Does your roof need some big repairs? If you have a cracked roof, missing shingles, or water damage, these are some signs that it’s probably time to replace your roof. So, what are the things you should look for when you’re in the market for a new roof? Here’s what to look for in a new roof:

1. Type and quality of materials
2. Roof pitch and slope
3. If you need a full roof replacement
4. The style of your roof
5. Roof ventilation
6. Find an installation expert

1. Type and Quality of Materials

When looking for a new roof, it’s essential to be aware of the different types of materials and their quality.

Types of Materials

There are a variety of roofing materials available. An important consideration when selecting a new roof is the right material for your home. Factors like maintenance, specific home design and needs, budget, and weather are just a few things to consider when choosing a roofing material.

There are quite a few types of roofing available. You’ll be able to find materials that match your style, your current home’s aesthetic, and the level of maintenance you’re looking for. Working with an experienced contractor can help you ensure your new roof is exactly what you need.

Lifespan and Warranty

Most new roofs typically come with two different types of warranties. The first is the manufacturer’s warranty, which covers specific manufacturing issues, like defects in the materials. The second kind of warranty is a workmanship warranty. This type of warranty guarantees the quality of the installation and is typically provided by the contractor.

It’s important to thoroughly read both warranties and keep track of what the warranty covers, what it doesn’t include, and any requirements to maintain coverage under the warranty. In some cases, that may mean regular inspections.

Quality of Materials

Once you’ve narrowed down your materials to what you think will be a good fit, you need to be sure you’re getting high-quality materials. High-quality materials mean less hassle and fewer repairs down the road.

High-Quality Shingles

If you’ve decided on shingles, choose shingles that are a combination of both beauty and performance. These are some benefits of asphalt roofing shingles, and are some of the reasons why they are one of the most popular roofing materials.

A quality roof shingle will have advanced protection that offers toughness, granule adhesion, wind uplift resistance, flexibility, and fire resistance. Make sure you choose safety first for your home.

High-quality shingles will have a Class A fire rating, which is the highest rating possible. Look for shingles that have advanced adhesive to seal down each shingle and reduce the risk of shingle blow-offs. A good shingle can be warranted to withstand winds up to 130 mph.

The Right Metal Roofing

Metal roofing offers two kinds of roofing that are used in residential roofing. These two types are standing seam metal roofing and screw-down panels. Standing seam metal roof systems are more often recommended for residential homes.

2. Roof Pitch and Slope

Roof pitch and slope are other things to keep in mind as you look for a new roof. The roof pitch is essentially your roof’s incline, which is often written as a fraction. Contractors calculate how many inches the roof rises for every 12 inches it extends horizontally. So if your roof has a 6 1/2, or 6/12, pitch, this means for every 6 inches it rises in height, the roof extends 12 inches horizontally.

Sometimes, pitch and slope are used interchangeably, but they are different. Slope is a much broader concept, while pitch is more specific. Considering pitch and slope when choosing materials is important because both terms can help determine which type of materials are best for your roof.

The roof pitch and slope are important because they can impact a few aspects of your roof. It can help determine weather-resistance, because the steeper a roof is, the easier rain and snow can run off. Snow not being able to easily fall off the roof is a common winter roofing problem that you should think about if you live in a snowy climate.

Roof pitch and slope can also determine which materials are the most compatible with your roof pitch. This is because certain materials have pitch requirements. Asphalt shingles typically need a higher pitch, whereas metal panels do not.

3. If You Need a Full Roof Replacement

Something else you need to consider when replacing a roof is whether you need a full roof replacement instead of just repairing a small section. A roof replacement requires completely tearing off your old roof down to the frame and using new roofing materials.

While simply nailing new roofing over your old roof sounds easier and may be cheaper, it’s rarely recommended. Roof damage is a common cause of roof leaks, so if this damage isn’t fixed before a new roof is installed, repairing it can take much more work. A new roof ensures longevity and durability.

4. The Style of Your Roof

When you replace your roof, the most important thing is protecting your house. However, you need to consider how it will affect your home’s resale value. Increasing the curb appeal of your home is only one of the many benefits of a new roof.

The color of your roof should match the other aesthetics of your home and add to the curb appeal of your home. Neutral colors are safe and will stay in style for many years. If you want to be on trend or have a more modern look, think about using color combinations such as various tones of brown or a mixture of blues, blacks, and grays. These are all things to consider when choosing a roof color. Be sure to consult with a roofing expert to ensure a professional look.

5. Roof Ventilation

There are a few reasons why proper roof ventilation is important. Ventilation is essential in keeping your home temperature well-regulated, as well as energy-efficient. It can also help extend the lifespan of your roofing materials.

Roof ventilation also helps moisture escape, preventing mold and mildew from forming. If you notice mold and mildew forming in your home, this can be a sign you don’t have proper roof ventilation. As you look at roofing, there are a few types of roof ventilation systems to consider: passive or active.

Passive Ventilation

Passive ventilation lets the air in the attic move around naturally. This ventilation system relies on wind to let cooler air push warm air out. One of the benefits of passive roof ventilation is that it is virtually maintenance-free because there are no moving parts. Plus, the system is quiet!

Active Ventilation

Active ventilation typically uses a fan to create an effect where intake fans pull fresh air in and then push attic air out through exhaust vents. This system is called active because the system ensures that the air in your attic is moving.

Both roof ventilation systems do the job of moving air throughout your home, so choosing the right system and types of roof vents will depend on the type of roof you have, as well as the type of home you have. It can also depend on where you live and what your typical climate and weather are like.

6. Find an Installation Expert

Finally, and a very important consideration, is to be sure to partner with a home improvement company that offers years of experience in roof installation. This is one of the tips for choosing the right home improvement contractor. Having expertise as well as the proper equipment will ensure your roof will last for decades to come.

Replace Your Roof With Zephyr Thomas

This is a brief overview of what to look for in a new roof. If you have questions about replacing your roof, reach out to Zephyr Thomas at 717-399-4708! With over 70 years of experience, we can help you achieve any home improvement project. Call Zephyr Thomas for experienced roofers in Lancaster, PA.

Check out the time-lapse video below to see the Zephyr Thomas team replacing the roof for this homeowner!