| In the great search for the perfect home there are | | | | particular membranes is through the "torch down" |
| many details to consider. A huge part of the integrity | | | | method. A flame throwing torch melts the asphalt so |
| of any building is, of course, the roof. There are various | | | | that the seams can be joined together. Membrane |
| different types of roofs and roofing material, all with | | | | roofs are a great choice and often come with a long |
| particular advantages and draw-backs. You'll want | | | | life warrantee- usually around 15-25 years, depending |
| consider this information as you continue your hunt. A | | | | on the thickness of materials used. |
| good roof is part of a great investment. Likewise, if | | | | Metal |
| you are buying into a home that needs a roof | | | | The longest lasting and probably most expensive roof |
| replacement, it is not a bad idea to have a handle on | | | | choice is a metal roof. They will typically last 40-50 |
| the type of roofing materials on the market. | | | | years. Metal roof are also favored for their speed, |
| Asphalt | | | | ease of installation and fire resistant qualities. Metal |
| Asphalt roofs are the most popular roof choice in | | | | roofs are surprisingly lightweight and reflect heat from |
| North America. They are a proven covering material | | | | the sun. Drawbacks, aside from the costs of premium |
| available in many styles, shapes and colors. Asphalt | | | | materials, are noise and denting. If a golf ball hits your |
| shingles normally last about 20 years, but when | | | | metal roof, not only will you hear it, you may also have |
| covered in copper sheeting their life can be extended | | | | a permanent dent in your roof!. And although the noise |
| up to 30 or 40 years. Asphalt shingles are suitable for | | | | can be controlled in various ways, if you you live in a |
| most residential applications and compared to other | | | | rainy climate and want a metal roof, you had better |
| roofing products asphalt are a relatively inexpensive | | | | like the sound of rain pitter pattering, or pelting above |
| choice. Asphalt shingles are also a user friendly choice. | | | | you. |
| Experienced do-it-yourselfers will have no problems | | | | Wood |
| applying asphalt shingles successfully. Asphalt is a low | | | | Wooden roofs are generally comprised of either |
| maintenance product with easy repairs. You can go | | | | shingles or shakes. Usually made from western red |
| ahead with asphalt knowing it has been around for | | | | cedar, a long-lasting, straight-grained wood, shingles |
| over 100 years and has a proven track record. | | | | have a life expectancy similar to most other roofs. |
| Membrane | | | | Wood shakes are thicker and rougher and like shingles |
| Flat roofs usually require some type of membrane | | | | have an average life expectancy of 25 years. One |
| roofing material. There are three main types. | | | | draw back to wooden roofs is that the are certainly |
| Thermoset Membranes chemically cross link. "What | | | | not fire-resistant. Some local codes require that the |
| does this mean?", you may ask. It basically amounts to | | | | wood be pressure-treated. Therefore, wooden roofs |
| having one giant molecule of roofing over your head- | | | | may not be suitable for use in fire-prone areas. Wood |
| no seams attached! These membranes are quite thick | | | | materials often require more maintenance than other |
| and offer superior performance in a wide range of | | | | roofing options, especially if you live in a harsh climate. |
| exposures. The Thermoplastic Membrane roofs are | | | | Tile |
| similar to Thermosets, but do not chemically cross link. | | | | Tile roofs initially cost a lot more to install than asphalt |
| Instead, seams are welded together with heat or | | | | shingle or wood shake roofs, but they also last much |
| solvents. PVC plastic materials are used with both | | | | longer. Their lifecycle can be from 50-100 years, and |
| these types of roofing. There are many different | | | | sometimes even longer.Tile is often used in more |
| "code" acronyms that you might hear a roofer talk | | | | expensive, custom homes. Tile has the unique ability of |
| about. Be sure to find out the exact material and | | | | being able to accent the exterior color or finish of any |
| material details from your roofer. The third type of | | | | home or building. With better insulating properties, tile is |
| membrane is Modified Bitumen Membrane, which is an | | | | also your most energy-efficient material choice. Tile |
| evolution of asphalt roofing. These membranes | | | | roofing systems allow air circulation under the tile, |
| combine asphalt with modifiers and reinforcement | | | | reducing heat transfer to attics during fires. But take |
| materials. The preferred method of applying these | | | | note, tile roofs are not meant to be walked on! |