All About New York Roofing Installation
Now that the housing market is improving, many people are building new homes or considering an upgrade to their current home. One of the best investments that you can make in your home is a new roof. According to the 2015 Cost vs. Value Report, you can expect a 71.6% rate of return on your investment. Additionally, a new roof will improve the appearance of your home and depending on the type of roofing system you select, could even decrease the cost of heating and cooling your home, saving you money on your monthly utility bills. If you are considering replacing or upgrading an existing roof on your home, the wide array of options can seem overwhelming.
Take a moment to answer a few questions to guide your search:
- Is your current roof worth saving or do you want a completely new roof?
- What is your budget?
- Are you looking for a particular style to complement your home?
- Is making an eco-friendly choice, including improving the energy efficiency of your home, important to you?
- Which types of roofing systems will best protect your home from the local climate?
New York’s hot and humid summers combined with brutally cold winters, heavy snowfall, and the increasing prevalence of severe storms like Superstorm Sandy mean that your roofing system has to be especially durable.
Which Type of Roofing System is Best for You?
Asphalt shingles are one of the most affordable and effective ways to protect your home from the elements. They are available in a variety of colors and styles that emulate the style of more expensive roofing systems like cedar shakes, slate, and even tile. Manufacturers typically provide a warranty of 15-to-30 years–regular maintenance and protective treatment can extend the life of your shingles. While not the most energy efficient roofing system available, there are Energy Star rated shingles available that employ cool-roof technology to significantly decrease the amount of heat absorbed by your roof.
If you like the look of shingles and really want to maximize your energy savings, check out solar shingles. Solar shingles stand up to the elements just as well as asphalt shingles, but they also harness the sun’s energy to help power your home. A licensed installer can help you assess your monthly energy needs to determine how many solar shingles you should integrate into your existing shingle roof. Many homeowners prefer the sleek look of solar shingles, in comparison to solar panels. In contrast to solar panels, solar shingles are also lightweight, making them easier to install. Residents of New York are eligible for a mix of federal, state, and in some places, city incentives to support investments in installing solar energy. Accredited solar installers are familiar with available incentives and can help guide you through the process.
Foam Roofs for New York Residents
Foam roofing is more common on commercial buildings, but many New Yorker’s are starting to explore foam because of it’s incredible durability and energy efficiency. When sprayed on a roof deck, foam provides excellent water resistance and thermal insulation because it is seamless, leaving no joints for rainwater to leak through to your interior or for air conditioning to escape from your home. Considering that as much as 40% of your home’s energy is lost due to air infiltration, this is foam’s primary advantage over other roofing systems. The Department of Energy estimates that 56% of the energy used in your home goes toward heating and cooling, so investing in a foam roof that acts as a safeguard against energy leaks will have a big impact on your monthly utility bills.
Another great benefit of foam roofing is that it can be applied over an existing roof, saving you the high labor cost of a tear-off job and diverting a tremendous amount of roofing waste from your local landfill. It is important to note though that a foam room does requires a clean surface for proper application. It must be dry and free of contaminants like oil.
Metal Roofs in New York’s Climate
Metal roofing is becoming increasingly popular among homeowners. The cost of metal roofing varies substantially depending on the type of metal you choose. Tin and aluminum fall on the less expensive end of the spectrum, while steel and copper are much more costly. Whichever type of metal you choose, metal roofs are tough. They are resistant to cracking, shrinking, and eroding, and can also withstand extreme weather conditions including heavy snow, hail, and wildfires. Metal roofing can be applied directly over your existing roof, saving you a tremendous amount of money in labor costs and preventing your roof waste from ending up in a local landfill. Traditional roofing products contribute an estimated 20 billion pounds of waste to U.S. landfills annually. If you’re interested in decreasing your environmental footprint, metal roofing is a very eco-friendly option as it is made from 30-60% recycled material (and is 100% recyclable).
Metal roofing can also increase the resale value of your home. Across the country, homeowners who invest in metal roofing get an average ROI of 86%. Additionally, investing in a metal roofing system can also lower your insurance rates because of its fire resistance. Most manufacturers offer an impressive 30-50 year warranty.
Slate Roofs in New York State
The most expensive, but also the most visually stunning type of roof is slate. Most commonly seen on university buildings and grand cathedrals, slate roofing is an investment that will last the entire lifetime of your home–up to 100 years. Roofing slates are manufactured from natural stone that have been formed under intense heat and pressure underground. These stones are very hard and will not saturate with water. They are also completely fireproof. A slate roof is impervious to weather, sun, heat, and cold, as well as other problems that affect traditional roofing systems such as mold, rot, and pests.The density of slate can also help regulate the temperature in your home, saving you money on your energy bills.
In addition to saving you money on energy costs, a slate roof can help reduce your environmental footprint. Slate is naturally occurring, contributing no toxic substances to the environment. A large percentage of roofing slate comes from New York and the northeastern United States, decreasing the impact of long-haul transportation on the environment. Should you ever wish to get rid of your slate roof, slate can also be recycled.
One major concern about slate roofing though is the tremendous amount of weight that it puts on the structure of your home. The weight of slate roofing tile ranges between 800 and 1,500 pounds per square (8 – 10 pounds per square foot). Before investing in slate, you’ll need to have your home evaluated from a structural standpoint to make sure it can take the weight.
This list is by no means exhaustive. You can also explore new innovations in rubber roofing, beautiful and rustic cedar shakes, clay and concrete tile roofs, and even the very basic tar and gravel roof. New York is also one of the best states in the country in terms of providing incentives to homeowners to invest in solar technology, which most often, goes hand and hand with your roof. Residents of New York are eligible for a mix of federal, state, and in some places, city incentives to support investments in installing solar energy. Just one example is a New York State tax credit that provides residential building owners who install solar with a tax credit for the lesser of 25% of the installed cost of the solar energy system or $5,000. Accredited solar installers are familiar with the wide array of available incentives and can help guide you through the process. Whichever direction you go, make sure you hire a licensed contractor who can advise you as to the best roofing system to meet all of your needs.