Your home is your largest investment. Replacing your roof is an extremely important part of protecting your home. The thought of going through a roof replacement is overwhelming to most homeowners. It is an expensive undertaking that requires many decisions to be made.

Unfortunately, the roofing industry as a whole is not known for transparency. At AIC Roofing, we take great pride in doing things differently. As part of our effort to provide unmatched customer service before, during, and after your roof replacement, we’ll outline today’s most common roofing myths. With this knowledge, you can confidently interview roofing contractors and make the best decisions for your unique home.

Most Common Myths About Asphalt Roofing

Myth #1: My new roof can be installed over my old roof

Roof replacements are one of the most expensive components of a home that homeowners may have to replace. Understandably, some homeowners may explore less costly alternatives. A roof replacement is a complete tear-off (down to the decking) of a roof and installing new underlayment, deck protection, and roofing material (shingles, metal, tile, slate, etc.). An overlay is when new shingles are installed on top of the existing roof – old shingles are not removed.

We strongly recommend total roof replacements. Most companies (AIC Roofing including) will not even work on roofs with multiple layers due to the inability to accurately diagnose all potential issues. If we give you a price and tell you we can fix your roof, we want to be confident that our recommended solution will resolve the leak. Multiple roof layers make finding every issue causing a leak or other problems challenging. Due to the uncertainty this causes, it’s complicated to quote a price for the repair with the highest likelihood of success.


Myth #2: A roof only needs to be replaced if it’s leaking

When a roof starts leaking, it may already have severe damage that could be avoided with proper maintenance and timely replacement.

A leaking roof does not necessarily mean it’s time for a replacement. A leaky roof could signal a minor, repairable issue or a symptom of a more significant problem. To extend the life of your roof for as long as possible, we recommend getting your roof inspected annually. This will help catch any of the minor reasons for a leak.

The typical asphalt roof lasts for 20-25 years. Over time, the elements will wear down your shingles. Even if a roof isn’t leaking, it may need to be replaced to ensure your home is adequately protected.

Myth #3: Darker shingles result in higher energy costs

Don’t let this myth keep you from installing the charcoal roof of your dreams. Dark-colored shingles will absorb more sunlight compared with lighter-colored shingles. However, this will not make a tangible difference in your energy costs.

Your attic insulation and proper installation of your roofing ventilation are critical to regulating the temperature of your roof and home – not your shingle color. Roofing ventilation is essential to ensure your roof does not experience dry rot that will compromise the structural integrity of your home and roof deck.

Myth #4: Roof Replacements don’t have a high return on investment

Replacing your roof is a big undertaking. It is an expensive project and requires many decisions to be made. Understandably, many homeowners worry about their return on investment regarding their roof replacement. According to the 2022 National Association of Realtors Research Group, new roofing was one of only two exterior home projects that yielded an astounding 100% cost recovery for homeowners. Home buyers value the critical protection and curb appeal your roof offers. Roof replacements can feel stressful, but rest assured knowing you’re making a wise investment in your home.

The excellent return on investment is another reason to stop putting off your roof replacement. The damage that a neglected roof could cause can needlessly snowball into thousands.

Similarly, metal accent roofs are a great way to add no maintenance curb appeal to your home. At a comparable price to landscaping, the 100% cost recovery associated with new roofing comes with no expensive upkeep and will last for decades to come.

Myth #5: All roofing contractors are the same

This is absolutely not the case. Not all roofing contractors are the same; some may be inexperienced, lack proper insurance or licenses, or use substandard materials.

Every roofing contractor must obtain licenses and insurance policies required by their specific city and state (although some may skip this step entirely!). In addition to these policies and licenses, roofing contractors can earn various mastery certifications. Roofing material manufacturers typically award these certifications if the contractor meets certain requirements. Top-tier certificates can take years and hundreds of hours to earn.

The #1 roofing material manufacturer in North America is GAF. There are three levels of certifications for their approved contractors.

GAF’s top-tier certification is their MasterElite designation. The MasterElite certification is the highest recognition offered by GAF. Only 2% of roofers in North America are invited to become GAF MasterElite certified.

To receive this certification, a roofing contractor must have been in business for at least seven years. Additionally, they must undergo yearly training, be in good standing with the Better Business Bureau, and have exceptional customer reviews.

At AIC Roofing and Construction, we proudly hold the GAF Master Elite contractor designation.

Roof Maintenance Helps Prevent Issues

We recommend annual roof inspections to keep your roof in tip-top shape and catch issues before they wrack up thousands in damages. Roof inspections are free and the most preventative measure to extend your roof’s life.

Unfortunately, the roofing industry does not offer much transparency regarding pricing and other critical information. We want to change that. Our Learning Center has answers to all your roofing questions to help you make an informed, confident decision about this important investment. 

AIC Roofing and Construction has served homeowners in Louisville, Lexington, and Richmond since 2003. We are in North America’s top 2% of roofing contractors to obtain the GAF MasterElite certification. If you’re looking for a top-rated Lexington roofing company – we’d love to see if we would be a good fit for your project. Contact us today to schedule your free roof inspection.

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