Replacing a roof is often one of the most significant expenses of owning a home, so it is unsurprising that most homeowners try and put off roof replacement as long as possible. The 2019 Residential Metal Roofing Buyer’s Guide from the Metal Roofing Alliance, offers homeowners some warning signs that it is in fact time to replace your roof.
Other warning signs include damage inside your home or unexpectedly high heating and cooling bills. If your roof is no longer watertight mold and mildew can begin to form inside your home, and damaged roofing can cause increases in your utility expenses. If any of these issues start to happen, then it is probably time to consider a roof replacement.
If it is time to replace your roof, then there are a couple of consideration the MRA recommends that you think about when selecting a new roof.
For instance, if you live in an area that experiences high winds, hurricanes, wildfires, or hail, then you should consider roofing materials that are tested for, and rated, to handle those conditions. Your roof will most likely need to meet building codes or insurance policy requirements as well. Materials like asphalt shingles, for instance, do not perform well in high winds, take significant damage from hail, and are not rated well for fire resistance.
For areas that experience heavy snow, it is also important to consider the weight load the roofing material is rated for. Snow guards, to prevent large snow movements from the roof, should also be considered.
Other considerations you should be aware of include the average lifespan of the roofing material, warranties, cost, aesthetics, and long-term performance.
If you think it might be time to replace your roof and you’d like to learn more about the options available to you and how to select the right material for your next roof, check out the MRA’s 2019 Residential Metal Roofing Buyer’s Guide!