Installing new solar panels is a great investment to make for your home. They can be expensive though and if you wind up facing an unexpected roof replacement it could tack on thousands more. If you are thinking about installing new solar panels you need to be certain that the roof of your home has a minimum of fifteen years of life left to go. If it has less than that you should probably go and get your roof replaced first. How much this will cost and when it needs to be done depends on a few factors. The type of roof you have and how long you have had it are the most important factors.
Types of Roofing Materials
The longevity of a roof depends largely on the material that was used in its construction. There are three main types of material used for the roof of a home. Each one will have different characteristics and qualities. When they need to be replaced will change depending on the material too.
Metal Roofs
Metal roofs will typically last the longest out of all types of material. It is not uncommon to see them come with warranties of up to forty years. Most of the time even if it looks worn it is only the paint Thais aging the underlying metal is still in good condition. If you have a metal roof less than 20 years old feel free to install solar panels.
Tile Roofs
There are a few different types of ceramic material that you can make tile roofs. These are the most durable materials used to build roofs. A slate roof can last for up to one hundred years in the right climate. Tile is not waterproof though so you will need to install a waterproof barrier underneath your panels if you want to get solar panels.
Shingle Roofs
These are the shortest lasting materials, the most common material used to make roofs. They last anywhere from 10 to 30 years depending on the quality of the shingle that is used. Whether your roof is ready for solar if it uses shingles depends on how new the shingles are. If they are fairly old you may want to replace your roof before installing solar.
How to Know When You Need Roof Replacement Services?
If you have a roof that is less than five years old no matter what material as long as there is no obvious damage you should be fine to get solar installed. Now if you have a shingle roof and you are unsure of the age there are few signs you can look for to tell if it is in need of replacement. If there are any missing tiles then you most likely need to replace part of or all of the roof. You can also go in to he attic to see if there are any damp spots where it is obvious there has been water seeping through the roof. You want your roof to be totally waterproof before installing solar panels. It can cause problems if there are any leaks and you get them installed anyways.
The Final Word on Roof Replacement Services
There are a lot of roof replacement services that are out there. If you want the best you want to make sure that the company is going to perform a job worthy of your home. The cost to get your roof replaced is small compared to the amount you can save on electricity by switching to solar.
