How to Choose a Roof for Your Home | Today’s Homeowner

How to Choose a Roof for Your Home By: Joe Cuhaj

Photo Courtesy of CertainTeed Corporation

From natural materials like slate and wood to manmade products such as asphalt, sheet metal, and plastic polymers; there are more types and styles of roofing to choose from today than ever before. While each has its advantages and shortcomings, they all can add a distinctive design element to your home. So which one is right for you?

There are many factors to consider when selecting a roof including:

Some types of roofing may be better suited for your house than others. Factors such as the slope of the roof and strength of the framing could limit your choices. In areas prone to wildfires or hurricanes, look for a product with a high fire rating or good wind resistance. In addition, steps can be taken during the installation of many types of roofing to improve their resistance to fire or wind. Below is a rundown on the different types of roofing available.

Photo Courtesy of CertainTeed Corporation

Asphalt shingles are the most popular type of roofing for homes, comprising over 80% of residential roofing market.

Photo Courtesy of Metal Sales Manufacturing Corporation

While more expensive than asphalt, metal roofing lasts longer and is more wind resistant.

Photo Courtesy of DaVinci Roofscapes

These durable synthetic roofing shingles resemble either wood shakes or slate.

Photo Courtesy of Ludowici Roof Tile

While brittle and heavy, clay tiles can last a long time and are very fire resistant.

Photo Courtesy of Eagle Roofing Products

Less expensive than clay tiles, concrete roof tiles are also heavy but can last a long time and are very fire resistant.

Slate is one of the oldest roofing materials. Though brittle and expensive, it is very durable and resists both wind and fire.

Wood shingles and shakes made from rot resistant woods have low fire resistance unless treated.

The following table gives an overview of the various materials available. Weight and cost are listed per square of roofing (100 square feet) and include both labor and materials. Actual price may vary depending on the particular product used, the complexity of the job, and labor costs in different parts of the country. The cost per year indicates the price of the labor and materials per square over the roofs projected life.

There are two warranties to consider when roofing your home. The manufacturers warranty covers defects in the roofing material. A separate warranty may be issued by the roofing contractor to handle problems arising from improper installation.

A warranty is no better than the company that writes it, so make sure the product comes from a reputable manufacturer with the financial resources to stand behind it. This applies to the roofing contractor as well, since a fly-by-night roofer may be long gone before their guarantee expires.

It is important to read the warranty carefully to see what is covered and excluded. Some warranties are not transferable when you sell your house while others are limited to the cost of materials or are prorated over time.

Your roof is your homes single most important defense when it comes to protecting it from the elements, so it makes sense to make sure its done right.

Read more here:
How to Choose a Roof for Your Home | Today's Homeowner