5 Roofing Facts You Didn’t Know (But Should!)

I bet there are roofing facts you didn’t know!

When it comes to your home, you may know a thing or two about things in, on, and around your house. Super simple, isn’t it? 100% However, for one of the important parts of your house, there is more than meets the eye: Your Roof!

Your roof is generally out of sight and out of mind, but believe it or not, roofs are known for taking on more roles than you might expect! If you thought that same and figured your roofs are meant for much more than covering the top of your house, you’re in luck. Today, we will discuss 7 insightful roof facts that will blow your mind! Let’s go!

Roofing Facts – Why do they matter?

As mentioned before, your roof doesn’t garner a lot of attention in the first place, so why should you want to know what it’s capable of?

Well, if you consider the role it plays in supporting the structural integrity of your home as well as providing safe shelter from the elements, it should at least give you pause to consider its importance as a whole.

When it comes to your home’s roof, one of the worst things is to be uneducated, because you could be making a serious mistake or missing out on a great opportunity to take your home to the next level. Stay in the know and you’ll reap the rewards!

1. Roofs can have an environmentally beneficial design and roofing material.

Roofs have the capability of having an environmentally beneficial design that plays an important role in reflecting UV and Infrared rays that come from the sun away from the house. This is a solid cost-cutting measure for your energy bills but also contributes back to the environment by reducing air pollution like greenhouse gasses that come from built-up thermal radiation.

Learn more about new roofs here!

Asphalt shingles and Clay tiles…

One of the most popular roofing materials on the marketplace is asphalt shingles. Asphalt shingles as well as clay tiles to mention are environmentally smart roofing materials and perform the functions above, not allowing a house’s heat to be trapped, but circulated. After serving their terms, they can be repurposed via healthy environmental practices.

Shake roofs made up of just wood shingles and metal roofing both give your roof an environmental edge from a waste reduction standpoint.

Save money, save you a headache, and save the environment all at the same time!

We recommend asphalt shingles because most homeowners live in their home’s less than a shingles life expectancy!

2. Roofs have a ventilation system.

It is true, roofs do need to get some fresh air as well! Most residential roofs have a critical ventilation system where airflow helps get rid of moist air and brings in dry air into the attic.

A roofing system without proper ventilation actually can wood, insulation, and walls. Wrong thing to take very little heed!

A new ridge vent, fascia/soffit replacement, and sometimes an entirely new roof is necessary if your roof is having ventilation issues.

3. Roof jobs are for professional roofing contractors, ONLY.

A roof is a complex system that requires extensive expertise and knowledge that only properly trained, certified roof cleaning companies and professional contractors have, that the average joes don’t!

Roof jobs come with an extraordinary inherent risk of bodily harm and even death given that you are working so high off the ground. There are quite a few misconceptions about DIY, and hey, while we all like saving money and time, roof work is one such project that you should leave to professionals.

>> Best Roofing Companies in Boise!

4. There are no flat roofs.

Flat roofs come in many different shapes and sizes depending on the structure of your home’s roof. Here are some examples:

• Thatched roofs – Roofs made out of dry vegetation like the straw that serves as a water barrier like normal roofs we see on our homes.
• Slanted or hipped roofs – Roofs where all sides slope downward to the walls.
• Highly pitched roofs – Very common in residential buildings, tall, steep downward slopes downward to the walls from one vertex.

While variety may vary, each serves its purpose! (Learn about a hip roof vs gable roof here!)

5. A Faulty roof can severely damage resale.

A faulty roof is a roof that doesn’t measure up to strict structural standards and building codes from a commercial and residential perspective. Damaged shingles, leaks, and more can for sure warrant the need for a roof replacement over time. Talk about making a bad impression!

Bad roofs affect resale because they take away value from your home’s curb appeal and they render your home useless with flimsy structural integrity. Your roof has equally important components in its system that must be meeting strict structural standards based on your location, HOA, codes, etc. Very important!

Bonus: Current events -Why is there a roofing shortage?

Since the dawn of Covid, there has been a supply shock in select roofing materials due to supply chain issues, especially among asphalt shingles, driving the cost up combined with inflation.

Plus, persistent labor shortages have plagued the construction industry, leaving high demand and less supply of labor to fulfill it. Sticky situation with no end in sight at the moment, but companies have been working on the ground to establish a new normal coming out of the pandemic.

Roofing facts – What’s the Verdict?

Your roof is versatile, blesses you with less work and more benefits if maintained right, and is the protector of your home’s structure. In short, they are important and deserve your curiosity and attention in seeking out how they work.

You may not see or even think about it, but your roof is winning for you in the dark!