How Important Is My Roof And Does It Affect The Value Of My House?
We all know that the roof is an important part of our house. However, have you taken time to appreciate fully the important role your roof plays in as far as keeping your house an actual house? Herein, we will explore some top reasons to appreciate your roof that much more.
So, How Important Is My Roof?
1. It Plays A Role In Determining The Energy Bill You Pay Every Month
The roof is first in line in protecting the house from solar radiation. Given that it is virtually exposed to solar radiation all day during the warm months, the roofing structure and system should be able to protect the entire house from solar radiation. Estimate place the energy loss from the roof at 50%. It is for this reason that a roof should be insulated properly.
A properly insulated roof aids in reducing the cooling and heating needs of your house. Eventually, this reduces the energy bill substantially. Importantly, it reduces your carbon footprint, aiding in combating global warming.
2. It Protects The Entire House From The Outside And Inside Elements
We all know that the roof protects the entire home from the elements. Typically, a roof will brave Mother Nature’s elements including wind, rain, snow, and hail. If the roofing system is breached and the inter-layers are exposed to outside elements like rain, the roof will deteriorate very fast from all the roof damage it suffers.
However, what people do not realize is that the roof will also protect the entire structure that is your house from the humidity and the heat generated inside your home. To this end, roofs are designed to be insulated from the outside elements but ventilated to allow heat and humidity generated inside the house to escape. Protecting your home from the internal heat and humidity is just as important as protecting your home from the external elements.
3. It Plays A Huge Role In The Burb Appeal Of Your House
The aesthetics of your house begin right from the outside. You may have an aesthetically pleasing interior décor and a stunning color scheme on your outside walls, but if your roof is tainted, you can expect the entire house to look revolting.
Having a roof with black algae streaks, faded shingles, and clogged gutters will negatively affect the aesthetics of the entire home and could potentially be unsafe. As such, the curb appeal of your home is directly related to the aesthetics of your roof.
Does The Roof Affect The Value Of My Home?
In a nutshell, yes, it does. Given that the roof is an integral part of your home, it easily influences positively or negatively the value of a home. When homeowners are searching for a new home, the roof is definitely something they are going to consider when negotiating the price. An average roof costs about $7200 so if the roof is outdated and only had a few good years left, they may want a credit at closing or a deduction on the purchase price, that will come out of your pocket.
In addition to the roofing cost itself, the roofing system directly influences the value of your home based on:
Its Energy Efficiency
As mentioned above, research has shown that the roof is responsible for as much as 50% of the energy loss in a typical home. This means that as much as you insulate other parts of the house, without insulating the roof properly, your efforts are of little benefit. You will still spend a lot of