Tag Archives: ventilation

Buy a New Home? Think About the Old Roof

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Searching for a new home? While you are looking at curb appeal and considering carpet allowances, you also should ask a few questions about another one of the home’s features: the roof. The roof is one of the most important (and expensive!) parts of your new purchases, so making sure it’s in good shape before you buy is best.

Factors to Take into Consideration

Keep these things in mind regarding roofs when you are searching for your new home:

Age of the Roof. Before you ask the homeowner how old the roof is, look yourself. Stand back from the home and look for things like fading, worn out spots, and missing or damaged shingles. These factors could indicate that the roof is advanced in age.

It is important to remember that different roofing materials have different lifespans. The average composite shingle roof has a 10-15-year lifespan in North Texas, but a metal roof lasts much longer. The best course of action is to ask the homeowner when the roof was installed and verify by checking their paperwork to show evidence of installation.

State of the Roof. Is the roof in good repair? Are shingles uniform and even? Are they buckling or curling? Spots of mold? If you see evidence of disrepair or neglect, you should point it out to your realtor or home inspector. It is also a good idea to call in a professional roofing company to look for a full report.

Roof Maintenance. Ask the homeowner what their roof maintenance schedule has been like while they have owned the home. Have they had professional maintenance done, maintained it themselves, or have they skipped maintenance all together?

Don’t Undervalue Ventilation. In addition to the roof, also check out the ventilation system. Good ventilation is critical in keeping your heating and cooling costs down.

Don’t Forget Drainage. While investigating your potential new-to-you roof, also take the time to determine the condition of the drainage system if any exists. Some components of the drainage system, such as gutters and downspouts, will be visible from the ground, but drain pipes and other pieces of the system may require a professional look. Look to make sure these facets are in good repair and working properly to move water off the roof and away from the home.

Looking for a new home? Hire a professional roofing company to check out your purchase before you buy.

Is a Black Roof a Bad Idea?

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If you’re thinking about a new roof, you may be considering selecting a black asphalt shingle color to complement your home. Black roofs are gaining in popularity across Dallas and Plano because they look great and can upgrade your home’s curb appeal significantly. While black roofs have these perks, they also have some considerations you should be aware of before you select a black shingle. If you’re on the fence about choosing a black asphalt shingle, read on.

The Facts. Yes, it is true that black or other darker-colored shingles will make your attic and home hotter. A hotter home is a very valid concern for Dallas, Plano, and other North Texas homeowners because temperatures on your roof can climb well over 150 degrees in the summer.

Black and other dark colored shingles make your house hotter because they absorb heat and sun more readily than lighter colors. High temperatures, in turn, make your attic warm, which makes your air conditioner work harder keep you cool.

The Fix. While a black or darker-colored roof does increase temperatures, don’t be discouraged. You can still get the roof you want with a few extra measures.

One of the ways you can have your black roof without increasing the temperature in your home (and your electric bill) is to install additional insulation. This insulation blocks the heat absorbed by your dark roof from traveling into your home. Blocking heat keeps you cooler and your energy bills in check.

Another way to keep cool with a black or darker-colored roof is to make sure your attic has proper ventilation. Using the proper number of vents can help release hot air from your attic and help to cool your home. Scott Exteriors can assess your current attic ventilation to determine if you need more vents to accommodate a black or darker-colored shingle.

Do you have more questions about what color roof is right for you? Contact Scott Exteriors today.