REASONS FOR REPLACING A ROOF:
Increased property value/Sale Value:
According to most estimates, a new roof can add around $12,000 to $15,000 to a home’s resale value, representing roughly 60-68% return on investment, depending on the materials used and the current housing market.
One of the biggest benefits of a new roof is the return on investment that comes with this project. As we’ve already mentioned, you’ll likely recoup most — if not all — of the roofing costs when you go to sell your home. Potential buyers typically prefer homes that don’t need a lot of structural work, so a new roof allows you to sell your home at a higher price and makes your home more appealing to potential buyers. Most people are attracted to a home that isn’t going to require them to pump a lot of money into it immediately after they move in.
A new roof can also demonstrate to potential buyers that you have maintained your home and protected it from things like water damage. In a 2019 survey from the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) and the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), 33% of Realtors® found that a new roof helped them close a sale on a home.
Improved curb appeal/Make it your own:
Whether for increased sale value or to improve the look of the home for your own enjoyment a new roof goes a long way toward improving a home’s curb appeal.
A house’s roof is one of its most visible features and makes up a significant percentage of a home’s exterior. An old roof with missing shingles and moss growing on it makes a house look old and poorly maintained. A new roof, on the other hand, is a great way to enhance the look of any home to make it look fresh and exciting.
When you work with a reputable roofing company to design and install a new roof, they can help you select the right color and style of shingles to complement the color and style of your home. The variety of colors, shapes and designs can really bring a home back to life. In the same NAR-NARI survey, 65% of homeowners reported feeling a greater desire to be home after their new roof was installed. Nearly half of those same homeowners (49%) also said that they enjoyed being home more once their new roof was in place.
Greater energy efficicency:
If your roof is reaching the end of its lifespan, it probably isn’t doing a great job of keeping heat away from your house. Besides being prone to gaps and places where air can leak in, older shingles weren’t designed to repel heat away from the house. They were more likely to absorb heat and bring it into the home.
Today’s shingles are designed to do more than just keep your house dry. Several shingle options on the market today are designed to repel heat. By repelling heat from the sun away from the house, the shingles on the roof prevent excess heat from entering into the house. The less heat in the house, the less a home’s HVAC system has to work to keep it at a cool, comfortable temperature. When the HVAC system doesn’t have to work as hard, it doesn’t use as much energy — and homeowners save money.
Besides the technology behind today’s shingles, the color and design of a new roof can also lower energy costs. Darker colored shingles absorb more heat than lighter colored shingles. If your current roof has darker shingles, replacing them with a lighter, energy-efficient option can save you even more on energy costs.
Damage/degradation/Age of the roof:
If your roof is reaching the end of its lifespan, don’t wait until it starts leaking or begins to crumble. Being proactive about roof replacement is the best way to protect your home and family.
When your roof starts showing the signs of its age or sustains damage your home can be placed at seriours risk.
One of the biggest problems with older roofs is that they don’t always repel water away from the house, allowing water and moisture to creep inside. Even if it’s a slow leak, water and moisture can build up over time, creating mold and mildew and causing potential health problems for family members. Even people who aren’t allergic to mold can experience problems with their eyes, nose, throat and lungs if mold is present in the home.
Besides repelling water, your home’s roof is also designed to protect it from debris, falling trees and wind. As a roof ages, it can become structurally unsound and unable to withstand all of the things it’s designed to defend against. Even if you can’t see evidence of weakening from the outside, a roof that is nearing the end of its lifespan is in danger of failing when you need it most. If an older roof is left unaddressed, it can become unstable and even collapse. Being proactive and replacing an aging roof goes a long way toward keeping your home structurally sound and able to withstand the elements, especially if you live in an area prone to storms or high winds.