A Practical Guide to Choosing the Best Roof for Your Home | South Shore Roofing
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If you are thinking of buying a new roof, then you are probably wondering what to consider, what is important and what not, and where to even begin.

The good news is that there is an array of roofing materials available to you on the market nowadays, much more than there was years or decades ago when you were buying your current roof.  

But the bad news is that choosing between all those options can be quite complicated and stressful, especially if you don’t know a lot about roofing systems.

Sometimes, homeowners simply go for the easiest option and opt for the roofing material that is already on their home. They simply replace it with a newer and updated version

However, knowing a bit more about roofing systems, their features, and main benefits can help you a lot in this decision and even turn your attention to some other, maybe better options.

Therefore, we will help you with this decision by pointing to some of the most important features to look for in a roof. Read on and find out what to consider and which features are essential when buying a new roof and comparing different roofing options.

Roof Slope

One of the first considerations when choosing between different roofing possibilities should be your roof’s slope or pitch, as it is also called. There are roofing systems that require more or less slope on your roof and at this point, some options will probably already get eliminated.

A roof’s slope refers to the number of inches that the roof rises for in relation to its horizontal run. This number is measured every 12 inches of the roof’s length. Therefore, when you see, for example, that a roof has a “4-in-12” slope, it means that the roof rises 4 inches every 12 inches of its length, i.e. of its horizontal run.

The pitch is expressed in different terms, i.e. in fractions, and it refers to the relation between the roof’s height and its width. If the roof is, for example, 10 feet high and 40 feet wide, we would say that it has a ¼ pitch.

You can always ask your roofer to clarify the numbers when it comes to the pitch or the slope so that you don’t have to do the math and calculate which roof will fit your home and which won’t.

Therefore, when choosing a roofing material, you first have to make sure that you have enough slope on your home to go on. Some of the most common materials, such as asphalt shingles and tiles require the previously-mentioned 4-in-12 slope or a steeper one.

Weather Resistance

The next thing on your mind should be the weather. Not all roofs are made to withstand all types of weather, so make sure to consult with your roofer about your options.

If you get a lot of storms and harsh weather, then you will need a very resistant and weatherproof roofing material that will not fail as soon as a storm hits you and that will withstand the elements.

The roof must be strong enough to hold up against high winds, it must shed snow and rain easily to prevent pooling and water damage, and it also needs to withstand the sun rays and not heat up too much. Metal roofing is a great example of a weather-resistant material, for example.

Cost and Longevity

The cost and the longevity or durability of a roof are very closely related. When looking at the prices of different roofing materials, longevity will be a very important factor in them. If a roof is very durable and will last you for more than 50 years, it is expected that it will also have a steeper price.

Even though a roof is a big investment and homeowners usually want to find the best deal, that “best deal” may also be the lowest-quality roofing option. If you choose the cheapest roof material, you may be facing a lot of repairs and even another roof replacement in the future. This would, in the end, amount to much higher costs altogether.

That is why experts always recommend opting for high quality and durability in a roof. This may mean that you will have to set aside more money for it, but in the end, it will be a wiser investment for the long run. You will not have to replace your roof any time soon, or maybe even ever again. The roof will not need as many repairs, which also means less additional expenses.

Fire Ratings

Fire ratings are very important features of roofs, especially if you live in an area prone to wildfires and where fires are an environmental hazard.

You should opt for a roof that will be the most effective against fire exposure, i.e. for a fire-rated roofing material. Unrated materials should not be considered as an option and should not be used in areas where fire is a hazard.

Roofs can be rated from Class A to C and there are also the previously mentioned unrated materials, such as untreated wood shingles. A roof with a Class A rating is the most fire-resistant roof, Class B roofs will withstand moderate fire exposure, and Class C will only withstand minor fire exposure.

Therefore, consider the area where you live and consult with your roofer in order to see which rating will be the best fit for you.

Curb Appeal

Last but not least, you should think about the appearance of your new roof, how it will affect your overall aesthetics, and whether it will enhance your curb appeal.

Curb appeal is a very important aspect for homeowners and it also has a great role in the property’s overall value. The higher the curb appeal, the higher the resale value of your home.

Therefore, after carefully considering all the above-mentioned features, you can move onto the appearances. Most roofing materials will have several style and colors to choose from, so make sure to choose the color, texture, style, and type of roofing material that will best fit your exterior and be compatible with your current colors and home style.

Conclusion

Choosing the right roofing system for your home is not an easy decision, which is why you should take some time to carefully consider all your options. 

Consult with your best roof replacement contractors and go through all your possibilities with them, comparing the most important features that we have covered in this text.

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