A roof is a home’s first line of defense from the elements. In New Orleans, the elements can be pretty fierce: punishing heat, freakish thunderstorms, hurricanes and more. So what should homeowners do when maintaining their roof or installing a new one?
Experts agree that roofs should be inspected after every named storm passes through the area. If you have not had your roof inspected since Hurricane Francine made landfall west of New Orleans in September, have a professional check out your roof. Steve Thompson, owner of All Ways Roofing, added that any asphalt/shingle roof should also be examined after any significant hailstorm.
Asphalt/shingle roofs remain the most popular kind of roof, but Thompson said he is seeing a shift away from that in recent years.
“Most people have an asphalt/shingle roof because traditionally they have been the cheapest,” Thompson said. “But I don’t think it provides the same value now as it did in the past.”
However, Thompson said asphalt/shingle roofs have doubled in price since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. He added that the prices are expected to double again within the next five years. Alternative roofing materials like metal or slate will cost more at the front end, but Thompson said they will save homeowners money in the long run. With climate change causing stronger and more frequent storms, they also provide a more durable option than asphalt/shingles.
Thompson said a steel roof will cost approximately three times what an asphalt/shingle roof will cost, and a roof with aluminum shingles will cost double what an asphalt/shingle roof will cost. He said a steel roof should last about 60 years, and an aluminum one should last about 80.
Are there downsides, aside from the upfront costs? Thompson said homeowners will hear the rain more with a steel roof. He said aluminum roofs with Permalock shingles will not be as loud. A homeowner may also need to buy a cell phone or Wi-Fi antenna for the house if they have trouble with cell phone or Wi-Fi reception.
But one plus for aluminum roofs is they will not get as hot in the summer, which will reduce homeowners’ utility bills. Thompson said the principle is the same as to why a soda can will not be hot to the touch even in the summer (while a car’s exterior will be).
Slate is another option. However, it is even more expensive than steel or aluminum. But Thompson said slate roofs can last as long as 100 years. He also said he has a slate roof on his house, and it survived the December 2022 tornado that passed through parts of the city. The tornado was close enough to Thompson’s home that it split a neighbor’s shed in half.
Brad Miller, owner and operator of Neighborhood Home Buyers, said there are also quality fortified options for asphalt/shingle roofs. He recommended the ZIP system. But he also echoed Thompson’s support of metal roofs.
“The only way a metal roof is coming off in a storm is if the whole house goes with it,” Miller said. He said the best asphalt/shingle roofs are built to withstand 160-180-mile-per-hour winds, but a metal roof will withstand 250-300-mile-per-hour winds.
Miller also said there are government subsidies available for people who choose to fortify their roofs. Insurance companies are also likely to reduce a homeowner’s insurance if they have a fortified roof.
“Homeowners should not be scared to get a quote on a fortified roof,” Miller said.
However, Miller also emphasized the importance of the foundation. He said even the highest quality shingles will rip off in a storm if the foundation was done poorly. The sheeting should be replaced every time a roof is replaced.
“A roof may look pretty, but if the foundation was not done properly, it will not hold up,” Miller said.
