Making significant structural changes to your home, such as raising the roof, can be a huge decision. It can transform your home, add more space, increase property value, and give your living area a fresh look. But is it the right move for you? With this blog post, we’ll help you learn about what it takes to raise the roof of your home and how it will help you bring a new look to your house.
What Is A Raised Roof?
Raising a roof is a construction process that involves modifying the structure of a building to increase the height of your roof depending on your needs and benefits.
Why Do Homeowners Choose To Raise Their Roof?
Here are some of the reasons why homeowners choose to raise their roof to a certain height:
Need For Extra Space:
Raising the roof of your home can provide additional living space or increase the height of the ceiling. Many homeowners find this construction project particularly beneficial in homes with limited square footage.
Increasing The Value Of Your Home:
Buyers generally pay more for homes with higher ceilings or additional stories. They often attract better offers in the real estate market than a home with a low ceiling. So, raising the roof will be a potential investment in the final sale price of your home.
Fixing Structural Damages:
If there is any damage or issues on your roof, you can raise the roof to bring some changes and enhance the longevity of your home.
Advantages Of Raising The Roof
Raising your roof comes with the following advantages for your home:
Provides Contemporary Style:
If you have raised the roof of your home, you must realize that a higher ceiling can bring a modern appeal to your home. This will enhance the overall curb appeal, and make it stand out among your neighbors.
Improved Lighting:
Raising the roof on a house allows you to install larger windows on the walls, which brings in more sunlight, creating a more enjoyable living space for you and your family.
Better Energy Efficiency:
Installing modern roofing materials can improve the insulation of your house and reduce the amount of money you spend on heating and cooling costs, contributing to long-term savings on utility bills.
Disadvantages Of Raising The Roof
Along with the advantages, raising the roof of your home also has some disadvantages.
High Up-Front Cost:
Raising the roof of your house will cost you up to thousands of dollars, including the installation, labor, and permit costs.
Time Consuming:
Raising the roof on a house can take several weeks or months to complete depending on the complexity, design, and size of your renovation.
Materials Used In Raising The Roof
Use the following materials while raising your roof for better benefits.
Wood Or Steel Beams:
Both wood and steel beams play an important role in raising the roof. While wooden beams often provide better aesthetic appeal, steel beams provide better strength and durability to your roof. However, the choice between wood and steel typically depends on the specific design requirements and the overall weight of the new roof.
Roofing Shingles:
To raise the roof of your home, you also need to buy roofing shingles like asphalt, wood, or metal shingles. While asphalt shingles are a popular option because of their affordability and ease of installation process, wood shingles are used for their ability to offer better curb appeal. Another popular option, metal, can provide better longevity and energy efficiency but is much more expensive due to its modern properties. So, you have to choose the right roofing material for your home according to your needs and tastes.
Insulation:
Having a properly insulated roof is the crucial thing for an energy-efficient home, especially after raising the roof. Insulation helps regulate indoor temperatures, reducing heating and cooling costs. Fiberglass batts, spray foam, and rigid foam boards are some of the common insulation materials used for the insulation but the right insulation choice will depend on your climate, budget, and specific energy efficiency goals.
Drywall And Paint:
Once the structural work is complete, drywall is typically installed on the interior ceilings and walls to create a finished look. This step will be followed by a coat of paint to match the aesthetics of your home.
Skylights:
Even though it is an optional setting, adding windows or skylights can improve the natural lighting of your home and make it a better living space for you and your family. Skylights are particularly effective in upper levels or loft areas with limited spaces. These skylights can also improve the ventilation of your home and bring in fresh air into your home.
Flashing And Underlayment:
These materials are critical for preventing leaks at joints and seams where roofing materials meet other surfaces, such as walls or chimneys. Flashing is typically made from metal or plastic, while underlayment serves as an additional layer of protection under the shingles.
Ventilation Systems:
Proper ventilation can save your roof from structural damages like moisture buildup, mold issues, and ensure adequate airflow throughout the attic space. This can include ridge vents, soffit vents, or gable vents that work together to maintain a balanced airflow.
How Do You Raise The Roof On A House?
Read the following instructions to raise your roof in an effective and efficient manner.
Evaluate Your Needs:
Before you start to raise the roof of your home, consider the reasons why you want to. Reasons such as needing extra space, along with improving aesthetics and property value should be considered. You also need to determine a specific budget for the renovation to prevent any unnecessary expenses. This initial assessment will guide your project and help set a goal to complete.
Hire A Roofing Contractor:
Hiring a professional roofing contractor will help you raise the roof efficiently and precisely. With years of experience, roofing contractors can help you design, inspect, and calculate the cost of raising the roof of your home.
Apply For Permits:
Every state has its own set of building codes that a homeowner must follow to escape any fines or legal issues in the future. So, obtain the necessary permission and documents before you start with your project.
Prepare Your Home:
Clear out affected areas of your home, moving furniture and personal items to protect them from any possible damage during the renovation process. You should also cover the floor in order to protect it from debris and roofing materials.
Demolition:
Carefully remove the old roofing structure and strip down all the shingles, underlayment, and any existing roofing materials to expose the underlying framework.
Structural Changes:
This step includes the addition of new beams to support the height of the roof and form the new design of the house.
Install The New Roof:
This process will require the construction workers to install a new roofing structure and roofing materials in accordance with the design of the new roof.
Electrical And Plumbing Work:
After the installation of roofing materials, they need to adjust the electrical wiring or plumbing of the roof to adjust the new designs on the raised roof of your home. This may involve rerouting pipes or installing new electrical fixtures in the newly created space.
Finishing:
To finish and create a cohesive look for your house, the workers will now paint, install drywall, and add insulation to the inside of the roof.
Inspection:
The last step involves local authorities who verify that all work meets building codes and safety standards. Remember, this final step is essential for making sure that your renovation is legally compliant and safe to move in.
Is Raising the Roof Right For You?
As we discussed in this guide, raising the roof of your home comes with a lot of benefits. It adds valuable living space and creates a modern look for your home. It’s a solution that not only improves your daily life but also increases the resale price of your home. So, if you want to raise the roof of your home, our roofers at A Fricker Roofing and Waterproofing are here to help you with all your needs. Give us a call today at (918) 402-7176 for expert advice and a personalized consultation for your home.
