Author Archives: Mike Perry

The Importance of Commercial Roof Ventilation

When it comes to maintaining the roof of a commercial building, property owners are generally worried about the insulation and the condition of the roof and its features.  While these things are very important, property owners must consider the roof ventilation as well.  It is important for commercial roofing to always be properly ventilated to prevent problems that can occur when hot air and moisture build-up in the highest level of the building.

Proper roofing ventilation is important because the ventilation creates enough airflow for heat and moisture that have accumulated near the roof of the building to escape.  The roof ventilation system also prevents cold air from entering the building, which helps keep the roof at a stable temperature and prevents indoor temperature extremes.  If the roof has ineffective ventilation, condensation may build up on the interior of the roof which can lead to several issues.

commercial roof ventilation

The roof must be properly ventilated year-round because moisture and hot air can gather near the roof in any season and cause problems.  During the summer, proper roof ventilation will allow the hot air and moisture that have risen to the highest level of the building to escape for more efficient cooling.  During the winter, the hot air from the heat needs to escape so it doesn’t heat the roof and cause ice and snow to melt.

Maintaining the ventilation system of your roof will help prevent major issues that can cause damage to the roof and ultimately shorten its lifespan.  If the roof of your commercial building is not properly ventilated, you may experience the following issues with your roof and building:

Condensation Buildup

Condensation buildup in the attic or near the roof can lead to several major issues that can damage the roof and surrounding property.  The moisture from within the building, whether it is from humid conditions or steam from cooking and warm water usage, will rise towards the roof.  If the roof is not properly ventilated to allow the moisture to escape, it will form into condensation.  The condensation will settle on building materials below the roof as well as the eaves, soffits, and roofing materials.

The buildup of condensation is dangerous because excess moisture can lead to the following problems:

  • Structural damage: Wood, insulation, drywall, and other building materials are porous and will absorb excess moisture and condensation. When this happens, the materials can become weakened, warped, or rotted, eventually leading to serious structural damage.  The buildup of condensation can also cause metal components, nails, and screws to rust.
  • Mold growth: Moisture is the main resource that mold needs in order to appear within a building. When condensation builds up near the roof, it creates the ideal conditions for mold to grow.  Mold colonies can form on wood and drywall surfaces, and the mold growth will devour these surfaces, causing them to weaken and decay.  The presence of mold can also lead to serious health issues for those who are exposed.  This can be especially dangerous in commercial buildings with a lot of people.

Roof Damage

If the heat and moisture that build up near the roof are not removed with proper ventilation, the roof may sustain damage that can shorten its lifespan.  Both the heat and the moisture can transfer to the surface of the roof, resulting in warped decking, buckling shingles, and structural damage of the wood frame.  Components of the roof such as the shingles may become overheated, which will make them more likely to become damaged and require replacement.  The damage caused by excess heat and moisture can also extend to the siding of the building and the interior walls and ceilings.   With poor roof ventilation, you will not only end up spending money to repair the resulting damage, but you may also be forced to replace your roof prematurely.

Higher Energy Bills

This is a problem that is more likely to occur in the summer as poorly ventilated roofs allow heat to buildup in attic spaces and near the roof.  If this heat has nowhere to escape, it will seep back into the building, raising the indoor temperature.  In the summer, this will cause your air conditioner to run more than necessary to cool the building, which will result in higher cooling costs.

Ice Dams

Ice dams are a major problem that can result from poor roof ventilation during the winter.  This happens when the heat that builds up under the roof causes the ice and snow on the roof to melt.  The melting only occurs in certain areas of the roof, not the entire roof, and the melting snow and ice will refreeze at the edge of the roof, forming an ice dam.  Ice dams put major stress on the building due to their weight and they prevent any melted ice or snow from properly running off the roof.  As a result, the ice dams will grow in size and trap water from the melting ice and snow on the roof which can lead to leaks and water damage.

The weight of ice and snow on the roof can cause structural damage and even collapse if it continues to build up.  Ice dams also create a safety hazard outside your building as large icicles can fall from the roof as the ice dams melt.

Ensuring Proper Roof Ventilation

In order to ensure proper ventilation on your commercial roof, there needs to be continuous airflow that can be achieved by finding a balance between the air intake and air exhaust.  Both the air intake and exhaust are controlled by vents that allow air in and out of the building.  The combination of air intake and exhaust will keep the air moving near the roof to prevent heat and excess moisture from building up.  It is important to make sure the vents are in good condition to ensure that your roof is properly ventilated.  If you need assistance maintaining or installing air intake and exhaust vents for your roof, a roofing professional will ensure that you have the right vents and that they are functional.

Call a Commercial Roofing Professional

If you believe that your roof is not properly ventilating, or if you would like to have the ventilation system inspected, contact a commercial roofing contractor.  Different types of commercial roofing systems use different ventilation systems, so they are not universal.  A roofing professional will recognize the type of ventilation system you need for your roof and ensure it is in working order.  By keeping the ventilation system of your commercial roof properly maintained, you can avoid costly repairs, keep your energy bills under control, and ultimately, extend the lifespan of your roof.

 

The 5 Best Roofing Materials for Warmer Climates

If you live in a warmer climate, you may be wondering what roofing materials would be able to stand up to the heat. Dealing with triple-digit temperatures is no easy task. The unforgiving heat can cause you to turn up the air conditioner and send those energy prices skyrocketing. But there are roofing materials available that do a great job at keeping your home calm, cool, and collected. In this article, we are going to discuss some of the options that you have as a homeowner that will keep your home cool without you having to spend a ton of money on cooling your home through electricity.

1. Concrete

Utilizing concrete tile is a great way to cool your home for a more inexpensive price than other options. Even though it is a heavy material, it takes a long time to heat up while it’s standing in the sun. That means that, in turn, it will take a long time for that heat to get through your roof and start to heat up your home. Also, these tiles are often put into a wave pattern that improves airflow between the decking and the roof surface. This will have a hand in cooling your home as well. Painting these tiles a lighter color will help reflect heat even more and may give your home a more aesthetically pleasing look overall.

2. Metal

Picking a metal roof is a fantastic choice for anyone living in a warmer climate. Throughout cities in warmer climates, like San Antonio, Texas and Los Angeles, California, metal roofing is a very popular choice. There is often a higher up-front cost than other materials such as asphalt, but as time pasts the money that you will save on maintenance and electricity costs will surely help the difference. From aluminum to copper, there are many different options that you can choose from. Each will reflect the sun in their own way. But if you are looking for an even more reflective option there paints and coatings for metal roofing that will increase its reflectiveness even more.

With metal roofing, roofers airspace between those metal panels and the decking. This airspace is crucial in cooling down your home. It acts as a thermal barrier that lowers the heat from the sun as it transfers from the roof to the interior of the home below. Additionally, metal is fire-resistant as well. This makes it a great choice for those who live in a warmer climate. It is also a choice that is great for the environment since metal roofing is often made with recycled materials. Once the material finally reaches the end of its lifespan, the material can be recycled as well as it moves onto the next home.

3. Green/Living

Aside from its intriguing and unique appeal, green roofs do wonders for making your home more energy-efficient. In order to bring a green roof to life, a waterproof membrane filled with soil and vegetation is incorporated into your roof. This is meant to cool the home naturally through the soil’s temperature and the growth of the greenery on top. Along with cooling your home, the plants also bring more oxygen into the air and improve your home’s air quality. This makes it great for those who are living in a highly congested area. Due to its pricing and the expertise needed to install this material, it’s not too popular throughout homes. But, that doesn’t take away from the immense benefits of having a green roof.

4. Clay

Clay is a fantastic choice for those who are living in a warmer climate. They’re incredibly long-lasting; they usually last for at least 50 years, if not more. If you’re looking for a Southwest flair or colonial style home, then tile is one of the best ways to pull it off. Clay is a material that has a history of protecting individuals from the heat, so you can definitely protect it to protect you and your family. Typical clays are lighter in color, which makes them more susceptible to heat without having to be painted. If you are looking for an eco-friendly option then clay would be a great choice. They are super easy to recycle, so you do not have to worry about the possibility of it landing in a landfill.

The curved shape of the tile makes a difference as well. It allows the air to circulate efficiently below the surface. Throughout the day, this helps cool your home. When it comes to cost, they are a bit more expensive than other materials on the market. Clay tiles are also very heavy; at least two to four times heavier than asphalt. In order to make sure that your home can handle the weight of them, you may have to reinforce the foundation of your home. But, after looking at the benefits of utilizing clay, you may find that the benefits of clay outweigh the negatives.

5. EPDM “Rubber”

EPDM is often referred to as rubber, but it is actually a synthetic rubber-like substance. This substance is very durable against harsh conditions. It is built to withstand the unrelenting heat of the summer without cracking or breaking down. If you are interested in mimicking the look of slate and cedar, this material would be a great cost-effective way to do just that. This roofing is lightweight and reflective which makes it perfect for those who are living in a warmer climate. It’s also a more affordable choice than tile or green roofs. Also, while implementing regular maintenance methods, it can protect your home for decades on end.

When combating the sun, protecting your home can be a tough task. That is why it is important to put a lot of thought into your roof’s material. Each has pros and cons you need to weigh in order to figure out what material is going to work best for you. Whether you are into metal roofing or green roofing, your home will surely benefit from bringing one of these energy-efficient choices to your humble abode.

Pros and Cons of a Roof Overlay

As time goes by and your roof goes through normal wear and tear, your roof may be in need of some work. This is something that every homeowner has to go through, especially those who are living in their homes for long periods of time. Your first option would be, of course, replacing the entire roof. But, what you may not be aware of is that you have a completely different option available to you: overlaying. Essentially, overlaying is the practice of putting new shingles on top of the old and damaged shingles that you already have on your home. Overlaying your home, instead of giving your home a brand new roof, can boost your roof’s lifespan while keeping your wallet intact. The choice is up to you as a homeowner and what your needs are. In turn, it is important to weigh the pros and cons in order to understand what the right choice will look like for you.

Pros

If you are dealing with a tight budget, overlaying your roof might be the better option for you. Because you are just adding new shingles onto the old ones, you are not using as many materials as you would when you are implementing an entirely new roof. This keeps more money in your pocket, at least initially. Also, you do not have to hire as much manpower as well then you would when you are replacing your entire roof. When you choose to overlay your roof, there’s definitely a lower upfront cost.

Also, it takes way less time to overlay your roof instead of installing a completely new roof. That means that you will be spending less time in discomfort and dealing with the construction that comes from remodeling your home. This is all dependent on the fact that you have a roof that is in good shape and can handle the weight of an extra roof.

roof overlay

Cons

Overlaying your roof is just like adding another roof on top of your roof. With that action, it means that there is going to be a ton of extra weight added to your home. You have to make sure that your home is able to deal with all this extra weight. For this reason, overlaying might not be the best option for older homes that are not built to deal with the weight of a second roof. Having the look of a second roof may also dip the resale value of your roof as well. It is not exactly the most appealing look that you can give to your home.

An overlayed roof is not going to last as long as a brand new roof. When you overlay it, you are not catering to the problems that might lay underneath. Things like mold, water damage, and broken shingles are going to be forgotten about because you can not cater to those problems to your first roof when you implement an overlay. With an overlay you are just adding something on top of those problems; a temporary fix. After you add an overlay to your home, then it is going to be quite difficult to find out where leaks are coming from since there are now two roofs on your home. If you live in a climate with a severe rainy season, then overlaying your home instead of replacing it might not be the best choice for you.

Additionally, overlaying is not necessarily the option for everyone. If you are dealing with heavy problems such as curling or broken shingles, then overlaying your roof is not going to be the best option for you. Additionally, adding an overlaying roof is going to add unnecessary heat to the previous roof that’s lying underneath. That’s going to make the existing roof brittle as time goes on.

There comes a time where you will have to completely replace your roof. When that time comes, you are going to end up paying more to replace the two layers of roofing. Overlaying your roof may have a lower cost upfront, but depending on the current state of your roof you may have to pay more over time in order to keep it in good condition.

Is Overlaying Your Roof Right for You?

Depending on a variety of reasons, overlaying your roof might be the right choice for you. If your roof does not have any major issues, then overlaying your roof might be a good choice since the overlay has a stronger foundation to hold to. If you are dealing with major water damage, mildew, moss, or missing shingles then you may just want to completely redo your roof.

If you are having the tire roof done instead of a partial section of the roof, then you may choose to overlay your roof. If you are just looking for a partial section of your roof, then overlaying your roof will make that one section thicker than the rest of your roof. This can lead to serious problems as time goes by, and it also is quite unappealing as well. Additionally, if your roof has already been overlaid in the past then you should not do it again.

Overlaying your roof is a choice that many homeowners choose to make throughout the lifespan of your home. Go over the previously mentioned pros and cons in order to understand whether overlaying your roof would be the right choice for you. Overlaying can easily cater to a small budget while giving your roof’s lifespan an extra boost, but they also may add to a larger cost and more maintenance in the long run. It all depends on what you are looking for as a homeowner, and how you imagine the future of your roof heading. If you are still unsure whether you need an overlay, then try to ask a professional roofing company for help. They will be able to look over the current condition of your roof and help you make the decision over whether your roof will be able to withstand the effects that an overlay may bring.

How to Prepare Your Roof for the Rainy Season

Are you ready for the rainy season ahead? Protecting your roof before the rainy season comes along will prevent you from damaging your roof any further and allow for a safe and enjoyable season. If you don’t prepare your roof for the rainy season, you leave your home susceptible to leaks and other water damage. This water damage can lead to even bigger problems throughout your home if you ignore them. Read on to learn more about things that you can do to get your roof ready for the rain.

Clean Your Gutters

Gutters are your best line of defense against a heavy, rainy season. Without clear gutters, rainwater has nowhere to go when it falls on your roof. This can lead to heavy consequences in the future for not only your gutters themselves but your home’s foundation as well. If there are trees around your gutters, be sure to trim those as well in order to prevent excess debris from clogging up your gutters.

Clean Off Debris

Be sure to clean off all of the leaves, dirt, and other gunk that’s on your roof. Keeping your roof clear gives rainwater a clear path to get off of your roof once a rainstorm comes. Standing water can eventually lead to leaks and even worse problems for your home in the long run. We don’t recommend getting on top of your roof because of the potential danger, so enlist a professional roofer to help you out with this task.

Check Your Attic

As you are spring cleaning or putting away holiday decorations, take the time to check out the roof. Checking out your roof from the inside of often overlooked by homeowners, but it’s often the best way to check out problems when they’re in their earliest stages. If there’s any light coming in from the roof, then you may be dealing with a leak. Check the shingles out for any mold accumulation as well. If you smell something strange but don’t see anything, don’t ignore it. This might be a clue towards a deeper problem.

roof repair

Look Into Your Shingles

As you deal with heavy rainstorms, there’s a greater chance to deal with leaks and further damage to your roof. That’s why it’s important to check over your shingles before the rainy season begins. Your shingles are a very important part of your roof; they’re your first line of defense against any type of precipitation. Check for broken, curled, warping, or shrinking shingles. They all are damaged in some way and need to be replaced as soon as possible. Also, check for stained shingles as well. This may be evidence of a leak or a deeper problem within your home.

Inspect Your Flashing

If you’re not aware, a roof’s flashing is the material that’s used over joints in the roof and wall construction in order to prevent water from seeping in. This makes them incredibly important during the rainy season. Check around your home for any imperfections throughout your flashing and replace them as quickly as you can.

Fix Your Skylights

If you have skylights built into your roof, now’s the time to ensure that they’re properly in place. If they aren’t, then that may lead to water seeping through the cracks and getting into your home. Additionally, if they aren’t sealed well it could cause precious heating or cooling within your home to slip away. This will inevitably cause your energy bills to rise because of that.

Get Rid of Moss

Moss feeds off of moisture and damp environments. That makes now the perfect time to get rid of it. Moss can also lift your shingles and cause long term problems to your roof. Take the time out to get rid of the moss that may be lingering on your roof, as well as other plant growth that you see.

Check Your Vents

We rely on our vents in order to keep our home temperature-controlled and as comfortable as possible. But, what we may not realize is that water and other debris may be getting into our home through the ventilation system. Bring a professional in to inspect the vents and ensure that they’re designed to keep rainwater out. If they’re not, then it may be time to replace them before the heavy rain season is upon you.

Check Your Drains

Our drains are used to direct water away from our homes. But, what happens when these drains are clogged up? Before the rainy season, check your drains to see whether they’re clear or clogged. If they’re clogged, that can cause water to sit on your roof and eventually cause leaks in the long run.

Read Over Your Home Insurance

If a horrible storm or another worst-case scenario comes up and severely damages your home, you want to make sure that you’re covered. Also, now would be a great time to look over what’s covered by your home insurance policy and what isn’t so you can make sure that you won’t run into any unnecessary fees. If you don’t believe that your current home insurance plan will fully protect your home during this rainy season, call up your local insurance agent in order to figure out a plan that’ll work best for you. It’s always better to call your insurance company up before a disaster happens, instead of after. Taking care of your home can be an expensive task. But, in the long run, it’s totally worth it in order to ensure the safety of you and your family.

Dealing with the rainy season can be frustrating if you don’t prepare your roof for it. Choosing to be proactive instead of reactive with your roof can save you time, money, and frustration in the long run. Your roof is a very important part of your home; as it’s meant to protect you and your family from the harsh weather that may be lurking around. Putting forth the effort to making sure that it’s in tip-top shape is a great way to ensure its lifespan and prevent larger problems in the future.

 

6 Tips for Spring Cleaning Your Roof

Spring is the perfect time to get some fresh air and prepare your home for the beautiful and optimistic season ahead. Whether you are a renter in a cold-weather, expensive city like Chicago; or a homeowner in Minnesota or a property manager in Dallas,  Your roof is an incredibly important part of your house and it deserves your love just as much as the inside of your house does. Spring cleaning your roof will help repair your roof from the harsh conditions that the winter can bring so your roof can be the best it possibly once the springtime comes. Interested in learning more about protecting your roof? Read on to learn about tips that can fully strengthen your roof to protect you and your family through the warmer months.

1. Check Your Roof From the Inside

Sometimes, the best thing that you can do is check your roof from the inside. It’s one of the most looked over tasks by homeowners. They often think that you can see all of your roof’s shortcomings from the outside, but that’s just not the case. You can easily check around for mold and mildew growth when you’re looking at your from the attic. If you see any light coming from the outside that may be the first chance of witnessing a leak in your roof. Additionally, if you smell something but don’t see anything; don’t ignore it. That may be a hint of an inner source of damage. Take note of it for later and hire a professional in order to take a better look at it.

2. Examine Your Shingles

When it comes to your roof, the shingles are the first line of protection. Shingles are the flat, rectangular shapes that overlap to fully protect your roof. Checking out your shingles will help you understand what exactly you need to fix throughout your roof in order to strengthen your roof for the warmer months. We recommend that you don’t get on top of your roof in order to check out your shingles. This can end up being very dangerous, especially if you’re completing the task alone. Do the best examination that you can from the ground.

Keep a lookout for any gaps in the shingles or loose shingles that look like they’re about to fly away. These shingles are often the ones that need to be replaced fully. Loose shingles often come from bad installation or poor ventilation. Also, be sure to look out for shingles with weird staining as well. Stained shingles might be evidence that your roof has a leak or the ventilation system throughout your roof is broken. The shingles are what hold your roof together so it’s important that they stay in tip-top shape at all times.

3. Clean Out Your Gutters

After the winter season, your gutters are probably filled with debris and gunk. This is exactly why you need to take the time out to clean them. If your gutters are clogged they won’t be able to do the job that they’re made to do; drain your roof of precipitation. While you’re cleaning, you should look for evidence of wear and tear on your gutters. Things like rust and corrosion are signs that you might have to get your gutters replaced. If you do, then don’t procrastinate on the task. Gutters are an important part of your home and could lead to dire circumstances in the long run.

roof spring cleaning

4. Trim Nearby Branches

One of the biggest enemies against your roof is often nearby trees and their branches. This is often where most of the debris is coming from and what’s clogging your gutters and taking over your roof. Also, if those branches are close enough to your roof they can scrap it and damage the protective granules on top of the shingles. If you have the proper equipment to trim those branches in a safe manner then you may be able to take on this task yourself. But, if you aren’t confident in those abilities then hiring a professional arborist would do the trick just the same. It’s best to take care of this task before the full bloom of spring hits so you can have less foliage to deal with.

5. Clear Away Debris

Whether it’s dirt, leaves, or other debris, getting that gunk off of your roof can do nothing but help the quality of your roof. Also, since that debris is often unsightly to look at, cleaning the debris can give it a brand new look for the new season. Along the way, make sure that you’re using a cleaning substance that’s specified for roofs in particular. For example, bleach can strip away the color of your roof and damage your roofing materials.

6. Get Rid of Mold

If you see that your shingles are discolored, you might be dealing with mold. Mold can be very destructive to your roof. Dealing with mold is even more prevalent if you’re living in a wetter climate than usual. Some of the home remedies that you can try out on the mold are lead control strips or utilizing zine on the affected areas. If your mold was caught early enough, then these home remedies may be the only things that you need to take care of the problem. If it’s covered a large area of your roof, then you may need to call a professional roofer. Once the mold seeps deeper into your home it could negatively affect you and your family’s health. It’s important to be proactive towards mold so you don’t have to be reactive in the long run.

Winter can be a very harsh season. Your roof is often the first line of defense against these harsh conditions, so taking the time to clean your roof in time for the spring season is very important. Each of these tasks prepares your roof for the season ahead and repairs it from the storms and precipitations that may have happened throughout the winter. Often, you spring clean the inside of your house, why not spring clean the outside of your house as well? It will save you a lot of time, stress, and money that comes from neglecting one of the most important parts of your home: the roof.

 

 

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Need A New Roof? Here Are Some Factors That’ll Determine The Cost

There are a variety of factors that will determine when it’s time to purchase a new roof. If your roof is over 20 years old, there’s a good chance it needs to be replaced. Also, if you have water leaks, it’s a sign that you need a new roof. Getting a new roof is expensive regardless of the materials you choose or what roofing contractor you hire. In this article, we’re going to look at some things to think about that will determine the price of your new roof.

Size

By far, the most critical factor that determines how much your new roof is going to cost is the size. Larger roofs mean higher costs because of the material and labor involved.

Slope & Pitch

The pitch of your roof (sometimes called the angle) is the number of inches it rises vertically for every 12 inches it extends horizontally. If the pitch is steep, it can be dangerous for workers who may need extra equipment, which can also add to the cost of the job. The roof’s slope is the amount of incline or the measurement of the rise of the roof to the run of the roof. Again, as with the pitch, if this angle is steep, it may hamper the ability of the workers and will cause cost to rise.

Peaks & Valleys

The valley of a roof is the shape that’s made from the channel that goes up and down the folds of the roof. The peak is the sloped edge that forms where two sections of the roof come together. When you have peaks and valleys in your roof, it adds to the cost of construction because they require precise work in to prevent a leak from developing. Shoddy work done on the peaks and valleys will shorten the lifespan of your roof and require more frequent repairs. Getting high-quality work on these parts requires certain expertise that you’re going to have to pay more for if you want it done right.

Roof Access

Another factor in the cost of your new roof is how easy it’s going to be for workers to get materials to the roof. If the crew can park a truck in your yard or driveway and haul materials straight up, then it’s going to be cheaper than if they have to haul materials in from the road or from any long distance away.

Materials

Perhaps one of the most significant factors in determining the cost of your new roof will be the material you choose for your shingles. There are a wide variety of materials to choose from, each with its advantages and disadvantages.

Roof work

Asphalt shingles are the most common material used in residential homes, and they’re the most inexpensive because they’re ubiquitous and easy to install. Asphalt comes in a wide range of colors and styles, and most contractors will have no trouble installing them. However, they do wear out more quickly than other materials, which means you’ll be replacing your roof more frequently.

Clay and concrete are becoming popular because of the unique look they offer. Both clay and concrete last a long time, but they’re heavy and require beefed up framing, which adds to the expense. Metal is also very popular because it offers a nice bridge between asphalt and clay. Metal is extremely durable and resists most everything that Mother Nature throws at it. However, like clay, it’s also an expensive material.

Roofing Layers

In most cases, you’re going to have to remove the old roof in order to replace it entirely. The time it takes to remove the old roof also affects the cost. If your roof has multiple layers, it’s going to take more time, which means more money in labor costs. Also, depending on the material involved, there’s likely to be recycling or disposal fees involved, both of which will come out of your pocket.

Extras

In addition to putting on a new roof, do you also need ventilation, skylights, chimneys, solar panels or any other extras? If so, these are going to add to the cost of the roof in both materials and labor. And in some cases, you may need a specialist for installation, which can jack up the price even further.

Roof System Repair

Putting on a new roof often involves repairs made to the roof system itself, which merely means the support structure that may have rotted due to water damage. While the cost of materials to repair these systems is generally inexpensive, you’re going to be on the hook for the labor costs.

Ice Protection

If you want your roof to last a long time, then you want to be sure it can adequately protect against ice dams. An ice dam occurs when the snow melts and then refreezes along the edge of the roof. And while this looks pretty, it’s actually detrimental to your roof because of the water leaks they create. It’s estimated that ice dams cause millions of dollars in damage to US homeowners every year, so making sure you have adequate protection means a higher expense.

Warranty

There are two types of warranties that you can get on your roof: the standard roofing warranty where the contractor stands behind the work they performed, and the extended no dollar limit (NDL) warranty, which is backed up by the manufacturer. To get the extended NDL warranty, an inspection will need to be performed to ensure that the contractor took the proper steps and completed above par work. This inspection also adds costs to your roof. Consider getting a contractor that offers NDL warranties because you’ll ultimately be getting better craftsmanship and a roof that’s going to hold up longer.

Getting a new roof is expensive no matter how you slice it. However, if you invest the money now, it’s going to save you down the road because you won’t have as many repairs and the roof will last longer.