Need to Choose a New Roof? Ponder Over These Nitty-Gritties First
Roofs are of one of the most important parts of any building. They provide protection from the harsh weather outside, but also contribute to the overall look of a building's exteriors. However, not all roofs are created equal, making it rather difficult for new building owners to decide what type of roof they should opt for.
Before you can jump into choosing a roofing product for your new building, be sure to think through these critical factors.
- The slope of your roof. Considering the slope or pitch of your new roof is critical for two reasons. First, roof slope impacts the visual appeal of the building. Generally speaking, higher pitched roofs are favoured over flat roofs because they create better visual appearance and last longer. The higher the pitch of a roof, the greater the level of visual interest it draws to the roof structure, thus increasing the architectural appeal of the entire building. Higher pitched roofs also offer superior resistance against the elements because they shed rain, snow, and ice more quickly, minimising the risk of costly issues like water ponding.
- The level of maintenance required. There are numerous types of roofing products on the construction market, and each one requires some sort of maintenance to keep looking good and last for the expected lifespan. Generally speaking, higher quality roofing products require less upkeep, while their lower quality counterparts call for more maintenance attention. With that said, it is a smart idea to go for the premium-quality stuff because they will attract lower lifecycle costs.
- The colour of the roof. It goes without saying that the colour of your roof will affect the general appearance of your exterior environment, but did you know that it can affect the performance of the building as well? Generally speaking, light-coloured or reflective roofs radiate solar heat away from their surfaces, thus minimising heat gain during hot summers. Dark roofs, on the other hand, absorb the Sun's heat to help warm up buildings during the cold winter months. Therefore, keep in mind that your choice of an appropriate roof colour is extremely important.
Before constructing a building in an area, be sure to enquire about what type of roofs can or can't be used in that particular locality. You wouldn't want to finish installing a new roof only to later find out that you'll need to tear it down simply because it is not acceptable.
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