Homeownership is one of the most important and likely the largest investment that you could make in your life. Once you do, you want to make sure that it will stand the test of time. There are many components that hold a house together structurally and one of the most important ones is the roofing system. Roofs can add to the visual aesthetics of a home, but a roof also serves to protect the home by shedding water off the roof and away from the walls and foundation. Good roofing systems need to be able to withstand the particular weather and climate that you live in and there are few states that will put your roofing system to the test better than Texas.
How To Know If A Roofing System Is Good?
You want the right roofing system, but how do you know which one to choose? You should choose a roofing option that scores well in the following 5 categories:
Impact Resistance Rating
Factory Mutual and UL are highly respected agencies that offer impact resistance ratings for roofing systems. You should look for a roof with the highest rating, which is a Class 4 Impact Rating. Hail might come only every so often, but when it does, Texas brings the best of it and you want to make sure that your shingles are still going to be around after a storm.
Wind Rating
In Texas, one of the leading reasons for filing an insurance claim is wind and storm damage to roofs. Shingles with a high wind rating are a must and sometimes even offer a warranty for shingles that blow off of your house under severe wind speeds. The Revia F-Wave Synthetic Shingles offer warranted coverage for winds up to 130-mph. It’s good to have a shingle that can stay put under 130-mph winds, but it’s even more comforting to know that if it doesn’t hold up, it will be replaced under warranty under the exclusive Weather Force Advantage Warranty Protection.
Fire Rating
Texas has a history of brush fires and no matter where you live in the state, if the conditions are right, your home is at risk. That’s why you want the highest fire rating available for your roofing system. Class A is the best however, traditional asphalt shingles do not meet this standard leaving your home at risk. Most synthetic and metal roofs meet the Class A fire rating. The rating system is tested on fires that originate outside of the home and a shingle is given a fire rating based on its ability to not contribute to the spread of a fire by being readily flammable, to not crack or break under the duress of the heat and to protect the underside of the deck from flaming.
Moisture Resistance
One of the main purposes of a roofing system is to shed water and if the roof system can’t do that job, your roof is prone to moisture seeping in and causing mold and rot. This causes the roof to age prematurely and can eventually compromise the integrity of the roof leading to leaks and all sorts of problems for your house. Another important aspect of a good roof system is proper attic ventilation. There are many homes even new homes that have improper attic ventilation. With all the new technology out from spray foam insulation and different styles of roof vents be sure you consult an expert to ensure your roof is properly ventilated. The rule of thumb is a 300:1 ratio when it comes to ventilation for every 300 square foot of attic space there should be 1 square foot of ventilation in your roof. This will also help prevent mositure damage issues and the premature failure of your roof system.
UV Resistance
If you didn’t know, Texas can get pretty hot. The sun beating down on your shingles can cause them to weaken and fall apart over time, particularly asphalt shingles. Traditional asphalt ahinlgles have granules that tend to come loose and the shingles become brittle from day after day of the extreme heat shining on them. When there is granual loss fiberglass matting in the shingle is exposed leading to the rapid deterioration of the shingle when exposed to UV light. There are modern roofing systems that offer much better UV protection than asphalt shingle and will extend the life of your roof. Synthetic Shingles are one of the products on the market that can stand up to the harsh Texas sun on your roof.
If You Live In Texas
The following are some questions you should ask yourself when putting a new roofing system on your home. These can be area specific and should be taken into consideration.
Is It Easy To Install?
When hiring a contractor to put shingles on your roof, oftentimes it’s a little more complex than just choosing shingles and putting them on. There are other components of a roof that are often designed to work in conjunction with specific products and if the proper materials are not used together, incorrect installation can happen. If shingles, shakes or other roofing materials are improperly installed, it can lead to all of the water problems already mentioned – leaks, mold, algae buildup etc. Make sure that when you choose a roofing material, those installing it are experienced with it and know how it works with the other components of the roofing system.
How Much Weight Can Your Roof Take?
Some roofs are designed to hold more weight than others. Make sure that the roof on your house was structurally built to handle the weight of your roofing choice. Asphalt and synthetic shingles are lightweight while some metal roofing is on the heavier side.
How Much Maintenance Is Required?
Wood shakes, asphalt shingles, and metal roofs require routine maintenance and will need shingles or screws replaced and repaired over time. There are other roofing systems available that are virtually maintenance free. Though asphalt shingles are cheaper up front, you may be paying more in the long run with all of the maintenance required.
How Durable Are Your Shingles?
Texas throws just about everything it can at a roof (especially if you live on the coast). You want to make sure that your roof can stand up to sun, hail, wind, fire, and wind-driven rain. Refer to the ratings listed above and make sure that your roofing material of choice lives up to the standard.
The Synthetic Shingle Solution
A synthetic option that fits all of the above criteria are F -WAVE™ REVIA® Synthetic Shingles. They have Class 4 Hail and 130-mph wind warranties and have a Class A Fire Rating. They’re made in Cleburne, Texas and are built to withstand the unceasing UV rays from the hot Texas sun. They’re lightweight, very durable with no asphalt or granules and they require little to no maintenance. They also come in several styles that emulate your favorite classic looks which include – American Blends and the Estate Series that both have an appearance of an asphalt shingle, but do not contain any granules. There’s also a Hand-Split Shake style shingle so that you can give your home the appearance of having a wood roof without all of the inconvenience of actually having a wood roof. These synthetic shingles are the best modern solution to all your roofing problems. If you would like to learn more about Synthetic Shingles visit our website Roofing Turtle or give us a call today and get the easy process started 📞833-688-7853.