The best home upgrade has a more significant impact on the property than on its looks alone. A report by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) reveals that a roof replacement recoups 107% of the project costs if you resell the property.

If you opt for shingles for a roof upgrade, you’ll enjoy improved energy efficiency, enhanced aesthetics, and increased home value. Different materials boost the return on investment for your roof upgrade and you have a versatile range of styles to choose from. Read on to discover the beautiful array of roof materials available on the market.

A home’s roof is built strong to withstand wear and tear. However, even with good maintenance, a roof will need to be replaced or repaired at some point. If you think you may need a new roof or a roof repair, check out these five common questions first.

1. Which Material Is Best?

All roofing materials have pros and cons, so choosing the best roofing material is more about choosing what is right for you and your needs. In general, however, people tend to choose asphalt shingle roofs or wood roofs.

At any time of year, a storm can roar through your community, potentially causing many kinds of damages to roofs and other home structures. You might feel relieved once a strong storm has blown over, only to find that your roof didn’t make it through the onslaught quite as successfully as your home’s occupants.

Perhaps you’ve just weathered a storm in your neighborhood, you never looked at your roof following an earlier storm, or you’d just like to catch roof problems as early as possible so you can schedule prompt repairs. In any case, recognize the signs of storm-related roof problems. Keep an eye out for these trouble signs.

1. Lost or Damaged Shingles

While your roof can serve you for more than 30 years, natural wear, severe weather, pest infestation, and falling trees can damage your roof. Knowing when to call a roofing professional to inspect and repair your roof can save you money, time, and headaches. Lear signs your roof needs repair.

Sagging Roof

Common reasons for a sagging roof include wear and tear, poor installation, inclement weather, and excess weight. Poor installation with too many layers of shingles, undersized rafters, defective materials, and missing internal bracing can also lead to a saggin roof.

A good roof can withstand years of wear and tear, and even last longer than its warranty period. However, some issues can crop up, and you’d have to part with a lot of money to fix them.

Unfortunately, identifying the signs of a roof problem early can be difficult. But if you know what can trigger such issues, you’ll be keen to keep a close eye on your roof’s condition.

Working together with your roofing contractor should help keep certain roof problems at bay. You won’t have to risk injury by climbing up the roof yourself for a first-hand inspection.

A roof is an invaluable part of a home, offering protection from weather elements and keeping your family warm and safe. Over the years, your roof experiences wear and tear and may need replacement. Also, damage by inclement weather and termites, and poor installation may necessitate a new roof. Learn the telltale signs you need a new roof for your home.

Age

Although a roof’s lifespan depends on various factors such as roofing material, installation, local climate, and maintenance, most roofs last for between 15 and 50 years. An asphalt shingles roof, for instance, can serve you for 15 to 30 years.

You should consider purchasing a new roof if your roof is nearing its average lifespan. Check your records to see when the roof was installed to determine when it’s due for replacement. Roofs that are more than 20 years old are usually good candidates for replacement.

Has the time finally come to replace the roofing material on your home? If so, you will want to be well informed on how to maintain your new roof over the years to help it last as long as possible. The amount of maintenance necessary may even influence your decision about what kind of roof you want, which is why you will want to know the following tips for maintaining these five types of roofing materials.

Asphalt

A big part of having a home with asphalt shingles is simply keeping an eye on them over the years for damage. For example, you will want to take a look in the gutters when you clean them in the spring and look for granules along the bottom of the gutters. This means that they have come off the surface of the shingles, which is likely due to strong winds or a hailstorm. Also, you may need to replace shingles that look particularly bad.

Most roofs last for years, but eventually, they’re going to wear out and need to be replaced. How do you know if it’s time to replace your roof or if you can just get it repaired? A professional is the best person to make that determination, but there are some things you can consider. Finding shingles in your yard is one sign that you need to replace the roof.

Has It Stormed Recently?

Sometimes, bad weather causes damage to a roof that seemed to be holding up fine before the storm arrived. High winds and heavy rains can cause things to change quickly, and if the roof is older, it may end up with unexpected problems that need correction. Finding shingles – or pieces of them – in the yard after a strong storm could mean it’s time for roof replacement. A strong roof that’s in good health shouldn’t be coming apart.

Spring is a beautiful time of the year when everything is new again. It’s also a great time to spot problems with your home. If you aren’t maintaining your home properly, you might have problems in the form of roof leaks, insect invasions, and other issues.

Read on for some home maintenance tasks to tackle this spring.

1. Clean and Inspect Your Gutters

Be sure to clean and inspect your gutters this spring. Leaves, twigs, tree buds, and other debris can all accumulate in your gutters. If you don’t clean them out, they may eventually clog your gutters. Then the rainwater won’t drain properly and your gutters will overflow.

An overflowing gutter can eventually soak into your roof, soffit, and fascia. This moisture can rot the wood in your roof and leave you with water damage inside your home. Water damage to your home can then cause mold or mildew to grow, which can lead to health issues for you and your family.

Whether your home came with a skylight or you want to install one, the beauty of natural light and a window into the sky make it a marvelous addition to your house. If you have one or plan to get one, though, you’ll need to take care of it to keep it pristine and pretty. Use these tips to keep your skylight looking its best, so you can enjoy the light it brings all year.

Installation Precautions

The type of material that makes up your roof can affect your skylight, so you’ll have to keep an eye on it from the beginning. If the material tends to split or break, allowing ice or water to enter, you should repair it as soon as possible before it gets too close to your skylight. Your builders should be aware of the possibility of moisture and the danger it poses, though, so don’t worry too much about keeping them in line.