Getting a new roof sounds like it should be a nice, straightforward process, but it can be tricky when you start to add in all the variables that go into a decision. Trying to figure out all the variables and how to handle them can be confusing if you are trying to do it on your own. That's why you should find a residential roofing service that you can talk to and ask your questions there. They will be able to help you figure out what roof you should get on your house. So, what are some of the things that you should talk to the roofer about?
Load Weight
Your house is only built to carry a certain amount of weight. The weight of your roof is included in that overall weight. While a single shingle, tile, or slate may not be all that heavy, that weight adds up, especially when you add in the substrate that goes under the actual roofing material. All that weight needs to be supported by the walls of your house, and then down into your foundation. A roof that is too heavy will add a lot of stress onto your walls and make it hard for them to stay in structural shape. If the material you want to have your new roof made out of is going to be considerably heavier, your roofer may be able to add extra support to your house in order to hold that weight.
Lifespan
You also need to know how long your roof is going to last. That information is important because it will let you make long-term plans about what you are going to do with it. If your roof has a relatively short lifespan, then you are going to need to replace it sooner, which means that you might want to start saving to replace it a few years before its lifespan is up. If your plan is to make sure that there is a solid roof on the house before you sell it, then the lifespan might not be as big a variable for you when you are choosing a roof, but if you are in your forever home, you want to make sure that your roof is going to last for a long time.
If you aren't sure what kind of roof you should put on your house, talk to a roofing company to see what they suggest for your house.
