new roof...


it's been a busy time around here... and not just because we have a new person in the house. the first week we were home with the new baby was also a week for terrible thunder storms. we had a very large storm one of the very first nights home. it was sort of scary. the lights went out, which made caring for a baby difficult. it was probably a blessing though, because i couldn't see the waterfall of water that was raining down from the upstairs hall and down into the kitchen. yes, waterfall. it was pouring down one whole side of the kitchen. my poor husband had to deal with trying to clean up that mess in the dark. then we had at least three more storms like it that same week... and more rain in our house. it was so bad that it flooded streets in the neighborhood, trapping motorists, downing trees, and literally washing away parts of the old sidewalk on our block. we were left with a lot of water damage and the decision it was finally time to get a new roof... despite the terrible timing family wise.

we had been looking into the idea of a metal roof for a while. we liked metal roofs for both environmental and aesthetic reasons. a metal roof is great for energy savings and it is placed over the existing roof so you are not contributing to the landfill. plus, it should last for fifty years. we also liked the way it looked. it is something different than what most people have in the neighborhood (although there are a few others) and it is common to find metal roofs on old farmhouses. our roof originally was wood shingles, a common roof in colonial times. they are good for circulating air and do not have an under layer. unfortunately, when our roof was replaced with modern asphalt shingles this was not altered and no venting was added. there was no where for heat to go, and the roof was literally baking in the sun. we were told unless this was fixed, we would need a new roof every ten years! a metal roof is great option for dealing with this (and wood shingles are not really a viable option any longer).

when we first looked into this a year ago the cost seemed prohibitive... even though it evens out over time because it does not have to be replaced as often as traditional roofs, we didn't think we could afford the upfront price. i guess it was lucky for us this time that we tend to drag our feet on these decisions because after it started raining in our house and we looked into again, the price had come down a lot. so, we decided to go for it. the roofers were available and ordered the roof quickly. it only took a few days (plus, a lot of noise and dog barking at the roofers!) and thankfully was done quickly. we decided to go with a painted metal in the color charcoal and are really happy with the results! the company we used has done many metal roofs in the serenbe community and one of there houses was featured on the front of cottage living (when it was still being published).




it is the home on the left, and our roof looks very similar but slightly lighter in color i think. you can probably tell in the top photo of our house that we have also started stripping the exterior paint, which is peeling badly in places. our next project is to strip and repaint the exterior. we will then begin replacing the windows with more historic looking multi-paned wood windows. we will add shutters also. we also plan to fix up and paint the front porch... replace the walk, redo the front yard (which is also in process!) and so, and so on. it's never ending, but i guess that is to be expected in an old house like this.  it feels good whenever we are able to accomplish something... even it leads to ten more projects that need to be done next!



22 comments:

DEK said...

Wow it looks great!! I am excited to see a big step toward the look you want!

Chantay Smithingell said...

I can only imagine your surprise when you saw that “waterfall” in your kitchen. Roof leaks are one of the major causes of roof damage, and I’m glad that you were able to fix the damage right away. And good decision on the metal roof. Apart from being cost-efficient, metal roofs are sturdy and are designed to withstand strong winds, even fire.

Allyson Duguay said...

Picking a metal roof for your house seemed to be a good choice. Not only they can withstand the harshest elements, metal roofs are known for its energy efficiency and versatility to any architecture. I'm looking forward to see further renovations in your home aside from setting up a new roof.

Gabrielle Jeromy said...

Heavy rains can really devastate your roof, especially if it’s old and worn-out. Good decision with your roof replacement. With your new roof, you have fewer worries on the rainy days, and you can avoid those “waterfalls” and leaks inside your house. Be sure to clean and properly maintain your roof to avoid roof issues in the future.

Unknown said...

It seems that all the leaks, the noise and the dog barks have paid off! Having a sturdy roof like the one you have will definitely prevent those nights when your husband needs to clean up those mess in the dark. Well, congratulations on having a new roof, and let’s hope there will be no more leaks in the future! :)

[Nelson Mcglaughlin]

Waterproofing Brooklyn said...

Metal roofing is soooo MUCH better then shingles made out of asphalt, they last nearly forever and offer protection that asphalt could honestly never. Nice choice

-Adam Ahmed

Brendan Gertner said...

Erratic weather conditions contribute heavily to the wear and tear of our roof, which is why we have to keep it clean, and have it regularly checked for maintenance in order to not experience any untimely inconvenience like sudden leaks. Plus, metal roofing is a wise choice. It can withstand even the harshest weather conditions and it can last longer than other kinds of roof. Congrats!

-Brendan Gertner

Waldemar Bureau said...

Residential metal roofing is one of the top choices for home improvement. The benefits offered by today’s metal roofs allow homeowners to upgrade their homes with products of lasting value. Metal roofing can also increase your home's value. Not only are metal roofs good for protecting your home from the elements of nature, but they also help insulate the home in winter and reflect heat in the summer, lowering heating and cooling costs.

Max Boughner said...

I’m also a fan of metal roofs. Their stability and sturdiness are very dependable, especially during stormy weathers. Just make sure to always inspect the new roof for any damages, no matter how small, every once in a while. Also, take time to make minor repairs if needed – patching or recoating of worn areas is advisable. These will help extend your roof’s life service.

Will Peartin said...

I strongly agree with Brendan and Max. Actually, with regular maintenance, your metal roof can last for 50+ years, seriously, it's been proven by most homeowners and roof industries. It weighs 0.45 pounds per square foot, if I'm not mistaken, so it's very lightweight.

Anonymous said...

I agree with Mr. Boughner. The thing about metal roofs is they aren’t susceptible to molds and moss growth, just like asphalt shingles, so you won’t have to worry about risky roof cleaning, although you must watch out for rust and corrosion. Protection from corrosion will involve periodic application of protective coats like liquid rubber coatings.

Ashlee Starns

Lue Madson said...

I remember when our town was caught in a hurricane when I was young. My neighbor’s roof flew out of their home and started flooding their house with water. We invited them to take shelter in our house, and that was also the time that my parents had decided to watch the roof. Lesson learned: Always watch out for signs of structural failure (loose shingles, cracks, and molds) on your roof.

Neil Hirsh said...

I'm sorry about that, Lue. That must have been hard for you and the rest of the townspeople. Maybe, your roof wasn't that strong to withstand the hurricane. Metal roofs, on the other hand, are highly resistant against strong winds, making them the perfect roof to have against hurricanes. Hence, they should be installed properly and by professional contractors.

Unknown said...

I agree with Ashlee. Your major concern with metal roofing is to stir it away from corrosion. Preventing corrosion would involve periodic application of protective coats. A newly installed metal roof is protected by an anti-corrosive coat, which was applied by the manufacturer, but it does wear off, so you will need to reapply a new one after a while. You could ask your manufacturer what coat they used, and try to get one at your local store.

Becky Steele

Merissa Blust said...

What they said about metal roofs were right, Cary. In addition, if you're lucky, there are companies that provide valuable long-term warranty. I suppose many of these warranties would also transfer to future owners of your home, and with it, the peace of mind and security it provides.

Adam Waterford said...

Good choice, Cary! Yesterday, we replaced our car garage’s roof with metal roofing. Since we park our cars in there, we thought that the best thing to protect it is by installing metal roof. What’s the classic and undying reason behind it? DURABILTY! =)

Unknown said...

I agree with Becky and Merissa. Though metal roofs are durable, they are not exempted from the wear and tear of time, especially when there are occurrences of harsh weather. So, keep an eye on the roof, and it would also be a good idea to have it covered with insurance just in case. Also, try to find roofers who could do the inspection for you, so that you may stay clear of walking on the roof.

Willie Norman

Son Lakhani said...

Metal roofs are not just great for your home, Cary, they are also great for the environment. :) The recycled content of the steel in a metal roof is between 50 - 56%, if I'm not mistaken, from production, to installation, to reuse - I suppose, they are far superior to asphalt.

Unknown said...

I will ask my friend the cost of roof repair in Perth because I am interested to fix my roof and have a metal roof installed. Is it available in other colors or it is just a silver color? White coat can save energy and reduce heat too according to the other articles that I’ve read about roof energy saving tips.

ryan james said...

Wow it looks great!!

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