How To Best Pick A New Roof For Your Bryn Mawr Home

When choosing a new roof for your existing Bryn Mawr home, style is, of course, an important factor, but there are a lot of other factors like product cost and installation requirements that will influence your choice.

All roofs eventually need to be replaced. At Cottage Industries, we typically replace roofs during the remodeling process for one of two reasons: the roof was already in need of replacement and the remodel offers the opportunity to get the job done; or the project’s scope makes re-roofing a practical choice. Some types of roofing are better suited to your house than others. Here’s all you need to know about the different types of roofing available.

Your Bryn Mawr’s Home New Roof

If your remodeling project involves adding on, you’ll need to put on one or more new roofs that tie into the old one. That can be a tricky proposition, with potential leaks happening where the connection between the two roofs is made. Sometimes the best solution is to replace the entire roof. Each style of roofing has its pros and cons, but they all can add a distinctive design element to your Bryn Mawr home. Our design team will help you choose the one that works best for your house’s architectural style.

Here’s a short list of what you want to look for in your new roof:

• How long will it last, and what warranty is offered?
• How will it hold up to extreme weather?
• Will the existing roof framing support it?
• Will the look complement your home’s architectural style?
• Does the roof have enough slope for the material selected?
• Do you want eco-friendly or recycled materials used?

Most Popular Roof Styles

From wood shake to the ever-popular asphalt shingle, the roofing material you choose has a major impact on the overall look of your home.

• Asphalt Shingles are economical and easy to install, come in a variety of colors, and can be reinforced with fiberglass or organic materials with no change in appearance. They work with a wide range of architectural styles, particularly traditional suburban homes. Quality can vary, and asphalt tends to have a shorter life span than other roofing materials.
• Clay and Concrete Tiles are extremely durable and add a beautiful texture and sophistication to the roof. Long-lasting and non-combustible, both types of tiles are heavy, so your framing must be able to support them, or you can reinforce the framing.
• Metal Roofing is perfect for resisting extreme weather conditions. Available in panels or shingles, metal roofs are made of copper, aluminum, steel, or zinc. Long-lasting and recyclable, homeowners concerned about water conservation love them for their rainwater harvesting properties. They come in a variety of colors, and look great on contemporary, farmhouse, and cottage-style homes.
• Slate is very durable and fire-resistant, but very heavy. A sustainable, recyclable roof, it offers an elegant appearance that can last for a century. Color choices include varying shades of black, gray, green, purple, and red. Many older homes, especially in the Northeast, are protected by slate roofs. They work well on French Chateau and Colonial style homes. There are new faux-slate products that have the look of real slate but are lower in cost and use recyclable materials.
• Wood Shingles and Shake have been the go-to roofing choice for homeowners who love how they weather to a beautiful shade of gray. A natural wood product, they’re also available with a fire-resistant coating. They complement Craftsman, Tudor-style, cottage, and bungalow style homes.

Synthetic Roofing Materials

Recent innovations include rubber, plastic, and polymer roofing that gives your roof the color, look, and texture of natural materials. Designed for strength and easy maintenance, synthetic roofs come in a variety of colors and work with a wide variety of architectural styles. At Cottage Industries, we’ve installed several fiberglass roofs, which we love for their sturdiness. They also act as a very durable deck surface – you can put your outdoor furniture right on top of them, or cover them with wood decking.

The Importance of Gutters

Rain and snow can wreak havoc on your Bryn Mawr home if they’re not controlled by properly installed and maintained rain gutters. The importance of gutters can’t be overstated – every house should have them, particularly here in the Philadelphia area, where a condition known as ice dam is a common occurrence. Ice dams occur on sloping roofs in cold climates when accumulated snow melts and flows down under the upper blanket of snow until it reaches below freezing air temps, typically at the eaves. We always recommend installing ice and water shield under your new roof at the lower ⅓ of the roof.

Your roof is an asset that contributes to your home’s value, energy efficiency, structural integrity, and appearance. Contact us today – we’d love to hear and answer your questions about roofing choices. We also invite you to download our free guide, 10 Questions to Ask When Hiring a Remodeling Contractor.