When To Repair or Replace Your Roof
For many Los Angeles home or business owners, the decision to repair or replace a roof isn’t an easy one. Sure, if you have a leak in your roof then a repair is usually the best option, but if your roof is reaching the end of its life, then a replacement might not be as obvious.
Fortunately, Top Roofing Inc. is here to help make determining between a roof repair versus a roof replacement, an easy decision. In many cases, the best choice ultimately rests not only on the damage that is done but also on the roofing material you’re dealing with. The following information on common roofing material options is here to help you decide whether repair or replacement is right for you after damage occurs:
Common Roofing Material Choices
For most residential or commercial properties in Los Angeles, the five most common roofing material options are asphalt, flat roof, slate, tile, and wood. Each of these materials can be repaired or replaced when damage occurs, but their characteristics and life expectancy will play a huge role in which is the most cost-effective route for you!
Asphalt Shingles are easily the most popular roofing material choice in the nation. While cheap, dependable, and easy to install, asphalt shingles are also one of the least durable options on the market.
Flat Roof Systems are a cost-effective option for homes and businesses – thanks to decades of use in commercial flat roof construction, new modern materials, and advanced application techniques. Flat roofing materials are a viable, protective, and long-lasting alternative to pitched roof counterparts.
Wood Roofing is not as popular as it once was. Though its aesthetic appearance is second to none, wood roofing materials are more expensive than asphalt and require more maintenance than most other roofing materials.
Tile Roofing is extremely popular in certain areas of the country. Very expensive and very durable, tile roofing is an investment that will not only make your home more attractive but raise its value, as well.
Slate Roofing is pretty much the alpha and omega of roofing material options. Slate roofing is the most durable roofing option and can even last for more than 100 years. Its long lifespan is what justifies the typically high price tag.
Repair vs. Replacement for Different Roofing Material Options
Again, some roofing material choices are better candidates for repair than others. Unless your slate or tile roof is more than 70 years old, there’s a good chance that even an extensive repair will be a better investment than installing an entirely new roof.
When working with a wood roof that's fallen into disrepair or damaged enough to require extensive work, the best option might not only be a replacement but replacement with a different material.
Though there are plenty of homeowners who feel the low life expectancy and high maintenance needs of wood roofing are a fair trade-off for its appearance, wood roofing has gone out of style for a reason! If old age has taken its toll on your wood roof, you should (at the very least) take a glance at the cost and performance of more durable roofing material choices before you decide to go with wood again. Not only that, many municipalities in Los Angeles and the surrounding communities have banned Wood Shingles due to the region being prone to wildfires.
Asphalt is one of the hardest materials to deal with when trying to decide between replacement or repair. One of the biggest benefits of an asphalt roof is that it is so affordable, you can completely replace one several times over before you hit the cost of a single installation of other roofing material options.
When asphalt roofing is damaged or aging, an independent roofing inspector like Top Roofing Inc. is your best friend. Our roof inspectors offer impartial advice on what the preventative measures to extend the life of your roof — they will also be able to give you an unbiased opinion of whether replacement or repair is the better decision.
To schedule a roof inspection or to get a Free Quote call (877) 353-6688.
