If you've ever had your roof replaced or are thinking about having it done, you probably have a lot of questions. Most of them can be answered easily by a roofing company like Roof Tech, but there are some common misconceptions you wouldn't think to ask about because you assume you already know the answers. These range from what you are paying for to how long you can expect the roof to last. Check out these facts about roofs to avoid misunderstandings.
#1. Extra Supplies and Materials Don't Belong to You
If you hire a contractor to redo your roof and see him load up the truck with surplus material at the end of the job, you may assume he is taking supplies you have paid for. It's a logical conclusion, but it typically isn't true.
Roofing contractors often bring more supplies than they expect to need to cover the job in case they run into a problem, such as a miscalculation or damage to the material in transport. Under normal circumstances you are paying for the job, which included supplies in the price, but not for all the supplies the contractor brings to the job.
Your roofer will take back the supplies to use on another job or return to manufacturer for a refund. Check with your roofer ahead of time about unused materials to make sure you both understand who they belong to.
# 2. Thirty-Year Shingles Don't Last 30 Years
If you were under the impression that shingles labeled as 30-year shingles meant that the shingles were guaranteed for 30 years, you were mistaken. It has nothing to do with a guarantee and little to do with how long your shingles will really last. It simply means that under ideal circumstances the shingles would last for 30 years before deteriorating.
Ideal conditions does not include wind, rain, snow and ice and doesn't include lichen growth or severe weather conditions, says Horch Roofing. Expect 30-year shingles to last between 15 and 30 years, depending on your location and the weather exposure.
# 3. A Warranty on Your Shingles Doesn't Usually Include Replacing the Shingles
The warranty on shingles typically means that if there is a manufacturer's defect in the shingle that the manufacturer will replace the shingle. It will not pay the cost of removing the old shingles or replacing them. The exception to this rule is when the roofing company is factory-certified.
A factory-certified roofing company may offer your a 5-year warranty which includes replacing the shingles. Horch Roofing says only 3 percent of roofing companies are factory certified. Ask your roofing company about any warranties to avoid misunderstandings.
#4. Metal Roofs Are Safer in a Lightening Storm
You may have assumed that a metal roof attracts lightening, but this isn't true, says R.O. Steel Roofing. Because lightening strikes the highest point it is more likely lightening will strike a nearby tree than your metal roof. However, if the roof is struck by lightening, the metal disperses the electricity safely without posing a risk of fire like a combustible roof would.
#5. Metal Roofs Can Reduce Outside Sounds
Older metal roofs often amplified the sound of rain, hail and wind on the roof, but that is no longer the case. When installed properly with a solid sheathing, a metal roof is often quieter than asphalt shingles. That means you can have the benefits of metal without the worries about the pitter patter of rain keeping you awake at night.
Don't be afraid to ask your roofing contractor questions or discuss the details of the contract. A clear understanding of your needs and how the roofers can meet them is important to a positive working relationship.
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