Roofing Tips to Increase a Home's Resale Value
The roof is one of the most significant parts of your house. For example, the roof protects your house from weather elements and contributes to its overall curb appeal. As such, the roof also affects your home's resale value. That means
you can use your roof to improve your home's resale value. Below are some tips on how to do that.
Choose the Right Materials
The choice of materials determines how appealing a roof is to potential homebuyers. Discover some of the material-related issues a discerning buyer may care for.
Durability
Most buyers want roofs they won't have to replace a short time after their purchase. Thus, a durable roofing material will enhance your home's resale prospects. Slate, clay, and metal are good examples of durable roofing materials.
Energy Efficiency
Energy-efficient roofing materials, such as tiles, prevent heat gain or loss, thereby minimizing your heating and cooling costs. The costs can add up to considerable amounts over the years.
Attractiveness
Curb appeal varies by person, but many people agree that some roofs are more attractive than others are. For example, many people consider architectural shingles more attractive than traditional composite shingles.
Use a Professional Roofer
A professional roofing contractor should handle all your roofing needs, from installation to repairs. Using a professional contractor ensures that:
- Your roof is up to code
- Your roof design is practical
- They use the right fasteners for your roof
Discerning buyers will inspect your house, including the roof, before purchase. Professional roof work ensures nothing on the roof turns off the buyers.
Maintain the Roof
Maintain your roof after professional installation. Regular maintenance depends on the type of roof. The necessary maintenance practices include:
- Cleaning the roof and drainage channels, such as gutters
- Trimming trees around the house
- Sealing the roof
You should also inspect the roof regularly for threats such as:
- Disconnected gutters
- Blocked drainage
- Damaged shingles
- Damaged or missing flashing
Replace an Aging Roof
Even with the best maintenance and repair programs, years of wear and tear eventually necessitate roof replacement. For example, asphalt shingle roofs often don't last longer than a couple of decades. Trying to maintain a roof after that period might be bad for your home's resale prospects. A discerning buyer will usually immediately notice that the roof requires immediate replacement.
Don't Layer Shingles
Some people install new roofing shingles without tearing off the old one - roofers call that layering or reroofing. Shingle layering might be inexpensive, but it doesn't always bode well for the house's resale value. Your buyers probably
know that:
- Layering risks overloading the roof and causing structural damage
- Layering can hide damages, such as leak points
- Layering can trap heat within the roof and accelerate the shingles' deterioration
- Talk to your roofing contractor about affordable roof replacement that doesn't involve layering.
Consider Curb Appeal
Your choice of roofing material isn't the only thing determining your roof's contribution to your home's curb appeal. For example, standing seam and exposed fastener are both metal roof profiles, but they are markedly different in looks.
Thus, consider other factors like:
- The overall shape of the roof
- The roof's color
- The rooflines
- The roof's pitch
An experienced roofing contractor can help you design, install, maintain, and repair your roof. That way, the roof will always be an asset if you ever want to sell your house. Contact Ratliff Enterprises, Inc., for all your roofing needs. We have been in the industry for decades, and you can rely on our professionalism.
