Your roof in La Crosse, Wisconsin, is where you and your family feel safe and secure. It keeps you protected from rain or snow while adding appeal to your house’s exterior. But without proper roofing installation, you’re more likely to put your family in danger, especially when calamities strike.
To avoid such risk, consider the following when installing your roofing:
1. Pitch of the Roof
Builders use the pitch to determine the appropriate materials and roofing system of your property. The pitch of your roof is the angle measurement of its slope or what’s commonly known as its steepness. Normally, for every horizontal expansion of 12 inches, the vertical elevation is measured in inches. The pitches of roofs may be severely sloped or 12/12 pitch, and a low slope or 2/12 pitch.
So if the pitch is 10/12, your roof rises 10 inches per 12 in horizontal expansion. For areas that often snows and rains, the ideal angles you’ll need should have a range from 6/12 to 12/12 or steeper pitches. This type of roof pitches is perfect for La Crosse homes so that snow or rainwater can easily run off on a steeper roof.
And for areas that are dry most of the year, low pitched roofs are more recommended. Pitches below 6/12 may also be right for commercial properties as their installation cost is cheaper, its maintenance is inexpensive, and it’s more energy-efficient.
So, if you want a right roof pitch for your residential or commercial building, hiring the experts in Roofing La Crosse WI is a must.
2. Consider the Appearance of the Roof
If you want a unique roofing appearance for your home, then choosing the right roofing material is a must. Selecting a roofing system that can add beauty and value to your home together with durable and long-lasting roofing materials is always the best choice. But, you must know the right roofing materials.
Whether you want wood, slate, asphalt, or sheet metal for your roofing, you must know its pros and cons:
- Wood shingles – has a natural appearance and sound insulation. It’s also easy to replace or repair and also has a long lifespan. However, it’s maintenance is costly, less durable, and has higher flammability.
- Clay Tiles – has an attractive appearance as you can choose from various colors. It’s not combustible, inexpensive to maintain, and has a long lifespan. But clay tiles are expensive, not for walking as tiles may break, its colors might fade, and it’s also challenging to install.
- Asphalt shingles – asphalt roll roofing comes cheap while having many colors, easy to install and repair, and fire resistant. However, it’s not eco-friendly, has costly maintenance, and only lasts for 15 to 30 years.
- Metal – it can be recycled, maintained at a low cost, is durable, energy-efficient, and fire-retardant. However, to maintain its beauty, regular painting is necessary.\
3. Peel Off Rather Than Layering On
According to existing building codes, only one shingle layer is allowed. Therefore, you should consider peeling off your existing shingles than layering it on. Professional roof builders, such as First American Roofing & Siding, recommend peeling off your old layer since laying on your existing shingles can put more weight on your roof.
Also, if you have high winds or cold climate on your area, then peeling off your old layer is advisable. When you replace your old layer, you can prevent ice buildup that can cause leaks by incorporating a water and ice shield on your roofing. Moreover, if your roof is uneven or your old shingles are curling, then it’s best to peel off your old layer.
And if you choose to overlay, you wouldn’t have the chance to examine any damage on the decking. You can’t also install water or ice-leak barrier. When you don’t have one, there’s a chance that the water will leak through the old roof by going through the underlay.
Overlaying is best when you have a roof with no sidewalls, no leakings, and you have a sound decking. The only best thing about overlaying is saving some money, but it’s not a guarantee that it’ll last longer.
Conclusion:
If you plan to live with your family in your home, then having a durable roofing system is a must. Especially when you plan to live on it for a long time. Also, having a durable and long-lasting roofing system can save you from regular maintenance as well as adding value to your property if ever you want to sell it.
