Common Roof Misconceptions Homeowner’s Make

The more you know about roofing options and maintenance requirements, the less likely you’ll be to believe these common misconceptions about roofs. All of the following misconceptions and myths about roofing can cost you thousands of dollars over your roof’s lifetime.

Common Roof Misconceptions

My roof will last as long as my house

That’s not true. The average American home lasts for 80-years or longer. A professionally installed and maintained roof should last as long as 25-years or longer, depending on the materials, your home’s sun/weather exposure, etc.  

 All but the most durable roofing materials will last only a quarter or half of a home’s lifetime. 

• Metal roofs: 50 – 75-years 
• Wood shingles: 20 – 25-years 
• Asphalt shingles: 15 – 30-years 
• Composition shingles: 12 – 20 years 

Those figures are all dependent on homeowners working with licensed roofing contractors, selecting the right materials for their home and climate, and adhering to proper roofing maintenance recommendations. 

I can handle most roofing repairs on my own 

While many basic roofing maintenance tasks are DIY, most roof repairs require professional attention. There are several reasons for this.  

First and foremost, your homeowner’s insurance policy and/or your roofing manufacturer’s warranty may require that roof inspections, major maintenance (outside of gutter cleaning, branch clearing, etc.), and repairs are performed by licensed contractors. Secondly, roofing repairs can be dangerous, and failure to complete them correctly may result in further damage that compromises both the roof and the building’s structural integrity. 

All roofing contractors are the same 

This is not true at all. In fact, many supposed residential roofing contractors don’t have a current license, don’t maintain current insurance or bonding to back their work, and may not be as experienced as they advertise. Always verify prospective roofers’ credentials with your local building department, and ask for recent referrals, before making your final decision.  

My neighbor is getting a new roof, so I probably should too 

In a perfect world, homeowners would get their roofs replaced as per the manufacturer’s instructions. This would mean neighborhoods would be replacing their roofs around the same time. Because that’s not the case, your neighbor’s replacement may have absolutely nothing to do with whether your roof needs to be replaced or not. 

If your neighbor’s roof is getting replaced, and it’s been a while since your roof has been repaired or replaced, the first step is to schedule a roof inspection. There’s a good chance you only need some minor roof attention, rather than a replacement, which would save you thousands. 

Common roof misconceptions can include choosing a darker shingle color means losing energy efficiency 

The energy savings between a standard roof and one that is designed with reflective, cooling properties is significant. That said, it does not always translate that darker shingles absorb more solar heat gain than lighter ones. 

While darker objects do absorb more sunlight than lighter ones, many of the darker shingle products have reflective technology to protect against solar heat gain. Also, as long as you’re considering re-roofing, it’s worthwhile to have your roofer inspect your attic space to ensure it is adequately insulated, sealed, and ventilated.  

It’s cheaper to re-shingle on top of old shingles rather than replace the roof

Before we go into the cost analysis, it’s important to realize that laying new shingle layers on top of old ones isn’t even legal anymore. It’s one thing to replace a few missing shingles. If, however, your roof needs to be replaced, the building department will not sign off on a job that was completed by putting new shingle layers over the old ones. 

Recovering a roof means that latent damage in membranes and layers below are left untended, and this will result in further leaks, rot, and structural damage that can cost you thousands more later on. And, as we mentioned above in #2, your homeowner’s insurance company won’t cover any of the repair/replacement costs when the inspector reports the roof was recovered, rather than properly repaired or replaced. 

You only need a roof inspection when something is wrong 

Roof inspections should be performed every year. Only scheduling an inspection when something is wrong is like waiting to go to the dentist until a tooth rots away or falls out. Roof inspections are inexpensive. They identify smaller issues – and address them – to optimize the lifespan of your roofing materials.

We Won’t Let You Fall Victim To Misconceptions

Don’t let your roof – or your budget – suffer from these common roof misconceptions. Schedule a roof inspection with the honest, loyal, and licensed team here at Central Bay Roofing. You’ll be forming a lifetime partnership with roofing professionals who will save you thousands over the course of your roof’s lifetime by keeping your roof in good health.