Sacramento – Roofing

Roofing in Sacramento: An Introduction

Sacramento homeowners who are reroofing their homes should put energy efficiency first when it comes to making roofing decisions.

When it comes to roofing, Sacramento homeowners need to keep our scorching summers top-of-mind. The Sacramento metropolitan area has so much going for it: the hustle of Midtown, the oasis of Pocket, the leafy streets of Land Park and (mostly) affordable housing. We even have great weather…in winter, spring and fall. On the other hand, if we have a disadvantage, it may be our summers, when the temperature often hovers around (or above) 100 degrees. Whether you need a roof repair or a complete reroof, summer should drive your decisions. Here’s what you need to know:

Taking the heat into account

One of the best things a new roof can do is increase the energy efficiency of your home. According to Energy.gov, a cool roof can help a home stay nearly 50 degrees cooler than a traditional roof. More, additions such as a whole-house fan can cool your home while using far less energy than an air conditioner. Be sure to discuss energy efficiency alternatives with your roofer—if they have experience roofing in the Sacramento area, they’re sure to have helpful suggestions.

To shingle or not to shingle?

Is it time to reroof? Whether you have a pitched or flat roof, you have choices to make when it comes to roofing materials. Keeping the heat top-of-mind when selecting these materials will help you in the long run. For example, if you have a flat roof, traditional tar and gravel may have the lowest upfront costs. However, the insulating powers of a foam roof might save you money over time. Asphalt shingles are perhaps the most commonly found roof material for pitched roofs. But not all shingles are created equal—to keep your house cool, look for shingles that have been rated by Energy Star to be more energy efficient.

Don’t forget about solar

Adding solar panels to your home can be a terrific investment for Sacramento homeowners, as we have 269 sunny days per year on average! If you’re not ready to go solar now, plan ahead. If you’re doing an entire reroof, talk to your roofer about how to put a solar-ready roof in place. Even if you’re simply repairing a leak, while your roofer is up there, they can get a sense of what you’ll need to do when you are ready to invest in solar.

Find a Sacramento roofer

The guidelines for choosing a reliable roofing company are similar to that of choosing any contractor for your home (see Joy Lanzaro’s article on how to choose a reputable contractor). These guidelines include obtaining multiple bids, checking licenses, reading reviews and talking to references. In addition, make sure your roofer understands Sacramento’s climate, has experience roofing in Sacramento and has concrete suggestions about how to construct an energy-efficient roof.

When it’s time to replace your roof, you’ll have many choices to make. As a Sacramento home or business owner, keeping energy efficiency top-of-mind will not only save you money in the long run, it just might help you keep your cool.

Sacramento Architecture and Roofing

Is it time for a reroof? Don’t forget design! The choices you make around roof replacement will be determined to a large extent by the architectural style of your home. In turn, your type of home may be determined by where your home is located in Sacramento and when the area was developed. Below, we look at some of the housing stock in and around Sacramento and discuss the details of roofing in these particular neighborhoods.

East Sacramento

Developed from 1910 to the 1940s, East Sacramento boasts an abundance of Craftsman, Tudor, Spanish and Mediterranean-style homes. The roofs on these homes vary greatly. Craftsman homes tend to feature low-pitched gabled roofs, which are perfect for homes in Sacramento that are unlikely to accumulate snow or debris. The roofs of Tudor homes often have an extremely steep pitch as well as side gables, so if you own a Tudor home, be sure to find a roofer who’s experienced with steep slopes. Terracotta roofing tiles are a defining characteristic of California’s Spanish-style homes. These striking red tiles can add extra beauty and energy efficiency to your roof, but they’re a little more complicated to install. Again, look for a Sacramento roofer who has particular experience with Spanish-style roofs.

The one unifying feature of most Eastern Sacramento homes (and their roofs) is age. While the original roofs may have been state-of-the-art at the time, they didn’t have the insulation or fire protection we expect from roofs today. Moreover, roofs only last about 30 years. As a result, most of these homes are on their third or fourth roof. As you embark on your reroofing project, you can expect that your roofer may have to correct mistakes or make upgrades to the work of his or her predecessors.

Land Park, Curtis Park, Tahoe Park

Most Land Park homes were built in the 1940s. As with East Sacramento, you’ll find a heterogeneous mix of craftsman bungalows, Spanish-style homes and Tudor cottages. As the younger siblings of homes built in East Sacramento, their roofs will have similar issues.

In addition, the 1940s witnessed the introduction of the first modern-style homes. As a result, in Land Park, Curtis Park and Tahoe Park, you’ll also find examples of homes with very low-slope roofs. The advantage of low-slope and flat roofs is that reroofs can be much less expensive than reroofs with traditionally steep eaves. But be careful: traditional tar and gravel may be cost-efficient in the short term, but the energy loss over time may not be worth it. Consider investing in extra insulation and/or foam roofing.

South Land Park Hills

A bastion of mid-century modern homes, South Land Park Hills features more than 60 Eichler homes, many more Streng homes, and even more similar homes built between the 1950s and 1970s. Owners of these mid-century gems love the open and airy feel created by large windows and high ceilings. Unfortunately, most don’t love the enormous energy loss produced by a lack of insulation. One excellent option to mitigate energy loss is spray foam roofing, which is comprised of a thick membrane that’s sprayed onto a roofing structure. It has excellent insulating qualities, it’s considered Green technology and it’s affordable. Be aware, however, that unlike other kinds of roofing, spray foam can only be applied under particular weather conditions. In addition, the application of spray foam roofing is specialized, so you’ll probably need to find a Sacramento roofer who focuses entirely (or mostly) on spray foam roofing.

Pocket

Built between the late 1970s and the early 1990s, some of these younger homes are just arriving at their first reroof. Now is the time to consider what technological innovations can be put into place to make your roof more efficient. Maybe your skylights have begun to leak or those cathedral ceilings are an energy drain. Or, maybe it’s time to consider adding solar panels or even a Green roof!

This is also a time to modernize the aesthetic appeal of your roof. The roofs of homes built in the 1980s leaned toward a faux-traditional style featuring gables, arches and other decoration. Now is the time to simplify and minimize certain dated décor—not only can it make your home look more contemporary, it may even make future reroofs easier and less expensive.

Do I Need a New Roof?

While Sacramento homes don’t experience the weather extremes found in much of the country, Sacramento roofs still need to hold up well in punishing heat, heavy rain and even the occasional snow flurry. If you’re concerned about the performance of your roof, it may be time to replace it. Here are five warning signs that you need a new roof.

1. Your roof is more than 20 years old.

The lifespan of a roof depends on the roofing material. If you have your original paperwork, you can check to see how long your roof should last and even if it’s still under warranty. If you don’t know when the last reroof was performed, you should know that, in general, roofs last 20 to 30 years. If your roof is more than 20 years old and you notice any of the signs below, you probably need a new roof. If you know the lifespan of your roof is coming to an end but you don’t see any warning signs, a professional roofer can help you determine how long you can expect your current roof to last.

2. Your roof has curling, cracked or missing shingles.

Curling shingles: The shingles on your roof should like flat. Age and other conditions can cause asphalt shingles to bend upward. Curling shingles indicate that a roof needs to be replaced.

Cracked shingles: Age and heat (especially after rain) can cause asphalt shingles to crack. If you only have one or two cracked shingles, you may be able to replace them without completely reroofing your home. On the other hand, if larger groups of shingles are cracked (and especially if they’re also curling), you’ll probably need a new roof.

Missing shingles: Occasionally, high winds and big storms can cause an otherwise stable roof to lose a shingle. As with cracked shingles, you may be able to replace lost shingles individually. If, however, you have multiple loose or lost shingles, a reroof may be in order.

3. Your roof has light and water leaks.

A sudden leak in your ceiling is a good indicator that your roof has been compromised (especially if you’ve ruled out plumbing issues). In the same vein, unexpected beams of light coming into your home should be a clear warning sign. Unfortunately, you may not see these unwelcome visitors until damage to your home has already been done. If you have concerns about your roof, take a flashlight up to the attic. Look for signs of water and light intrusion under the eaves and in corners. If you find an unexpected light or water leak, have a professional roofer evaluate the problem. Your roofer may be able to make interim repairs, but you should prepare for a reroof.

4. There are granules in your gutters.

Over time, asphalt shingles begin to lose the texturing applied to their surfaces. Individual granules may begin to appear in your gutters or around your yard. It’s normal for a new roof to lose some granules, and it’s equally normal for shingles to lose granules in a big storm. But if you notice these granules appearing regularly without some clear cause, it means your shingles are aging and you may need to reroof your home.

5. Your roof droops.

Does your roof look saggy? A drooping or buckling roof is a clear warning sign that you need a new roof. It’s time to call a professional roofer.

Do you think you need a new roof? Learn about your next steps: Roof Replacement 101.

4 Ways to Improve Your Roof

If you’re replacing your roof, it’s an ideal time to make additional roof-related upgrades. Here are four upgrades that can prolong the lifespan of your roof and increase your home’s energy efficiency.

1. Add attic insulation. Insulation makes a huge difference when it comes to home energy efficiency, acting as a barrier between the interior and exterior while helping to maintain indoor temperatures. Since most homes that are more than 10 years old don’t have proper insulation, it’s a good idea to have the insulation in your home evaluated and, if needed, upgraded.
2. Install a radiant barrier. If you’re replacing your shake roof with composition shingles, consider installing a radiant barrier (a thin aluminum layer that’s laminated to the sheathing beneath your roof’s shingles)—it can prevent up to 97 percent of radiant heat from entering your attic space.

3. Improve ventilation. Re-roofing also offers a great opportunity to bring your attic ventilation up to code. Adding ridge, soffit or gable venting, as well as installing one or more mechanical fans, will help keep your attic cooler and reduce moisture buildup.

4. Incorporate “cool roof” technology. Installing a roofing product that utilizes cool roof technology can reduce the surface temperature of your roof by as much as 60 degrees on a hot day. Available in asphalt shingles and clay/concrete tiles, cool roof products also save energy and, in many cases, qualify for federal tax credits.