Once you’ve come to the decision to invest in a new roof (and here’s how to tell if you need one), you need to select what type of roof it will be.

Read a primer on the different types of roofs to choose from.

A roof is part of the overall exterior design of your home, so consider the look of your roof as carefully as you would consider how new flooring coordinates with your furniture and wall color.

The neighborhood and the town where you live is like a 3D catalog. Look for other houses that have roof and siding colors similar to what you’re considering, and take pictures to create your own portfolio. Also look for roofs with a similar pitch as yours, because this affects how much of the roof can be seen from the street and how you see the color.

Watch how sunlight travels across your home during the course of a day. For instance, a light grey asphalt shingle may look wonderful at dusk, but will it be too bright for your siding color (or the neighbor’s eyes!) when full afternoon sun is on it? Colors change with the intensity of light, and you want to be sure you will like the way it looks at all times of day.

Roofing material is shown to you as samples, just like wallpaper or paint colors. Be sure to view a full-sized shingle, not just a small swatch. Take this sample shingle outside to see how it looks in the light around your home. Selecting new shingles is much like deciding on a new paint color – to get an accurate picture you need to see it in your home rather than in a store under fluorescent lights.

Along with water management, a roof is a key component of the exterior design of your home. To make wise choices about materials and design, you can work with a Mosby Home Consultant who is deeply experienced in finding the perfect roof for your home. The Mosby team also includes certified roofing installers, so all your roofing needs are handled by one knowledgeable company.

From selection to certified installation, Mosby knows roofs and will help you do it right the first time. Call the Mosby office at 314.909.1800 or contact them here.

Waiting till your roof leaks is not the best time to replace it, because then it’s an emergency and rarely will someone be able to help you fast enough. Plus, it’s difficult to get a quality job done on such short notice.

So how do you get a jump on avoiding a messy situation and replace a roof while you have time to do it right? First, take some time to inspect the exterior of your home, and here are some things to look for to help you determine if it’s time:

It May Be Time For a New Roof If You See…

• Cracked or curling shingles

• Bald spots on asphalt shingles

• Excessive amounts of asphalt granules in the gutters

• Black or rust-colored streaks running down the roof

• Vegetation growing on the roof

Because of dramatic weather conditions in the Metropolitan St. Louis area (including hail, high winds and intense heat), asphalt or fiberglass shingle roofs typically last 12-15 years, while architectural shingle roofs can go 17-20 years. Even when the manufacturer lists a long lifespan, the Midwestern climate tends to tip shingles toward the shorter end of the scale.

Improperly vented attics can also shorten the useful life of a roof.  If you’re coming up on the tail end of lifespan or see compromised conditions too early, it’s a good idea to have your roof inspected.

Some municipal codes allow for 2 layers of shingles on a roof, but it is never a good idea to lay new shingles over old ones. Completely removing old shingles is the perfect opportunity to inspect and/or repair the roof underdecking and flashing, and you don’t want to simply cover up existing problems that will eventually compromise the integrity of the new shingles.

When in doubt about the condition of your roof, err on the side of caution and have it inspected. The Home Consultants at Mosby Building Arts are deeply experienced and trained in analyzing roofing conditions (including flashing and gutters), and will recommend which is preferable – repair or replacement. And the Mosby construction team is trained and certified in roofing installation so you will have peace of mind that it’s done right the first time.

For inspection of an existing roof, or the installation of a new roof, call the Mosby office at 314.909.1800 or contact them here.

Rain, ice, snow and condensation cause water problems that often show up inside your home. When you see interior water damage, the first thought turns to the roof – is it leaking? But the roof is only one part of a system designed to keep water from infiltrating your home.

The roof is really only the uppermost part of a water protection system that keeps you dry. These components work in tandem to repel or move water to the ground, and it only takes the failure of one of these parts to allow water inside your home. Meaning, your roof can be in perfect shape, but if the gutters are malfunctioning you will eventually see water leaks indoors.

Your home’s water protection system consists of:

● Roof – shingles are like hundreds of well-placed umbrellas atop your home, keeping you dry and directing water toward the gutters, and a roof is only as good as its flashing. Click to learn more about types of roofing materials.

● Flashing – at the intersection of planes and wherever opposing materials meet on your roof is where water will try to get in. Strips of rust-resistant metal are installed in these areas to move water toward the gutters. Flashing is also installed around window and door openings. When flashing is applied wrong (known as reverse flashing) it will actually direct water toward the interior of the home.

● Gutters & Downspouts – gutters collect water coming off the roof and direct it to the downspouts which move the water away from the home’s foundation. Improper installation, damage (like a falling tree limb), being undersized or clogging can cause gutter malfunction, which causes water to backup and damage roof underlayment, soffits and fascia. Downspouts can become clogged or if they deposit waste water too close to the home this water can eventually seep through the foundation and into the basement.

● Siding – siding gives your house its distinctive look while serving double duty to keep water out and move it to the ground. Notice that siding planks are angled down so that water drips off them. Brick and stone facades have built-in channels and weep holes that keep water from making contact with the inner structure of the home. Improper installation of or damage to siding allows water inside.

● Windows – sometimes when it rains, you shut a window to keep rain from coming in. But even a closed window can let water in if it has improper flashing, was installed incorrectly or has developed gaps in its caulking and seals. It is often the area around the window that fails, rather than the window itself.

All of these parts work together to keep you dry, and if one facet of the system fails you will have interior water infiltration. To insure continuous operation, it is a sound idea to update several parts of the system at the same time, when the time comes. For instance, if you’re installing a new roof, take this opportunity to get new gutters and downspouts at the same time.

And remember that proper installation is the key to the best performance and lasting value of your weather protection system. The very best roof shingle that money can buy will fail if the flashing is installed wrong.

Mosby Building Arts specializes in detecting and correcting water problems. They understand the chain of command of water protection so can diagnose the cause and repair or install all the components required to keep you dry. For a water management consultation, call Mosby at 314.909.1800 or contact them here.

MP3: Scott Mosby Tip of the Week – 12

Each week on KMOX 1120 AM, The Home Improvement Answer Man Scott Mosby shares a timely tip that will improve your home and life.

Tune into the KMOX Home Improvement Show with Scott Mosby every Saturday from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. During that time, Scott answers your questions at 314.436.7900 or 1.800.925.1120.

Time for a new roof?

When is it time for a new roof? New gutters? More insulation? You may think of them as individual home improvements, but they are really one system, one protection, one comfort… or can be one nightmare.

Did you know that the roof is a system that not only keeps the inside dry by deflecting water away from your house but it should also allow your house to “breathe?” The roofing system is only as good as its weakest link, and if it has any flaws, water seems to find it.

When thinking of a roof, most people visualize roof shingles. The Roof System is made up of many parts, and the finished roofing material comes in many shapes, sizes, colors and materials. Other parts of the roofing system are:

• Flashing
• Soffit, Fascia & Gutters
• Attic Ventilation
• Air Infiltration
• Insulation

Each component works together to protect your home… or not.

TYPES OF ROOFING MATERIALS

Asphalt Shingles Also known as composition shingles. Wide variety of styles, colors and textures an affordable price. Installation adapts to most roof configurations. Low maintenance. Can last 12-30 years, with shorter life expectancy in Greater St. Louis due to extreme weather conditions, and poor – or no – roof system design.

Wood Shake Has a natural look with lots of character and helps insulate the attic. Durability depends on proper installation (which can be complicated) and quality of wood used. Requires constant maintenance.

Slate Made of sliver-like rock. Colors are limited to those found in nature, but can be laid in a variety of patterns. Very expensive, but can last 100 years, is resistant to rot, insects and fire. It is a very heavy and fragile material so can complicate accessing the roof.

Clay Tile Natural clay is resilient and withstands harsh weather. Lends historic charm to a home. Costly, but can last up to 50 years, is extremely durable and easy to maintain. Installation and repairs of this heavy and fragile material can be tricky.

Metal Choices include steel, aluminum or copper, in a wide variety of styles and appearances. Reflects heat from the sun and good in high wind and wet areas. Costs more than asphalt shingles but can last up to 50 years with very little maintenance.

A ROOF IS ONLY AS GOOD AS ITS FLASHING

It takes more than a roof to keep the water out. At the intersection of planes and wherever opposing materials meet is where water will try to get in. Strips of a rust-resistant metal are formed into these areas to move water away from the roof. When flashing is applied the wrong way, it will actually help water invade the interior of your home.

Mosby Home Consultants keep a file of photos of bad flashing they have seen while driving around Metropolitan St. Louis. Once you know what to look for, it’s easy to spot it from a moving car. It’s also cause for concern because bad flashing means water damage is in that homeowner’s future.

GUTTERS ARE PART OF THE ROOF SYSTEM

The duty of gutters is to move water away from your roof and onto the ground. Many foundation problems can be alleviated by diverting the water collected in the gutters away from the house.

At the roof level, gutter placement and maintenance is important. If the gutter is placed a little too high on the roof line, water and ice damming can damage the underlayment. If you allow the gutters to get clogged, the overflow water backs up, jumps the gutter trough and can rot both wood and aluminum soffit and fascia.

THE ATTIC IS THE INTERIOR OF YOUR ROOF

The flow and temperature of air in your attic has a direct impact on the performance and endurance of your roof. Improper ventilation causes the roof to overheat which then shortens the life span of roof shingles. When attic air flow is tampered with (by, for example, sealing intake vents) it reduces the effectiveness of your insulation.

A common problem we encounter during a Mosby Home Consultation is homeowners covering attic vents and air stacks in the winter to keep the attic warm, mistakenly believing a warm attic will keep the whole house warmer.

Covering the wind turbines, attic vents or any other air portal prevents moisture from escaping, which can cause wood rot, mold and other moisture-related problems. Improper attic ventilation will cause your HVAC system to work harder to heat or cool the house. The attic must maintain a delicate balance, and adequate air ventilation prevents condensation and moisture from accumulating.

Since the roof is one of the most important external elements of a house, it should not only be durable, but also have an aesthetic appeal. Schedule a Mosby Home Consultation for a full Roof System evaluation. Not only can we replace your roof, we can make sure the entire system is working correctly to give you maximum comfort and peace of mind.

Much like a postman delivering through rain, snow, sleet or hail, 5 Mosby employees worked through a snowstorm to become ventilation experts.

Today, Air Vent Inc. gave a ventilation education seminar, teaching the finer points on how to spot attic ventilation problems (wet insulation, rusty nails or blackened plywood in your attic means you’ve got a problem), and how to select the most effective solutions.

Our architectural designer, Eric, one of our project managers, Rich, and 3 of our carpenters (Justin, Walter & Steve) took 2 hours out of their packed schedules to learn the finer points of air intake and exhaustion.

Ventilation is not glamorous, but it’s a crucial function of a healthy home, and Mosby Building Arts now has 5 guys with extra nuggets of knowledge on how to diagnose ventilation problems and fix it right the first time.