Solar panels are being installed throughout the country at a rapid pace due to them reducing your carbon footprint as well as your electricity bills. If you have decided to install solar panels on your roof, you should stop and think can your roof handle the installation?
It is not uncommon for homeowners to get solar panels installed only to find out that their roof is not strong enough to handle the additional weight. You can’t replace a damaged roof while the solar panels are installed, which makes it essential to consult with a roofing services company such as Red Oak Exteriors before you start the installation process.
A roofing contractor will inspect the roof and tell you if your roof is in good enough condition for solar panel installation. A roofing contractor can help you out with the solar installation process in the following way:
Residential Roofing Services Will Tell You About The Remaining Life Of Your Roof
Solar panels are a long term investment and they can last for up to 30 years without needing replacement. Your roof, on the other hand, might not last that long. What this means is that if you install solar panels and the roof is not in good condition, you are going to have to remove the solar panels and install them all over again when you replace or repair the damaged roof.
So to avoid this problem, it is necessary to consult residential roofing services and get an estimate regarding the remaining life of your roof. Now the lifespan of your roof can be shorter or longer depending upon the type of materials that have been used to build it. The most commonly used roofing materials and their estimated life spans are as follows:
Tiled Roofs: Tiled roofs are usually made out of clay or cement and they are considered a relatively durable type of roofing material. Tiled roofs come in ceramic and non-ceramic variants and they are usually installed on the roof in an overlapping pattern.
A properly installed tile roof can last a very long time and some high quality tiled roofs can last up to 50 years. So if you have a tiled roof, then chances are roofing contractors in Colorado or any part of the country will give you the go-ahead for solar panel installation. If a leak or damaged area is found on the tiled roof, you will need to get it repaired before installing solar panels.
Asphalt Shingles: One of the most common types of roofing material found all over the US are asphalt shingles. This roofing material is less durable compared to titled roofs and has a shorter lifespan.
While most asphalt shingle manufacturers claim that these shingles can last for up to 30 years, they usually need to be replaced after 20 years.
So if you have asphalt shingles on your roof and they haven’t been replaced in a decade, or so then it might be a good idea to replace the roof before installing solar panels on it.
Metal Roofing: Metal roofing is another durable material. If you have a metal roof that has been well maintained, you might not have to redo total home roofing before installing solar panels. However, paint on metal roofing can fade or crack and it is a good idea to get it inspected.
Conclusion
The problem with guessing the estimated lifespan of your roofing material is that the original homeowners might not have had the roof done and sold it off.
This reason is why you can’t be sure how long certain roofing material has been facing the element. So it is always a good idea to have a professional roofing company inspect your roof’s condition to know if it can handle the solar panel installation or not.
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