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3776 Sullivan St. Madison, AL 35758

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New roof on houseA new roof is one of the most important investments that can enhance the value of your house. But, before you contact a Huntsville roofing company for roof installation, you should think things through. After all, several different factors will affect your decision. In this blog post, we share some important tips that will help you select the best roof material for your house and that too within a reasonable budget.

1. Fire-Resistance

Fire-resistance is an important consideration when investing in a new roof. In fact, the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) rates various roof materials based on their fire-resistance ability. Roof materials can have UL ratings of Class A, Class B, or Class C. It’s recommended that you select a roofing material with either a Class A or B rating. Roof materials with Class A or Class B ratings can last for a long time when exposed to severe or moderate fire. On the other hand, Class C- rated roofing materials can only last for a few seconds after exposure to fire.

2. Weight of Roofing Material

Another important criterion for selecting a new roof is the weight of the material. Remember that the structural framing of a residential property can support a certain weight. This is why you need to contact a professional Huntsville roofing expert to find out the maximum weight that your house can support. If you want to select a material that will exceed the weight limit, you should ask the contractor to strengthen the house framing. As adding a frame takes time and adds to the cost of the roof installation project, you must carefully consider the type of material you want to install.

3. Type of Roofing Material

When it comes to selecting a new roof material, you have plenty of different options. For example, wood shingles offer a rustic, natural look to houses. The roofing material is lightweight and easy to install as well. It has a stated life of 15 to 25 years and costs between $350 and $550 per square meter. A downside to wood shingles and shakes is that they are not fire-retardant. The material must be treated with a fire retardant before installation. Metal roofing is another popular choice for roofing. The material is made of copper and alloy strips, and offers the best protection against fire, rain, and hailstorm. Metal roofing has a long life span, lasting from 70 to 90 years. However, the cost of the material is high and can range between $800 and $1150. The most popular and economical roofing choice is asphalt shingles. The cost of asphalt shingle installation ranges between $100 and $350 per square meter. The material lasts about 20 years if properly maintained. Depending on the type of asphalt shingles, the material can weigh between 200 and 450 square per meter.

4. Installation Method

Building codes allow installation of up to two layers of shingles on a roof. However, sometimes, it’s better to tear down the existing shingle layer before installing a new roof. If there are signs of roof damage, such as sagging, soft spots, or loose flashing around dormers or chimneys, you may have to start fresh. Your roofing contractor may also consider tearing down the existing shingle layer if the area is more to heavy snowfall. For the installation of a new roof, make sure to contact a professional Huntsville roofing company. A professional roofing contractor has the expertise necessary to ensure quality work within your budget.  

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