Cutting Energy Bills with Roof Replacement
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Natasha Kennedy
Apr 22, 2010, 10:05:02 PM4/22/10
to Home Energy
It's that time of year again - the weather is getting a bit cooler as
the fall and winter seasons begin. The dropping temperatures will
inevitably affect energy costs, and as you look at ways to keep your
energy bill down by winterizing your home, remember to consider the
roof.
Taking steps to keep your energy bill under control, such as finding
drafts and sealing them, replacing old insulation, and checking your
vinyl siding and windows for wear and tear are all futile efforts with
an old, battered roof.
The Cost of Your Old Roof
Just as a hat keeps you warm in the winter, your roof functions in a
similar way for your home - it holds the heat in. But if your roof is
old and worn, if your home has no "hat," your efforts to heat your
home could literally be going through the roof. In addition, an old
roof is often leaky, contributing to mold and bacteria overgrowth in
your home. The end result can be chronic allergy problems and even
respiratory infections for you and your family, because you are
breathing in contaminated air.
A trained professional roofing contractor is best-equipped to identify
problem areas on your roof and let you know whether minor repairs need
to be done, or if there is enough damage, wear and tear to warrant a
roof replacement instead.
The Value of a New Roof
Replacing your roof is an investment, helping to cut your energy costs
and increase the value of your home. A 2005 annual report by
Remodeling Online Magazine reported the average cost of replacing a
roof can range anywhere from about $11,500 to $17,000, depending on
where you live in the United States.
And your new roof can prove to be a lucrative investment if you ever
decide to move. GAF Materials Corp., (a manufacturer of residential
and commercial building supplies including roofing materials) reports
that, according to a group of realtors surveyed, up to 40 percent of
your home's curb appeal is your roof. Though its impact is more
subtle, the appearance of your roof can attract buyers to your home
and increase the resale value of your home when you're ready to sell.
Before You Shop
Often, a poor-quality roofing job does not show any signs of a problem
for years. Getting a new roof is a major investment in your home, so
be very careful when you begin to look for a contractor. In addition
to making sure you see a portfolio of their previous work, ask for
references and make sure you call them.
When looking for a roofing contractor, you want a qualified
professional who will use the best materials and back up their work
with a good warranty that doesn't just cover the roofing materials,
but also covers the labor to repair those roofing materials should you
need repairs done.
If you have a roofing contractor in your local area that is a
Certified Master Elite Roofer - only 2% of all roofers in the U.S.
carry this distinction - you can rest assured that the work done on
your home is excellent quality and is covered under a strong warranty.
Roofing Accessories to Consider
As you talk with contractors, keep in mind that the installation of a
new roof involves more than just nailing in your shingles. A good
roofing job will include at least a waterproof leak barrier, and
ideally an additional layer of protection from the elements, sometimes
called "roof deck protection." Once this foundation is laid, then your
shingles will be laid down.
Also discuss attic ventilation with your roofing contractor - without
it, in the summer, your attic can get so hot that it actually bakes
your shingles. And in the winter, the hot moist air heating your home
can get trapped in your attic, soak and diminish the effectiveness of
your insulation, and increase your energy bill.
Lastly, if you were ever thinking of getting skylights for your home,
now is the best time to plan for them.
Many homeowners wait until their roof is leaking, there is major,
visible damage or there is a complete catastrophe before replacing
their roof. What these homeowners don't realize is they are wasting
money on their energy bills in the meantime. A new roof will increase
the beauty of your home, cut your energy bills, and play a major role
in your ability to sell your home at your asking price. Find out the
condition of your roof before the winter weather sets in so that you
can be aware of its condition and avoid the headaches that come when
catastrophe pushes you into the emergency purchase of a new roof.
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the fall and winter seasons begin. The dropping temperatures will
inevitably affect energy costs, and as you look at ways to keep your
energy bill down by winterizing your home, remember to consider the
roof.
Taking steps to keep your energy bill under control, such as finding
drafts and sealing them, replacing old insulation, and checking your
vinyl siding and windows for wear and tear are all futile efforts with
an old, battered roof.
The Cost of Your Old Roof
Just as a hat keeps you warm in the winter, your roof functions in a
similar way for your home - it holds the heat in. But if your roof is
old and worn, if your home has no "hat," your efforts to heat your
home could literally be going through the roof. In addition, an old
roof is often leaky, contributing to mold and bacteria overgrowth in
your home. The end result can be chronic allergy problems and even
respiratory infections for you and your family, because you are
breathing in contaminated air.
A trained professional roofing contractor is best-equipped to identify
problem areas on your roof and let you know whether minor repairs need
to be done, or if there is enough damage, wear and tear to warrant a
roof replacement instead.
The Value of a New Roof
Replacing your roof is an investment, helping to cut your energy costs
and increase the value of your home. A 2005 annual report by
Remodeling Online Magazine reported the average cost of replacing a
roof can range anywhere from about $11,500 to $17,000, depending on
where you live in the United States.
And your new roof can prove to be a lucrative investment if you ever
decide to move. GAF Materials Corp., (a manufacturer of residential
and commercial building supplies including roofing materials) reports
that, according to a group of realtors surveyed, up to 40 percent of
your home's curb appeal is your roof. Though its impact is more
subtle, the appearance of your roof can attract buyers to your home
and increase the resale value of your home when you're ready to sell.
Before You Shop
Often, a poor-quality roofing job does not show any signs of a problem
for years. Getting a new roof is a major investment in your home, so
be very careful when you begin to look for a contractor. In addition
to making sure you see a portfolio of their previous work, ask for
references and make sure you call them.
When looking for a roofing contractor, you want a qualified
professional who will use the best materials and back up their work
with a good warranty that doesn't just cover the roofing materials,
but also covers the labor to repair those roofing materials should you
need repairs done.
If you have a roofing contractor in your local area that is a
Certified Master Elite Roofer - only 2% of all roofers in the U.S.
carry this distinction - you can rest assured that the work done on
your home is excellent quality and is covered under a strong warranty.
Roofing Accessories to Consider
As you talk with contractors, keep in mind that the installation of a
new roof involves more than just nailing in your shingles. A good
roofing job will include at least a waterproof leak barrier, and
ideally an additional layer of protection from the elements, sometimes
called "roof deck protection." Once this foundation is laid, then your
shingles will be laid down.
Also discuss attic ventilation with your roofing contractor - without
it, in the summer, your attic can get so hot that it actually bakes
your shingles. And in the winter, the hot moist air heating your home
can get trapped in your attic, soak and diminish the effectiveness of
your insulation, and increase your energy bill.
Lastly, if you were ever thinking of getting skylights for your home,
now is the best time to plan for them.
Many homeowners wait until their roof is leaking, there is major,
visible damage or there is a complete catastrophe before replacing
their roof. What these homeowners don't realize is they are wasting
money on their energy bills in the meantime. A new roof will increase
the beauty of your home, cut your energy bills, and play a major role
in your ability to sell your home at your asking price. Find out the
condition of your roof before the winter weather sets in so that you
can be aware of its condition and avoid the headaches that come when
catastrophe pushes you into the emergency purchase of a new roof.
--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Home Energy" group.
To post to this group, send email to homeen...@googlegroups.com.
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to homeenergymi...@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/homeenergymi?hl=en.
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