Building a successful roofing system is essential to protecting your home and ensuring your investment stands the test of time. A roof that fails just a few years after installation can be a costly and frustrating nightmare. By focusing on quality materials, expert craftsmanship, and proper maintenance, you can ensure your roof lasts for decades and provides the durability and peace of mind every homeowner deserves.
So how can you make sure your new roof looks and performs its best for decades to come?
1. Use the Highest Quality Roofing Materials
Quality roofing materials last a long time and keep your home protected from the elements.
When assessing different materials for your roof, make sure you take into account factors like:
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Fire Ratings: Roofing materials can be given one of three grades ranging from an A (effective against severe exposure) to a C (only effective against light exposure). Keep in mind that not all materials (like untreated wood shingles, for example) can be rated.
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Weight: Roofs are only designed to carry a certain amount of weight. If you want to exceed the maximum for your roof, you’ll need to strengthen the substructure (framing). This takes more time and adds additional costs.
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Lifespan: This varies between materials. Laminate shingles typically last 25 to 35 years, while cedar shakes can make it to 30.
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Durability: Your roof needs to be ready to stand up against whatever conditions Mother Nature throws at it including high winds, snow, rain, hail, and sleet.
2. Ensure Proper Installation
To get the best performance out of your roofing materials, they need to be properly installed. You want to find a professional roofer to work on your home, one who stands behind the quality of their workmanship. Greenawalt Roofing offers a 12-year workmanship guarantee. At the completion of your installation, we’ll provide you with a certificate of craftsmanship for the work performed.
When you’re evaluating different roofers, consider things like:
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The Company’s Reputation: Find out how long they’ve been in business, and ensure they have a fixed physical address out of which they operate. What do past customers have to say about them? Consult customer testimonials on their website and third-party reviews from sources like Google or Facebook.
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Insurance: Your roofer needs to have both General Liability and Worker’s Compensation insurance to keep you, your home, and their crews protected.
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Warranties: Most reputable roofers will offer workmanship warranties (these cover problems that are associated with the work they perform).
3. Install a Good Attic Ventilation System
Your attic needs to be well ventilated to prevent heat and moisture from damaging rafters, shingles, and insulation. Roofing experts and building codes typically recommend one square foot of attic ventilation for every 300 square feet of attic space, though the exact ratio will depend on your roof structure and climate.
4. Use Flashing to Waterproof Your Chimney & Skylights
Flashing is pieces of material that are installed around potential weak spots such as chimneys, vents, or skylights to keep water from sneaking in:
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If your flashing is still in good condition, your roofer might be able to reuse them. This is especially the case if they are stepped into a wall. Your roofer might also be able to apply additional caulking, which will help strengthen your roof’s water-tight barrier.
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If your flashing is older, they’ll need to be replaced. An experienced roofer will remove and measure the existing flashing, and then custom bend new parts before installing them securely and correctly.
Understanding the reasons why a new roof can fail will help you choose a professional and trustworthy roofer who will leave you confident in the durability of your new roof. Give Greenawalt Roofing a call at (717)898-6000 to schedule your FREE roof estimate today!
