Your roof plays a vital role in maintaining your home structure and protecting it from the elements. The history of having a roof over one's home goes back thousands of years, so there are many interesting facts related to this industry. However, some myths are mixed in as well. Here are some tall tales your local roofing company wants to set straight about residential roofing.

1. All Materials Are the Same

If you're under the impression that all roofing materials are the same, you couldn't be more mistaken. A material most prevalent in American roofing is asphalt shingles, which were invented in 1903 by Henry Reynolds in Grand Rapids, Michigan, according to Asphalt Magazine. Americans love this type of roofing due to its versatility in color and style. You can also use asphalt roofing throughout various regions.

Even though asphalt shingles are the most common roofing material, there are plenty of other options to explore as well. Roofing materials don't all have the same properties! Here at Dolly's Roofing, Inc, we have a wide variety of choices to explore, from traditional Architectural Asphalt Shingles to luxurious Designer Shingles. Each of our products has unique strengths.

2. It's Best to Handle Your Own Repairs

There's nothing wrong with being handy around the home, especially if you want to stay busy. However, if you want to work with your hands at home, it might be best to stick to gardening as opposed to roofing. People who still think that it's best to handle their own roof fail to realize just how dangerous and specialized roofing is. Many roofers have extensive training and have undergone safety practices. These professionals know how to handle climbing on a roof and working with various materials.

Even if your home is a single story, working on a roof means being at a dangerous height. It's easy for someone to fall and have a devastating injury or fatality. Roofers are trained to do such work while maintaining their balance and safety. Plus, when roofers do this type of work, they also often have insurance to protect them in the event of a fall. If you were to fall while working on your roof, you may miss work due to an extensive recovery period that you'll simply have to eat the cost of. Keep you and your wallet safe by calling the professionals.

3. Roof Color Has a Major Effect on Energy Efficiency

It's no secret that light colors can reflect light and darker colors can absorb it. However, just because you have a darker roof color doesn't mean your home will be hotter. When it comes to creating an energy-efficient space, the quality of the installation, insulation, and materials used have a greater impact than the roof color. To learn more about which of our products are the most energy-efficient, call our team today.

4. You Can Install a New Roof Right Over Your Old One

There may have been situations in which someone successfully installed new roofing over an old one, but that doesn't mean it's the correct, ideal decision. A professional roofing company will tell you it's never advisable to merely place new shingles over the old ones. Regardless of the roofing situation, they'll always remove damaged or worn roofing materials first. After all, professional roofers must ensure that the underlining surface and infrastructure of the roof are still solid and not suffering from rot or other problems.

5. New Roofs Don't Need Inspections

Never assume that just because you have a new roof, you don't need an inspection right away. It's important to stay on top of your regularly scheduled inspections because you never know what may be going on under the surface of your roof. After all, all roofing companies aren't created equal and your new roof may have been installed by someone who didn't use the best materials or techniques. As a result, your new and beautiful roof may have many vulnerabilities that could breed leaks and other structural issues.

Everyone wants to be safe and secure under their roof. Therefore, responsible homeowners must understand the differences between a myth and reality when it comes to their roofing services. For expert roofing installation, repair, and gutter work, contact our roofing company today. Our team at Dolly's Roofing is proud to have over 10 years of experience with roofing projects of all sizes.