>>Roofing
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There are many different types of roofing. From
traditional shakes, and tile to modern asphalt,
steel, and fiber-cement the choices appear to
almost unlimited. Each materials has it's own
advantages and disadvantages. Your budget, home
style, and climate considerations will help to
narrow the choice.
Click
on thumbnail below to view a cross-section of
the roof
Roofing begins once the framing is complete. The
roofing can begin prior to the HVAC, electrical
and plumbing or after on asphalt composition roofs.
On tile, wood shake and steel it is easier to
install roofing after the penetrations are through
the roof.
Drying in
After the roof is framed, and before applying
shingles, it is a common practice to cover the
roof with felt paper (Drying in). This keeps the
moisture out of the house while construction continues.
The roofing felt can remain uncovered on the roof
for a month or two before it starts to weather
and needs to be replaced. The shingles are then
placed over the felt paper.
In areas where snow and ice are prevalent Ice
and water shield should be used in the valleys
and over the eaves. A common brand is Bituthane™
It is a thick asphalt based material with adhesive
on one side that helps to seal the valleys and
eaves against Ice dams. Ice dams occur when snow
melts on the warm part of the roof (and runs down
to the eaves where the roofing is cooler. When
the water reaches the cooler part of the roof
it freezes causing ice to force it's way underneath
the shingles. The ice and water shield protect
the sheathing from exposure to the weather.
Ice dams are generally caused by a combination
of excessive heat and lack of ventilation in the
attic space. The build up of heat causes the snow
on the roof to melt prematurely and run down to
the eaves where it freezes again. Generally low
slope roofs are at greater risk for ice dams because
they don't shed the runoff as quickly.
| Shingle
Type |
Initial
cost |
Long-term
cost |
Longevity
typical (years) |
Selection
of styles and colors |
| 3-tab
Asphalt |
Very
low |
Medium/High |
20-30 |
Large
|
| Architectural
asphalt |
Low |
Medium
|
25-40 |
Large
|
| Wood
Shake/shingle |
Very
high |
High |
15-30 |
Small
|
| Steel
roof |
High |
Low |
40-50+ |
Large
|
| Cement/clay
tile |
High |
Low |
40-50+ |
Medium
|
The initial cost of 3-tab is low but the long
term is high because they don't last all that
long. On south facing exposures a 20 year 3-tab
shingle may last only 14-15 years. They are not
too expensive to re-shingle, and code allows you
to shingle over the top of old worn out shingles.
3-tab are typically used on starter homes. Because
of their popularity there is a large selection
of colors available.
Architectural composition shingles are made from
the same materials that single ply 3-tab shingles.
The main difference is the color variance and
the layers gives the shingle a thicker less uniform
look. This creates a 3-dimensional look that is
similar to wood shakes. This adds greatly to the
aesthetics of the roof. Architectural shingles
are very popular right now, and are available
in many colors and styles. They cost about 20-40%
more than 3-tab shingles and are typically used
on the "Move-up" homes.
Cedar shakes and shingles have a timeless look
that is unique to the material. The look is not
cheap however. The price of the shingle fluctuates
with lumber prices. Wood shakes and shingles are
fairly durable. Expect them to last between 25-40
years. Besides being expensive, wood shingles
are not recommended in hot dry areas where fires
are common.
It used to be that steel roofing amounted to the
corrugated type sheets that were more common on
barns than anything else. However, now steel roofing
is available in sheet and shingles that imitate
shakes, tiles and shale to name a few. The number
of styles of steel shingle and roofing products
is growing each year. The reason that steel is
so popular is that it is durable and will last
forever, it is light and installed quickly. It
is not cheap but on the long-term it is a good
value.
Clay and cement tile shingles are durable and
a good long-term value. They are an excellent
choice in areas where wildfires are a concern.
Although the initial cost of installation is high,
the long-term cost is low. Tile roof can last
50+ years. One thing to know when considering
a tile roof is the weight of the tile itself.
Roof trusses must be engineered to handle the
extra weight of tile. When remodeling, tile roofs
often need to be built up to hold the extra weight.
Tile is available in many colors and styles.
Roofing decisions are affected by budget, house
style, the amount of time you expect to occupy
the home, and the covenants and restrictions.
It is also a good idea to look around your neighborhood
to see what the predominant roofing material is.
We recommend that 20 year 3-tab shingles be avoided.
There is really no compelling reason to use a
shingle that is much less attractive and doesn't
last all that long. 3-tab shingle don't positively
affect resale value.
