Buying a home in Lancaster County these days is tough.
With limited inventory, high mortgage rates, and Philly and New Jersey commuters wanting a piece of the western Route 30 corridor, many homeowners are choosing to stay put rather than trade up.
So if you’ve decided to put your money back into your current home—rather than an overpriced house and higher loan rate—we’re here to help you make the most of that investment. Starting with your roof.
Because while a new roof may not be as exciting as a new kitchen or outdoor living space, it’s essential for protecting your home, lowering your long-term costs of living, and boosting your property’s ROI.
To learn why, keep on scrolling.
How Does My Roof Lower My Long-Term Living Costs?
Most homeowners take their roofs for granted—which is arguably a good thing. A solid roof over your head means you’re protected from a whole host of expensive issues.
In fact, most homeowners don’t think about their roofs until they notice things like:
- Interior mold growth
- Insulation deterioration
- Higher energy bills
- Rot on roof decking and exterior sheathing
- Interior ceiling and drywall damage
- A lower home resale value
What’s worse is that these issues can cost you tens of thousands of dollars in otherwise needless repairs. And that’s in addition to the cost of replacing the faulty roof!
Beyond lowering your living costs, a new roof also draws the attention of qualified buyers—particularly those looking to minimize their long-term headaches associated with home ownership.
In other words… Your roof is important!
Which Roofing Materials Have the Highest ROI?
When choosing a roofing style and materials, it’s important to consider your goals as a homeowner—particularly, how long you’ll be living in your home.
Considering your home-ownership timeline is important because of the depreciated costs of ownership. And when it comes to a roof, a cheaper system upfront may actually cost you more per year of ownership than one with an installation cost that’s 2–3x higher.
Before we dive into the two main roofing styles for residential owners in PA, know that it’s important to factor all of the following into your roofing choice:
- Material lifespan (ranges from 15–70+ years)
- Durability and weather resistance
- Maintenance and service requirements
- Energy efficiency and monthly bills
- Material and workmanship protection
The short of it is that cheaper options may work well if you’ll be moving in less than 10 years. But if you’re planning to stay in your home for multiple decades, investing more upfront can actually save you money over time…
To give you an idea of the most popular material options here in PA—and how they affect your ROI—read on.
Architectural Asphalt Shingles
For many Pennsylvania homeowners, architectural shingles sit in the sweet spot between affordability and durability.
Brands like GAF’s Timberline HDZ and CertainTeed’s Landmark series offer:
- Strong curb appeal with dozens of color options
- An average lifespan of 20–30 years
- Strong wind resistance (some with no speed limits)
- 30%–50% cheaper than premium shingles
It’s worth noting that the cost savings of architectural shingles have no bearing on functionality. In fact, these products perform just as well as premium options—with the potential 2x cost increase being primarily aesthetic.
So while architectural shingles don’t last as long as metal options (outlined below), they are a fantastic choice for many homeowners—particularly if you aren’t currently in your “forever” home.
Standing Seam Metal
While the majority of homeowners opt for architectural shingle roofs, standing seam metal is becoming increasingly popular—and for good reason.
Originally used in agricultural and rural areas, standing seam metal roofs are systems made of long, continuous panels of metal running. These panels lock into one another with elevated seams, run from the roof’s ridge all the way down to the eaves, and have fasteners hidden beneath the panels.
This design results in a roofing system with far fewer seams—the weak points of all roofs—plus practically zero rust or deterioration issues with fasteners.
As a result, standing seam metal roofs carry a few major benefits:
- Standing seam metal roofs last 40–70+ years
- They require minimal maintenance
- Are naturally resistant to wind, fire, mold, and algae
- Can reduce cooling costs 10%–25% in summer (by reflecting sunlight)
- Are extremely durable in inclement weather and under heavy snow loads
While these roofs make a fabulous choice for many homeowners, they can cost 2–3 times as much to install as architectural shingles.
However, after 12–15 years, these roofs become cheaper per year of ownership, due to reduced cooling bills, no need for replacement within 50 years, and the minimal repairs or upkeep needed to keep them in proper working condition.
Remember: The Best Home Investments Protect Your Entire House
In terms of pure ROI, having a solid roof over your head cannot be overstated.
By lowering monthly bills, insurance premiums, and preventing needless water damage, a solid roof lowers your yearly costs of ownership while also attracting qualified buyers should you decide to sell.
So if your roof is nearing the end of its life—or worse, showing signs of damage on the interior or exterior of your home—reach out to our team today.
The Spruce Lane Construction team is a full-service general contractor specializing in exterior home renovations and complete custom home builds in Southeastern and South Central PA.
As a trusted roofing contractor in Lancaster, Berks, Chester, and Delaware counties, we’re happy to walk you through your options and help you choose the best roofing system for your home and goals. To us, that means one that works with your budget, keeps you and your assets protected, and produces a healthy ROI over the years.
So don’t wait until you’re noticing signs of damage. Reach out for a free consultation and detailed estimate on your new roof today—and maximize your roof replacement ROI as a result.
