Investment in a new roof is a very important decision, and therefore should be planned very carefully before engaging a contractor for a roof installation job. There is an array of factors that need careful consideration before a decision is arrived upon and will depend on the architecture, personal taste, and budget of the homeowner. Some other factors can be listed as:
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- Type of material used - The kind of material being used will have a great impact on the durability, the aesthetic look, and the cost of the project. Some areas may have their own set of roof building codes in terms of building materials, hence confirming with the local authorities must be done in advance. A wide variety of roof building materials are available today, such as metal, wood, clay, asphalt, etc., and making the right selection may be difficult.
- The budget of the project - In any home remodeling project, the budget plays a very decisive role. Homeowners looking for less expensive materials can opt for asphalt, whereas one of the most expensive materials is slate. Roof installation services usually have catalogs to browse through and compare options that fit the homeowner’s budget.
- The architecture of the house - The type of roofing required depends largely on the architecture of the house. Homeowners have the option of getting cheaper materials like asphalt slabs, however, using cheap materials can compromise the integrity of the architecture. Therefore, it is advisable to shop for materials that complement the style of the house being renovated, even if it costs a little extra.
- Color of the roofing material - While selecting the color for the roof installation material, care must be taken of the fact that dark shades tend to retain more heat than lighter shades. Consideration of the climatic condition of the place is of utmost importance. This has a direct effect on electricity bills as well as the physical appearance of the house.
- Licensed contractor - Finding a genuine licensed contractor is very crucial to the roof building project. Apart from taking care of the actual installation work, a licensed roof contractor would be well informed about all the aspects of the project, like design requirements and planning. Also, they would have the required permits and insurance coverage for any damage that may occur during the installation or any accidents that may happen on the site.
- Estimation of the combined cost - Also termed as the life cycle cost, it includes installation cost, maintenance cost, and repair work cost for the entire lifespan of the roof installation. It is directly related to the building material type used because materials with a long lifespan will have lower life cycle costs. Hence, it is advisable to opt for materials that have better durability, even if they cost a little more at present.
It is very important to understand if it is really the time for a replacement. Roof installation contractors offer services in which an expert would inspect the condition of your roof and determine the necessity of a replacement. The age of the roof is also a determining factor and one can look for damages and self-assess the need for replacement. Depending on the level of damage, the option of re-roofing by putting new shingles over the old ones is also available.
Roof installation is one of the most expensive home projects. Although a no-fail formula for selecting the right roofing solution does not exist, the factors discussed here will give you significant guidance for making an informed decision. These factors also help to assess the need for a replacement or re-roofing, keeping in mind the quality of materials, budgetary aspects, as well as the aesthetic look of the house.
