An average roof is replaced or repaired in as little as 8 to 10 years. Choosing the correct roofing material for your home from the start is critical in order to minimize the long-term costs, as well as the environmental damage caused by having made the wrong choice and needing to re-roof over in a few years.
Now that you know you need a new roof, it is the perfect time to make some changes that could benefit you in the long run. Choosing the correct material to roof your home can lower your energy costs, while increasing your homes curb appeal.
Also don’t forget that your roof is your first line of defense against the weather. So, choose ahead of time a roof that is durable and won’t fail in extreme weather conditions, just when you need it most.
Following below are the benefits and drawbacks of some common roofing materials. Composition Shingles, Clay Tile and Slate, Wood Shingle and Shakes and Metal.
Composition shingles are the most common roofing material in North America. They are commonly made of either fiberglass or recycled paper based products mixed with asphalt, which is then covered with colored mineral granules. While they have a low installation cost, composition shingles will usually protect your home for about 10-15 years. Some composition roofs require maintenance or repair in as little as 8 years.
This material can be easily damaged by high winds, causing the shingles to blow off. High heat, heavy rains and other weather factors can cause curling, cracking and streaking of the shingles, which deteriorates your roof’s appearance and effectiveness. An average home with composition shingles will have to be re-roofed many times over its lifetime, creating waste that will need to be disposed of in the environment.
Clay tile and slate is commonly chosen for its appearance. Tile is often chosen for the ability to provide homes with a southwestern, Italian or Spanish Mission look, and slate is often seen on more upscale homes. They are natural substances that won’t burn or be as affected by the elements or insects as would organic material. However, they are extremely heavy and cause significant stress on your home’s structure. This puts your home at risk in the event of seismic activity or weakness caused by fire.Installing clay tile or slate on an average home can be very expensive due to the complicated nature of the installation and the cost of the material itself. One common finding when installing clay tile or slate is that extra roof support systems are needed due to the extremely high weight of these materials. Even with the added support the weight of these materials can contribute to total building collapse in the event of structural fire or earthquake. It should also be noted that both tile and slate are very fragile, as they can crack and break if walked on. This can make regular maintenance such as cleaning out gutters or painting difficult. If the tiles loosen in high wind situations, they may blow loose and cause damage to other structures. Colours can fade significantly over time and there is a high cost associated with replacing them.
Installing clay tile or slate on an average home can be very expensive due to the complicated nature of the installation and the cost of the material itself. One common finding when installing clay tile or slate is that extra roof support systems are needed due to the extremely high weight of these materials. Even with the added support the weight of these materials can contribute to total building collapse in the event of structural fire or earthquake. It should also be noted that both tile and slate are very fragile, as they can crack and break if walked on. This can make regular maintenance such as cleaning out gutters or painting difficult. If the tiles loosen in high wind situations, they may blow loose and cause damage to other structures. Colours can fade significantly over time and there is a high cost associated with replacing them.
Wood shingles and shakes provide a natural look to your home. They are commonly made out of cedar, red wood or cypress.
There is also a high level of maintenance to monitor as mold, rot; insects and rodents can be a problem leading to costly repairs. Finally many wood roofing materials are unrated by fire safety codes.
Today’s metal roofing can provide you with any style or color that would complement your home perfectly. Aluminum can be shaped to look like Tile, Slate, Shingle or Shake.
Metal will also not be affected by other extreme weather the way other organic roofing materials will, as aluminum won’t deteriorate. With the lightweight benefits of metal your roof won’t need a heavy-duty truss or structure system for installing.
Composition shingles are an inexpensive option for your home in the short term. However the need to re-roof over time can make this an expensive option over time.
Clay tile and slate looks beautiful and can provide your home with a traditional and classic appearance, but the initial expense and fragility of this product can make this choice more expensive then just the initial investment. The heavy weight of this material adds some concern of structural safety in the event of an earthquake or fire.
Wood shingle and shake will give your home a natural appearance. In some areas wood is no longer allowed due to the danger of wildfires spreading among neighborhoods. With the product being produced today out of second growth wood, it is more susceptible to becoming brittle and shrinking then the wood shingles and shakes of years ago.
Metal roofing can provide your home with the look of any other common roofing material. The initial expense of installing this product on your home is quickly realized as a solid investment, as this product eliminates the need for future re-roofing and maintenance. And, modern metal roofing systems retain their appearance and color for decades.
Aluminum Metal roofing is an environmentally sound choice, since it reduces the homeowners’ environmental footprint. This is due to the fact that aluminum roofing is made from recycled products, and can be totally recycled again and again, causing no further environmental waste. Landfills are therefore spared the huge waste that comes with the disposal of temporary roofing materials.
 |
| Want help with a new roof? Call 1-888-766-3661 (24 hrs a day, 7 days a week) More |
Copyright © 2011 Interlock Industries, Inc. All rights reserved. Interlock and Alunar logos are Registered Trademarks of I.E.L. Manufacturing Ltd. TEFLON® is a registered Trademark of E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company used under license. The ENERGY STAR name and the ENERGY STAR symbol are registered trademarks of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and are used with permission. When installed properly, this product will help reduce energy costs. Actual savings will vary based on geographic location and individual building characteristics. Consult your product manufacturer, roofing contractor, or call 1-888-STAR-YES (1-888-782-7937) for more information.
