Transform Your Home With A New Roof

Roofing contractors of Napa, California, share how a roof can improve a home’s curb appeal.

Improve Curb Appeal and Energy Efficiency Of Your House With A New Roof.

Though roofing is certainly a necessary and utilitarian product, it also has an aesthetic aspect to different roofing types that can either help or hinder the overall look of the home. If a home has not gotten a new roof in a couple of decades, then it would be worth investigating whether or not the home would benefit practically and visually from a roofing replacement.

There are many options for types of roofing, and homeowners should consider curb appeal as well as cohesion with the rest of the neighborhood and the yard.

Types of Roofing

There are many different roofing materials to choose from. Each material has pros and cons, and a homeowner should certainly get the advice of a professional roofer before settling on a particular material.

Let’s review the available options, how low they last, and any major advantages or disadvantages.

• Slate: Slate(thin, shaped sheets of rock) has been used for centuries. They can last for one hundred years or more, but they are heavy and expensive. They also require extra support, especially in modern builds.
• Cedar Shakes/Shingles: Cedar shakes or cedar shingles are another classic roofing material. Since cedars are resistant to decay and are lightweight, they have been used in American architecture for since before the United States were the United States. They give the home a classic look and can last up to 50 years, but are expensive and do require special upkeep.
• Asphalt: Asphalt shingles are the most popular type of roof material, being fairly inexpensive and lasting upwards of 25 years. Their overlapping design and composition make for excellent waterproofing. Unfortunately, due to this design, roof repair can be difficult, and roof leak repair can be tricky because water isn’t always leaking directly under where it comes in.
• Clay Tile: Clay tile is another roofing material that has been around for centuries. Like slate, it is heavy, and it is most often used in certain housing styles, like those in the Mediterranean. They are expensive to repair and may require roofers with specialized training to install.
• Metal: Corrugated metal roofing is becoming more and more common as it is only a bit more expensive than asphalt. It can last up to fifty years and needs little attention, but damage can be expensive to repair.
• Concrete Tile: Lighter weight than slate and more durable than asphalt, concrete tile roofing has a lot of variety in color and shape available. It is again a more expensive choice but lasts longer.
• Green or Live Roofs: These are great alternatives to flat roofing with asphalt. This turns the roof into an environmentally friendly space while still protecting the home against the elements. This roofing system requires extra upkeep but provides extra insulation, and the plants provide a unique beauty and sustainability to the home.

Consider Color

No matter what roof materials you choose, the color needs to be something that coordinates not only with the house but also with the yard. A homeowner should consider what kind of plants and trees are in the yard as well as the color of the house.

If you live in an area with a homeowners association (or an HOA), you may need to check the regulations to make sure that your new roof is in compliance with them.

Choose According to Architecture and Style

Another aspect of the home and the neighborhood to consider is the overall architecture and style that is present, what “vibe” the house gives off, if you will. This may need to include the neighborhood as well, especially if there is an HOA present.

A colonial-style house with siding will benefit much more from cedar shakes or composite roofing than from clay tile or metal roofing. Putting either of these latter types of roofing on a colonial home would be aesthetically jarring. The same would be true of trying to put a metal or asphalt roof on a traditionally mission-style home.

Consider Ecologically Beneficial Options

The previously discussed live roofs are not the only options for eco friendly roofing. Solar panels can be an option for both residential and commercial roofing as well as flat or angled roofs. If a household is looking for ways to reduce their carbon footprint, this may be a good option to explore. This can take the place of other fossil fuel-powered generators as well.

Maintaining a Roof

No matter the type of roof you have on your home, maintenance will be involved. There are several steps that homeowners can take to make sure that their roofs last as long as possible. The list below will provide guidance in that direction.

• Have a professional roof inspection done every year or so.
• Get even intermittent leaks repaired quickly to prevent further damage to the home and roof structure.
• Plant new trees away from the roof.
• Keep existing trees trimmed away from the roof to prevent the collection of dead branches, leaves, and other detritus.
• Check the roof for damage after significant storms.
• Remove organic debris such as fallen leaves to prevent creating a moisture trap, which can lead to rot and mold and mildew growth.
• Remove any moss or lichen growth that can weaken the integrity of the roof structure.
• Don’t delay in making repairs because this can lead to more expensive problems later.

Whether homeowners take care of some of this maintenance on their own or employ professional roofers, these tasks can really extend the life of a roof and prevent both minor and major problems from occurring.

Though eventually every home, even the slate-roofed stone castle, will need roofing repair or replacement, choosing the right roof and maintaining it for your lifetime is not as difficult a task as it may seem at first. Following common sense is a good rule.

About Modern Method Roofing

Modern Method Roofing has been serving the community of Napa, CA, and the surrounding areas for more than six decades. We proudly offer 100% financing and senior discounts. Call today for a free estimate.