Key Roofing Upgrades to Consider

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Turn on any home improvement show, and you’ll see people oohing and ahhing over newly renovated kitchens, bathrooms and master bedroom suites. Some might even show refreshed landscaping. Yet rarely do folks get excited about a new roof. That’s odd, when you think about it, since a home’s roof plays a key role in first impressions and is its first line of defense again snow, sleet, wind, rain, and extreme heat.

At Zaman Roofing, we offer you the best of both worlds – great looks and awesome protection. We also are experts at roofing updates and repairs – the following are among the most essential of these.

Airtight Chimney Cap

Standard chimney caps are designed to keep rain, snow, and critters out. They typically perform up to expectations. And yet an airtight chimney cap goes one step further and saves you energy by allowing you to shut it when the fireplace is not in use. Simply pull a steel cable attached to a bracket inside the fireplace. This prevents warmed air from escaping through the chimney.

Eave Flashing

If your roof is prone to ice dams, bituminous eave flashing can spare you the kind of damage ice dams can cause. Peel-and-stick membranes are applied before shingles are installed to a depth of about two feet inside the exterior wall plane, depending on the pitch of the roof. There they form a watertight seal over the eaves or other vulnerable areas such as around dormers and skylights.

Ventilation

During the summer months your attic can feel like a sauna. That trapped heat can then warm the rooms below, leading to higher cooling costs. Ask your roofing contractor to check attic ventilation and add ridge and/or soffit vents if needed to keep the attic – and your home – more comfortable all year long.

Energy Efficient Shingles

The rule of thumb states that the lighter the shingle color, the cooler the roof will be. However, many homeowners didn’t find light-colored shingles aesthetically pleasing. But now there’s a happy medium – reflective shingles that both reflect the sun’s radiation and re-emit much of the heat absorbed, helping to reduce your home cooling costs by as much as 15 percent. Plus, they’re available in a variety of colors, a true win-win.

Low Maintenance Gutters

If your existing gutters have seen better days, consider having a new, maintenance-free gutter system installed while your home is being reroofed. Today’s options include one-piece, seamless gutters that prevent clogs and staining, and eliminate the messy and often dangerous chore of gutter cleaning. Low maintenance gutters are available in a variety of colors to complement your home’s siding and trim.

How’s your roof holding up? Before you answer, remember that water leakage into the attic or shingles pulling back are not the only signs that repairs or upgrades are needed. To be sure you’re getting the greatest possible value from your roof, contact Zaman Roofing today to schedule an inspection. It could end up saving lots of money and headaches.