Replacing a roof is a big deal for many reasons. A roof keeps you safe, dry and keeps your home’s temperature regulated. There are a lot of things to consider while looking at getting your home’s roof replaced. The type of material used and even the climate of the area you live in are just a couple of things to keep in mind during the roofing process. Pricing plays a big part in getting a roof replaced. A new roof is an investment and should be looked at as such. Getting a new roof installed should be exciting and while it can be a bit expensive, it is important to remember that this roof is likely going to protect your home for lots of years to come.
Installing a new roof gives you the chance to change the exterior look of your home and up the curb appeal of your house. While roof replacements are necessary, there are always ways to change them up and alter the look of your home in a way that you love. Whether you want to entirely change aesthetics or just a couple of things here and there, there are lots of customization options available when getting an asphalt roof installed. It is predicted that a new roof alone can help bring up your home’s overall value up to $12,000. Any additional changes or upgrades to curb appeal will also work in your favor if you ever plan on selling your home.
This article will cover some common upgrades that you can add to your asphalt roof when it is getting replaced, including shingle options, metal accents, roof vent choices, and more.
Types of Asphalt Shingles
So you know that you want an asphalt roof, but did you know that there are 3 different types of shingles you can choose from? The options are 3-tab, luxury, and dimensional. Of the three, 3-tab and dimensional shingles are the most commonly used ones for residential homes. Each of these shingles has its own pros and cons. Dimensional shingles are great because they tend to have a longer lifespan along with a better warranty. However, 3-tab asphalt shingles are also great because they are very affordable especially if you are working with a tighter budget. Unlike others, 3-tab shingles literally come in strips of 3 attached shingles that when laid on a roof gives the illusion of a bunch of individually placed shingles. While 3-tab shingles are the cheapest option, dimensional shingles aren’t too much more expensive so it is definitely worth looking into these more and figuring out which seems best for your home and needs. We understand that each person’s situation is different, but we suggest considering going the dimensional shingle route as the extra lifespan they possess will benefit you in the long run.
While 3-tab and dimensional shingles are the most commonly used types of shingles for homes, we still want to touch base on luxury shingles. Luxury shingles are very durable and out of all asphalt shingles are the highest quality. Luxury shingles weigh the most of the three asphalt shingle options and while that helps protect against tornados and hail, you have to be sure your roof can handle this shingle type.
Luxury shingles are great if you desire a slate look to your roof without paying the price for slate. The only thing with luxury shingles is that while they look cool, they are still a more expensive option, sometimes doubling the cost of what a dimensional shingle roof would cost. If your budget allows for it and you strongly desire a cleaner, more slate-like look to your roof, then luxury shingles are definitely worth considering.
Metal Roofs as Accents
Adding metal accents to an asphalt roof is a common yet relatively expensive roofing choice. Homeowners choose to add metal accents to their asphalt roofs for both curb appeal as well as aesthetic reasons. The amount of metal added on varies by what each homeowner wants. It is common for metal accents to be installed over areas such as porches, but anything goes. Metal accents are available in a wide variety of colors, ensuring that you will be able to find the perfect match for your asphalt roof and really boost your home’s curb appeal. While this extra bit of personalization sounds great, it can fall more on the expensive side. If you have a specific vision in mind and aesthetics ranks high on your priorities list, then having some metal accents installed can work well for you assuming your budget allows for it.
Different Roof Vent Styles
The purpose of a roof vent is to allow air to circulate through the attic. Roof ventilation systems protect your home in several ways and even can extend the life of your roof by regulating temperatures and protecting your home from rotting damage. When it comes to roof vents there are a couple of different options to choose from. If you are looking to upgrade your roof vent or the entire ventilation system in general, it is best to do so during your asphalt roof replacement.
Two of the most common vent types are turbine vents and ridge vents. Turbine vents are quickly becoming the most desired roof vent option due to their unique and more modern look. Turbine vents also help aid in keeping the elements from reaching your attic along with smaller things such as bugs and dirt. Aside from ridge and turbine vents there are also off ridge vents, box vents, and cupola vents just to name a few. If you are looking for a change in vents or are not sure which roof vent is best for your home and roof type, we recommend talking to a professional roofer and getting their opinions. At Liberty Roofworks we are happy to take a look at your roof and give you some ideas on what your options are.
New Gutter Installation
If you are really trying to change the look of the exterior of your home then you may want to consider installing new gutters, especially if yours are on the older side. It is most ideal to install new gutters right after a roof installation, so this would be the perfect time. New gutters add a cleaner and younger look to your home. Gutters also come in a variety of different colors and materials giving you lots of options when it comes to personalizing the look of your home. Sometimes it’s the little details that really make the difference in the overall appearance of a home.
Changes in Shingle Colors
One of the unique things about asphalt roofs is the wide array of color options there are for the shingles. Something as simple as a change in shingle color can really change the look of your home. When it comes to shingle colors, black, dark brown, light brown, and dark gray tend to be some of the most popular options.
While shingle colors can be fun to pick out, there are a couple of things to keep in mind. If you live in a warmer climate than you may want to consider using a lighter color shingle. Lighter color shingles will better deflect the light from the sun and in turn will help your home keep cool. If you live in a colder area then you may want to consider a darker shingle. Dark colors absorb heat and can help snow melt faster. There are no rules set in stone for picking out shingle colors but it is worth keeping these things in mind.
We are Here to Help!
Asphalt roofs are one of the most popular roof types for homes, but that doesn’t mean they have to all look the same. There are lots of upgrades you can add to your asphalt roof to customize it exactly the way you like and to make your home stand out. From shingle colors to gutters and roof vents, there are so many combinations that you can choose to go with to make your home unique.
Deciding what type of shingles to use or what type of roof vent is best for your home specifically may overwhelm some people. At Liberty Roofworks we are happy to help with everything from the planning process all the way through the installment phase. We know that you probably have a lot of questions and we are more than happy to answer them for you. We suggest scheduling an inspection with us so that we can take an accurate assessment of your roof and go over your options along with what we recommend. On the other hand, if you already know exactly what you are looking for just let us know and we will help achieve that to the best of our abilities.
If you are interested in scheduling an inspection or have any questions please contact us today and we will get back to you right away. Our licensed and certified professional roofers are always more than happy to help you with all of your roofing needs.