New Roof Installations for New Home Construction in Sydney
Things to Consider
Congratulations! You’ve spent your weekends making your way through each of the local suburbs, have finally found an area you’re happy to call home, and have secured a block of land to build your dream new home on. This is an exciting moment!
There are many major considerations you’ll now be faced with as you transform your block from an empty piece of land into a home. Working alongside your builder, you’ll be able to design your home just the way you’d like it to be and decide on building materials to bring your home to life. Not only do you need to consider elements such as how many bedrooms, how to design your living spaces, and the kind of finishes you’ll want throughout the home such as wall colours and flooring options, but you’ll also need to make a major decision that will affect the safety and integrity of your home over the next few decades: the roof.
Choosing the kind of roof you’ll have installed is a major decision. There are many things to consider in the mix, including aesthetics, material types, insulation qualities and architectural style. Your builder will be able to work with you to take a look at the options available, and once you’ve made a decision, a roofing contractor will be assigned the task of installing your new roof and securing your home against the outside elements.
When considering a roof, it’s best to begin by considering the overall design of your new home and look at which specific kind of roof will best aesthetically suit the architecture of the property. Once you’ve decided on these elements, you can move on to roof materials.
There’s a wide range of roof materials available on the market, each with their different advantages and disadvantages. Different materials make sense for different budgets, climates, and types of homes, so don’t take this decision lightly when it comes to your particular roofing needs. For example, the kind of roof required for a home built in Sydney’s northern beaches would be very different to a roof required in a desert terrain or an area with regular snow seasons. When considering a material, take a look at these areas…
Its ability to withstand the weather conditions – the roof over your home is what protects it from the outside world and from whatever nature decides to throw at it. In Sydney, which often has heavy thunderstorms, having a roof that can withstand strong winds and heavy rain is of the utmost importance. As well, with the extreme temperatures, Sydney faces in summer, you want to ensure your roof materials are going to stand the test of time against this heat.
The slope of your roof – the slope of your roof’s surface is something that must also be taken into account when considering a roof material. If a roof has a low slope, certain materials, such as types of tiles, will not work as effectively to shield against the outside world, whilst other materials, such as Colourbond roofs, will be most effective in many respects. Low roofs without a high pitch or slope require seamless materials; otherwise, water leaks will occur when it rains, which is not a fun exercise for anybody!
The aesthetic appearance – think about how much of your home will be visible from the street: the roof makes up a large surface area and the colour and texture of its material have a large affect on your home’s aesthetic appeal. You need to ensure that the type of material you use is going to complement the exterior finishings of your home, and check to make sure that any clashing architectural styles are avoided. The last thing you want is to spend all of that time and money only for the end effect to be an eye sore. Do your research and consider your options early so as to avoid ending up with something that looks like it was there as a mistake – and as a bad one. For example, if you’re going to a more traditional home, don’t go crazy with Spanish tiles that are going to clash with a more traditional structure. The roof is a part of the overall design considerations.
Colours – not only do you want to consider the colour of your roof in accordance to the colour of the rest of your home, but it’s also important to understand how different shades will affect the heating and cooling of your home. If your roof is a lighter tone, it will be able to reflect more heat, which is very useful in hot climates in order to assist with keeping the home cool. If you’re building in an area where keeping heat in the house is going to be useful given the natural climate, then gravitating towards a darker tone will be of benefit in keeping your power and heating bills down, especially during winter. These are very practical considerations that will affect your energy costs year to year, so you’re able to use your dollars wisely during the build stage to ensure the best outcome for your particular home and climate.
Overall cost – when building a new home, there are many costs to consider. The cost of your roof is one of the larger ones, and being aware of how the different materials can affect your budget is, of course, an important and very real consideration when making a final decision. As well, if your home has a steeper roof at a greater height, this can add to the labour cost. By speaking to a roofing professional early on in the process, you’ll be able to gain a clearer idea of the cost of installing a new roof, and how your choice of material can affect this bottom line figure.
Longevity and durability – there’s no point spending money on a roof installation that’s only going to require more time and money sunk into it within a matter of a few short years. Do your research and choose wisely so you can be assured that the roof you’re installing has the capacity to stand the tests of time – and of your local climate requirements. Although you may be looking to save money wherever possible at this stage, it will work out far more expensive in the long run if you skimp on materials such as insulation at the beginning stage, only to have to fix the problem and install a longer lasting material a few years down the track. If you plan on remaining in the home for over five years, it’s wise to pay for materials that have a proven track record of a longer life span, so you know you’ve covered yourself and your family’s needs for the amount of time you’ll be in the home as best as possible. The other thing to look into is the warranty offered with the roof installation. Some warranties are superior to others, and your roof installation contractor will be able to work you through the specifics of the material and labour that’s protected under warranty. Ensuring there is a secure warranty in place also covers you if any problems arise over the course of the roof’s lifetime that occurs too early compared to what’s considered reasonable.
Roofing materials weight – if you decide on a roof material that has a heavier than normal weight, the structural integrity of the roof’s frame will need to be increased to accommodate this. Not only does this add time, but it also increases the overall cost of the labour and materials required to achieve this. Some of the heavier materials include slate and masonry, so discuss this with both your builder and your roofing contractor to ensure that your choice won’t lead to increased costs due to structural requirements. The weight of the materials will also affect the labour costs that will occur during the installation, as heavier materials are harder to handle and will require a slower process to ensure they’re installed in a safe and thorough manner.
Fire resistance – Some roof materials are superior when it comes to fire resistance than others. This is especially important to consider if you’re building in an area that is prone to bushfire season, as you want to build a home that is designed to last against the elements in the strongest way possible. Consider your specific needs and make sure you’re familiar with the fire resistance rating of your chosen roof materials. This also has an impact on the cost of your home and contents insurance, so the choice you make for the roof installation will have a carry-on effect over the course of your roof’s life, impacting on your regular cash flow in a number of different capacities. If you’re concerned, discuss this with your current home insurer before you make a final decision, to check on the weekly premium impact of one type of roof material over another.
Once you’ve weighed these factors and reached a decision, your chosen roof installation contractor will be able to carry out the work to install your new roof and ensure there’s a reliable layer of protection over you and your family as you go about your daily lives. However, the decisions don’t stop there! Now that your roof is installed, you need to make sure to keep it properly protected and in a healthy state so it can weather whatever nature decides to bring its way.
Any responsible homeowner is familiar with the maintenance and upkeep required by their home in order to keep it in the best working condition and avoid any damage or issues. Don’t let your beautiful new roof go to waste by not giving it the upkeep it deserves. At the very least, you should schedule an annual maintenance check with your roofing contractor, who can come in and check for any damage large or small, as well as identify any issues ahead of time. If you use the services of the roofing contractor who did the install, they’ll also be familiar with what the roof’s warranty covers, so you will be able to save on any out-of-pocket expenses that could arise in this process. Treat the health of your roof like you would any other area of your home – if there’s even a small issue that’s spotted, such as a small leak, a missing shingle or an area of discolouration, call in a professional to identify the problem and provide a solution. By leaving these small jobs for a long time and putting off the roof’s upkeep, problems could develop into something more serious. Leaks that would have required an easy patch will now require roof restoration or repair work in order to get them up to scratch and stop the leak from spreading. This is also something to check on the particulars of your home and content insurances in regards to, as you may find you’re already covered for incidental damage, especially as a result of harsh storms or unusually extreme weather.
When choosing your roof installation expert, look to your local Sydney area for someone who has years of experience within the region. By choosing someone who is intimate with the local region, they’ll be able to advise on what your particular roof requires, with a mind for the weather patterns, temperatures and normal events of the geographical region. No two areas are the same, and an experienced roofing contractor has the knowledge required to advise you on the best choice when it comes to what kind of roof to install on your brand new home. By doing the hard work and research upfront, you’ll be able to kick back and relax after moving day, knowing you’ve got nothing to worry about for many years to come. Enjoy the moment – being a homeowner is a big part of the Australian dream!