When you're trying to choose between different types of residential roofing, you may want to compare the type of repairs each type of roofing is likely to need over the years. That might help you estimate how much each roofing is likely to cost in maintenance. Here's a look at two common types of residential roofing and some repairs and maintenance you might expect to do over the years.
Asphalt Shingle Roofing
Asphalt shingle roofs are popular since they cost less than other residential roofing options. However, they are likely to need repairs from storm and animal damage occasionally. Plus, sun exposure can cause the shingles to wear out over time.
Shingles can blister, crack, come loose, and be torn off by the wind. Nails can also back out of the shingles and damage the shingles in the process. In addition, if water gets under the shingles, the deck of your roof could be damaged by the water and mold or rot. However, this is true of any type of roofing that's compromised so rain rolls underneath it.
Shingles come in different grades, and the more expensive the shingles are, the thicker they are, and the less likely they are to be damaged by a storm or animals on the roof. So if you choose budget roofing upfront to save money, you'll probably pay more over the life of the roof in repairs than you would with high-quality shingles.
Metal Roofing
Metal roofing is tougher than asphalt shingles, so it can resist hail damage a little better. Plus, standing seam double-locked panels are watertight, so the risk of a roof leak is lower. However, metal roofs are more expensive. If your roof needs repairs, you'll probably need a contractor to make them since metal roof DIY repairs aren't as easy as replacing shingles on an asphalt shingle roof.
The repairs your metal roof may need depend on the type of metal. A steel roof might develop rust as it ages. Rust has to be removed with a steel brush or chemicals before it eats holes in the roof. Another potential problem with metal roofing is that the screws can back out and let the rain roll in the holes.
A metal roof needs regular inspections just like any other roofing so problems with missing screws and rusty spots can be found and repaired early. A metal roof might not be destroyed by a hailstorm like an asphalt shingle roof, but it might get covered in dents.
Your insurance company may or may not pay to replace a dented metal roof if the dents don't leak, so you might have to pay for repairs yourself or live with a dented roof. For help with your roof, contact a residential roofing service in your area.
When you develop a roof leak, you don't have time to ignore it. Issues with leaks can cause problems as simple as incoming water and as wide-ranging as mold accumulation inside your home, which is why you should never let an issue sit. However, if you aren't careful, you could develop problems with roofing that is simply open to the elements, allowing rain and snow to enter your home, melt, and contribute to problems like mold growth. On this blog, you can learn more about the kinds of roofing issues that you could be faced with, and what to do about them.