6 Benefits Homeowners Get from a New Roof

To repair or replace? If Shakespeare needed a new roof, that would be the question. For many homeowners in the DMV, that is the question—one that they struggle with when they see missing or damaged shingles on their house or realize that they have a leak coming from their attic.

Often, the first thought is to repair the problem; sometimes, this is the best solution. However, not every repair addresses the long term.; An immediate resolution might only be a bandage for a problem that re-emerges down the line. Plus, some homeowners simply don’t like how their roofs have aged, particularly if they aren’t the original owners of the house.

Every roof is different, and an experienced, trustworthy contractor will detail all the options available after inspecting your house. With that in mind, homeowners can realize these six benefits from a new roof:

1. The Latest in Roofing Technology

Your current roof might have been installed in the last century, and roofing technology has progressed since then. For example, GAF now offers a complete roofing system, in which the shingles, underlayment, vents, flashing, gutters, and other components are installed (preferably by a GAF-certified Master Elite contractor) at the same time and complement each other. If your roof is old, a replacement can offer a much-needed upgrade that provides functionality, energy efficiency, and value.

2. A Look You Choose

Unless you are the original owner of the house or bought it more than 30 years ago, you likely did not choose the roof currently atop your home. Going with a new roof allows you to pick your preferred style. For instance, have you wanted to upgrade from asphalt shingles to cedar shakes? The need for a new roof provides the perfect opportunity to make that move.

3. Going Green

The roofs of yesteryear often weren’t designed with the environment in mind. With today’s focus on green living, a new roof is better for your home and the planet. Modern roofing systems boast better energy efficiency, and environmentally conscious manufacturing has also taken hold—cedar shakes, for example, are harvested under a sustained yield forest policy.

4. Expert Installation

If your roof is failing and it doesn’t relatively seem like you had it for long, the previous installer might not have done the best job nor used the highest-quality materials. This can especially be an issue with subdivisions from the 1980s and ’90s—the roofs of these homes (already possibly mass-produced) may not have been installed with extreme diligence, and 20 to 30 years later, they need replacing. A new roof gives you the opportunity to research and choose a contractor with a track record of excellence. An expert roofer delivers expert work you can trust for decades, and this time around, your home deserves nothing less.

5. A Boost in Home Value

A new roof offers one of the best returns on any home improvement investment you can make. After all, few potential buyers want to purchase a home knowing they will need to replace an old roof; most would rather pay more upfront, rather than deal with the renovation on their own. Even if you aren’t thinking about selling, a new roof nonetheless boosts the worth and look of your home.

6. Resetting the Roof Clock

When properly installed with the highest-quality materials, roofs can last decades. However, yours already may have years of life behind it—without many more years ahead. Repairing a roof problem may give you a few more years at the end, but inevitably, it will need to be replaced. Opting for a new one new resets the clock, so to speak, until you must worry about replacing it again. That clock could be 30, 40, or even 50 years from on, and it starts the day your expert contractor completes the job. This peace of mind is an invaluable advantage that perfectly complements the other benefits of a new roof.

Have you considered replacing your current roof?