Roof for a new homeHow to choose a roof for your new home
The roofing decision you’re about to make will have long-term consequences. Get it right and the life will be easier and safer for you and your family – no worries about leaks, maintenance or extreme weather.
Here’s a checklist of activities that will help you to arrive at the best conclusion.
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Get to know the roofing materials market
You should research the pros and cons of every type of roofing material that you’re considering. In New Zealand, the prospects include lightweight pressed steel roofing (Gerard Roofs), concrete tiles, long-run iron, corrugated iron, clay tiles, timber shingles and asphalt shingles. Find out how Gerard pressed steel roofs are made.
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Talk to an architect or house designer
The angle and shape of your roof could limit your roofing material choices. Ask an architect or designer if there are any options you should exclude.
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Drive the streets with your camera
Visit areas of your town or city that have homes similar to the one you’re building. Use a digital camera or phone to capture roofs that you admire. At the same time, you can take snapshots of colour schemes and landscaping elements that you like. Use our drive-by selector to find Gerard roofs in your area.
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Look at online roof galleries
Browse our gallery to see images of homes with Gerard roofs. Other roofing manufacturers have similar online galleries. Print images that reflect what you’re trying to achieve with your home; don’t forget to note the product name and colour.
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Consider extreme conditions
Some roofing materials require special fasteners, coatings, reinforcement or maintenance for extreme conditions, so your roof might cost more and take longer to build if you live by the sea or in a high-wind zone. You’ll discover this isn’t the case with Gerard pressed steel roofs. More about the advantages of a Gerard roof.
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Read the warranties
Roofing warranties should be carefully considered. Some are more comprehensive and last longer than others. Read about Gerard’s warranty.
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Collect a folder of favourite roofs
Keep your roofing information and favourite roof images in a folder or scrapbook for easy reference. When you feel that the information and image gathering stage is over, spend some time discussing and eliminating roofs with your partner or a friend.