A professional roof replacement is a major undertaking. As such, it requires a significant amount of planning and design. You will need to consider several items during the planning phase so that the new roof installation is executed flawlessly. Below is a sho of what to consider when getting a new roof. If you have any further questions or need to schedule a roof replacement, please contact Quality Roofing.

Roofing Materials

When getting a roof replacement, your most important decision is the type of material you will use to cover the roof. There is an array of roofing material choices.

Asphalt shingles
Clay and concrete tile
Metal Roofing
Slate
Wood shingles and shakes
Synthetic roofing products

Each type of material has its distinctive features such as design, function, cost, longevity, and installation ease. Speak with your local roofing contractor in Florida to determine what type of roofing materials are available and which is most suitable for your house.

Coordinating with Your Neighbors

Your neighbors should be happy that you are getting a new roof. A roof replacement increases your home’s value, potentially improves your neighbor’s home value, improves the look of the neighborhood, and tells your neighbors that you’re planning to stick around. Don’t be surprised if one or two of your neighbors schedule a roof replacement after you do.

However, not everyone will be happy with your new project. Roof replacement can be messy and noisy. The idea of a construction crew coming into the neighborhood may be an inconvenience for some people. Therefore, it may be a good idea to contact your neighbors to let them know of the roof replacement. They will likely appreciate the kind gesture.

Find a Reputable Roofing Contractor

A new roof is a significant investment that increases your home’s market value and improves your property’s curb appeal. For this reason, you should weigh the outcome of every choice you make regarding your roof. One of the most important decisions you should consider is the local roofing company you hire to complete your upcoming roofing project.

Before you hire a professional roofer in Florida, gather the following information:

Licensure, certification and proof of insurance
Customer reviews, personal references or business references
A business portfolio or online gallery of past projects
A comprehensive estimate of work to be completed and all costs
Manufacturer and workmanship warranties

Reroofing or Not Reroofing?

What is re-roofing? Reroofing is the process of layering one set of new shingles over a set of existing shingles. In most cases, it can only be performed once, so if you already have two layers of roofing in place, reroofing is not a smart option for you. Because there is no tear-off, reroofing can go much faster and be much less expensive than a complete roof replacement.

Reroofing can be a good choice for homeowners who have a roof near the end of its lifespan but is still in overall good shape. There may be some minor issues or leaks, but no major water damage, soggy or missing shingles, or large amounts of moss or mildew growth. It’s also a better choice to have the entire roof done, rather than simply a partial roof.

Assess the Supporting Framework

When considering a roof replacement, you need to get a professional roof inspection that includes the supporting framework. The framework is what creates a platform for your decking, underlayment, roofing material, and any additional structures (chimney, skylights, etc.). Since the framework lies beneath the roof’s main layer, it is often neglected.

However, if the framework is not in working condition, the entire roof can cave in. So, make sure the roofing company inspects the framework. If it requires a professional roof repair, you will need to add that to your roof replacement. You may also need to rip the entire roof off so that you can repair the framework. Doing so will ensure the stability and longevity of your new roof.

Ongoing Preventative Roof Maintenance Schedule

Even the most dependable, well-built roofs need ongoing maintenance. Preventative maintenance is especially important in the Florida climate, where sea spray, high humidity, hurricanes, and UV rays are a factor each year. To prevent major damage in the coastal areas, you should schedule a routine roof inspection and maintenance at least once a year, preferably before hurricane season.

Although each roofing contractor in Florida is different, most of them will have a roof maintenance assessment that includes some or all the following items

Missing or damaged shingles
Curled or buckled shingles
Cracked caulking
Improper ventilation
Buckled areas of the roof
Rust, mold or mildew on or inside the roof

You’ll also want to get your gutters checked and cleaned out and any trees trimmed back. Last, you may want to replace your old insulation inside the attic.

Manufacturer or Workmanship Warranties

While some roofing companies offer a comprehensive warranty, most warranties are broken down into two categories:

Manufacturer Warranty
A manufacturer warranty covers defective roofing materials. The roofing material warranty is important to include with a new roof, but it’s not necessarily enough to fill the gaps in coverage of all roofing materials. Furthermore, even if you have coverage with a roofing material warranty, it may only cover the cost of the parts for the new materials.
Workmanship Warranty
Workmanship and installation are major components of new roofing. Without sufficient and guaranteed professional installation, even the best roofing can fail to perform. Therefore, homeowners need to choose a roofing company that offers both a material and workmanship warranty. The workmanship warranty offers protection for labor and installation. It’s essentially a warranty that offers peace of mind knowing that the roofing contractor stands by their work, guaranteeing performance for years to come.

New Florida Building Codes Effective January 2021

Florida building codes establish minimum standards in the design, construction, and compliance processes of all homes. The code also protects property investments and saves the state and local governments money in mitigation costs linked to natural disasters such as hurricanes.

The 7th and the newest edition to the codes contain changes to the requirements for roofs, with goals to improve resistance to wind damage and water invasion. There are several new construction and roof replacement changes, including changes to roofing underlayment, wind loads on roofs, roof mitigation, wind resistance loads, soffits, and cable, and raceway-type wiring methods on roofs. Speak with your local roofing contractor in Florida to find out more about the codes.

Schedule a Free Roof Inspection

Quality Roofing offers premier roofing services for homeowners in Florida. Call (850) 753-0041 or fill out the quick form on our contact page to schedule a free roof inspection.

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