Peas and carrots. Peanut butter and jelly. Gin and tonic. These pairings are so iconic, it’s a challenge to think of one without the other.
When it comes to roofs, there’s a word that seems to pop up almost as frequently: proper. What exactly does the word proper have to do with roofing? A lot more than you think.
Home improvement websites and blogs throw the term around like hot cakes. The headlines read: “Proper ventilation is the key to extending the life of your roof” or, better yet, “Proper insulation is the key to extending the life of your roof.”
Which leaves the average homeowner with two kids, a dog and a mortgage payment to worry about every month scratching his or her head. What does “proper” mean? All we want to know is how to extend the life of our roofs and you’re telling me to think proper?
Wonder no more. And stop thinking proper is a word that belongs anywhere in this conversation. The words that matter more are: clean, ventilated, and insulated. Period. It’s that simple.
Here’s what you really need to know if you want to extend the life of your roof:
Keep the roof – and roof line – clean
Anyone who lives in an area with a lot of mature trees knows this is not necessarily an easy undertaking. Gutter guards are a good idea, but it doesn’t stop there. Hold yourself to a schedule of regular maintenance when you clear out the gutters and remove any fallen debris or moss from the shingles. Better yet, hire a roofing professional to clean your roof and make small repairs every few years. Watch for ice dams in the colder winter months, and be sure to use a roof rake, when necessary, to remove heavy snow and ice.
Ventilate your attic space
According to a 2015 article by U.S. News and World Report, homeowners can expect the average asphalt shingle/composition roof to last about 20 years. Other, less common, roof types like slate, copper or fiber cement may last longer.
The lifespan of a roof is affected by more features than most homeowners realize as well, with one particularly common culprit: the attic.
What that means for the average homeowner is two-fold: not only is it important to be well insulated, but it’s important to keep the air flowing. Why? Because lack of ventilation can cause serious problems.
Consider how high temperatures can rise in the heat of summer. This causes damage to not only your keepsakes and antiques, but also to the integrity of the roof.
Then in the winter months, moisture rising from your living space creates a breeding ground for mold and mildew. Ice damming during the winter can also cause significant problems as you work to keep your house warm.
An easy and affordable solution to this problem is to install solar attic ventilation systems to help facilitate air circulation. The improved air flow can mean great things for the life of your roof, cut down your electric bills, and save you the estimated $100 or more per year it costs to power an electric fan.
Insulate your attic space
The key to extending the life of your roof is to think of insulation as more than a barrier.
It is estimated that about 90 percent of homes in America are under insulated. Furthermore, Energy Star reports the attic is one of the most promising places to look for the largest opportunity for cost savings in your home.
Multi-layer reflective insulation products are considered revolutionary in the rapidly growing market of insulation options. It is designed to help improve heat transfer using two highly reflective aluminum surfaces.
And it’s more than just a barrier. Made up of 99 percent aluminum, reflective insulation products can block up to 97 percent of radiant heat transfer in a safe and environmentally friendly way. Multi-layer insulation truly is today’s green insulation.
It is also easy to install and is scientifically designed and tested for performance and durability, backed by a long-term product warranty.
Want to learn more about saving money and living more comfortably?
The time is now to set aside that vague adjective. Instead of using a word no one can actually define, what if we raise the bar? Peas and carrots. Peanut butter and jelly. Roofs and longevity.
Now that has a nice ring to it.
Contact us for more information today.
