Orange County

So it’s time to replace the old roof on your home? Or maybe you’re doing a new build, but can’t decide what type of roof to put on your home.

With all the options on the market today - from metal to asphalt to clay and concrete tile - it can be difficult to pick a roofing material that will work best for you and your home. Luckily, a few steps can get you through much of the choosing process up front. Here are the steps you should take to eliminate some roofing materials right off the bat so that you can do your due diligence and choose the roof that will work best for your particular needs.

First, eliminate the impossible

The first thing you should do is eliminate any roofing types that are completely unsuitable for your home and the Southern California climate. On this second point, most types of roofing material can be made to suit the climate in SoCal. However, you’ll see cedar shake shingles less often here because the dry weather and sun exposure may weather them more quickly.

You should also look into the types of materials that your roof can support. Heavier materials, such as concrete and clay tiles, take a stronger supporting structure and underlayment than lighter options. While you can often retrofit a house to support these materials, this could add significantly to your costs. So ask your Orange County roofing contractor whether your current structure will support all types of materials, and you may be able to eliminate some options off the bat.

Hiring roofers in Orange County is a big deal for a homeowner. Getting your roof repaired or replaced can cost big money. And you want to be sure you’re spending your cash wisely and well. So before you sign a contract with a roofer, ask these 9 questions to be sure you’re hiring the right roofing company:

1. Are you licensed?Roofers in Orange County should be licensed by the state. A license doesn't guarantee excellent work, but working with an unlicensed contractor is sketchy, at best.

2. Are you a member of any roofing associations? Again, the fact that a roofing company is a member of a roofing association doesn't guarantee that they do good work. But those who are association members tend to be more up-to-date on the latest methods and products on the market. Association membership can prove that a roofing company is serious about its work.

3 Telltale Signs that Your Roof Needs Replaced

Has it been a while since the roof on your home has been replaced? Do you think it’s time to replace your shingle or tile roof in Orange County? Here are 3 signs to look for that will let you know if your roof needs to be replaced:

1. Signs of water damage or leaking

If you don’t have an attic - or if you use your attic as living space - this one will be obvious. You’ll suddenly feel a drip or see water coming down the ceiling or into the walls. But if your only in your attic twice a year to take down and then put away your holiday decorations, you might need to check out that attic.

The best roofers in Orange County know a thing or two about clay tile roofs. After all, they’re some of the most popular roofs around this area. They fit right in to the Spanish-inspired feel of many Orange County homes. But clay tile roofs can work well with many other home styles, too, and they have tons of advantages.

Getting ready to replace your tile roof, or thinking of a switch to tile from another type of roofing material? Here are some of the most frequently asked questions the best roofers in Orange County are asked regularly:

1. Isn’t tile expensive?

Yes and no.

The answer to this question is yes because, on the front end, tile roofs are more expensive than their asphalt counterparts. Typically, concrete tiles cost about three times more than high-quality asphalt shingles, and clay tiles cost a bit more than that. This type of roofing is much less expensive than the increasingly-popular slate, however.

You look up in the spring and notice that the shingles on your roof are looking a little curled-under or wavy. That’s not good! If your shingles look like that, or if you’re missing lots of clay tiles, it may be time to replace your roof.

This is a project no homeowner looks forward to. But tackling your roof replacement sooner rather than later may actually save you money. If you can replace the roofing material before the underlying plywood is damaged, you’ll save a ton!

The actual cost of replacing your roof will depend on a number of factors. And only a qualified contractor can tell you exactly how much your roof replacement project will cost. The best Orange County roofing company will be up front with a quote, and will detail exactly what goes into that final cost.

Most of the time, homeowners think of their home’s roof as nothing more than a utility. It’s just something that has to be replaced once in a while to be functional. But depending on your roofline, your roof could account for nearly half of what people see when they walk or drive past your home. That’s some serious real estate for the eyes, and you want to be sure that it looks great!

Luckily, adding curb appeal with a new roof isn’t that difficult, especially with all of the options on the market today. Here are a few ideas for updating your roof to create more curb appeal:

No homeowner likes to hear that they need a new roof. Roofs, after all, are expensive. So it can be tempting to skimp on roofing costs. A little here. A little there. What can it hurt?

So you use less expensive materials, or hire a contractor at a cut rate. What difference does that really make, in the long run? This is especially tempting if you’re not planning to stay in the home for more than a few years anyway. You’ll never see the return on investment for a more expensive roof, or so you think.

But when it comes to roofing, it’s one of the biggest and most important investments that you’ll make in your home. After all, a roof is what protects and covers the rest of your home, which makes it a pretty important part of the whole.