The endless barrage of lockdowns over the last year have forced most people to spend much more time than usual at home. This has driven many to consider making alterations to their lifestyle and home, utilizing either D.I.Y. or professional contractors. Knowing which tasks you can undertake by yourself is a must, but so too is knowing what you should leave to the experts.

Of all the different spaces which make up a house, the rooftop is arguably the most underutilized. Although that doesn’t mean there aren’t additions which can make your life easier, or can reduce the environmental impact of your home. As a roofing company in Phoenix, we believe looking at the different kinds of rooftop installations and additions can guide you in making improvements to your home.

Here is a look at what you need to know about rooftop additions.

A Good Foundation

As with any structure, the longevity and efficacy is determined by its foundation. When it comes to rooftop additions, the foundation of course is the rooftop itself. Before looking at making any additions to your rooftop, you should ensure your roof doesn’t require any repairs or a replacement first.

Signs Your Roof Needs Repairing

If you notice any of these following signs, we recommend getting in touch with a local roofing company to sort them out.

  • Past it’s expected lifetime – most rooftops have an expected lifetime, if yours exceeds it’s expected lifetime it may be time for a replacement.
  • Missing, broken, or torn shingles – dealing with these as soon as possible can limit water damage to the interior of your home.
  • Corrosion in roof valleys – roof valleys are prone to buildups of leaves which can cause rust over time, dealing with this sooner will help you avoid an expensive replacement.
  • Mold or moss growing on roof – shingles are particularly prone to moss, and it can act like a sponge holding on to rainwater and causing water damage to the sheathing below.
  • Ceiling stains or other signs of leak or water damage – these can not only damage the structure of your home, but potentially cause illness.

If you’re lucky enough to share the same state as us, then contact our roofing company in Phoenix to see how we can help with any repairs.

Typical Rooftop Additions

While there are those rooftop additions which everyone will recognize the value of, there are some which need some explaining.

Satellite

If you’re one of 31 million Americans who likes to watch satellite TV, then you will need to look at installing a satellite dish on your roof. Thankfully, both major providers of satellite TV in the USA (Dish and DirecTV) offer to professionally install their respective satellites for you.

Solar Panels

The importance of utilizing green energy sources is globally apparent nowadays, as we begin to see climate change affecting the very ground we’ve built on. A quick and easy way to start reducing your reliance on grid power is by installing one or more solar panels on your roof. These have also become incredibly popular in off-grid homes and those homes in areas where power is more expensive due to location.

Recent years have also seen solar roof tiles becoming available, which can allow you to gain the benefits of solar without losing roof space. Although as they are still in their early stages of development they are an expensive option when compared with standard panels.

Depending on the solar setup you’re installing, and whether you have experience on rooftops, you may be able to install panels yourself. Although if you have any concerns that you may not be able to do so to the highest possible quality, get in touch with a local roofing company for assistance.

Rooftop Garden

Only really possible on flat roofs, a rooftop garden can give you all the joy of being in nature in the comfort of your own roof. These are especially popular in cities where most people live in apartment blocks, and one can imagine that they may become commonplace soon enough. Unlike the other installations, a rooftop garden can be D.I.Y’d relatively easily, although you may need to speak with landscapers or gardeners to plan it effectively.

Seek Professional Help – Roofing Company in Phoenix

Working on your roof without the right tools or expertise can not only damage the rooftop materials and structure, it can also be dangerous as there is a risk of falling. While we believe in empowering people to exercise their D.I.Y abilities, there are some jobs best left to the pros. Contact us today to speak with our team of roofers at our roofing company in Phoenix to see how we can help you make your roof the crowning glory to your home.