In addition to being expensive, roof installation is a major investment in your home's future. If you plan on living in your home for many more years, your roof will affect everything from your utility bills to your aesthetic enjoyment of the property. On the other hand, a new roof can also be a major fact in resale value.
Because your new roof is so important, you might find it hard to balance your level of involvement in the installation process. Should you sweat every detail or leave most choices up to the experts? This guide will review three common roof installation decisions and help you determine how to work with your installer to arrive at the best choices for your home.
1. Style and Color
From an aesthetic point of view, your roofing style and color are easily some of the most important choices you'll need to make. These are also the most personal choices you'll need to make regarding your roof installation. Your roofing contractor will always defer to your stylistic preferences for how you want your roof to look.
However, an experienced contractor can often make recommendations based on the style of your house, your shingle color, or even other homes in your neighborhood. These recommendations may help you see options you might have otherwise not considered, giving you more choices and maybe helping you discover a style that fits more closely with the rest of your home.
2. Roofing System Brand
When you purchase a new television or another consumer item for your home, you'll probably have strong opinions about the brand. On the other hand, most homeowners may be less familiar with brands for building materials such as roofing shingles or roofing systems. As a result, this is one area where you may want to work more closely with your contractor to make a decision.
Most roofing contractors will have one or more preferred brands they work with, and it's worth carefully considering these options when installing a new roof. Experienced contractors will know which brands offer the best warranties or reliable performance. Their advice is often the best way to get a roofing system that will last many years with minimal problems.
3. Underlayment
Roofing underlayment is a critical part of any roofing system. This layer provides secondary protection against moisture intrusion, stopping any water that makes it past your shingles from damaging your roof decking. Water can often flow under shingles during severe storms or due to ice damming in the winter, so your underlayment can stop these otherwise small amounts of moisture from becoming big issues.
Typical options for underlayment include felt, rubberized asphalt, and synthetic materials. These choices each have pros and cons, with more expensive materials typically providing better performance. Since this choice is highly technical, the best option is to listen to your contractor's recommendations and select an option that fits your needs and budget.
Contact a roofer for more information about roof installations.
