All You Need To Know When Replacing Your Roof
So, the recent storms have you in the market for a new roof in which case your insurance company will be covering most of it. OR, maybe you just want to change it (old, ugly, etc..) In either case here is all you need to know when replacing your roof.
The first rule to remember, your roof is way too important to the value of your home to trust to shoddy materials put on by unqualified installers!
In Texas where there no professional license required to install a roof, this is your only way of knowing that the roof will be installed correctly. At the very least you should always check references, BBB ratings. Also, make sure they have a local address and a real office.
Texas does have a voluntary license that most quality roofing contractors hold. The Roofing Contractors Association of Texas (RCAT) creating a voluntary license program that validates the qualifications of roofing contractors in Texas and holds all members accountable to the highest ethical standards
Other than that, the basics are pretty easy….
Your choice of roof material often depends on your locality, as much as on your own personal taste. In some regions, metal roofing is a common selection due to its fire resistance. But by far composite leads the league in Texas.
Roof pitch also affects the kind of roofing materials you can use.
- Asphalt composition shingles: This is by far the most popular type of roofing material because it is effective and readily available.
- Metal roofs made of steel or aluminum have become more popular in recent years, due in part to their durability and because they are fireproof.
- Slate roofing: This is a highly attractive, high-end roofing option, but it is expensive and very heavy.
- Clay or ceramic tile is very popular in the Southwest and is sometimes referred to as Spanish-style. The red tile roof look can also be achieved with metal and composite materials that mimic the Spanish tile look.
Should I Tear Off Existing Roof or Cover Over It?
It was once common to lay a new shingle roof over the preexisting layer at least once, or sometimes even twice. This is no longer allowed in some jurisdictions, where complete tear-off of the previous roofing is now required. Even where layering is allowed, applying a new layer of shingles over the old should be carefully considered because of the added weight. This can be a structural hazard, especially for older houses. In the vast majority of cases, you are going to want to do a tear off.
A quality roof is only as good as the quality of the underlayer used. We only use underlayments that are designed specifically to work with the type and brand of roofing material we are using on a project. They are specified to work together for maximum efficiency. Always make sure that you check with your contractor to ensure they are doing the same.
Make sure that the contractor you have chosen is certified by the manufacturer of the roofing materials they will be using on your home. This is the only way to know for sure that the manufacturer’s warranty will be in effect should the product fail for any reason. You never want to be told that damage on your roof was the result of a poor installation. You responsible to pay for a repair. Remember, a manufacturer does not warranty workmanship.
IntegriBuilt Roofing is a professional roofing contractor that provides residential, commercial and multifamily roof repair and replacement in the Dallas and Fort Worth metro areas. IntegriBuilt repairs and replaces all types of roofs–including sloped shingle roofs, flat roofs, concrete roofs, and metal roofs. We are ready twenty-four hours a day in the event of hail damage or if you need a repai. IntegriBuilt also provides preventative maintenance plans on all types of roofs. We are recognized as one of the fastest growing and most respected roofing contractors in Texas and we are locally owned and operated and a proud member of the Roofing Contractors Association of Texas. References are always available on request and we always provide free estimates
