Roof Styles

Roof Styles

When it comes to home, people always take a varied perspective in making decisions. In addition to that, people are very sensitive about their homes. Why not? After all, your home is a huge investment not only in terms of money but time and emotions too. Hence, people don’t make any irrational decision which may have a severe impact in the coming years.

Every material, design, labor, and other resource come with a huge cost. Therefore, it is crucial to be pretentious and not be duped. While it is an important decision to purchase a new home, your duty doesn’t end there. You need to maintain the materials and have a timely inspection too. Every aspect of the house may come with a huge cost when you don’t bother to maintain it.

Now, the roof is one of the major concerns for people who own a house. Along with the huge investments, it is also the scope where a majority of homeowners have the least knowledge. And yet, it is the single most important weather protector.

Over time roof systems will deteriorate from severe weather conditions, construction and maintenance, normal wear and material contraction and expansion. If you do not deal with these roof problems, it can damage the building envelope and the interiors. Therefore, roof inspection plays an important role in detecting these roof problems.

Roof Inspection

A roof inspection is the most crucial step that you should consider when buying or selling a home. Some materials are more common in certain areas and certain materials are ideal for different roof types, pitches, and slopes. While others are not ideal for certain roof slopes. In order to carry out roof inspection, it is best to contact a certified roofing inspector. While it is wise to inspect the roof styles, it is more intelligent to inspect the roofing materials as well.

The type of material used is one of the key considerations to base the roof inspection. Some of the most popular types of roofing materials are:

• Asphalt shingles
• Wood shingles and shakes
• Clay and Concrete tiles
• Slate
• Metal

Roof Inspections for Different Roofing materials

Asphalt Shingles

Asphalt shingles are the most commonly used roofing material in the United States. Over 75% of American roofs have asphalt shingles due to low cost, ease of installation, and resiliency. It can be used for any roofing style provided that the environment fits the roofing material. Though it is the cheapest option, it has the worst environment track record.

Roof Inspection for Asphalt Shingles:

• Visually inspect your roof for cracked, torn, bald or missing shingles.
• Watch out for an excessive amount of shingle granules which looks like large grains of sand in the gutters. This is a crucial indicator of advanced wear.
• Check out the interior of your roofs for different signs of water leakage, dark spots and outside light showing through the roof.
• Asphalt shingles aren’t fire resistant. So, you need to be careful.

Wood Shingles & Shakes

Wood shingles and shakes can be purchased in cedar, redwood, southern pine and other woods, cedar being the most costly. Wood shingles are cut by machine, while wood shakes are handmade and have a rougher look. They can be best used on steeply pitched roofs that allow for water run-off. In terms of cost, wood shingles are expensive. It requires frequent maintenance.

Roof Inspection for Wood shingles and shakes

• Check out for the rot, split and mold.
• Examine the drainage and make sure gutters and downspouts are securely attached. Also, make sure all the drains are open and allow water to exit, and all gutters and downspouts are free of debris.
• Watch out for damage from termites, carpenter ants or other wood-boring pests.
• Wood shingles may not be suitable for humid climate as well as dry. Therefore, you need to check if this type of shingles is suitable for your location.

Clay Roof Tiles

Clay Roof tiles are very heavy and require additional roof framing. They are non-combustible and extremely durable. Clay roof tiles can come in lighter colors, which adhere to the cool roof standards and can reflect well over 50% of the sun’s solar energy.

Clay tiles provide outstanding protection from fire, rot, insects, and the toughest weather elements. They are also very fragile and must handle them properly when repairing and replacing it. Clay roof tiles are usually used to enhance exterior style.

Concrete Roof Tiles

Concrete roof tiles offer elegant, enduring aesthetics for your home decor. Concrete tiles are versatile and provide greater protection to your home. These flexible tiles come in many different hues, shapes, textures and styles that they don’t even look like tiles at all.

Concrete roof tiles are heavy; therefore, your building must be able to handle the high weight of the materials.  Concrete roof tiles are a popular choice for roof covering in South Florida and they have been for decades.

Roof Inspection for Clay & Concrete Roof Tiles

• Look for the broken or cracked tiles. Do not walk on the roof while conducting a roof inspection. Clay and concrete tile roofs can last up to 100 years, but individual tiles can break easily. The broken tiles can be replaced, but only by a specialist.
• Scan the roof for loose material or wears around the chimneys, vents, pipes or other penetrations.
• Do not forget to check the interiors of your roofs. You can trace the problems properly from the inside than from outside.

Slate Roof

Slate roof has a beautiful as well as distinctive appearance. Although it is very heavy, the slate roof is non-leaching and will last for hundreds of years. It is easy to repair and recycle slate roofs. This type of roofing is not recommended for hotter locations. The slate roofs get even hotter during the hotter seasons because of its dark color.

Roof Inspection for Slate Roof

• Visually inspect your slate roof for cracked, torn, bald or missing slates.
• Check for the roof interiors.
• In the case of any defects, take the help from a specialist to repair it.

Metal Roofing

Metal roofing is usually more expensive than composition roofing, but less expensive than tile or slate roofs. It is made out of coated steel, copper, or aluminum. It can also be made out of recycled metal. The metal roofs are fire retardant, energy efficient, durable, environmentally friendly and close to maintenance free. Metal roofing is good for pitched and flat roofs. Metal roofs can withstand many factors.

Roof Inspection for Metal Roofing

• Metal roofing materials that are attached as large panels tend to expand and contract with the change in the weather conditions. They should be properly installed with fasteners to allow the metal to “breathe”.
• Check out for the color inconsistency in metal.
• Check out for the water accumulation. If the water is accumulated in any parts, then it eventually causes severe damage. Metals may be prone to rust. Take the necessary precautions and remedies to prevent rusting and further lower down the possible damages.

You could use the right roof materials by simply realizing the environmental state. Some pros and cons could then be brainstormed.

Choosing the right roofing material for your new home is a major decision that many new homeowners overlook. They assume their builder is going to install the best material to meet their needs. It is a good idea to know what options might be available depending on your style and cost requirements. However, it is best when you do your own research.

Lastly, there are a vast number of contractors, materials, and manufacturers available to the homeowners.  Following a couple of key roof inspection checklist when selecting a roof inspector can eliminate many of the questions and concerns that arise with such a significant purchase. Do a thorough investigation with regards to the specific roof type desired. Sheer ignorance on the roof materials and roof styles can leave you stranded and disturb your daily operation.

Taking care of your roofs on time simply resolves more than half of the housing problems. More problems would only resonate if the roofs are left on their own. So, buckle up and sharp up, and don’t let yourself get drowned by the problems.

Now, get ready to take care and not leave them alone.