What Is The Real Value Of A New Roof? 

When it comes to selling or buying a home one of the most crucial of all your home buying/selling points is going to be the roof, especially here in Florida. It is no secret that Florida is a beautiful paradise.

However, Florida has some very extreme weather which can wreak havoc on your home’s roof. For most home buyers in Florida the roof is going to be key for the final sale.

Cost Vs Value of a New Roof

When it comes to selling your home or if you are a buyer looking for a new home the roof is always going to play an important part. With severe thunderstorms, hurricane level winds, actual hurricanes, and even hail on rare occasions.

That type of severe weather can certainly take its toll on your home, especially the roof. If you are looking to sell your home soon there are several things that need to be taken into consideration as far as the cost vs value comparison of purchasing a new roof.

National averages that stipulate how long a roof should last will slightly differ here in Florida because of the severe weather. Keeping that in mind you must first look at the age of the roof as well as the material the roof is made from.

Then you must consider if there are any noticeable damages as well as if there are any leaks. If the issue is small and the roof is still in fairly good condition then it would be far more cost effective to simply repair that damaged area.

In the simplest terms possible, buyers are going to be more inclined to spend a little extra purchasing a home with a new roof. Especially investors that are wondering what the arv of a property is. Buyers will also be less likely to purchase a home with a roof that is damaged and needs repairs, or if it’s old and needs replaced.

A damaged or old roof won’t just reduce the overall value of your home but it can also cost you because buyers will be less likely to put in offers.

What Roofing Materials are Best for Florida’s Climate?

When dealing with the harsh Florida weather finding the perfect roofing material is going to make a huge difference. Especially for homes that fall within the High Velocity Hurricane Zones (HVHZ). These areas have strict building codes that will affect your future roofing project. Even if you don’t live within a HVHZ but you live close to one you will want to take hurricane weather very seriously when deciding on roofing materials.

Clay Tiles

Clay tiles are one of the most commonly used roofing materials in Florida especially along the coast. There are several reasons why they are so popular but the biggest reason is durability. They are incredibly resistant to wind and aren’t affected by salt spray.

Another amazing benefit to using clay tiles is their very long life span. Most clay tiles will have a warranty of around 25 to 35 years depending on their manufacturer. All in all they can last anywhere from 50 years and even up to 100 years when maintained regularly.

Because of the way that clay tiles are designed they are fairly easy to replace and maintain when one or more of them do become damaged from harsh weather or falling debris from trees and such.

The one real downside to clay tiles is that they are very heavy. You will need to make sure that your roof is rated to handle the weight of clay tiles.

Slate

Slate tiles are another very popular option in Florida and other coastal areas. They provide many of the same benefits that clay tiles do. They are incredibly durable and they last a very long time. As a matter of fact they last longer than even clay tiles do.

Most manufacturers will offer around a 50 year warranty on natural slate tile. It is fairly common for slate tiles to last up to around 100 years or more when properly maintained and repaired. Slate has also been known to hold up very well against hail with the least amount of damage from hail compared to other roofing materials.

The only real downside to slate tiles is that they are much heavier than clay tiles so it is important to make sure that your roof can handle the overall weight of slate tiles.

Metal

Even though metal roofing materials aren’t as common to see along the coast they are starting to pick up in popularity in a big way. Metal roofing is built to be incredibly durable and to withstand hurricane level winds. They actually make specific types that are rated to be used in HVHZ areas in Florida.

Unlike heavy slate or clay tiles this type of roofing material is also incredibly lightweight which helps to reduce the load that is placed on the home. Not to mention for coastal living there are different types of metals to choose from that are resistant to the salt in the water and air.

As far as the return on investment for a metal roof, these are considered to increase the value of a home not only because they are well built and sturdy but also because of their incredibly long life span. A potential buyer will love knowing that their new home comes with a roof that will last 50 years or even longer with little maintenance involved with its upkeep.

Here at R.E. Appraisal Associates of SWFL, Inc we care about your home buying and selling experience. If you need a Subject-To appraisal we can help. A Subject-To appraisal is an appraisal of what the value of the home will be after a renovation is completed prior to or during the renovation taking place.