Most homeowners dread that day: the day they realize it’s time for a new roof. Replacing a roof can be costly and time-consuming. But it can also be a great time to make some upgrades that make the house more beautiful and the roof more functional. If your Kansas City home needs a roof replacement, read on for some of the best upgrades to add when replacing your roof.
#1. Save on energy costs by choosing a better shingle.
An exceellent way to get the most from your Kansas City roof replacement project is to choose a more energy-efficient shingle. It used to be that the only option in this category was a lighter-colored or white shingle – not optimal for most homeowners because of the impact to curb appeal. But today’s reflective shingles come in a wide array of appealing colors to suit any home, and they fit in with any neighborhood’s restrictions on roofing colors. Depending on the type of shingle you choose, you could save anywhere between seven and 15 percent on your cooling costs.
#2. Let your home breathe with improved ventilation.
An attic that can “breathe” keeps your whole house more comfortable. A re-roofing project is a good time to add ridge vents to your roof. These vents, which are barely visible from the street, let hot air escape from the attic, reducing heat buildup in the summer months and keeping the rooms below cooler. This means you need less air conditioning to keep the house at a comfortable temperature, which also means you save money on utility costs.
#3. Help prevent ice dams with eave flashing.
To help prevent ice dams and get the best roof replacement for your Kansas City home, consider adding eave flashing during the roof replacement process. Eave flashing is a stretchy membrane that’s installed before the shingles go on. It forms a watertight seal over the eaves, and can also be installed in other areas of susceptibility, such as skylights, dormers, or valleys in the roofline; these areas are most prone to ice damming during winter months. Installing eave flashing can help prevent this condition and the resulting damage that may occur due to moisture buildup behind the ice dams.
#4. Increase energy efficiency with an airtight chimney cap.
All homes with a fireplace should have a chimney cap installed, but not all chimney caps are created equal. Chimney caps keep rain out, and when screens are added, they also keep birds and small animals out. But traditional masonry and metal chimney caps aren’t airtight, which means that warm air escapes right up the chimney when it’s cold outside. While most fireplaces have a damper that can be closed when the fireplace is not in use, it’s not an airtight defense, either. Installing an airtight chimney cap makes your home more energy efficient by keeping warm air inside during colder months.
#5. Reduce maintenance time with low-maintenance gutters.
Gutters aren’t very exciting, but they’re an integral part of your roof, and they play a significant role in keeping your home safe from moisture buildup. One of many homeowners’ irritations when it comes to home maintenance is keeping the gutters clean. Installing a new gutter system that’s designed to keep debris out (not just channel water from the roof) is a great way to cut down on some of the time spent cleaning gutters. It’s safer, too, because there’s less need to climb a ladder.
Get the Best Roof Replacement in Kansas City
Adding upgrades during a roof replacement project makes sense for homeowners. If you want to get the most out of your roof replacement, give Shamrock Roofing and Construction a call. We’ll help you talk through the options for upgrading your roof and decide which ones are right for you.
If you’re unsure about whether it’s time to replace your roof or not, we can help with that, too. Shamrock Roofing also offers free roof inspections. Contact us today to set up an appointment!