Some Frequently Asked Questions About New Roofs

Very few homeowners are roofing experts so inevitably many will have many questions during the inspection process. Knowing what to expect when speaking to roof contractors can help make the decision process much easier. These are some of the more common ones we’ve come across:

How long will it last and what kind of warranty does it have?

With roofing materials you get what you pay for. How long your roof will last and how good the warranty is, will be determined on the materials used and the workmanship of the roof contractor.

Putting the extra money into quality materials and a highly skilled and knowledgeable roof contractor now could save you from having to replace your roof again in 10 or 15 years.

How will it hold up during extreme weather such as hail storms and tornadoes?

Here in the South we are subject to extreme variations in weather. It could be clear and warm one day and stormy and cold the next. If there is one thing you can count on is you are going to be hit by a storm sooner or later. The question is, how well will your roof fare?

The best roof contractors understand the climate and weather patterns of the areas they serve. During your estimate, they should take into account these factors and offer solutions to ensure your roof stands firm.

Listen to their options and ask as many questions as you need to but when it comes down to it, quality materials and proper installation will dictate how your roof stands up against storms.

Does the roof have enough slope?

Slopes help route water away from your roof averting expensive damage and other problems. It also matters how much slope your roof has to determine walk-ability and how proportional it is to the rest of your home.

Calculating slopes is best done by a professional, if your slope is in question ask your roof contractor to check before work begins, you may be surprised at the difference.

How will the roof complement the rest of the house?

Your roof isn’t just for protection, these days with the number of materials, styles, and colors available you can make your roof just as beautiful as the rest of your home.

When choosing a new roof, check out the rest of your home and see how the materials and color mesh with the existing architecture and be sure you are clear on how the final product will look to be sure you get what you want.

How much does it cost?

The question on everyone’s mind when replacing or buying a new roof. It’s not going to be cheap. Small roofs can be as low as $5000 with larger roofs going up to $10,000 and more. Roofing is very much a customized, “you get what you pay for” type of investment and depends on how large your home is, the type of roof, and many other factors.

Get multiple estimates from multiple roof contractors to know how much your particular roof would cost. Question any variations in the quotes (especially if any are considerably lower) and avoid going for the cheapest you can find and choose wisely. A more expensive roof contractor with high customer ratings is worth much more than the one man roof guy who may or may not even be around in the future to service any warranties or mistakes.

Don’t kid yourself, even a roof with top quality materials can be undermined by shoddy workmanship. This is the reason why material warranties mandate specific installation instructions. A roof is only as good as it’s installer.  Don’t be that person, do your homework, buy quality materials and get what you pay for.

In Metro Atlanta, Atlanta Roofing Specialists will help you determine what the best material and design is for your specific project. Get the ball rolling towards that new roof you always wanted! If you need help with these questions or are ready to get your new roof now, call us today at 770-419-2222!

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