Understanding the truth about your roof

By Emma Peterson. 

Join us as we bust seven common roofing myths – and explain how your roof really works. 

Whether you’ve heard the myth that metal roofs will sound like a drum solo in the rain to the idea that solar panels only work on sunny days, there are a lot of misconceptions out there about roofs. Here at AskARoofer, our goal is to cut through these myths and help home and business owners understand the truth about their roofs. In this article, we want to highlight some of the biggest myths we’ve heard – and share the actual truth of the issue.  

1 - Damage is always visible 

When it comes to roof repairs, many people assume that damage is always obvious. And in some cases, damage can be severe enough to be clearly visible. Maybe a tree fell on your roof or there's water dripping into a bucket inside the building. But there are also cases where roof damage is sneaky and invisible. For example, UV (sun) exposure can slowly break down roofing materials like asphalt. 

To catch these less obvious issues, it’s important to have roofing professionals come by for semi-regular inspections of your roof. By doing this proactively, you can catch issues early, long before they become more damaging, dangerous and expensive.  

2 - New roofing = no maintenance 

It’s not uncommon for home or business owners to assume that getting a new roof installed means that they have a two or three-year break before they’ll have to do roof maintenance. And while that new roof will perform better than the old one, it is still susceptible to damage and needs care in order to perform as best as possible. 

3 - Ventilation is a bonus feature, not a necessity  

Too often, ventilation is overlooked for its key role in keeping a roof system healthy. If your roof does not have enough ventilation, excessive moisture and heat will build up and age your roof from the inside out. And if you put too much ventilation in, you can compromise the weather-proofness of your roof.  This is true across climates and seasons.  

If you want your roof to last as long as possible, and perform to its best ability during that lifespan, balanced ventilation is a necessity.  

4 - DIY or professional, it doesn’t matter 

Roofs are expensive, and it can be tempting to try to find a cheaper option – like doing it yourself (DIYing). However, even just climbing on a roof without proper training and equipment is dangerous and sometimes deadly. Further, without the right roofing expertise and knowledge, DIYers can create larger, costlier issues down the road due to incorrect installation.  

Overall, what might seem like a quick, cheaper fix now often costs home and business owners more down the road. It’s not worth it to put yourself or your roof in danger. Hiring a certified professional is the way to go.  

5 - Lifetime warranties cover everything 

Roofs are a big investment and key to keeping both people and property safe, so having a warranty is great. But where many people misstep is when it comes to understanding what a warranty actually covers and how to avoid accidentally voiding it.  

For example, a lifetime warranty almost always comes with specific terms, conditions and limitations attached. A common problem owners encounter is the warranty being prorated, meaning that after a certain number of years, that warranty doesn’t cover everything; it covers a fraction of the roof’s original value. Another common one is exclusion of coverage or voiding of warranty if maintenance is not up to the warranty’s standards.  

Overall, warranties are valuable, but don’t take them at face value. When it says lifetime, it doesn’t mean forever. Make sure to read the fine print to make sure you understand what parts of your roof are covered and how to keep them covered.  

6 - The only value of metal roofing is functionality  

There are many metal roof myths out there, but they all center on the idea that metal roofing prioritizes durability and functionality over comfort and aesthetics. And while there are definitely metal roofs that do this, they’re usually on top of sheds or agricultural buildings. The metal roofing that gets used on homes and commercial spaces are far more advanced than what your grandpa might have had on his farm back in the day.  

Modern metal roofing can come in a variety of forms that emulate traditional roofing materials, whether that’s tile or shingles or something else! They are also always installed in combination with insulation and other structural layers (such as vapor barriers), which means rain doesn’t sound any louder on a metal roof than an asphalt one.  

So, yes, we often talk about the durability of metal roofing, because it truly is incredible (think 40-50 year lifespan), but that performance does not have to come with the sacrifice of aesthetics or comfort! 

7 - Solar panels are overrated and inaccessible 

There is a myth that solar panels are an expensive home renovation that only really benefits you if you live in an area that gets a lot of sunshine all year around. However, these are in fact myths. The truth is, solar is accessible and beneficial for households and buildings in all kinds of areas. 

Solar panels use photovoltaic technology, which takes light and transforms it into electricity. The key word here is light, something that is present even if the sun is hidden by clouds. So, while production is going to be at its peak on sunny, clear days, solar panels still work even if it’s overcast.  

And when it comes to cost, recent technological advances and federal rebates have made the upfront cost for solar energy far more accessible. Further, the energy savings that many households experience after installing solar often recovers that original, upfront cost.  

You can learn more about your roof by reading AskARoofer articles and/or listening to our podcasts!