Whether you’re building a brand new roof or planning to repair or replace an existing one, performance should always factor into your decisions. This is especially true when you’re working on a commercial property where visual appeal is less of a factor. Knowing what affects your roof’s performance helps keep you and roofing contractors on the same page and ensures your roof will be at its optimal condition.
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Design – It may sound contradictory, considering that it only accounts for less than 10% of the roofing cost, but design is the most important factor that can affect your roof’s long-term performance. Design includes specifications and requirements, both essential to choosing the right contractor, materials, and warranties.
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Materials – Choosing material that fits your specifications can be difficult with today’s numerous choices. It’s important not to be swayed by any single aspect—whether it’s the cost, the “perks,” or some new feature you’re unfamiliar with—otherwise you may compromise the roof’s performance. It’s better to stick with materials that adhere to your requirements. Remember, this is a decision you will have to live with for a few decades.
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Installation – Even the best materials and roofing systems fail if not installed properly. An effective way to prevent poor roofing installation is hiring manufacturer-certified roofing contractors, like ourselves. Major roofing manufacturers like GAF have a roster of contractors certified for residential and commercial projects you can search on their websites.
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Inspection – While this can be included as part of the installation process, it’s worth mentioning that a post-installation inspection should be separate. It’s a critical part many property owners tend to neglect. Speaking for ourselves, we conduct a thorough inspection with the property owner and a manufacturer quality inspector as applicable. While most of our roofing installations are covered by workmanship warranties, a solid roof is preferable over having to deal with the disruptions caused by installation errors.
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Maintenance and Warranty – We often recommend being more proactive with roof maintenance. Just because the roof is covered by a warranty doesn’t mean it won’t need maintenance. In fact, some roofing system warranties specifically state that non-maintenance can void the warranty. It helps to read through the warranty terms and conditions and to ask roofers any questions before signing the agreement. Pay attention to the section indicating exclusions; others include unauthorized repairs or modifications, ponding water, or failure to notify the roofing contractor about discovering leaks.
Peak Roofing Contractors, Inc. serves Manassas, VA and nearby areas in Northern Virginia. To know more about our roofing services, call us today at (703) 745-5153 or fill out our contact form for your free, no-pressure written estimate.
