Only a few things in life compare to the excitement of building a new home. You get to turn your dream house vision into reality by choosing the style of your home, its layout and home decor. Of course, the roof is a vital part of the home design process, which is where the Roofing Annex comes in. We’ve put together this new home construction roofing guide to walk you through your residential roofing options.
I. Define Your Budget
Your construction budget will dictate how much you can allocate to the cost of your roof. It will also guide you in other roofing decisions you have to make in terms of appearance, roof style and roofing materials.
Some major factors that affect the cost of a new home roof are: roof size; the shape of the roof; the number of elements, such as chimneys, skylights, valleys, turrets, etc.; ventilation; and material selection. Once you have established your new home construction budget, the Roofing Annex can provide you with a cost comparison of your various choices.
II. Choose Your House Roof Style
When it comes to the look of your roof, you have an abundance of choices. The first step is to decide on a type of roof. Popular styles of roof include gable (variations include cross gable, saltbox and mansard), flat roof, gambrel, shed roof, Dutch colonial and hip roof.
The next step is deciding on the slope of the roof or its pitch. This is an important decision because the roof slope affects the amount of space inside your home, how water drains off your roof, roof maintenance requirements and roof life. Among the options for the pitch of a roof are low slope, steep slope, conventional slope and flat roof.
Depending on the roof style selected, decisions also may need to be made on other parts of the roof, such as cornice finishes, gutters and downspouts, and architectural elements. Then there are color choices to make, such as a light or dark color roof depending on your climate. Of course, you can always rely on the Roofing Annex to help with technical matters, like the appropriate insulation methods, the best roofing cover material, energy efficiency roofing options, etc.
III. Determine Roof Type Suitability
Not all roof types are suitable for homes due to their surroundings or locations. Local building restrictions also come into play. In addition, if your new home is being built in a subdivision, there may be roofing restrictions outlined under the Homeowners Association’s rules and regulations or covenants and restrictions.
When choosing a roof, consideration also needs to be given to climate. Not all roofing materials perform well in extreme temperature climates or extreme seasonal temperature changes. The Roofing Annex can assist you with matching roofing materials to your climate.
IV. Factor In Longevity
Like your new home, a roof is a big investment, so longevity becomes a key factor in your decision-making. If you’re building a starter home and plan to sell in 10 years, then you might want to save money and not invest in a roof with a long lifespan rating. On the other hand, if you plan to live in your new home for the rest of your life, then you’ll want to choose roofing shingles that last between 30 to 50 years. The Roofing Annex can present you with the array of roofing choices available and their lifespan, and also review warranty information that works hand-in-hand with the longevity of a roof.
V. Choose Your Roofing Material
When choosing a roofing system, let your personal style and preference be your guide. From there, you can narrow down your choices according to your construction budget, climate, longevity preference and any building restrictions or requirements.
Among your many roofing options are: asphalt shingles, cedar shakes and shingles, slate roofing, roof tiles, metal roofing and synthetic roofing. You also have green roof choices, such as a cool roof or solar roof.
The Roofing Annex As Your Resource
The Roofing Annex considers it a privilege to help homeowners with their new home construction. We’re here for you whenever you need advice, information, or guidance. In addition to new roof installation, the Roofing Annex also offers additional residential services, including exterior siding installation, windows and door installation, and installation of gutters and downspouts. Before beginning your new home construction, contact the Roofing Annex for the best in quality, expertise and price.
