Some people work as roofers for a summer or two. Others become lifelong devotees to the profession. Those who commit to roofing as a long-time profession really take the time to learn the details. Not only do they learn how to put roofs in place, but they also learn quite a lot about various roofing materials. This equips them to make good recommendations to homeowners who are looking for the right roof. We will also make some recommendations and tell you a bit more about roofers on this blog. While we are not roofers ourselves, we know a lot about the profession and are always happy to share.
An asphalt roof has an average lifespan of a couple of decades, but you don't have to wait for it to fall apart completely before replacing it. There are several benefits to replacing the roof just before it reaches its end of life.
1. Lower Cost
It often costs less to replace shingles before they wear out completely. If the shingles are still in working condition, then no leaks will have compromised the decking boards beneath the shingles. This allows the decking boards to be reused, which will save you on both the materials and the labor that would have been required for tearing off and installing new decking.
2. Improved Efficiency
A change of shingles may increase the energy efficiency of your home. Lighter-colored shingles, for example, reflect the heat of the sun during the summer and keep your home cooler. Some asphalt shingles even carry an energy star rating, which can help you determine in advance how much they can save over an average year.
3. Less Damage Risk
Allowing shingles to age out completely can lead to an increased chance of damages once the roof hits its end of life period. Leaks, both small and large, will become more common. The shingles may also become more prone to outside damages, such as blowing off or lifting up in high winds. This kind of damage, if not noticed right away, will allow water to seep under the neighboring shingles and lead to decking damage as well as water damage in your attic. Replacing before this point will avoid end-of-life damages.
4. More Options
An early roof replacement may open up more options for you. If the roof only has a couple of years of life left in it, then re-roofing can be done to save money and time. This is when the old shingles are treated as underlayment for a new covering of shingles. There's no need to tear off the old roof or pay for new underlayment. A new roof may also give you the option for any rooftop installations you've been wanting, like solar panels, since they are best installed over a new roof.
5. Design Updates
Sometimes a roof can still be functional but its design leaves something to be desired. Replacing the old shingles with those in a color and design that better fits the home's exterior can provide a whole new look. You can even upgrade to specialty asphalt shingles, such as architectural shingles or those with decorative shapes like scalloped-edge shingles.
Contact a roofing replacement service if you need to learn more about new asphalt shingle roofing.