4 Popular Roofing Upgrades

Re-roofing your home may not be the most glamorous of home improvements. However, having a high-quality roof can greatly extend the life and value of the property below it. Whilst this is a functional feature, we should not forget its form as well, but there are more ways than ever before to make a roof aesthetically pleasing. Take your time to find roofing materials that complement the rest of the property and look for additional features that can help with ventilation and internal climate control.  Here are five roof upgrades to consider when you are about to reroof your home.

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1. Choose an energy-efficient shingle – Shingle roofs are among the most traditional forms of roofing, but although they’ve been protecting our homes for well over a century, they have come a long way in recent years. There’s now a huge variety of colors and textures for homeowners and architects to consider when it comes to shingles, which means they can find an option that matches their own style and the appearance of the property. Reflective shingles can be a particularly smart choice if the property is situated in an exposed or often sunny area. Their granulated surface reflects the sun’s rays, and studies show that they can reduce interior cooling costs by up to 15%.
2. Install low-maintenance gutters – Gutters are among the most important roofing components, as they channel water away from the property, preventing moisture build-ups and damage to brickwork. Older forms of guttering can easily become clogged, however, and so regular maintenance is essential. Contemporary guttering, on the other hand, is almost seamless in design, which means that they are much less likely to leak and they don’t trap leaves and other clogging matter as easily. Once again, today’s gutters can be purchased in a variety of colors, so find one that perfectly matches other roofline products.
3. Improve roof ventilation – Attics become like furnaces in summer if they are not well-ventilated. That heat buildup radiates to the rooms directly below the attic, making them uncomfortable. To keep the attic—and your home—cooler, be sure your roofing contractor installs ridge vents across the top of your roof. Barely noticeable from the street, ridge vents allow air movement beneath the ridge cap shingles. For ventilation to be effective, soffit vents located under the eaves draw cooler air into the attic as hot air is being expelled. Gable vents, which are located near the roof peak of exterior walls, may also be needed to ensure adequate airflow. A cooler attic means your home will be more comfortable during the summer without having to spend a fortune on air conditioning.
4. Install an airtight chimney cap – Unlike masonry and metal chimney caps that are designed to keep rain and (if screened) birds and other critters out of your chimney, airtight caps are about saving energy. A chimney cap is essential to the safety and proper functioning of your chimney. When your fireplace is not in use, warm air from inside your home is literally gushing out the chimney when the weather is cold. The damper in your firebox does little to stop it because it is not airtight. Ask your roofer about installing an airtight chimney cap while the roof is being worked on.

Talk to the Roofing Specialists at Total Home Roofing to review all of our roofing upgrades and options that you may want to consider when re-roofing your home.