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