When it comes to home renovations, most people think about what they can do to the inside of their house. People love renovating their kitchens, bathrooms, living rooms and more! But one thing homeowners tend to put off until last is the roof. If you’re planning a renovation project this year that’s more than just a few small updates then you should definitely consider replacing your existing roof with a new one. Seriously! Here are some reasons why.
1. The Roof is Your Home’s First Line of Defense
Your roof is the first line of defense for your home against anything Mother Nature wants to throw your way. A damaged or old roof can lead to leaks that allow water, pests, and excess moisture into your living space—causing severe structural damage, dangerous mold and mildew growth, and other costly problems.
If you’re planning on remodeling or renovating parts of your home such as the attic or top floor, it’s essential to make sure your current roof is in good working order. After all, what good is a brand-new bathroom or kitchen if you have stains on the ceiling from a leak?
Replacing an old or damaged roof at the start of your remodel means protecting your home’s structural integrity and making certain that any interior renovations you undertake are safeguarded from water damage.
2. Prevent Further Damage During the Renovation Process
Renovations mean heavy lifting, new walls going up and old ones being taken down or shifted. Chances are you or one of the demo crew will hit the roof or knock off a shingle when carrying out those old walls, if your roof is already in disrepair this could become a major headache like it did for us (a.k.a. complete replacement). So we got the roof done first for 2 reasons; First removing that chimney from under our feet made things much easier and safer while banging out all those second story walls, and secondly a new dry safe second floor meant we had no time limit trying to fix leaks!
3. Improved Energy Efficiency
An outdated roof is a serious cause of energy loss; if you have an old roof, you’re likely losing heat in the winter and cool, conditioned air in the summer. Whether it’s due to poor insulation or gaps/holes in the roofing material itself, when air can escape your home so too can your hard-earned money.
When you get a new roof with a renovation, though, it gives you the opportunity to increase your home’s overall efficiency. New materials (and especially those that come complete with proper insulation and ventilation) will make your home much better at maintaining temperature control which directly translates into savings.
A properly insulated roof will help keep your home at a comfortable temperature no matter what the weather is like outside
4. Boost Visual Appeal and Home Value
The roof is the first thing that people will see when they pull up to your house. If you have an older roof on your home now, then more than likely it is making the entire home look drab and old. Asphalt singles are what almost every other home in America features. These shingles show their age after a few short years, and they go from adding curb appeal to totally taking it away.
If you plan on selling your home or just want to increase the value of your property overall; getting a new roof can either make or break any deal. With so many different style options out there today, you are guaranteed to find something that matches both the style and color that you are going for on your new roof.
A new roof doesn’t only make your home look better, it also adds quite a bit of value. When people are in the market for a new home, knowing that they won’t have to replace the roof anytime soon is appealing to them. And if you’re going to be selling your house in the near future, this is an upgrade you’ll get your money’s worth from.
6. Avoid Future Disruptions
Renovating your home can be messy and time-consuming. The last thing you want to do is have to redo part of your home because it was damaged by a roof that was in poor condition. For example, you might lay new floors only to find water damage from a leaky living room ceiling a few months later.
By having your roof replaced before you start renovating, you will reduce the chances of something already done having to be redone. With a new roof over your head, you can start being sure your renovation REALLY will proceed according to plan.
7. Take Advantage of Modern Roofing Technology
Roofing materials of the past have always been seen as a burden on the environment. Today’s modern roofs, however, are not only stronger but much more energy-efficient and eco-friendly. Replacing your old roof allows you to take advantage of high-end sustainable design options that not only add aesthetic appeal to your home’s exterior but help reduce energy costs at the same time.
For instance, if you’re interested in making your next roofing project as sustainable as possible, there are many cool-roofing products available on the market that will reflect more sunlight and reduce heat island effect thus reducing overall temperatures in your community. If durability is what you’re looking for in a roofing upgrade then consider metal roofing that lasts decades longer than conventional asphalt shingles and can withstand whatever nature throws its way.
With so many choices, the time you invest in research and to select the right roofing material for your home will pay off in long-lasting beauty, performance and visual appeal.
8. Peace of Mind for the Long Haul
Renovating your home can be a stressful time. If you complete your roof replacement first, that’s one less thing on your plate! You’ll know that the structure of your home is secure and everything underneath it will remain dry – giving you the freedom to concentrate on making the changes to the interior of your home that you have been longing for.
Most reputable roofing companies offer some type of warranty with their work. So if something were to go wrong in the future, you always have a professional on call at no extra expense. That added comfort when doing other renovations is priceless.
Conclusion
When you’re planning a home renovation, it’s easy to get carried away with visions of transforming the rooms and spaces that you use every day. But before you start tearing down walls or picking out paint swatches, begin at the top — by that we mean, make sure your roof is in order. Why start at the top? Quite simply because a dry, secure and energy-efficient house starts with a solid roof overhead. What’s more, having your roof in place will allow for easier and safer clean up after any demolition. Need another reason? Think visual appeal! Finally, protecting your investment by ensuring that no further damage occurs makes sense too.
So ditch those blueprints (for now), and read on to find out why it pays to actually start your renovation at the very top!
