When it comes to roof repair or the installation of roofing, siding, and sheet metal, consumers have a broad spectrum of service providers to choose from. In the US there are currently more than 50,000 enterprises conducting commercial and residential roofing repair, vinyl siding repair, and window replacement. Most homeowners have a tendency to view the exteriors of their homes as a single entity as opposed to a collection of individual segments. This is, of course, far from the case. A home’s exterior is more complex than meets the eye and consists of a wide variety of materials including glass, wood, stucco, vinyl siding, sheet metal, steel and more.

Fun Fact: In a recent homeowner survey, one-third of those participating expressed that the appearance of their homes were limited to certain color palettes mandated by their local government or homeowner’s association.

Roof Replacement
When deciding on purchasing a new roof, the overwhelming majority of surveyed homeowners (88%) said that their top priorities were durability and longevity. As many as 72% of homeowners indicated that they would contract a roofing company to install a roof consisting of materials that require little or no maintenance. Depending on its overall quality, a standard roof with shingles over asphalt has a lifetime of 12 to 20 years before needing to be replaced. In the US, the average shingled roof requires replacement after 17 years. Throughout its lifetime, roof repair will be needed periodically.

Metal roofing, on the other hand, has longevity two to three times that of asphalt shingles and will require significantly less roof repair. The recycled material used in the composition of a metal roof distinguishes it from shingled asphalt, with 56% of the steel being recycled. A premium product does come with a premium price tag as metal roofing tends to cost at least twice that of standard shingles. However, in the long run, consumers would be wise to consider that a metal roof will not only last longer but save them what would have been spent on roof repair.

Home Maintenance and ROI
Each year, the average homeowner spends approximately 1% to 4% of their home’s overall value on routine maintenance and various repairs. As the structure becomes older, these costs typically continue to rise. Roof repair cost is at the top of the list as it pertains to expense. Seamless gutter installation is vital in keeping maintenance costs to a minimum. Siding repair costs and window repair costs deserve to be taken into account as all home exteriors eventually require repair. As homes age, it often becomes crucial to install replacement windows. The average return on investment (ROI) for installing new windows is 78.6% which pales in comparison to ROI for other improvements. Take, for instance, the installation of a new steel front door, which according to HouseLogic’s “Cost vs. Value Report,” ranks at the top with a long-term return of 98%. Leaky repair and gutter replacement top the list of common fairly minor repairs, both of which can be handled by a roofer, roofing contractor or roofing companies. Siding for homes needing repair is a more costly replacement and will require the skills of professional siding contractors.