OK. So this has to be done correctly. What now?
Hiring The Best Contractor
When you have decided to go ahead with your roof modifications, you need to hire a contractor that is experienced and preferably, specialized in low-slope roofs. A general roofing contractor will probably not have the knowledge about low-sloped roofs that a specialist has. Here in Burlington and Oakville, roofing contractors who specialize in low-sloped roofs can be found in the yellow pages or word-of-mouth.
Don’t just call one contractor for an estimate, get two or three, and compare them. You not only want to compare price, but what they offer, and how professional they were when they met with you. The best contractors work together as a team to get the job done right the first time.
Follow the rules before starting
Make sure you check local building codes and acquire the necessary building permits before starting. Your roofing contractor should be able to help with that. The height of your home will be increasing so be sure it does not exceed the limits of the zoning for your area.
You may have to hire an engineering firm to design the plans. This will add significant costs to your renovation so be sure you plan this into your budget. Just like hiring a contractor, get two or three quotes from various design firms and hire someone reputable who will stand behind their work.
Consider how your house will look compared to others in the neighborhood
Changing your roof from a low-sloped structure to a sloped roof changes the entire look of your house. Take a look at the neighborhood before deciding to go ahead with this renovation. You want to compare what your house will look like compared to other houses in the area. If the sloped roof on your house will make it look out of place, you may want to reconsider the impact the change will have on the resale value of your home. Changing the roofline can either increase or decrease the resale value of your house. This change depends on the final look of your house and how it compares to others in the area.
Next, if the conversion will increase the resale value of your home, consider the cost. If you plan to sell your house in the next 10 years, will the cost of the replacement add enough resale value to your home to warrant the initial cash outlay? If you will end up losing money, take a serious look at what you are about to undertake.
Is your low-sloped roof structurally sound?
The roofing contractor and the engineer you hire can inspect the roof to be certain it can hold the added weight of a new-sloped roof.
Energy efficiency and a sloped roof
A sloped roof is much easier to insulate than a low-sloped roof. Any roofing contractor in Burlington or Oakville will agree with that. If you are looking for energy efficiency alone than a sloped roof will give you that.
What about storage?
Having a sloped roof does give you the opportunity to store seasonal items in the attic. You don’t have this advantage with a low-sloped roof so this can be one of the considerations when deciding on your renovation.
Design
You will be working with an architect and a roofing specialist; both of which are well experienced with designs, so now is your opportunity to get creative and create something that catches the eye instead of the traditional A-Frame style roof common on older homes. There are many things you can do to add curb-appeal to your roof so take your time looking at the options.
As you can see, changing your roof from a low-sloped design to a sloped version is not something to take lightly. Spend some time doing your research and planning your design options and you will have a cost-efficient, eye-appealing design that the neighbors and yourself can enjoy.