Investing in and taking care of the roof over your head not only protects you, but protects your home's market value as well. Ryan Peterson reports.

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We often talk about your home being the single, biggest investment you'll make in your lifetime. That being said, you want it to last. You want it to, hopefully, appreciate in value. You want it protected from the elements. And that all starts with a well-maintained roof. So keep an eye out for signs of decay.

"You can see it pretty visibly. There will be cracks in the shingles that you can see from the street. There will be algae and some moss. A lot of green build up that can occur on them. That's a sure sign," said roofer Joel Aery. "That algae will build up underneath your shingles and start breaking them apart."

Just like any other major renovation you'll make on your home, the estimates for the work will vary widely. Do your homework, the roof will be up before you know it and it'll last you a good 30 years.

"You want to call a few different contractors," said Aery. "Get a few estimates. They can vary within $4,000. About one to two days usually. Standard, about a day. But some, if they're a little bit bigger we'll go two days. You should go for a 30-year shingle. They can go all the way to 50, but a standard 30-year shingle is good."

With the average shingle today lasting about 30 years, you can help insure it lasts that long by trimming away any foliage or tree branches that overhang your roof, especially during the winter by clearing away some of the snow.

"It allows the sunlight to hit the shingles and evaporate the moisture. The shingles we use actually have algae resistant material in them. But if you're looking to extend the life, definitely take away the trees and let some sunlight in," Aery said. "If you get a roof rake and just pull off the bottom six feet of snow or whatever you can reach. A roof will go so far if it's installed properly, but it is advisable to take care of that if you can."

And fairly new to the market are energy efficient shingles. Keep an eye out for those. And don't forget, a new roof is one of those capital improvements that will add significant value come resale time.