Roofing Resources:
Don't replace your roof until you read this!
Your guide to roofs
As a homeowner, you want your home to look nice and remain in good condition. Over the years, you may replace or repair different items to ensure your home stays safe and comfortable. Now may be the time to repair or replace your roof. We know that selecting new roofing materials isn't something you do every day.
This guide is designed to give you information about what to look for when selecting the contractor as well as the materials for your new roof. Finding the right contractor is vital to the success of a roofing project, and the right materials will protect your family for many years.
Choosing a Roofing Contractor
Before installing a new roof or having repairs done, consider the following when choosing a new contractor:
- Look for an established, insured roofer and request references.
- Ask to see certificates of insurance to be sure both liability and workers' compensation insurance coverage is carried, and are in force during the time the roofing work is being done.
- Insist on a detailed, written estimate clearly stating the materials to be used, work specifications and payment procedures.
- Carefully review and understand all warranties and watch for conditions that could void that warranty.
- Be skeptical about bids considerably lower that others written for the same job. A contractor might seem competitive because of a low bid; however, they may be uninsured and may perform substandard work.
Selecting the right roof for your home
Homeowners often select the type and color of roofing materials for their home, but leave the specific brand choice to the contractor. It is important to understand weight, warranty, and cost are not an effective measure of the quality or reliability of roofing products.
When selecting a new roof, consider three things:
- The roofing materials' resistance to the elements: weathering, impact, wind and fire
- The details of the manufacturer's warranty of various roofing products
- The selection of the right contractor
Selecting the right roof for your home involves educating yourself about roofing products, choosing a good contractor, and learning important questions to ask.
Costs will vary depending on the material used and the complexity of the roof shape. Not only will the materials be priced differently, but the labor cost to install different materials can vary drastically.
Roofing products have changed significantly over the years. There is a wide range of choice in materials, appearance, and price. Look for materials that will help protect your home for many years.
Warranties
The manufacturer's warranty is typically limited to product defects that result from the manufacturing process. If your roofing contractor, for example, incorrectly installs the roof and leak develops, the manufacturer would not be responsible for repairs. Workmanship defects are typically covered by a warranty given to the homeowner by the installer. However, there are a few roofing contractors who are certified with major manufacturers, who then back the workmanship of the contractor. These warranties provide significant long term value to the home and should be considered when reviewing roofing options.
Check warranties
Most roofing materials come with some type of warranty; read the fine print carefully. Different manufacturers carry different warranties for similar products. Save the wrapper from one of your shingle bundles to verify the exact product placed on your roof and the associated warranty. Here are some examples of warranties:
- Pro-rated: The manufacturer pays claims based on the age of the roof. The older your roof, the less the manufacturer will pay to replace it with a new roof.
- First owner: Some warranties apply only to the first owner of a roof. If you plan to sell your home soon, the new owner may not be allowed to continue the warranty.
- Warranty fee for flat roofs: Obtaining a warranty from the manufacturer of a roofing system for flat roofs may be cost-prohibitive. However, a local contractor may be able to provide a workmanship warranty.
- Certified warranties: A few select contractors are able to offer homeowners a non-prorated material warranty and a workmanship warranty backed by the contractor AND the manufacturer. In many cases these warranties are also transferrable with the sale of your home. Be sure to ask your contractor if they are able to offer such warranties.
Check Rating
Testing standards exist to measure a roofing product's relative resistance to impact, wind and fire. Roofing manufacturers are not required to subject their roofing materials to all testing standards. However, when materials are tested and receive these ratings, consumers can use this information to help them determine which roofing product is right for their home.
Impact Resistance
UL 2218 is a testing standard designed by Underwriters' Laboratories (UL) to evaluate a roofing material's potential resistance to the impact of hail. Roofing products may have a testing label indicating a specific impact-resistance rating. Depending on how the material performed during UL 2218 testing, the product may receive a Class 1, 2, 3, or 4 impact resistance rating. Roofing with a Class 4 rating is expected to provide the greatest impact resistance.
Wind Resistance
Windy conditions put a constant stress on your roof. The wind may lift the edges of roofing material, allowing the weather to penetrate. High winds can cause tearing in asphalt composition shingles. Extreme winds can even cause many roofing materials to blow off. Products perform best when installed per the manufacturer's instructions.
If you select an asphalt product for your roof, the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturer Association (ARMA) prefers the use of nails to staples for securing shingles. In windy areas, many manufactures and local building codes call for six nails per shingle instead of the usual four.
Fire Resistance
Depending on how a material performs during a fire resistance testing, the product may receive a Class A, B, or C fire rating or possibly no rating. Products tested may be labeled with a specific fire resistance rating.
Fire ratings are:
- Class A: Effective against severe fire exposure
- Class B: Effective against moderate fire exposure
- Class C: Effective against light fire exposure
- Non-rated: The roofing material either was not tested or failed one of the tests
Check local building codes before purchasing to see which standards need to be met.
Care and Maintenance
Simple maintenance can help many roofs last for years. Here are some tips:
- Proper roof and eave ventilation may help extend the life of the roof by reducing the buildup of heat and moisture in the attic.
- Preservatives available for some types of roofs may help limit weathering effects of moisture and retard growth of molds and mosses.
- Avoid walking on a roof to limit wear and tear. Only necessary repairs or inspections should warrant walking on the roof.
- Keep trees trimmed to prevent them from rubbing against the roof or from providing excessive shade.
- Keep roof, valleys, gutters and downspouts free from buildup of leaves, twigs, and other litter preventing proper drainage. Consider installing gutter guards that will keep leaves and debris out of the gutters and downspouts.
Roof Maintenance
Warning Signs
- Missing, curling, cupping, broken, or cracked shingles.
- Damage or deterioration around the flashing at chimneys, vents and other junctions.
- Damage or deterioration in valley areas of the roof.
- Granular loss found in gutters and downspouts. Manufacturers cover asphalt composition shingles with granules to block ultraviolet rays from the sun, but natural aging will cause granules to erode and expose the asphalt. Granular loss begins during installation and occurs daily. This is an expected condition, but excessive loss may indicate a problem.
- Leaves, debris and dirt near roof edges or outside the gutters may impair drainage and lead to deterioration.
- Pooling or ponds of water that fail to drain from flat roofs may indicate low areas and inadequate drainage.