When do you think about your roof? Probably twice. First, when it leaks, and second when it needs to be replaced. Most roofs have a practical lifespan of 15 to 25 years, depending on environmental conditions and the quality of roofing materials used. Temperature extremes and sunlight gradually wear down asphalt – the principal component of most roof shingles. Add rain, snow and wind, and over time, your roof will display the tell-tale signs of age. These include fading, cracking or split shingles, a steady residue of asphalt granules in your gutters and an overall loss of your home’s “curb appeal.”
Choose the Right Installer
If it is time to replace your roof, choose the right installer!
According to a recent study in Consumer Reports, 12% of readers who had their roof replaced reported leaks within five years of the job and an even larger percentage said they were unhappy with the overall quality of the installation. Choose a reliable company, one that has been in business for many years, like Wheaton Door & Window. We’ve been doing Washington area roofs for more than half a century and our experience shows. Plus, if you ever have a problem with our installation, we’ll be there when you need us. Companies with little experience and a short history are a bad bet, since there’s a good chance you’ll never find them again once they leave your driveway. Don’t forget to check credentials. You’ll want to make sure the company is properly licensed and insured. Roofing is one of the most dangerous professions. Accidents are a very real possibility, and the very last thing you need is for someone to be injured on your property.
A good roofing company will work hard to keep the work area neat and clean. A bad one won’t care whether any of the thousands of nails removed during the demolition of your old roof wind up in your lawn, flower beds and driveways. Our crews always sweep the area around your home with powerful magnets designed to pick up stray nails that may not be easily visible.
What Kind of Roofing Material Should I Choose?
There are many types available,
including wood cedar shakes, synthetic shakes, clay tile, slate or synthetic slate and metal or metal seam, but far the most practical choice for most homeowners is asphalt shingles. More than two-thirds of all homes in the United States are covered by an asphalt roof. Although you will probably be the one to decide the type of material used, most homeowners rely on their roofer to choose the brand of shingle Even experienced roofers are apt to judge quality by two seemingly sensible but not always reliable criteria -- weight and warranty. Shingles are typically identified by their weight, as well as their projected useful life, generally expressed in the form of a “warranty.” There are 20-year and 25-year shingles, as well as 35-year or even 50 year models. The longer the warranty, the heavier the weight. Generally, the warranty covers both materials and labor for the first year. During this time, any defects in materials or workmanship will be replaced free of charge. After that, the cost of labor may be excluded, and the cost of the shingle sis prorated, sharply reducing the warranty’s value over the years. Some warranties are transferable, a consideration if you’re planning to sell your home. But some companies charge a transfer fee or reduce the coverage sharply. Many won’t transfer the warranty at all. Check on the specifics for whichever brand your roofer uses.
At Wheaton Door and Window, we are proud to feature,GAF shingles. GAF’s premium shingles come with a unique warranty that covers 100% of labor and materials, without proration, for the projected lifespan of the roof. For example, if your roof fails in the 18th year of a 20-year warranty, you are covered 100% for material AND labor! Now that’s peace of mind!
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Flat Roofs, Metal Roofs
Many roofs on older homes and row houses, particularly in the District of Columbia, are likely to be flat. Flat roofs present their own set of challenges. Standing water on a flat roof is more likely to find its way into your home, and a flat roof has typically required more maintenance, more often, than its asphalt cousins.
In the past, if you needed a roof repair on a flat roof, you called a “tar” man. He and his crew spread hot, foul smelling tar onto your roof. If he was unethical, he might do a quick tar “wash” that might do the job for a year or two, but pretty soon, the leaks would be back. Not only was hot tar an unreliable roofing material, it was also dangerous? Hot tar is highly flammable. In fact, so flammable that in New York City, if you put hot tar on a roof, you are required to hire an off-duty fireman to sit on your roof for 24 hours to guard against a fire! Many houses have burned down because of hot tar ignition, but an even greater hazard are the noxious fumes from the tar itself. The odors settle below the roof line, in the belly of your home. The fumes are toxic and contain known carcinogens.
Thankfully, a new material has arrived on the scene. EPDM roofs are synthetic membranes made of a rubberized material that replaces the tar layer. They are impervious to water, resist cracking or shrinking, and are warrantied to provide up to 25 years of protection without expensive maintenance. Ask your Wheaton Door & Window roofing representative for details.
Do you have a metal or standing seam roof? Wheaton Door and Window has you covered!. We also do all types of cedar shakes, as well as copper roofing.
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Showroom Locations
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Beltsville Showroom
5640-D Sunnyside Ave
Beltsville, MD 20705(866) 736 - 1722
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Wheaton Showroom
11258 Georgia Ave.
Wheaton, MD 20902 (301) 949 - 8951
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M.H.I.C. 125679
VA LIC#2705101594A
VA LIC#2705101594A
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Insurance claim? You must contact our Exterior Storm Restoration Specialists
Commonly, after insurance providers settle up, most homeowners find they didn’t receive enough money to fix the damage or only enough to repair it with the lowest quality labor and materials. Wheaton Door and Window will assist and fight for you to get the right amount due on the repairs needed to restore your home to as good or better condition than before the damages occurred. |
