When building or buying a home, the choices can seem almost endless. What kind of roof does your home need? How large does it need to be? Is one or two stories better?
Today, we’ll go over some of the points regarding these questions. More specifically we’ll weigh the benefits and drawbacks of a two-story home.
Benefits of a Two-Story House
Below, we’ve compiled some of the biggest benefits of buying a two-story house.
Aesthetics
If you’ve ever looked at different types of homes before, you might have noticed that single-story and two-story homes have very different effects. Often, a single-story house can look a little simple and short. Two-story homes, on the other hand, tower over you and give off a more refined feel.
A taller building also allows for more aesthetic roofing choices. For example, you probably don’t want bright clay tiles for a small-looking home. It would overwhelm the exterior of the house. A two-story home can proudly display slate, clay, or even metal roofing.
A taller home also allows for unique and versatile design elements. For example, dormer roofs, turret roofs, and skylights are all things that require a little more than a single-story home.
Roofing Cost
As you might have guessed, roofing can be a costly project. There are, however, a handful of factors that affect your roofing costs. For example, the type of roofing chosen, the square footage needed to cover, and the roofing market in your area all affect the final price of your roof.
Generally speaking, the smaller you can get your roof, the lower your roofing costs will be. That’s because small roofs require less material and fewer hours of labor. In this aspect, a two-story home definitely has an advantage. It’s a great way to build a large home under a small footprint. This way, the costs associated with building a large foundation or roof are somewhat diminished.
View
Although it may not strictly be roof-related, a view is very important to consider when purchasing a home. A second story allows for more privacy (after all, it’s harder to peek through a window many feet off the ground). It also gives you a view over many items and structures , allowing you to look out from a nicer vantage point. More stories also mean more room for large windows and even the chance to install skylights.
Less Roof Maintenance
A two-story home typically has a small footprint and, therefore, a smaller roof. This inherently means that the roof might require less upkeep. It’ll be less roofing to wash, fewer shingles to replace, and less flashing to maintain.
Some Considerations To Keep In Mind
Now that we’ve gone over some of the benefits of buying a single-story home, it’s time to address a few of the drawbacks.
Maintenance Is More Difficult
Yes, a smaller footprint means fewer roofs to maintain. It can, however, also mean that it’s harder to access the roof. If your gutters are that high up, you probably won’t be able to clean them from the ground floor. Similarly, it’ll be more difficult to clear snow off your roof.
Vulnerable To Wind Damage
The shape and size of a home can affect how well it stands up to the elements. A taller height might leave the home more vulnerable to wind.
There are, however, a few roofing choices that you can make to improve your chances. For example, metal roofing has been shown to be quite resistant to high winds and hurricanes. The shape of the roof matters as well. More sloped sides, such as those found on a hip roof, make a roof more aerodynamic and, therefore, more resistant to strong winds.
Frequently Asked Questions About a Two-Story Home Roof
We hope that this article helped answer some of your questions regarding the benefits of a two-story home. Just in case, however, we’ve also included some answers to commonly asked roofing questions below.
How Long Does A Roof Last?
The lifespan of a roof varies greatly depending on the material used and how well it is maintained.
Asphalt roofing can last 15-30 years. Architectural shingles hold up against bad weather a bit better and are typically in the upper area of that range.
Most metal roofs, on the other hand, can last up to 70 years. Higher-end metals such as zinc or copper can last even longer than that.
Clay or slate roofing is perhaps the most durable roofing option out there and can often stand over 100 years.
The most important thing to keep in mind, however, is that all roofs require maintenance. Piles of heavy snow, clogged gutters, and tree branches can all be threats to a roof over time. When a shingle or piece of flashing is damaged, it can allow water to leak into the home, damaging the other parts of the roof, as well as your ceilings and walls.
This is why annual roof inspections are so important. They’re your first line of defense against leaks and broken flashing.
How Much Is A New Roof?
As we mentioned above, the cost of a full roof replacement largely depends on the material used and the size of the roof. To find out what your new roof will cost, call or fill out our online form today. Austermiller Roofing offers FREE quotes so that you can make the best possible choice for your home.
As a point of reference, however, Forbes Advisor reports that “the national average cost to replace a roof is around $8,000”. Although this may seem costly, a roof is an integral part of your home. It protects walls, ceilings, objects, and the people inside the home from the elements.
A new roof can also increase your home’s curb appeal, resulting in a good ROI in the case that you sell your home.
How To Install Metal Roofing?
It’s important that your roofing is installed correctly, with quality and durability in mind. That is why it is always best to have a professional contractor or roofing company handle the job.
Here at Austermiller Roofing, we actually specialize in metal roofing. We offer standing-seam metal roofing, which is one of the most durable and effective options on the market. Its overlapping seams allow for a tighter and more durable lock. This keeps out most rains and helps prevent leaks from getting into the home. Interested in installing metal roofing for your home or business? Call or fill out our online form today. We offer FREE roofing quotes.
What Is Roof Flashing?
In short, flashing is thin sheets of metal that have been installed to cover small crevices and vulnerabilities in your roof. Some common spots to install flashing are the seams between chimneys and roofing, skylights, vents, windows, and thresholds. Flashing comes in a variety of metals, including copper, aluminum, and steel.
Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Roof Leaks?
The short answer to this is that it depends. Often, leaks that occur as a result of a sudden accident are covered. For example, damage from a tornado or hail might be. General wear and tear, along with failure to maintain the roof, however, are typically not covered by insurance policies. The best way to know for sure, however, is to check with your insurance company. Policies vary greatly, so it’s always best to double-check.
The good news, however, is that we’re here to help you through the process of financing and filing an insurance claim. Talk to us before filing a claim. We might be able to give you valuable insights about the damage, and we’ll even meet with your insurance adjuster.
Roofing In Mt. Juliet
Looking for a roofing company in the Middle Tennessee area? We’ve got you covered! Here at Austermiller Roofing, we offer roofing for commercial and residential buildings alike. Whether you’re the owner of a brand new home or want to spruce up your store, we’ve got your back.
Austermiller offers a variety of services, including roof repair, roof replacements, water damage restoration, and much more. Interested in learning more? Give us a call or fill out our online form today for a FREE quote.