If you own an older house, there may be several reasons for considering a roof upgrade. Your current roof might be leaky or otherwise damaged and in need of repair. You may be looking to cut energy costs or to simply increase your home’s value. Here are three roof improvements that are worth your consideration.
Energy Efficient Shingles
Back in the day, if you wanted a cooler roof you would stick with white or lighter-colored shingles which weren’t always pleasing to the eye. Today reflective shingles are available in a variety of colors and textures to suit any design aesthetic. They are composed of granules that can reflect radiation from the sun and disperse much of the heat that is absorbed. Some homeowners see as much as 15 percent savings in cooling costs.
Roof Deflection Monitoring
If you live in an area that regularly experiences heavy snowfall, you should consider a roof deflection monitoring system. Wet snow or snow that contains a lot of water adds significant weight, possibly causing serious damage to your home. Such a system takes a measurement of roof snow load with sensors that detect the deflection or sag. You’ll be alerted whenever a potentially dangerous situation arises during and after major weather events.
Airtight Chimney Cap
Designed to save energy, an airtight chimney cap prevents rising warm air from escaping when it’s cold. Unlike a traditional damper, this forms a tight seal that doesn’t break down over time. The best caps can reduce heat loss up to almost 90 percent! Additionally, they are superior when it comes to keeping out moisture, debris and animals. Consult a professional about installing one of these when replacing your roof.
Roof upkeep is an important part of taking care of your home and maintaining its value. An older house may require serious upgrades. Energy savings and preventing interior damage from snow loads are worthy improvements to consider.