As many veteran homeowners know, it’s important to keep the roof of your home in good condition. A leaking or damaged roof can lead to costly and potentially devastating problems—from structural damage to pervasive mold—but a carefully selected roof can also be an essential part of your house’s curb appeal, since it is one of the most visible external features.
With recent storm damage and corresponding repairs and replacements on many people’s minds, you might be wondering what are some aspects to consider about your roof. We generally see three types of roofs on homes in Central Texas: shingle, metal and tile. Let’s take a look at each one.
Typically, asphalt shingle roofs are seen most commonly in Austin neighborhoods. Usually the least expensive short-term option, these roofs are also the most widely installed, meaning that the majority of roofing contractors offer them. With a variety of color options, traditional three-tab shingles are the most widely used roofing material and can often be installed in a day, depending on how much work is involved in removing the old shingles and replacing any worn or rotten wood underneath.
Usually these shingles carry 20-25 year warranties, although that generally applies to actual manufacturing defects rather than most common damage. Because they can be susceptible to wear and tear from inclement weather, excessive heat (which may cause the shingles to blister) or a variety of other factors, asphalt shingles are more likely to need repair or replacement than roofs made with other materials. If you are willing to pay more, some roofing companies can offer laminated shingles, which are engineered to last about twice as long as typical asphalt.
If you drive around Austin, you may notice more and more metal roofs, and according to many roofers, metal is increasing in popularity as a residential roof material. If you go with a metal roof, you can expect to pay two to three times more up front for materials and installation, but once it’s installed, metal will offer a number of advantages over asphalt shingles.
First, metal tends to reflect sunlight instead of absorbing it the way asphalt does. This, combined with metal’s tendency to cool at night, can result in increased energy efficiency because less heat is drawn into the attic. With proper insulation, a metal roof can help maintain an attic’s thermal envelope, keeping cool air in the house in the summer and warm air in the winter. In addition, a well-installed metal roof will last two to three times longer than a shingle roof and can withstand rain, hail, high winds and even fire.
Also, with a variety of colors and styles, metal can be a very attractive design option. Do be aware, though, that not as many roofing contractors do metal installations, so you might have to look around a bit more to find someone to install a roof of this type.
Roofs of ceramic or clay tile give a house a timeless look that is reminiscent of Mediterranean or Southwestern architectural styles. Used for thousands of years and featuring all-natural earthen materials, tile roofs can make a house truly stand out from others on the block.
Available in a number of colors and shapes, tile roofs are typically more expensive for both materials and the precise installation that they require. They also may need more maintenance than metal, because even though the material is highly durable, individual pieces may crack or become loose.
Replacing your roof may not be as exciting as, say, remodeling your kitchen, but a properly installed and well-maintained roof is a wise and necessary investment—and essential to protecting your home and belongings.
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