5 Important Things to Know Before a Roof Remodel

By Trevor Underwood, DECRA Metal Roofing. 

Key considerations to make before your next roof remodeling project. 

A roof remodel can add both value and curb appeal to your home.  

Before moving forward with a roof remodeling project, there are a few important factors you’ll want to consider to ensure you get the most return on investment.   

1 - Research roofing materials 

When researching a new roof, you'll want to consider the various materials and their longevity to get the most value. You'll also want to assess safety and energy efficiency, or the sustainable aspects of your roofing material choice. One of the reasons homeowners choose metal roofing is because it meets so many of their needs. Here are some of the benefits of metal roofing:  

• Metal roofs have a lifespan that is 2-3 times longer than traditional roofing materials like asphalt, tile and wood 
• Metal roofs can reduce cooling costs by up to 25% 
• Metal roofs are 100% recyclable at the end of the life cycle 

Learn more about the many benefits of metal roofing here.  

2 - Factor in long-term value 

Beyond that, you’ll also want to take into consideration the cost of each material. While asphalt shingles are the cheapest roofing material on the market, you get what you pay for in terms of quality. Traditional asphalt roofing materials have an estimated life expectancy of 12-20 years. On the one hand, there’s the potential to pay less upfront, but going that route often results in expensive repairs and replacements that wind up costing more over time.  

And while clay tiles and wood shakes typically last longer than asphalt roofs, both have their disadvantages. Clay tiles are extremely fragile, requiring costly ongoing maintenance to fix cracks, and wood shakes can curl and split around fasteners with brief exposure to seasonal elements.  

Fortunately, there are stone-coated metal alternatives that provide a similar appearance with added durability and strength. 

With proper care, a stone-coated metal roof can last up to two to three times longer than conventional roofing materials. Additional long-term value benefits include: 

• A modern metal roof can increase home value by up to 6%. 
• Homeowners can recoup up to 85.9% of the initial cost of a metal roof. 
• DECRA roofs can qualify for insurance discounts in many states. Check with your local insurance carrier for available discounts.  

These are just a few of the reasons why more and more homeowners are making the switch to metal roofing.  

3 - Ensure code compliance 

Roofing materials are often subject to rigorous building codes due to weather elements in certain areas.  

For example, Title 24, Part 6 of the California Code of Regulations requires that residents meet minimum energy efficiency standards in new and altered buildings. The code covers a broad range of building systems, including lighting, HVAC, hot water heating, natural gas, and electrical usage to name just a few.  

Knowing this, it’s critical for homeowners to have a roofing system that complies with code. Beyond that, homeowners also need protection against fires, hurricanes and other natural disasters.  

Unlike conventional roofing materials, stone-coated metal roofing systems are known for their strong performance in passing national building code compliance tests. These include any tests that primarily deal with wind and fire needed to satisfy the U.S. International Residential Code (IRC) and International Building Code (IBC) requirements. 

DECRA Metal Roofing goes one step further, undertaking extensive testing to exceed those required standards for hail impact, fire resistance and much more to ensure our products last. 

4 - Consider the climate 

What common weather conditions do you experience in your area? Beyond compliance with building codes, homeowners should consider fire, hail, rain, snow and wind when remodeling their roofs. Such elements have the potential to damage the surface of your roof, no matter which material you choose.  

If your home relies on asphalt shingles, clay tiles or wood shakes to withstand wind uplift, it’s at high risk for costly damage should a storm hit. DECRA stone-coated steel roofing profiles feature a unique interlocking and overlapping technique.   
 
In areas prone to hurricanes and tornadoes, DECRA also offers resistance to hail and storm debris. 

5 - Understand your warranty 

DECRA roofs are backed by a lifetime limited warranty at no extra cost to assure homeowners the roof will:  

• Remain free from manufacturing defects that would adversely affect the performance of the panels. 
• Resist hail damage, defined as penetration of hailstones completely through the panel, or cracks or splits of the pane’s steel substrate around the point of impact.  
• Tolerate blow-offs in wind velocities up to 120 miles per hour.  

Homeowners may also transfer their warranty to a subsequent property owner within 20 years of initial installation. 

Remodel your roof with DECRA Metal Roofing 

The benefits of stone-coated metal roofing are clear. Whether you’re interested in learning more about the material or ready to get started on your remodeling project, our roofing advisors are here to help. Contact us today for more information. 

Have a question? AskARoofer.

Find your local roofing contractor in the RoofersCoffeeShop® Contractor Directory.

Original article source: DECRA