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When a roof is due for a rehabilitation project, the first thing most people think about is its surface. Of course, missing shingles, damaged flashing, and exposed gaps take top priority, but that doesn’t mean you should give other roof components the time of day. In this three-part series, we’ll be taking a look at how gutters, skylights, and insulation work and how each component contributes to your roof’s functionality. We’ll also be discussing considerations for each to ensure you make the most of these roof rehab projects.
PART 1: A GOOD GUTTER FOR A GOOD ROOF
Some people understand what gutters do but don’t consider them as part of the roof. However, a high-performing roof always has a good set of gutters by its side. Rain and snow may be blocked by the roof from entering a home but it’s the gutters that get to work directing water away from the property to keep it from becoming a threat. Unfortunately, gutters can get damaged or clogged, which affects their own performance. And when a gutter system is faulty, a number of problems can arise, like: • Water falling close to the home, affecting the property’s foundation • Water seeping into small gaps in the fascia or the eaves • Water flowing down the walls, sometimes finding their way into the basement causing flooding Not to mention that damaged gutters look unsightly!
With gutters affecting your roof’s form and function, it’s definitely a good candidate for improvement if you’re looking to rehab your roof. WHAT TO CONSIDER There will be different gutter options available to you but, generally, gutter troughs are usually 4 to 6 inches wide, while downspouts are available in rectangular profiles sized either 2x3 or 2x4 or circular pipes 3 to 4 inches in diameter. Take note that the bigger the dimensions of troughs are, the more runoff they can handle. And to make sure water flows through channels efficiently, gutter troughs must have a pitch of 1/2 inch for every 10 feet of horizontal run, as a rule of thumb.
PART 1: A GOOD GUTTER FOR A GOOD ROOF
Can’t decide between seamless and sectional gutters? Both have their pros and cons but seamless gutters have a leg up on the other gutter option in that it is less likely to leak because it has fewer seams. Sectional gutters, on the other hand, are easier to repair because fixes can be carried out in sections. Both will be available in different profiles so your choice will boil down to what will address your needs the most.
Like roofs, gutters will require routine cleaning and maintenance to ensure they keep working as they should. After your roof rehab, scheduling a gutter check as part of your roof maintenance will be a good idea. ooooo
How else can you give your roof new life? Add skylights. More on that in Part 2!
PART 2: ADDING SKYLIGHTS TO YOUR HOME
A roof rehab is one of the perfect opportunities to add skylights to your home. A good set of skylights will let in a lot of natural light, reducing your use of artificial lighting during the day. Get energy-efficient skylights and you further improve your home’s overall energy efficiency. Depending on the skylights you choose, you can take advantage of passive heating to aid in keeping you warm, a feature ideal for homes in colder areas. As a bonus, you can also get a good view of the sky without having to step outside.
CONSIDERATIONS A lot of the considerations you should keep in mind when choosing skylights is similar to what you would consider in windows, like: Orientation - Skylights facing south will receive a lot of sunlight while those oriented west will not be getting as much. As such, plan where you want your skylights to be facing depending on the amount of natural light and passive heating you’re looking to get. Multiple Panes - A double-paned skylight can provide up to 15% better thermal resistance than a single-paned one. This can easily add up to several hundred dollars worth of energy savings in the long run.
PART 2: ADDING SKYLIGHTS TO YOUR HOME
Low-E Coating - Depending on your area’s climate, the right type of lowemissivity, or low-E, coating can further improve your skylight’s energy efficiency. This usually costs extra, but the additional savings you get from using coated skylights means the product will pay for itself down the line. Low-conductivity Frames - Metal frames conduct a lot of heat fast so they’ll negatively affect your home’s energy efficiency by bringing in too much heat indoors. Avoid this by looking for skylights with insulated frames or those made of more energy-efficient materials.
NOT SURE IF YOU CAN COMMIT TO A SKYLIGHT? Consider a solar tube instead. It goes by many other names--tubular skylight, sun tube, light tube, etc--but a solar tube is essentially a metal tube that captures sunlight at your roof to deliver daylight into your home. It’s between 10 and 14 inches in diameter and can provide brightness equivalent to three 100-watt bulbs for the smallest size. ooooo
In the next part, you’ll get to know one more roofing rehab project: attic insulation. Stay tuned to find out more about getting good attic insulation!
PART 3: THE IMPORTANCE ATTIC INSULATION
Having insulation is standard practice, and for good reason; in most homes, it’s the most cost-effective way of ramping up your home’s energy efficiency, with proper insulation cutting down on heating and cooling costs by up to 40%. Insulation also helps reduce condensation indoors and prevent moisture-related problems such as mold growth, while improving the level of comfort in your home. Roof experts recommend upgrading your attic insulation when giving your roof a rehab. Most of the heat loss in your home occurs in the attic, which may seem like a good thing at first until you realize that it also causes cooled air to escape. Having a properly insulated attic keeps the cool, regulated air inside and reduces the load on your cooling appliances. ATTIC INSULATION OPTIONS Choosing the right kind of attic insulation greatly depends on your local climate. For instance, homes in areas with warm climates should have R-38 insulation, while those in areas with cold climates should have the thicker R-49 insulation.
PART 3: THE IMPORTANCE ATTIC INSULATION
Attic insulation is usually made of blown-in loose cellulose, which is basically recycled newspaper treated with boric acid, borax nitrate, or ammonium sulfate for fire and pest resistance. There’s also blown-in fiberglass, which offers better fire resistance at the cost of a little less thermal resistance. Alternatively, you can use fiberglass batts which are cheaper and easier to install since it doesn’t require the use of a blower. Regardless of the type of insulation and material used, it’s always best to hire professionals than to take the DIY approach. Attic insulation must be densely packed, and experienced professionals can guarantee that, ensuring that there won’t be any gaps that could compromise your attic insulation’s performance.
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Undertaking roofing rehab will let you breathe life back into one of the most important parts of your home. Should you wish to learn more about roofing projects, don’t hesitate to schedule a consultation with your local roofing expert.
Universal Roofing & Exteriors 5950 N. Keystone Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46220 (317) 376-1212 (317) 257-0779 www.universalrfg.com