Tips on Choosing a New Roof
Select the Right Roof from Shadowfax Roofing!
Most people choose a new roof based primarily on appearance. In some cases that may work well, but usually there are other issues that need consideration. The following information will help you to determine the best roofing material for your home or structure.
What factors should I consider?
How is the basic structure built?
Does it have a 2″ x 4″ stud wall and 2″ x 4″ rafter construction or is it 2″ x 6″ rafter or greater? Most homes in the Santa Clara Valleythat need re-roofing today were built in the late 1960′s and early 1970′s and used 2″ Services 2x 4″ construction not only for the stud walls but also for the rafters. At that time, the majority of homes was simple in design and used cedar wood shake for the roofing material. The homes were simple to cover and the shakes were light in weight. Based upon these factors, the choice of material for replacement of these older roofs is somewhat limited unless extra money is spent to re-enforce the existing weight limits of the home. Therefore, replacement of the existing roof with the same material or changing to another lightweight product, such as asphalt shingle or steel roofing, will work best. Using any other products will increase the weight load and stress upon the construction of the existing home. With the additional stress, problems can occur such as cracking ceilings or walls, and difficulty opening windows or doors.
How sturdy the roof material is when walked upon or the “walk-ability” of a roof?
All roofs need maintenance at some point, and it is important that a roof be able to withstand walking.
Color
Color is a consideration as well, not only for personal taste, but as it relates to energy efficiency. Typically, the man-made roofing products retain their initial coloring. Some minor fading may occur because of the stone granules used in composition asphalt shingles and steel product. The dye pigmentation in the cement tile products may fade slightly as well. Most natural products like wood shingle or shakes will weather to a dark brownish gray.
