3 Ways To Turn a Roof Replacement Into a Major Home Upgrade

No one likes to discover that their roof is nearing the end of its lifespan. While asphalt shingles can last twenty years or more, they will eventually begin to fail. Constant exposure to wind, rain, and ultraviolet radiation will cause the shingles on your roof to degrade, eventually leaving them in such poor condition that repairs are no longer cost-effective.

Once your roof reaches this stage, replacement becomes necessary to avoid more severe water damage and other issues. However, you can treat your roof replacement as more than just a practical decision. A complete roof tear-off is an excellent opportunity to give your home a makeover, and these three roof replacement options can turn this project into a major home upgrade.

1. Switch From 3-Tab to Architectural Shingles

Asphalt shingles come in a wide range of styles and colors, allowing you to customize your home to fit your personality and budget. However, most asphalt shingles fall broadly into two categories: 3-tab and architectural. Although many people might not realize these two options exist, the difference in appearance can often be striking.

Between these two roofing options, 3-tab shingles are the cheaper choice. While these shingles are perfectly suitable for a budget installation, they have some noticeable drawbacks. Most 3-tab shingles use a thinner material with fewer surface granules, making them less durable. Additionally, they have a flat, repeating pattern that does little to lend visual interest to your roof.

If your home currently uses 3-tab shingles, upgrading to architectural shingles can dramatically affect its appearance. Architectural shingles use varied, non-repeating patterns that provide a more natural look and can more closely resemble shake or tile roofs. Most architectural shingles also use thicker backings with denser surface granules, leading to greater durability and longer life.

2. Add Seamless Gutters

You don't typically need to remove your gutters during a roof tear-off and replacement. However, roof installations do go hand-in-hand with gutter repairs and upgrades. Your contractor will already have their crew on your roof, providing easy access to your gutters and the perfect opportunity for a thorough inspection.

At a minimum, you should consider your roof replacement a good time to repair any damage to your gutters so that future storms don't cause more serious problems. However, your new roof can also be an excellent time to replace your old gutters with more modern, high-end seamless ones. Using the same contractor for both jobs can be an excellent way to save both time and money.

If you aren't familiar with them, seamless gutters are custom cut on-site to match the length of your home. Since there are no seams, these gutters look much cleaner on the outside of your home. Seams are also the weakest point of a traditional gutter system, making seamless gutters an excellent choice for improved durability against storms and high winds.

3. Install a Cool Roof

If you want to turn your roofing replacement into a way to save even more money over the long term, going with a cool roof might be a great option for you. A building envelope is a concept that describes an imaginary barrier between the conditioned space inside your home and the outside environment. Your roof is a critical part of your home's envelope.

Since your roof exposes a large surface area to the sun daily, it can become a substantial source of cooling load during the summer. The primary role of a cool roof is to reflect the sun's energy away from your home, helping to reduce the heat your home absorbs during the summer. As a result, your new roof can help you see potentially much lower utility bills.

The good news is that you don't need to do anything special to install a cool roof on your home. Instead, work with your installer to select a light-colored roof that will reflect more energy than it absorbs. This simple change can help make your home greener and more energy efficient.

Chapman Construction can help turn your roofing replacement into another step on the road to your dream home. Contact us today to discuss the exciting options available for your home's new roof!