Are you aware of the type of roof your home has? How much longer will it last? Most people don't think about their roof, until something happens to it; shingles can be swept away during a windstorm, or a leak could happen, letting water in. There are a few common kinds of materials used for roofing:
Asphalt shingles: This type of roofing is very popular due to low cost and ease of installation. Many kinds with varying life spans are available, and a wide range of colour and styles can be chosen, and they are fire resistant and easy to repair. 20 years is the typical life expectancy for these.
Shakes or wood shingles are highly valued due to their desirable appearance, and long lasting protection. If the wood roof is maintained carefully and of course, expertly installed, they can last for 25 years or more. This roofing material has no fire rating or is a Class C. The building codes in your city should be reviewed. You may be able to get a Class A rating (with fire-resistant treatment).
Clay or concrete tiles: This material is another great option, as they are beautiful, come in many colours and styles, and are fireproof! It's easy to maintain and very durable, with a life expectancy of 30 years. Tiles are also very heavy, which means you may need additional roof framing.
Tar and gravel is a good option for a roof that has a slope to it that is on a low angle. Using a molten asphalt system, this is basically just tar paper and asphalt that are layered on the roof. The layers are laminated and then covered with gravel to hold them down and protect against UV degradation. 20 years is the usual lifespan for a roof of this kind.
Metal: This material is very popular in areas with high snowfalls. These roofs are safer from collapse due to weight, because snow falls off of them naturally. When properly installed and maintained, metal roofs will last 30 years or more. In addition to its longevity, metal shingles are much lighter than most materials and very resistance to adverse weather.
Keep your roof well maintained
The longevity of your roof can be increased dramatically if you do yearly inspections, and take care of any damages. Check for cracks, curled edges and missing or worn granulars on asphalt shingles. Hire someone who is qualified to remove snow from your roof if you have heavy snowfall in the winter months. This will help keep water from entering the house. The rest of the year, keep your eavestroughs clear of debris. Taking these easy steps yearly will benefit you greatly in the future, as your roof will have increased longevity.
Look over your current home insurance policy annually
A home insurance policy is designed to protect a homeowner if unexpected and unpreventable damage occurs. Normally included in these policies are wind damage, hail, snow or ice weight damage, and falling objects, to name a few examples. Damage that is caused by basic wear and tear is not covered, however. If your roof is not properly maintained, or it is of considerable age, your insurance may only cover part of the damages, and may not cover any damage at all. Check your policy carefully to see if you're covered for the entire roof to be repaired or replaced, or if you're only covered for actual cash value, or depreciated value.
Asphalt shingles: This type of roofing is very popular due to low cost and ease of installation. Many kinds with varying life spans are available, and a wide range of colour and styles can be chosen, and they are fire resistant and easy to repair. 20 years is the typical life expectancy for these.
Shakes or wood shingles are highly valued due to their desirable appearance, and long lasting protection. If the wood roof is maintained carefully and of course, expertly installed, they can last for 25 years or more. This roofing material has no fire rating or is a Class C. The building codes in your city should be reviewed. You may be able to get a Class A rating (with fire-resistant treatment).
Clay or concrete tiles: This material is another great option, as they are beautiful, come in many colours and styles, and are fireproof! It's easy to maintain and very durable, with a life expectancy of 30 years. Tiles are also very heavy, which means you may need additional roof framing.
Tar and gravel is a good option for a roof that has a slope to it that is on a low angle. Using a molten asphalt system, this is basically just tar paper and asphalt that are layered on the roof. The layers are laminated and then covered with gravel to hold them down and protect against UV degradation. 20 years is the usual lifespan for a roof of this kind.
Metal: This material is very popular in areas with high snowfalls. These roofs are safer from collapse due to weight, because snow falls off of them naturally. When properly installed and maintained, metal roofs will last 30 years or more. In addition to its longevity, metal shingles are much lighter than most materials and very resistance to adverse weather.
Keep your roof well maintained
The longevity of your roof can be increased dramatically if you do yearly inspections, and take care of any damages. Check for cracks, curled edges and missing or worn granulars on asphalt shingles. Hire someone who is qualified to remove snow from your roof if you have heavy snowfall in the winter months. This will help keep water from entering the house. The rest of the year, keep your eavestroughs clear of debris. Taking these easy steps yearly will benefit you greatly in the future, as your roof will have increased longevity.
Look over your current home insurance policy annually
A home insurance policy is designed to protect a homeowner if unexpected and unpreventable damage occurs. Normally included in these policies are wind damage, hail, snow or ice weight damage, and falling objects, to name a few examples. Damage that is caused by basic wear and tear is not covered, however. If your roof is not properly maintained, or it is of considerable age, your insurance may only cover part of the damages, and may not cover any damage at all. Check your policy carefully to see if you're covered for the entire roof to be repaired or replaced, or if you're only covered for actual cash value, or depreciated value.
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For further details, please visit renter insurance, or if you're a first time home buyer visit www.squareoneinsurance.ca.
This article collected, selected and written by: Author Van Hoc
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