a crack large enough to let water in. About 90 percent of the time, leaks occur along the side where flashing is necessary. Flashing is a metal sheet meant to patch the gap between a firewall or chimney and the edge of the roof. So the next time you see dark patches on the ceiling indicating that there’s a leak in your roof, these are the areas you should check first.
Asphalt is popular but it’s not the most durable option you have.
Asphalt roofing is regarded as the most popular roofing type and that’s not because it’s the most durable but it is the least expensive. It looks elegant, too, so it makes a great roofing choice for those who want to save money. However, it’s also the second least durable of all roofing types, only next to flat roofing. It only lasts for about 15 to 20 years, give or take, with proper maintenance. Still, many households, particularly those that are planning to sell their home in the future, prefer asphalt shingles to other more durable materials.
Metal roof is lighter than wood.
One of the reasons why many homeowners are reluctant to use metal roofing is that they think it’s too heavy and might collapse on them. In truth, this is by far one of the lightest types of roofing. They can either be made from shingles or panels that are lighter than wood, tile, or slate. They make a perfect option if you want a roof that looks sophisticated and flexible.
A roof’s durability depends not just on what material it is made of.
The materials that make up your roof is just one of the factors that affect its longevity. There are many others that you have to keep in mind if you want your roof to last a lifetime. Proper installation, for instance, helps increase the roof’s resistance to damage and slows down its deterioration. Proper coating for metal or wood roofing, on the other hand, can help prevent corrosion or rot that shortens your roof’s life expectancy.
Of course, you can avoid the tricky part of the decision-making process regarding your roofing by hiring a qualified roofing contractor. Not only do they know when and how often to replace roof but they also provide other services that you can definitely benefit from. Roof repair and replacement companies in Chicago like Muller Exteriors, for instance, also offer siding and window installation and maintenance services.
