Is it time to replace your roof?

Home improvement

Also, which wood floor will best withstand pets and heavy traffic? Send your home improvement questions to (email protected).

Mark Philben, The Boston Globe

October 30, 2024 | 11:40 am

TO. When should you replace your roof? Mine is about 25 years old, but there are no visible signs of wear on it. Last time I replaced both layers.

MK

A. MK, this is a difficult question. We have seen many roofs that last longer and hold up very well. Roofs often fail at the edges, flashing pieces, vent openings, etc. It is rare for the shingles themselves to begin to fail and allow water to leak through. For this reason, if you are concerned, find a professional roofing company and have them install a ladder on your home for a quick inspection. Flash and penetration problems are difficult to see from the ground, so it’s best to have someone up there who knows what to look for. 25 years ago there were companies that made shingles with a 30 to 40 year warranty; the products were so good even then. It looks like you have quality shingles there as you don’t see any visible signs of deterioration. But at 25, it’s time to get tested.

TO. We live in the central entrance of a 1964 colonial style. We need to replace all the wood floors on the first level; they won’t be able to handle another polish. The number of flooring options is huge. We have two dogs and a busy family. We don’t mind installing faux wood flooring, but it always seems noisier than hardwood flooring. What would you recommend?

C.S.

A. I’m sorry you have to replace yours wooden floorsCS Wood floors are always our first choice, but we have installed newer laminate or pre-finished wood floors. Both have pros and cons.

Wood laminate floors are incredibly durable and can withstand a lot of abuse. They clean well and retain color. The biggest downside is that most are not 3/4″ thick, which can cause problems in doorways and baseboards when removing wood flooring of that size. You also usually have to add a “base block” or small piece of trim along all edges since laminate needs to be installed with a quarter-inch gap.

Another option is three-quarter-inch pre-finished hardwood flooring. This floor has a superior finish compared to wood floors installed on site. They have a much more durable machine finish that cannot be replicated in the field. This will better withstand foot traffic and pet traffic. It also integrates better where an existing wood floor has been removed. One drawback could be an uneven floor due to the house settling over the years. Finished floors should not be sanded to remove curves in the floor. This may result in visible uneven seams.

Given these issues, I think a high quality wood laminate floor will give you the best of both worlds. The ones we installed have padding on every piece so when the floor is laid it helps muffle the sound and give it a slightly softer feel underfoot.

Mark Philben is a project development manager at Charlie Allen renovation in Cambridge. Send your questions to (email protected). Questions are subject to editing.