How Do You Pick the Right Materials for Your New Roof?
Choosing your shingles is the most exciting part of getting a new roof. They come in lots of colors, so you can change the entire look of your home with a new set. However, there’s a lot more to your roof than the shingles. In fact, there’s very little that sets most shingles apart from each other in terms of quality. What really protects your home from harsh Oklahoma weather is what’s underneath.
If you want to peel back the shingles to see the important layers of your roof, keep reading.
The Layers of Your Roof
Image courtesy of Owens Corning
A great roof is like a sandwich — it has lots of layers of good stuff in it.
The roofing system that we usually recommend to homeowners is the Owens Corning Total Protection Roofing System because it has all of the essential layers you need to protect your home and everything inside it. (However, homeowners can always choose any system that they prefer and we’re happy to install it!)
Ice and Water Barriers
The bottom layer of your roofing system is the ice and water barrier. It goes directly on top of the wooden roof deck to seal it against water. The barrier stops water absorption in areas where rainwater often flows or collects, which prevents mold and wood rot.
Underlayment
The next layer is the synthetic felt underlayment, which is a secondary water-repelling layer that works with the water barrier and shingles to prevent moisture absorption.
Shingles
There are a few different types of shingles that cover different areas of the roof. The most visible type covers the sloped sides of the roof.
Starter shingles protect the eaves of the roof, which are especially susceptible to water damage.
Hip and ridge shingles protect the peak(s) of the roof where two sloping sides come together. They’re especially prone to damage from wind, so they need to be extra durable.
Ventilation
Many homeowners don’t realize how important proper ventilation is to the health of their roof, especially in Oklahoma. During the summer, good ventilation releases heat buildup to keep your home temperature lower and reduce the burden on your air conditioner. In the winter, it helps prevent freezing on the eaves that can create ice dams.
Intake and exhaust vents help control the temperature of your roofing system to prevent water issues and extend the life of your roof.
Insurance Only Replaces the System You Have NOW
Roofing systems typically come in good, better, and best quality tiers.
That means that if your roof is missing any of the essential layers listed above, you may have to pay out of pocket to add the missing layer. It also means that if you currently have a “good” system, you’ll have to pay to upgrade to a “better” or “best” system yourself.
So, why should you pay for the extra layers or upgraded system? First of all, better systems provide better protection against the weather. Think of it like The Three Little Pigs. In a perfect world, a house made of straw would be fine. But in the real world, sometimes you need to splurge on the brick home.
Second, if you need to file an insurance claim to replace your roof in the future, your policy will then pay to replace the upgraded, higher-quality system that you installed.
Lastly, some insurance companies offer a premium reduction for homeowners who have a top-quality roof. For example, State Farm offers a 30% reduction in annual premiums on homes with a Class 4 shingle. Within just a couple of years, the upgraded roof will pay for itself and you can continue to benefit from the rate reduction for the remaining life of your roof.
Don’t Gamble with Your Roof
Your roof is the asset that protects all of your other assets, and you deserve to have high-quality protection. If you’re interested in seeing what roofing system we recommend, schedule your free roof inspection today. We won’t push you into unnecessary upgrades, but we will help you understand the quality of your current roof and any benefits you may experience from upgrading your system.
