One of the most common roofing materials used in the US is asphalt roofing, and any roofing company can install this material for you, but working with a roofing contractor can have additional benefits when it is time to consider replacing your roof. Sometimes a roofing contractor will offer better service than a large roofing company, making the experience better in the long run.

Roofing Options

Replacing the shingles on the roof of your home with the same material is the easiest and most common method used. Most standard asphalt shingles will last twenty-five to thirty years, so for most people, that means one major roofing job during the time they own the home. 

If you buy a home in your twenties and keep it your entire life, you could be looking at two roof replacements, but that is not as common as it was twenty years ago. If you plan to have one home for the rest of your life, you may want to consider an alternative roofing material like metal roofing or concrete shingle roofing with a service life of fifty years or more. 

Talk with the roofing contractor you are working with about your roofing options so you can choose the right roofing material for your home. No matter which way you go, it is vital that the contractor you are working with has experience working with the material you want to use, so your roof comes out perfect and performs well for many years to come. 

Roof Inspections

A complete inspection of the roof on your home should be part of the replacement process. While you are going to remove the roofing material, it is critical that the sub roofing and the structure of the roof be in good shape so that they will adequately support the new roof. 

Having the roofing contractor inspect the entire roof is essential and is the best way to find damage that might have been covered by roofing material for several years. Any rot or damage to the home's wooden structure needs to be repaired before the new roof is installed so it doesn't leak later. 

If the damage to the roof structure is substantial, the roofing contractor may need to remove the sub roofing and repair damage to the trusses and joist under it, which can add to the cost of the roof replacement. Still, it is critical to ensure the structure's safety and provide a solid base for the roofing material and any load on the roof, like snow in the winter. 

Once the repairs are made, your roofing contractor can replace the roofing material with the new roof of your choice. When the job is done correctly, the new roof should last at least twenty years and, in many cases, longer, with the correct maintenance and regular inspections.