When you need to replace the roof of your house, you need to make sure that you are making the right choice about what kind of roofing material you want your new roof to be made out of. You will have to consider several variables before making your final decision. What are some of the things that you should keep in mind before you make your final decision about your new roof?
Climate
You need to consider what kind of climate you live in. If you live somewhere that is really hot for the majority of the year, you may want to consider either a roofing material that doesn't absorb as much heat because that can help keep your cooling bills down. If you live somewhere prone to severe storms like hurricanes, you need to look into a roofing material that can stand up as long as possible to the wind and rain that comes in with those storms. You should also check with the roofing contractor about retrofitting your roof with hardware that can make your home more hurricane-resistant. That can include anchors that help to strengthen the connection between your roof and the rest of your house.
Lifespan
You also need to consider the lifespan of whatever roofing material you are interested in. Depending on the material, you can be looking at anywhere from 20 years to several decades. The longer the lifespan, the more you will pay for the roofing material. Asphalt shingles tend to be on the lower end of the lifespan scale, and they tend to be priced lower as well. Metal roofs can last for several decades. They will be more expensive than an asphalt shingle roof at first installation, but that cost can be spread out over the roof's life.
Maintenance
All roofs are going to need to have some maintenance over their life. What kind and how much depends on what type of roofing material you choose. Talk to your roofing contractor to ask them how much maintenance the roof will need and how expensive that maintenance will be.
If your house needs to have a new roof, then you need to talk to a roofing contractor about getting a new roof. Before you make any decision about what material you want your roof to be, you will need to consider a few things and talk to the roofing contractor so that you have the best information possible.
For more information about residential roofing, talk with a professional roofer.