Are you aware of the type of roof your home has? What is the life expectancy? Most people don't think about their roof, until something happens to it; shingles can be swept away during a windstorm, or a leak could happen, letting water in. There are a few common kinds of materials used for roofing:
Asphalt shingles, which are attractively priced, and do not require much expertise to install. It's fire resistant, easy to repair, and come in many colours and styles, with varying life span options and prices. Generally, these will last for about 20 years.
Wood shingles or shakes: This material is also very popular due to the aesthetic appearance and life expectancy. If the wood roof is maintained carefully and of course, expertly installed, they can last for 25 years or more. This is rated Class C for fire rating, and some has no rating. Have a look at the building codes in your city. You may be able to get a Class A rating (with fire-resistant treatment).
Concrete or clay tiles are fireproof, attractive, and have a wide variety of style and colour to choose from. They typically last for 30 years, and are highly durable, with little maintenance required. Extra framing may be required with these tiles, as they add extra weight to the roof.
Tar and gravel: This material is one of the few suited to a low slope roof. Tar paper and asphalt are layered on the roof, applied using a molten asphalt system. Lamination is used on top of these layers, and then gravel is spread over top to protect from UV damage, and to hold the layers on the roof down. Typically, these roofs last for around 20 years.
Metal: This material is very popular in areas with high snowfalls. These roofs are safer from collapse due to weight, because snow falls off of them naturally. A metal roof will last for over 30 years if the homeowner had them properly installed, and maintains the roof correctly. In addition to its longevity, metal shingles are much lighter than most materials and very resistance to adverse weather.
Maintain your roof
The longevity of your roof can be increased dramatically if you do yearly inspections, and take care of any damages. Check for cracks, curled edges and missing or worn granulars on asphalt shingles. Hire someone who is qualified to remove snow from your roof if you have heavy snowfall in the winter months. This will help keep water from entering the house. Your home's eavestroughs should be checked periodically throughout the year to make sure that debris isn't building up. Taking these easy steps yearly will benefit you greatly in the future, as your roof will have increased longevity.
Review your home insurance policy
Your home insurance is there to cover you in an emergency. Damage caused by hail, weight of ice or snow, wind, or falling objects are the types of losses that may be covered. Damage that is caused by basic wear and tear is not covered, however. When a roof is falling apart due to neglect or extreme age, the insurance company will either not cover the entire cost of damage, or could not provide any coverage for damages. Some policies limit the payment for roof damage to its actual cash value (ACV) or depreciated value, while others will pay to repair or replace the roof.
Asphalt shingles, which are attractively priced, and do not require much expertise to install. It's fire resistant, easy to repair, and come in many colours and styles, with varying life span options and prices. Generally, these will last for about 20 years.
Wood shingles or shakes: This material is also very popular due to the aesthetic appearance and life expectancy. If the wood roof is maintained carefully and of course, expertly installed, they can last for 25 years or more. This is rated Class C for fire rating, and some has no rating. Have a look at the building codes in your city. You may be able to get a Class A rating (with fire-resistant treatment).
Concrete or clay tiles are fireproof, attractive, and have a wide variety of style and colour to choose from. They typically last for 30 years, and are highly durable, with little maintenance required. Extra framing may be required with these tiles, as they add extra weight to the roof.
Tar and gravel: This material is one of the few suited to a low slope roof. Tar paper and asphalt are layered on the roof, applied using a molten asphalt system. Lamination is used on top of these layers, and then gravel is spread over top to protect from UV damage, and to hold the layers on the roof down. Typically, these roofs last for around 20 years.
Metal: This material is very popular in areas with high snowfalls. These roofs are safer from collapse due to weight, because snow falls off of them naturally. A metal roof will last for over 30 years if the homeowner had them properly installed, and maintains the roof correctly. In addition to its longevity, metal shingles are much lighter than most materials and very resistance to adverse weather.
Maintain your roof
The longevity of your roof can be increased dramatically if you do yearly inspections, and take care of any damages. Check for cracks, curled edges and missing or worn granulars on asphalt shingles. Hire someone who is qualified to remove snow from your roof if you have heavy snowfall in the winter months. This will help keep water from entering the house. Your home's eavestroughs should be checked periodically throughout the year to make sure that debris isn't building up. Taking these easy steps yearly will benefit you greatly in the future, as your roof will have increased longevity.
Review your home insurance policy
Your home insurance is there to cover you in an emergency. Damage caused by hail, weight of ice or snow, wind, or falling objects are the types of losses that may be covered. Damage that is caused by basic wear and tear is not covered, however. When a roof is falling apart due to neglect or extreme age, the insurance company will either not cover the entire cost of damage, or could not provide any coverage for damages. Some policies limit the payment for roof damage to its actual cash value (ACV) or depreciated value, while others will pay to repair or replace the roof.
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