Every roof has a final lifespan; An amount of time that it can effectively protect your home and after that point, you’ll need to reinstall an entirely new roof. And your Ann Arbor roof is no exception. Roof repairs usually happen between Year 5 and Year 20 of your roof’s lifespan and involve replacing singles, sealing flashing, and shoring soft spots. However, your Ann Arbor, MI roof can only last so long. When the time comes, you will eventually need to hire a team of professional roofers to completely rebuild your roof. This typically takes a couple of days and then your attractive new roof will be ready to protect your Ann Arbor home for another 20 or so years.
Because we tend to pay so little attention to our roofs, many people overlook the real benefits of installing a new roof on your home. There are a number of ways a new roof installation can not only ease your worries about repairs in the future, but also truly enhance the appearance and quality of your home. But with just a few pointers, we’re sure we can help you see the light and realize just how much you’re going to enjoy having a brand new roof for your Ann Arbor, MI home.
It’s hard to imagine just how much of a visual impact a new roof can make until you see it with your own eyes. You and your neighbors are used to how your home looks now, with an old roof and subtle signs of age. A rough or faded appearance of your roof shingles can reveal how long it’s been since they were replaced, and any sagging is a clear sign that your roof has seen better years.
After a full reinstallation of your roof, you will probably be amazed by just how much better your home look. Even if you choose shingles of the exact same color as your old roof was originally. And if you’re looking for neighborhood curb appeal or sway with home buyers, nothing emphasizes the beauty of your home like a smooth and vividly colored new roof.
Of course, your roof installation doesn’t always have to restore the original roof design perfectly. Once every 15 to 20 years is your perfect chance to customize your home and roof features in a way that would seem extravagant if you weren’t already reinstalling the roof. This could be your opportunity to add a number of delightful roof features like a skylight or maybe even a widow’s across the top.
Reinstalling your roof is the best time to get some creative power over the home you own. Even if you don’t change the structure of the roof, you can mix things up simply by choosing a new flattering shingle color for your home, something that will transform the appearance of your home and make your roof stand out amongst your neighbors.
Most people don’t realize this, but as a roof ages, it becomes less and less able to keep the weather out and maintain your home’s internal temperature. If your home is constantly warm in the summer and cold in the winter, this could easily be the result of drafts and the less-than-perfect seal of your old roof. A new roof installation fixes all of this because your residential roofing contractors will be completely rebuilding your roof infrastructure from the beams to the top layer of new shingles.
In just the first week after installing your new roof, you may notice that your AC has a much easier time keeping your home the proper temperature. You may suffer less from unwanted humidity coming in from outdoors and when that first power bill comes in, it could be surprisingly low. This is because a new roof prevents all the tiny leaks and temperature problems that slowly develop over time and existed with your old roof. A new roof is an ideal way to achieve energy efficiency for your entire home.
Another thing that old roofs build up over time is mold, mildew, and other lingering potential health risks. At the very least, your roof is a resting place for all sorts of pollens that can get in through the cracks and if you have been growing hidden mold in the roof or rafters, your roofers will be sure to remove every moldy item before installing the new roof.
This means a healthier home environment for you and your family. Mold, mildew, and old pollen among other things can make your home a center for allergy symptoms and sometimes even more dangerous health conditions. A new roof is made of materials fresh from the manufacturer and resistant to new growths. If you notice that your allergies have reduced after your roof installation, the culprit was probably your old roof or the little unwelcome life forms it was hiding.
There are a lot of different roofing materials and building techniques out there, and in today’s market, many of them are much ‘greener’ than the options of decades past. Many homeowners are doing everything they can to ‘go green’ by using recycled or easily recyclable products. More challenging is knowing when and how to choose building materials that will make your home ‘greener’ and are, themselves, manufactured in a green fashion.
If you want to make your home more sustainable, energy-efficient, and eco-friendly, a new roof installation is the perfect time to do this. Talk to your local Ann Arbor roofing contractors about your green options (not just green-colored shingles) and how you can make your new roof much more environmentally friendly than the old one could have been.
For some families, spending time on the roof is a favorite tradition. Especially on the warm summer nights when the air is just right and you’ve got some plates of barbecue to snack on while you’re up there. Stargazing, watching the July 4th fireworks, or just hanging out can be a wonderful way to spend a warm summer evening.
However, older roofs are notorious for being less than safe. Loose and broken shingles can create an uneven and even unstable walking surface and any moisture damage can cause whole sections of the roof to go soft. If you love regularly or just occasionally spending time on your roof, a new roof installation will ensure that this pastime is infinitely safer. With solid beams and new shingles, the roof will provide an even and firmly supported surface for both relaxation and regular maintenance.
One of the interesting things about the roofing business is how much roofing technology can change between one roof installation and the next. Considering that shingles are rated to last between 15 and 20 years, two decades of development can pass before your home sees another roof and a lot can change in that time.
Roofing materials and installation techniques have come leaps and bounds in the last 20 years and your home can see all the benefits. Shingles that are more weather resistant, green and eco-friendly alternatives, and the simple benefit of advanced manufacturing are all in your favor for your next Ann Arbor roof installation.
Your roof warranty protects you from defects or specifically covered problems with your roof for several years after installation. With a full-system warranty, you are covered for the cost of both labor and materials in the event of a leak or unexpected roof damage. Your roofing contractors may also offer you a warranty for their installation expertise, ensuring that if any mistakes are made on the job that they will return to fix them at no extra cost to you.
A warranty doesn’t mean you are completely worry-free (many natural problems like hail or high winds may not be covered) but it does absoltely protect you from any problems related to the quality of the shingles or the quality of the installation. A new warranty can be a great releife for homeowners and will ride with you for several years, allowing you to cover roof repairs that were caused by any covered damage source.
Of course, one of the best things about installing a new roof is the simple knowledge that your home’s roof is guaranteeably in excellent condition. No more worrying if your 20-year-old roof can withstand another Michigan storm or of a recurring leak is going to come back again. You are now safe and sound under a brand new high-quality roof that is designed to withstand the local and weather conditions your home will be subjected to.
Whether the winds howl or the autumn rains come pouring down, you can rest easy knowing that your new roof literally has you covered.
Finally, no matter how much you love your home, every homeowner is also thinking about their eventual resale value. Eventually, you will sell your home to either downsize to something cozier after the kids move away or upgrade to an even better home that tempts you on the market.