Roofs are integral parts of our buildings created to last for years. But Oklahoma is known for extreme weather like heavy rainfall, hailstorms, and high winds. These weather conditions can lead to leaks, missing shingles, roof fading, etc. When it gets to that point, as an Oklahoma resident and a homeowner, you can get into a dilemma of choosing roof restoration vs replacement. We have 10 factors to consider when making this essential decision. Let’s get started with the age of the roof.
1. Age of the Roof
Nothing is created to last forever, so your roof will wear with time. Every roofing material has its own lifespan. For example, a study shows that slate, copper, tile, and other metallic roofs can last 50 to 70 years. However, if you have a wood shake roof, it can last for up to 30 years. On the other hand, cement shingles last for 25 years, while asphalt shingles go for 20 years.
The roof will age depending on the type of material you use. Also, extreme weather can cause quick wearing out of the roofing. Cracks on the roofing materials are one indicator that your roof is aging. Normally, shingles develop cracks and give the top a repulsive look. And since all the shingles age at once, you don’t have to look at roof restoration vs replacement. It’s only a replacement as a solution. Another indicator of an aging roof is exposed nails. Once the nails are exposed, they rust and cause leaks.
Missing granules are another indicator of an aging roof. Granules detach over a period, whether there is extreme weather or not. Finally, you will see curling shingles or tiles and roof leaks. Once you notice these signs, call a roofing company to help you choose new roofing materials and price quotes for roof replacement.
2. Type of Roofing Material
Some roofing materials, like asphalt shingles, have a shorter lifespan. And if the weather is very harsh, they can serve you for a shorter period than indicated by the manufacturer. Considering they have reached the end of life, they will require regular repairs and later incur losses.
Metal roofing, like copper and steel, can last for an extended period. But these roofing sheets are normally 2.5 to 3 meters long. Once they start to wear, you will notice a huge surface is affected. And if your area is prone to acid rain, all the roofing will have been affected by the time you request roofing service.
Rubber roofing also requires a peel-and-stick service every 5 to 7 years. Repairing this roofing may cause even more risks, especially during rainy days. Usually, rubbers wear uniformly when exposed to sunlight. As such, the type of material is an essential factor to consider when choosing roof restoration vs replacement.
3. Insurance Coverage
By the end of 2021, the homeownership rate in the United States was 65.5%. Out of these totals, 93% of the homeowners had home insurance. If you have home insurance, it can save you from the high budget of replacing the roof. But sometimes, things may not go well, even with insurance coverage.
Many homeowners have been in a situation where the insurance fails to cover the roof replacement cost. For instance, one homeowner had a 13-year-old asphalt shingle roof. Unfortunately, a hailstorm hit the roof and ended up badly damaged. Upon requesting a quote from the local roofers, she got a total of $100,000. The insurance offered her $70,000, and she did not have the $30,000 to cover the difference.
So, in case you are in this situation, you need to figure out roof restoration vs replacement. You get compensated by insurance and do roof restoration to save some money. However, expect to replace the roof soonest because repairing an old roof is just for the short term. Regarding home roofing, you must be wise when choosing insurance coverage, especially after the warranty period. There are two types of insurance policies for roofing:
- Full replacement policy – the loss payment is based upon the money required for repair or replacement. For instance, if you get a total quote from your local roofers of $100,000, the insurance will cover all the costs
- Actual cash value policy – it compensates you for the value of the roof at the time of the loss. So, if your roof was worth $50,000 and has degraded with time, you would first calculate its value. If it has depreciated to $25,000, that’s the amount the insurance will compensate you
Sometimes, you may choose the full replacement policy, but the insurance, unfortunately, cancels it after your roof ages. This pushes many homeowners to choose the actual cash value policy but always consult with your roofer on your decision.
4. The Extent of Wear or Damage
The roof condition is another factor to consider when choosing roof restoration vs replacement. Experts recommend replacing the roof if it’s damaged beyond 30%. But if the damage is minor, taking less than 30%, you can have it repaired. Minor damage may be the curling of one shingle or the loss of a few nails.
Another example is tree damage. A tree in the yard may fall on one side of the building and cause minor damage. If the roof has served for a few years, you don’t have to do a replacement. Instead, you can call an expert to carry out simple repairs.
However, involve experts first to help you calculate the cost of roof vs replacement before you take any step. A large tree may fall at the central part of the roof and damage most of the shingles. Or a strong wind may blow and damage most of the shingles, which requires the removal of the surrounding shingles to fix. You’d better pay for the replacement and take advantage of another warranty.
5. The Cost
Experts advise when the repair cost is less than the value of the roof, you can replace it. But if the repair cost exceeds the roof’s worth, you must replace it. First, consider how long the roof has served you and calculate its current worth. If you had done the residential roofing 10 years ago at $10,000 and the worth has depreciated to $6,000, next you consider the repair.
According to experts ‘ advice, let’s say the repair cost totals around $6,500; then, you’d want to replace the roof because it’s not worth the repair. Moreover, swapping the roof for a new one will give you the advantage of improving the home value. It’s also a long-term investment that will give another 20 years or more without budgeting for a roof.
The cost may also rise depending on where you source your roofing materials. For instance, you will pay more if you shop at a hardware store. So, research and visit a local roofing material supplier. A supplier is likely to have the best offers and the free transport cost. In this case, you can consider the costs of roof restoration vs replacement and determine the services you need.
6. Energy Efficiency
A study revealed that roof type can affect your home’s energy bills. So, roof material and technology are significant factors when choosing roof restoration vs replacement. Older roofs are built using outdated technology and materials. As such, they are less energy efficient, putting more strain on the HVAC systems, leading to higher energy bills.
As a rule, consider roof replacement over repairs on energy saving. And here are a few characteristics to look at when replacing the roof for energy efficiency. The first thing to consider is the solar reflection. If a roof cannot reflect the sun’s rays, the material will absorb and transfer the heat to the house. This makes the cooling system work harder to keep the indoors cool. Consider roofing materials with higher solar reflection to save on energy bills.
The second thing is roof ventilation. Modern roofs are built to allow airflow between the attic and the outdoors. If the roof is not well-ventilated, hot air will be trapped around the attic and cause the house to heat up. Unfortunately, most traditional roofings don’t have advanced ventilation.
Third is the roofing color. You have attended science classes and learned that dark surfaces absorb heat faster than bright surfaces. The same applies to roofing materials. Oklahoma can get hot during summer and colder during cold seasons. That said, choose a material that will favor you during all the seasons.
When it comes to roof energy efficiency, check on the energy star ratings. Normally, the energy star label assures you this is an energy-efficient product. In fact, a study shows that energy star shingles can lower a roof’s surface temperature by up to 100 degrees.
7. Aesthetics
Roof restoration vs replacement for aesthetics—-I recommend a new roof with advanced features. Modern roofs have appealing designs that can give a home an aesthetic look. That’s why you would prefer not to repair your older roof but have it replaced.
When it comes to roof repairs and maintenance, older roofs were just basic, so they would need more maintenance to keep their beauty. But a modern roof has advanced features that can retain the overall beauty for years.
8. Home Value
According to the 2019 cost vs value report, a new roof can increase a home’s value by $15,427. As such, you would want to increase your home’s value with a new roof if you plan to sell it. Also, if you are in the real estate business, you’d want to give your home a new look and increase the return on investment.
However, there is another factor you would want to consider on roof restoration vs replacement. If your roof was new but with minor damages, you wouldn’t want to replace it since its value remains at the top. Instead, you’d want to have it repaired. When adding the home’s value, note that home buyers nowadays request roof inspection service to determine the home’s worth. So, invest in quality roofing to get the best offers.
9. The Roof Area Affected
Mostly, areas with joints or around the valleys are the hardest to repair. Experts remove the surrounding shingles in most projects to replace the damaged parts. But if the shingles are older, they may get damaged and fail to fit again. This leads to leakages and loss of a home’s value.
A roofing area affected is an essential factor to consider in roof restoration vs replacement decisions. Damage around the chimney flashing, the hip, and the ridge can cost you the whole roof. Call professionals to inspect and give the best advice when dealing with these delicate roof parts.
10. Available Roofing Material Design
Many homeowners find their older design shingles unavailable in the market. As such, repairing some damaged parts cannot bring uniformity. When it gets to this point, you want to replace the roof to make it uniform. Moreover, differently designed materials can leak due to incompatibility.
It’s normal for the roofing material design to change due to technological advancements. So, after purchasing roofing materials, consider whether they will be outdated and out of the market after 10 years and start budgeting for the new roof after the lifespan or any significant damage. Most damages are caused by rotting tree leaves and rust caused by dust blown by the wind. To protect your roof, seek tree removal services for any taller tree close to the building.
Now you have a scoop on roof restoration vs replacement. And you know several factors, mainly the Oklahoma weather, can affect your decision. Have your roof inspected by professionals to help you make the best decisions on restoration or replacement.DIY should only be for minor repairs.
