Add lasting value to your home with roof installation, repair, and replacement.
Your home’s roof is one of the most important elements of the whole structure, and one of the best home investments you can make is putting on a high-quality roof. Living in Florida, the roof you have on your home can make all the difference when it comes to protecting your family, lowering your monthly energy bills, and keeping you secure from the elements.
Unless you’re experiencing an issue with your roof, the truth is that you probably don’t think about it very much. After all, the whole point of having a good roof on your home is to avoid the frustration of leaks and repairs.
Knowing this, it’s not uncommon for homeowners to feel uncertain about what to do with their roofs. For example…
The answers are here.
It’s easy not to think about the roof over your head — until it starts to fail. Of course, it’s much better to prevent roof failure than respond to it.
Right now, the National Roofing Contractors Association recommends that homeowners conduct roof inspections twice a year: once in the spring, and again in the fall. It seems like a hassle, but it can save you a lot of money and stress later on. As a Florida resident, it’s also a good idea to have a roof inspection after a big storm or hurricane. The sooner you can catch damage like small leaks or missing shingles, the better off your roof — and wallet! — will be.
During these roof inspections, you should check for signs of damage to your roof, most of which are pretty noticeable.
Flashing is the material around the base of your chimney, skylights, and vents. In older homes, it’s usually made of tar or roof cement. Newer homes usually use metal flashing. If your flashing is old, decayed, or cracking, it won’t protect your home from moisture, and repair is required before more extensive damage is done.
Take a look at your records to find out when your roof was last replaced or reshingled. Depending on the material, roofs generally last about 20-25 years. If it’s been longer than that, it’s probably time for a new roof. While the upfront cost can be a little daunting, a new roof will probably save you more money over time due to fewer leak opportunities.
Your roof’s shingles should lie flat against its surface. So if you see patches of damaged, cracked, or missing shingles, it’s time for repair.
As a homeowner, there are few expenses bigger than a new roof. However, it’s truly an investment and worth doing right, especially when you consider that you’ll have the same roof on your home for around two decades. Once you’ve decided you need a new roof, you’ve probably got one big question on your mind: how to pay for it.
If you don’t have the full amount sitting around (not many homeowners do), you do have several options when it comes to paying for your new roof. A few common forms of payment are:
In many instances, homeowners don’t have the full amount to cover a new roof, so they either put it off or don’t get it done altogether. These are both incredibly risky moves, as the longer your home goes without roof work, the more extensive (and expensive) the damage will be in the long run.
The cost of replacing your roof varies depending on a few factors. These include:
Most Florida homeowners can expect to pay somewhere between $9K-$16K on their new shingle roof, with prices ranging on the lower or higher sides of that number depending on the job. Metal or tile roofs will be a little bit more; naturally, the same is true of larger homes. What you pay for your new roof won’t be quite the same as what your neighbor down the street pays for their new roof, and that’s completely normal because your home is unique.
If you’re looking for a more specific cost estimate for your new roof, contact a qualified local roofing company to get a free estimate. If you live in Jacksonville or St. Augustine, FL, our team will be happy to schedule a free inspection for your roof.
When you finance your roof repair or replacement, you can stretch the upfront cost of your roof over a longer period of time.
This allows you to keep cash on hand for an emergency while making low monthly payments on your new roof. This is a great choice when you really can’t wait for a new roof, but also can’t quite afford it at the moment.
As homeowners ourselves, we understand the overwhelm that comes with needing a new roof. The scheduling, the budgeting, all of it can be stressful. That’s why we offer help for customers who want to apply for financing. Wondering if you can get financing for residential roofing in St. Augustine? Give our team a call today for more information, or for help finding the financing option that’s right for you.
Every roof job is unique, and the length of the job depends on the size of your home. In most cases, you can expect roof work to be completed within two days. However, there are a few factors that can affect this and make it take longer, including:
To help keep your roof schedule on track you should talk to your roofer about the complexity of the job and accessibility for the duration of the job; this way, both parties know what to expect upfront and there will be no surprises.
Now that you’ve decided you need a new roof and know how you’re planning to pay for it, it’s time to start thinking about how to choose your new roof. As you’ll soon realize, there are dozens of different roof options to choose from. Every year, more styles pop up on the market, so it’s important to pick the roof that’s right for your home.
As you browse through your roofing choices, here are a few factors to consider:
Here in Florida where we live, it’s smart to choose an architectural roof shingle which will provide the best durability against wind. It also has the longest insurable life span for asphalt shingle products. Remember… hurricane season comes every year.
There are several kinds of residential roofing out there. Here are three of the most common:
Asphalt shingles are the leading residential roofing material in the country. And for good reason — they’re affordable, durable, weather-resistant, and straightforward to install. Plus, they come in a wide variety of styles and colors, which means they can look nice on any home.
If you want your roof to make a statement, ceramic roof tiles are a good option. Fireproof and resistant to fading, clay roof tiles work well with Spanish architecture. Clay tiles are more fragile than asphalt shingles, however, and may crack or erode under extreme weather conditions.
Metal roofs have become increasingly popular in recent years. Love hearing the rain on the roof? Then this roof is for you! Fire-resistant and environmentally-friendly, metal roofing is a good choice for anyone who wants a durable, long-lasting roof material. Most metal roofs will last upwards of 50 years, so once you’ve put one on, you can expect it to last a lifetime.
Selecting the right roofing material for your home requires you to think about your long-term vision, goals, home architecture, and budget. If you have questions about the ideal material for your home’s roof, get in touch with your local roofing company for more information. We’re happy to assist homeowners in Jacksonville and St. Augustine, FL with their roofing needs.
Twice a year, get up on the roof and inspect your shingles (but be safe about it!). Look for areas that are streaky, cracked, or damaged, or areas where algae or mold is growing in the cracks between the shingles. Pay special attention to the areas surrounding chimneys, skylights, or vent openings, too. If you see something you can fix, then fix it. If you see something that needs fixing but you’re not qualified to fix, call in the pros.
Gutters direct moisture away from your roof and home, so it’s essential that they’re clear and free of debris. Twice a year, clean your home’s gutters, taking note of any shingle debris that’s in them.
One often-overlooked component of roof maintenance is low-hanging branches and trees. There’s good news, though. Trimming these things back a few times a year helps prevent scratches to your shingles, or tree-related damage during severe storms.
The lifespan of your roof has a lot to do with the material it’s made of. Clay and cement tile roofs can last 50 years or longer. Metal roofing can last up to 75 years. Asphalt shingles last about 20-25 years. Of course, this depends on where you live, what your roof is exposed to on a yearly basis, how well your roof was actually put on, and how well you care for it.
Residential roofing is critical to your home’s longevity, value, and durability, and you can’t afford to trust the job to just anyone. If you skimp out on a good roof from the start, you’re going to pay for it in the future. That’s why it’s best to go with a good, quality roof from the start, allowing you to confidently protect your investment for years to come.
Want the best roofer in St. Augustine? Our team is ready to help with everything from roof replacement to roof repair. Our roofing company is proud to serve homeowners in St. Augustine, Jacksonville, Nocatee, Ponte Vedra, and many surrounding communities in Northeast Florida. Not sure if we can make it out to your area? Just ask!
Contact us today to learn more or schedule a free inspection.
