No matter what the roof type may be, it should get a yearly inspection. Are the shingles curling or buckling? Or brittle or cracked from sun damage? Are there missing or broken shingles? Is there rotting wood on the fascia and soffit? Any signs of moisture in the attic? Is the flashing around the vents and chimney still in good condition?
Many of these conditions, if caught early, can be fixed as a spot repair by the homeowner or a roofing company. But if the roof is nearing the end of its lifespan, that money might be better spent on a new roof.
A Is for Asphalt
The term “asphalt shingles” actually refers to three primary types: three-tab, laminated/architectural, and premium. The first is a single layer with three “tabs,” so that each shingle looks like three smaller shingles when laid out, for added visual interest. They come in a variety of colors and give a neat, clean look at a low price point, with a 20-year lifespan.Laminated/architectural shingles add dimensionality and aesthetics, while premium or designer shingles can mimic the look of more expensive types such as shake, tile, or slate. Both of these types typically have 30-year or longer lifespans.
Tasteful Tiles
Clay tiles are one of the oldest roofing materials known to man and they add instant elegance to any home. They’re durable, lasting more than 100 years with proper care, and are low-maintenance, watertight, and fire-safe.
They’re also expensive, which is where concrete tiles come in. These typically cost less than clay and are equally watertight and fire-safe, but they either need to be sealed and resealed every few years or pressure-washed to remove mold growth. While they can also last more than 100 years, some roofers will say they have a more typical 50-year lifespan.
Concrete tiles, however, are available in more styles than clay: flat, low profile, and high profile (the iconic clay tile look). Both are more common in warm climates without severe freeze/thaw cycles, which can crack them. Both are highly resistant to impact cracks—remember, they’re common in hurricane zones such as Florida—but it can happen, so purchase some spares.
Metal’s Mettle
Metal roofing is becoming much more popular, in large part due to its longevity (rated for 40 to over 80 years), low maintenance, impact resistance, Class-A fire rating, and the fact that it is extremely energy-efficient, reflecting the hot sun to reduce cooling costs.However, they are expensive and can be noisy, particularly during a storm. Insulation or another underlayment can mitigate this.
There are three styles of metal roofs. The most economical is exposed fastener, where overlapping panels are secured to the roof deck or framing through the metal. The fasteners are typically the same color as the roof and are barely visible from below.
Standing seam, or concealed fastener, panels are either snapped together or mechanically seamed (utilizing clips that are locked together with a specialized hand tool). This allows the roof to expand and contract with changing temperatures, offer greater strength, and adds resistance to wind uplift. The third type is metal roof tiles that look like classic clay or colored concrete tile.
Another consideration is the roofing material. Galvanized steel is affordable and durable, but it can be heavy. Aluminum is lightweight, malleable, and offers color options, but it is less durable than steel. Zinc can last up to 100 years, is extremely low-maintenance, and is corrosion-resistant, but it can be hard to find and is costly. Copper adds instant history, is extremely durable, lighter than steel, and acquires a beautiful patina over time, but it is very expensive and can be dented.
