Common Roofing Types Seen in San Diego Roof Inspections

San Diego Roof Inspections Reveal Varied Roof Types

There is a lot riding on your home’s roof, especially during the rainy spring season in San Diego or the extreme California heat of summer. Schedule your San Diego roof inspection to ensure your roof is not damaged and compromising the rest of your home’s integrity before foul weather hits. San Diego roof inspectors will be able to provide information pertaining to the costs of repairing a damaged roof, depending on the type of roof that you have. Among the many types of roofing found, they all share some common characteristics and distinct features that make one more pragmatic and easier to maintain than others:

Tile Roofing

Typically, when you have a tile roof, the tiles will last a lot longer than the underlayment. This underlayer needs to be replaced or re-felted every 20 years or so to ensure there is no water damage. When you re-felt a tile roof, the tiles are removed, the underlayer is replaced, and then the tiles are put back; this is the ideal time to repair any cracked, chipped, or damaged tiles, so talk to your contractor about roof repair in San Diego.

It is common to see clay and concrete tiles on California homes, as they bring an elegant touch and keep homes cool and comfortable. Tile roofs require professional roofing contractors due to the complexity of installation and the sheer weight of the materials. Furthermore, energy efficient concrete tiles last an average of 50 years so consider this initial installation cost an investment in your property’s future.

Asphalt Roofing

Asphalt-shingled roofs are arguably the most common type of residential roof found. This type of roofing is also called composition roofing and it is considered more durable than other roofs. It is easy to repair and replace asphalt shingles, but don’t expect your roof to last more than 20 years. Luckily for homeowners, asphalt is relatively cheap and widely found so costs are reasonable. However, you should know that asphalt doesn’t offer as much insulative quality as other, more expensive roofing systems do. In warmer inland San Diego areas, this could be an argument for skipping asphalt as a choice.

Wood Roofing

Wood shingled roofs were once very common, but not favored in regions prone to wildfire. Many local fire codes prohibit wood shingle roofing so they are disappearing. Wood and shake shingles are easy to replace, inexpensive to buy, and lauded for bringing a certain charm to curb appeal.

Metal Roofing

Metal roofing is modern and durable, withstanding extreme weather, temperatures, and elements. It is also becoming more common to use recycled metal roofing for residential projects. While the price is a bit higher, metal roofing does last longer than other roofing types, like asphalt.

Slate Roofing

Slate has a heftier price tag, but is still desirable among homeowners for its durability, sustainability, and beauty. You can choose slate colors that complement your home’s exterior, as well as expect your roof to last up to 100 years in many instances.

Synthetic Roofing

Synthetic roofing materials are growing in popularity as these roofs can mimic the looks of something classic, like tile or wood, yet are man-made from composition of materials. Some synthetic roofing comes with a warranty of 50 years, so talk to your roofing professional to learn more.

If you have an older property with a flat roof, it may be time to look at replacement costs. It is usually not possible to repair a flat roof, and our San Diego roof inspectors may be able to provide more information. Typically, a flat roof in the region consists of gravel over tar; wind and weather can degrade the gravel aggregate and make the roof vulnerable to the elements.

During your roof inspection, you may find out some things that compel you to replace your existing roof with something entirely new and cost-efficient. Before you leap into making a roofing decision, talk to a roofing contractor about the most practical approach for you to take. Some considerations might include the current structural integrity of your home and the weight of your roofing materials.

HomeGuard Roof Inspectors in the San Diego Area and Northern California

HomeGuard performs over 60,000 home, termite, and roof inspections each year. Realtors and homeowners trust in us to provide top quality inspection services with easy to read, detailed reports in a timely fashion. We pride ourselves on making the home inspection process easy, affordable, and reliable. Give us a call at 855-331-1900 or contact us on our website to discuss your inspection needs or order an inspection.