You want a safe home. You want a warm home. And of course, you want an energy-efficient home. Do you know what can help you achieve all of these goals? Your roof. That's right, if you call up a roofer and tell them about your desires, they can recommend some roofing repairs or materials to help you achieve those desires. They may recommend a metal roof, or they might recommend adding zinc strips to the roof peak. It all depends. One thing we can promise, though, is that learning more about roofing is a good idea. This blog is a good resource, but we recommend looking for other ones, too.
Replacing Your Roof With Alternative Roofing Materials
When the roof on your home is getting to the end of its lifespan, replacing it with an alternative roofing material may be something you want to explore. A residential roofing contractor can go over some of the options with you and may even have some suggestions that you had not to consider for the roof of your house.
Metal Roofing
One of the oldest roofing materials on the market, metal roofing is making a resurgence in some parts of the U.S., and for a good reason. Metal roofing is durable, comes in many different styles and colors, and can be installed easily by most residential roofing contractors.
Metal roofing has changed over the years, so while that original corrugated roofing still exists, more often, flat metal roofing with interlocking ridges gets the nod for modern homes. It can be beneficial to look at the different styles available before ruling it out, and most home centers and roofing suppliers have samples on display for you to check out.
The lifespan of metal roofing can be attractive since most metal roofing products are rated at nearly double the lifespan of asphalt shingles. A metal roof rated for fifty years of service could mean you install one new roof on your home while you own it.
Cedar Shakes
Installing a cedar shake roof on your home can add some character to the house, and when they are installed correctly, the shakes can last twenty to thirty years on the roof. If you are considering a shake roof, it is vital to find a residential roofing contractor with experience with the wood roofing product and who is comfortable installing it on your home.
While many different wooden shakes are available for use on residential roofs, cedar has the best durability and is naturally resistant to insect infestations. The wood can be treated to make it last longer, but treating the roof is an extra step that is not required in most locales.
Cleaning your cedar shakes will be something you need to consider after a few years in the weather. Often moss, molds, and other organic material will grow on the wood, and while it is not typically harmful, it can detract from the home's appearance. A roofing contractor can clean the surface of the shakes when the time comes, or you can find a roof cleaning service that will do the work for you.
Power washing is not recommended because it can damage the wood and even knock on the top layer if the pressure is too high, but the roof cleaning service will have the right tools and equipment to clean the surface and make the shakes look new again. To learn more, contact a company like JCA Construction.