Roofing

Choosing the roofing for your new home will depend on what style the home will be, your budget amount, the location of the home, and the makeup of the roofing material. There are many different types of roofing materials available now. They are designed in different appearances and qualities. In most cases, it is recommended that you choose a basic style and color, and then search for the quality and installation that will fit your budget.

Choosing a Roofing System

When you begin to choose your roofing system you'll need to consider several factors like the style, color, material, weight and cost. Here's some helpful information to get you started.

Style
The roofing style of homes used to be chosen according the area in which the home was. The Northeastern areas normally used slate, the south used wood or metal shingles, we used wood shingles and shakes, and southwestern homes used tile. When asphalt shingles were introduced, most homes began using them. This material can look like the traditional styles yet cost less. An estimated 70% of new homes use some type of asphalt shingles. It is most commonly recommended that when you choose your roofing material, not only should it match the style of your home, but also that of the other homes in your neighborhood. Over time it has become popular to follow specific home styles - slate roofing on brick homes, wood, slate, or shake on wood exterior homes, and clay or concrete tile on stucco homes.

Color
Color of the roofing is best determined by the style of your home and the color of the exterior you have chosen. Asphalt shingles can be found in most any color you choose, where slate and wood tend to only be found in their natural form and color. Another consideration when you choose the color that you should be aware of is the energy efficiency it may provide for you. For instance, if you were building in a warm climate, a lighter color would be beneficial to reflect sunlight and help keep the home cooler. In cooler climates, choosing a darker color will help absorb the heat from the sun.

Material
Be sure to check with your local building codes before choosing your material. Some areas do have requirements on roofing material meeting a standard fire rating. Wood shingles and shakes are the most flammable material and are now required to be pressure treated with a fire retardant. There are restrictions in some areas that require specific material to be used. As an example, neighborhoods classified as historic areas may require wood shingles or shakes to preserve the historic look of the area.

Weight
Weight can easily be over-looked by many new builders. The weight should be considered before the roofing purchase. The roofing frame being built for your home will naturally only be able to hold so much weight. Asphalt shingles are approximately 250 pounds per 100 square feet, where as slate is about 2,000 pounds. Any weight over 600 pounds per 100 square feet will require strengthening of the standard roof frame.

Cost
Cost will be your number one variation on roofing materials. Asphalt shingles have the lowest cost range. They can be purchased from approximately $25 to $30 per 100 square feet. Slate on the other hand will increase considerable to around $500 per 100 square feet. The cost difference is huge, but you may want to consider the life span of the material before opting for the asphalt. They average 20 years, but slate may easily outlive one hundred years. Once the material has been chosen, be sure to choose an installer that will do the job properly. Even if you have to choose the more expensive roofer for his guarantee, remember that the material will do no good if it is not installed properly.

Types of Roofing Material

Asphalt Shingles: $50 to $150 per square (10 x 10 area = 100 square feet = 1 square) Life span: 12 to 25 years.

Asphalt shingles can be purchased in a variety of styles, colors, and versatility. You can even get them in laminated grades with textured appearances. These are the most popular shingle material for steep-slope roofs and can be reinforced with organic or fiberglass materials. They have been reinforced with organic felts for a long time, but the fiberglass-reinforced products, otherwise known as composition shingles, are dominant in the market. The fire resistance of the asphalt shingles are categorized by Class A (most fire resistant), B, and C. Most fiberglass shingles have Class A rating, where organic are at Class C. If you have concern with algae, consider having zinc or copper-coated ceramic granules applied to the shingles to resist algae attack.

Wood shingles and shakes $100 to $165 per square (10 x 10 area = 100 square feet = 1 square) Life span: 25 to 75 years.

Wood shingles and shakes can be purchased in cedar, redwood, southern pine and other woods, cedar being the most costly. Wood shingles cut are by machine, while wood shakes are handmade and have a rougher look. Since most wood shingles and shakes only have Class C fire ratings or no ratings at all, be sure to check your local building codes before deciding on this type of roofing. You can purchase Class A wood shingles with fire-resistant treatment for an additional cost.

Clay tile $300 to $600 per square (10 x 10 area = 100 square feet = 1 square) Life span: 50 years.

Clay tile is very durable and comes in a variety of colors and finishes, but are a heavy material.

Slate $550 to $1000 per square (10 x 10 area = 100 square feet = 1 square) Life span: 50 to 100 years.

Slate is by far the most durable material, but also most expensive. The installation requires special skills and experience. The choice of color and grade will vary greatly on where you purchase it.

Metal starts around $100 per square (10 x 10 area = 100 square feet = 1 square) but can run up to $600 for coated steels and copper. Life span: 20 to 50 years.

There are two types of metal roofing products: panels and shingles, which come in numerous shapes and configurations. Metal shingles typically simulate traditional roof coverings, such as wood shakes, shingles and tile. Aside from its longevity, metal shingles are much lighter than most materials and very resistance to adverse weather.

Fiber cement $500 per square (10 x 10 area = 100 square feet = 1 square) Life span: 20 to 30 years.

Fiber cement is a good choice for homes that are built in very hot, humid climates. They withstand the salty air and wind of being near an ocean. Fiber cement is available in a variety of textures and colors and is very durable. Keep in mind; they are very heavy and difficult to repair though.

Although concrete shingles are costly, they generally have a long life span, high fire resistance, require low maintenance, and are rot and insect resistant. Concrete shingles simulate wood shakes. They are lightweight tiles and panels manufactured from a variety of fiber-reinforced cement products. Some are coated with plastics, enamels, or thin metals, and some contain recycled material.

Source thehousedesigners.com