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    • Roof replacements aren’t sexy. Why experts say they’re essential.
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    Roof replacements aren’t sexy. Why experts say they’re essential.

    Pabio Posted on

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    Are you looking to do some home renovations? Lead with the roof, experts say.

    A roof isn’t as pretty and fun to design as a luxury bathroom, but this improvement offers great return on investment for homeowners for many reasons, experts say. Not just a new roof increase the value of your accommodation so that you recover 100% of your costs, according to a National Association of Realtors 2022 Reportbut it can reduce insurance costs and protect your home and all its belongings from damage caused by bad weather.

    When roofs fail, problems and expenses increase. Water floods the house, damage occurs when pieces of the roof fly off, and roof equipment like air conditioners and generators are destroyed, experts say.

    In most years, roof-related damage is responsible for about 70 to 90 percent of the total amount of insured property damage due to a catastrophic weather event, according to the nonprofit Insurance Institute for Business Safety and Security. of the house (IBHS).

    “If your roof blows off, you’ll have a ton of rain inside your house,” said Nathan Lippincott, owner of Knockout Inspections in Fairhope, Alabama. With the right roof, “95% of the rain will stay outside your home, saving you and the insurance company.

    What is the right roof?

    A few things to consider When deciding on a roof, include:

    • Underlayment Material: The barrier layer between the roof deck and the shingles to prevent moisture from penetrating.
    • Shingles: Asphalt shingles are the most popular because they are relatively inexpensive and easy to install, but there are other types including metal, natural slate, terra cotta and solar. When choosing, consider the climate where you live, the slope of your roof, the weight of the house’s shingles, energy efficiency and your budget.
    • Warranty: guarantees the life of the product. The longer the warranty, the better.
    • Installation: Typically not a big consideration, but with the fortified installation method gaining ground as a more robust way to protect homes from extreme weather events, more consumers are considering how a roof is installed, not just the materials used. , say the experts.

    Ringing on the roof: How much does it cost to replace a roof? Guide 2024

    What is a fortified roof?

    Installing a fortified roof is safer to “ensure that the shingles and, more importantly, the decking underneath, stay on the roof in high winds,” said Erin Shields, sales manager at Apex Roofing in Birmingham, Alabama and Certified Fortified Roofer.

    Since fortified and traditional roofing materials are similar, the added cost of a fortified roof is to cover labor, “but it’s not prohibitive,” Shields said. Depending on the type of roof, it can cost $1,000 to $5,000 more, plus certification fees of about $400 to $600, he said. Fortified roofs must first be certified by an assessor and the IBHS, then every five years.

    According to IBHS, fortified roofs have:

    • Stronger edges that reduce the risk of strong winds getting under the roof and tearing it off.
    • Sealed roof decks to protect the house from water if the roof is torn off
    • Stronger and more nails to better secure the roof terrace to the house
    • Shock resistant shingles

    Are fortified roofs worth the extra money?

    Fortified roofs are particularly useful in regions subject to extreme weather, experts say.

    When Hurricane Sally After hitting Alabama in 2020, the state had about 16,000 fortified roofs, Lippincott said. “Only 400 people filed a claim, and some of them were about trees falling on the house. Today, there are more than 50,000 fortified roofs in Alabama,” he said.

    A lot states and insurance companies also offer incentives to help cover costs, IBHS said.

    Fannie Mae management of fortified roofs on the seized houses of which he owns, and Freddie Mac includes fortified roofs optional for its GreenCHOICE Single Family Mortgages which help people finance efficiency improvements.

    “In the future, I think more states and insurance companies will offer discounts,” said Diane Delaney, executive director of the nonprofit Private Risk Management Association for insurance professionals. dealing with wealthy consumers. “There is no downside for owners.”

    How to find a roofer?

    Fortified certified roofers and appraisers can be found at Website of the Fortified House.

    If you just want traditional roofing because severe weather events are rare where you live, beware of scammers. Roof-related projects are the biggest home improvement scam, accounting for 15% of all Better Business Bureau (BBB) ​​reports between 2015 and 2022, said Inspection Support Network, a seller of roofing inspection software. House.

    Roofing scams proliferate after big storms like Hurricane Helenesay the experts. Scammers often wander into affected areas and offer free inspections or on-site roof repairs, BBB warns.

    “The person may claim that their company is working on a neighbor’s house and offering inspections to those who live nearby, or that they simply noticed your damaged roof,” BBB said. “But if you ask questions…you’ll probably encounter vague answers.”

    It is important to roofing company researchwork with your insurance company and be wary of unsolicited offers, BBB said.

    Customers can also purchase roofs online from certified companies. For example, Shooter roof serves customers nationwide, and MCSquared Roofing is available in North Carolina. Customers enter their address, select their roofs, get a price, pay and schedule installation.

    “We guarantee 25 years on labor and 50 years on materials,” said Andrew Prchal, president and co-founder of Gunner. And if you have a insurance claimGunner will take care of that for you too, he says.

    Medora Lee is a money, markets and personal finance reporter at USA TODAY. You can reach her at [email protected] And subscribe to our free Daily Money newsletter for personal finance advice and business news Monday through Friday mornings.

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