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What’s Your Roof Type, Baby?

When it is time to re-roof your house, there are many things that need to be taken into consideration. Do you need an inexpensive roof because funds are limited or are you looking to save money in the long-run by investing in a more durable roof that will last longer? Do you want to give your roof a certain designer look, or perhaps an environmentally friendly option that lowers your energy bill. Whatever you are looking for in your next roof, we here at Roof Worx of Denver can help you to find the best roof system type to protect your home!

There are six main styles of roofing that a residential house will typically have: asphalt composition fiberglass shingles, wood shakes, clay tiles, slate, concrete tile, and various metals. They all have their pros and cons. By becoming informed about your roof replacement options, you’ll be able to pick the right roof for your home and ensure that it meets your interests and needs, both now and in the future.

Asphalt composition shingles are the most common and the least expensive. There are many different varieties available, including the impact-resistant shingles that we covered last week. Unlike many other materials, asphalt shingles can be gently walked on without being damaged. However, they also have the shortest lifespan (so they will need to be replaced sooner) and can sometimes blow off in high winds. The look that they will give to a roof is typically smooth and clean. Asphalt composition shingles in a lighter color will lower the surface temperature of your roof and result in a lower energy bill than a darker color because they will reflect more of the sun’s damaging rays instead of absorbing it. Typically, a composition roof will require very little maintenance if installed correctly, which your Roof Worx team will ensure.

Wood Shakes, on the other hand, will require regular maintenance and repair if you want them to last for a long time because they can be more vulnerable to fire, mold, rot, and insects. Also, because of the increased fire hazard with wood shakes, some jurisdictions’ building codes no longer allow wood shake roofs to be installed including Boulder, Aspen and Pitkin County. Keep in mind that the fire hazard can be minimized with regular applications of a special fire retardant. Repairs can be made even more challenging by the fact that you shouldn’t walk on them because it can damage them. However, wood shakes can give your house a lot of personality because it is dimensional and a beautiful natural product. Shakes can be difficult to install, which is why you should make sure you let our proven roofing experts at Roof Worx install or repair your wooden shakes.

Clay tiles can last longer than the roof structure you install them on – now that’s durability! Unlike wood shakes, tiles won’t rot, burn, mold, or be infested by insects. However, tiles are incredibly heavy, so the roof structure might need additional support to handle the weight. Also, tiles will be damaged if they are walked on, so maintenance can be more challenging, though the tiles themselves need very little maintenance. Clay tiles can also be expensive and complicated to install, but they give a beautiful look to the home and most certainly add value and longevity to your property.

Slate is another natural product, like the wood shingles, that can be used to roof your house. Slate is made from rock that has been shaped into shingles. It shares a lot of qualities with tile: incredible durability, low maintenance, heavy, expensive, and you can’t walk on it. It is a stunning roofing choice, however, and gives a very different appearance to your home than tile. If you want a natural product that is long-lasting and gives your home that designer look, go slate! There are many synthetic alternatives to slate that are coming to the market, so be sure to check with our Roof Worx professionals about the latest products coming to the market.

Concrete tiles are a relatively new synthetic product and therefore they come in a huge variety of great styles and colors. Concrete tiles are not as heavy as clay tiles or slate, but they can be made to have the same look, or a different look entirely. Because there is so much selection in style and color, there is also variety in the advantages and disadvantages. However, most are very durable, fire/rot/insect resistant, and are low maintenance. Especially here in Colorado concrete tiles are becoming much more common in recent years because they are so cost effective and have so many great advantages.

Metal roofs can provide a great value, especially if you are looking for an environmentally-friendly roof. They are energy-efficient, durable, light, and can be made to look like many other roofing materials. Installation of a metal roof won’t have the same tear-off cost as the other roof types because it is light enough that it can be installed over the existing roof, which can reduce landfill waste. They are frequently made of 60-65% recycled material.

As you can see, there are a variety of great products out there to cover your house with. They can provide a combination of various qualities, which will help you to select the best one to fit your needs. Of course, if it is time to replace your roof and you want to know more about any of these roof types, our Roofing Experts will help you to find the perfect roof and install it with the utmost attention to detail and quality. It’s what we do – all day and every day for your convenience!
We look forward to you becoming a part of the Roof Worx family and getting your “Prescription for Quality!”

May 7th, 2013 | Denver roofing, News, Roof Worx, Roofing