As a homeowner, you may be anxious about the future cost of replacing your roof. However, you may not have considered that there are significant costs associated with not replacing your roof as well.
The financial implications of an older roof can be easily overlooked. These hidden costs, however, can have serious consequences for your family and your wallet. This article aims to bring these costs to light so you can save money and keep your family dry!
1. Older Roofs Lead to Higher Utility Bills
Heating and cooling needs make up more than half of residential energy consumption and therefore drive the lion’s share of your utility bills. These costs may seem unavoidable, but your roof plays a vital role in controlling the amount of energy you need to keep your home at a comfortable temperature.
Roofs near the end of their useful life – around 15 to 30 years old for shingle roofs – often have outdated or damaged insulation and ventilation systems. Without proper ventilation and insulation, your air conditioner and heater must work harder and use more energy to keep your home comfortable.
Modern Roofs Have Enhanced Energy Efficiency
A modern roof that is properly installed will contain adequate ventilation and insulating features that are designed to improve the energy efficiency of your home. Proper ventilation also helps to reduce strain on your heater and air conditioner – lowering your utility bills and helping to prolong the life of those appliances.
In addition to proper air flow, modern roofs are available in specialty materials that further improve energy efficiency. For example, “cool roofs” use special color coatings to reflect more UV rays and keep your home cool in the summer months. Cool roofs usually cost about the same as a traditional roof and may also qualify for rebates from government programs and utility companies.
2. Costly Storm Damage Is More Likely with An Older Roof
Aging roofs are much more susceptible to damage from storms. There are a few reasons for this trend, including granule loss, natural aging, and unrepaired weather damage.
The granule coating on your shingles is vital to protecting your roof from UV damage. As these granules wear away, your roof becomes more vulnerable to sun damage and shingles often crack or split.
In addition to granule loss and sun damage, temperature fluctuations cause shingles to expand and contract. Over many seasons, the shingles shift into new positions that leave gaps.
During a storm, wind can lift shingle edges, exposing the vulnerable substructure and even removing the shingles entirely. Additionally, heavy rain can penetrate cracks, splits, and gaps between shingles, causing significant water damage.
Modern Roofing Options Provide Enhanced Storm Resistance
A newly installed roof should have undamaged shingles that are in the correct positions with their protective granules intact. Due to these factors, newer roofs offer much better protection for you and your family during a storm.
Modern roofing installation techniques are also available to provide enhanced storm protection. In particular, the FORTIFIED roofing method is popular on the Gulf Coast because it enhances wind resistance. This type of roofing installation includes stronger edges, a sealed roof deck, better attachment, and even improved hail-resistance. In Alabama, grants are available to homeowners that cover the cost of a new FORTIFIED roof.
3. Older Roofs Often Need Costly Repairs
All the factors that make an older roof more prone to damage during severe storms also impact their ability to withstand normal weather changes. For example, even a soft rain shower can cause a roof leak when shingles and waterproof membranes have outlived their useful life.
The costs associated with remedying a leak can add up quickly between repairing shingles, roof decking, ceilings, and damaged belongings. These costs are multiplied when a prolonged leak goes unnoticed and causes even greater damage.
Prolonged Leaks Lead to Wood Rot and Fungus Growth
The outer layers of a roof are waterproof, but the inner substructure is typically made of wood. Excessive moisture or trapped water can cause this decking to rot – which requires extensive, costly repairs.
In addition to wood rot, moisture trapped in your attic is a breeding ground for mold and mildew. These fungi spread from your attic to the rest of your home, damaging your belongings and jeopardizing your family’s health. The removal of mold and mildew once they have spread is an involved process, and it is extremely costly.
A New Roof Offers Better Protection Against Leaks, Rot, Mold, And Mildew
A roof replacement should include properly installed shingles that prevent water intrusion, and a ventilation system that prevents excessive moisture from accumulating in your attic. When installed properly, your roof should prevent mold, rot, and most leaks.
Between fungus remediation, leak repair, storm damage repair, and higher utility bills, the costs of an older roof can easily outweigh the expense of a new one. If your roof is near the end of its useful life, contact an experienced roofing company to discuss your options for replacing it – before the hidden costs hit your wallet.
Start Planning Your Roof Replacement Now with Complete Roofing
If your roof is near the end of its useful life or starting to show signs of wear, begin planning for a replacement with Complete Roofing. Our local team is available to help you find the right option to improve the durability and appearance of your roof.
As a FORTIFIED roofing contractor, we can install your roof to enhance wind resistance and provide greater protection during storms than a standard roof installation. We also offer a variety of high-quality roofing materials that will help protect your home and family from water leaks, mold, and mildew.
Our experienced team can inspect your current roof at no cost to you and help you determine when it needs to be replaced. When that time comes, we can handle your insurance claim from start to finish or help you apply for our low-cost financing program to get the roofing services you need.
To contact a roofing specialist in your area, use the following links for our 3 general areas or click your city for express service:
Installation and Repair Services for Roofs and Gutters are available in the following locations:
- Coastal Alabama Main Office with local agents in:
- Coastal Mississippi Main Office with local agents in:
- Greater New Orleans Main Office with a local agent in: