Re-Roofing Your Home
The benefits of re-roofing are great when you consider the aesthetic appeal, and improved durability in a new roof.
11/12/2020
The reality in older homes is that a roof is
subject to degradation just like anything else.
While most are well-built and not likely to come
crashing down any time soon, that doesn’t mean
they’re fully functional. Especially considering
the increasingly wild weather conditions, damage
to roofing occurs more often than you may think.
Sometimes, it’s a better option to just
replace a roof, but it’s not always a simple
task. The benefits of re-roofing, though, are
great when you consider the aesthetic appeal,
and improved durability in a new roof.
Here’s what’s involved:
Choosing a new roof
Before any re-roofing takes place, you need
to have the old roof inspected thoroughly. This
gives your roofing contractor the best chance of
giving an accurate quote. As part of this
process, you’ll also need to choose the type of
new roof you’d like.
Many modern homes
use metal roofing because it’s extremely
durable, but tiled roofing is still popular
also. Whatever you choose, your roofing
contractor will then proceed with measurements
and provide you with a quote.
Safety first
Roofing is dangerous work, because contractors are doing everything at heights. As such, safety gear is integral to the process. Not all roofing work requires full scaffolding to be erected, but at a minimum you should see guard rails and access ladders in place.
Out with the old
The new roof needs to be removed, so this is
naturally the first step. Much like a
closing-down sale, everything must go.
Flashings, vents, gutters and roofing material
is all removed so your contractor starts with a
clean slate. Even the old roof insulation is
usually removed to make way for a better
product.
During this step, your roofing
contractor also gets a chance to fully inspect
the area to determine if any issues might arise
from the original plan.
In with the new
Battens are the first part to be added to a new roof. Older timber battens will likely have degraded, and it’s much better to replace them. When installing new battens, the modern standard is to use metal battens. These comply with building codes, and they’re much more durable.
Insulating the roof
A layer of reflective foil is often laid when
re-roofing, because this gives an added benefit
in keeping heat out of your ceiling cavity.
This, however, doesn’t remove the need for
quality ceiling insulation.
In fact, if
you’re looking to add or upgrade the batts in
your ceiling, now is the perfect time to do it.
With the roof cavity exposed, it’s easy to lay
the insulation without climbing around in your
roof later on.
Installing your brand-new roof
With battens and insulation installed, it’s
time to install the new roof. Metal roofing is
usually a lot quicker to install, and your
contractors usually re-measure and install all
the edging first. With that done, it’s simply a
matter of adding the metal panels.
Once
this is done, the finishing touches are
required, such as the
flashing and
guttering.
Flashing not only adds an aesthetic touch, but
it also ensures all gaps are covered and there’s
no risk of leaks.
Finally, it’s time to
clean everything up, remove all the old building
materials, and there you have it. A brand-new,
well-insulated and durable roof that will serve
you for many years to come.