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Selecting A Roof?

With today’s options, it can become quite tedious making the right choices. This is why being informed and having as much information as possible is so important. At Proven Contracting, we know that there are more styles of roofing to choose from than ever before. While each style of roof may have its own positives and negatives, they can all add a unique aesthetic element to your home. So which roof style is right for you? Well, we have a lot of things to consider. Read on if you’re looking to learn a bit more about making the right choice when selecting your roof materials.

What Should You Look For?

There are many variables to consider when selecting a roof for your home:

• How long will my roof last?
• Will may roof hold up during severe weather?
• Is my roof too heavy for the current roof framing?
• Does my roof provide enough slope?
• Will the look complement the style and aesthetics of the house?
• How much will my roof cost?

Let’s Compare:

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

• Materials: Made of either an organic paper fiber mat (better for cold weather and wind resistance) or fiberglass (more fire and moisture resistant) impregnated with asphalt and coated with mineral granules.
• Appearance: Available in traditional 3-tab shingles or thicker laminated “architectural” shingles.
• Eco-Friendly: Petroleum based product that’s not eco-friendly. Can be recycled, though often taken to landfills.
• Durability: Not very durable. Algae resistant shingles are available in humid climates to prevent staining.
• Weight: Moderate in weight.
• Slope: Can be used on fairly low to steeper sloped roofs.
• Fire & Wind: Good fire resistance, fair wind resistance.
• Cost: Inexpensive to moderate.

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

• Materials: May be composed of steel, aluminum, copper, or zinc alloy. Steel roofs come with either a zinc coating or painted finish. Copper roofs are installed unfinished and acquire a protective green patina with age.
• Appearance: Available in sheets or in shingles that resemble other materials. Can be installed with the fasteners hidden (standing seam) or exposed.
• Eco-Friendly: May be made from recycled materials and can be recycled when replaced. Absorb a third less heat than asphalt.
• Durability: Fairly to very durable, depending on the material.
• Weight: Lightweight.
• Slope: Available for low or steep sloped roofs.
• Fire & Wind: Good resistance to both fire and wind.
• Cost: Moderate (steel) to expensive (copper).

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

• Materials: Molded from a high-tech plastic polymer material.
• Appearance: Made to resemble slate or wood shakes.
• Durability: Claimed to be long lasting and low maintenance.
• Eco-Friendly: Some are made from recycled materials. Can be recycled when replaced.
• Weight: Light to moderate in weight.
• Slope: Can be used on moderate to steep sloped roofs.
• Fire & Wind: Good fire and wind resistance.
• Cost: Moderate.

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

• Materials: Made from natural clay which is fired in a kiln.
• Appearance: Traditional Italian or Spanish look, can also be made to resemble wood shakes or slate.
• Eco-Friendly: Made from natural materials but requires significant energy to manufacture.
• Durability: Long lasting and low maintenance but brittle and can break.
• Weight: Heavy, require reinforced roof framing to support.
• Slope: Can be used on moderate to steeper sloped roofs.
• Fire & Wind: Excellent fire resistance, fair to low wind resistance.
• Cost: Expensive.

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

• Materials: Made from a mixture of Portland cement and sand.
• Appearance: Can be made to resemble traditional clay tiles, wood shakes, or slate. Color can be throughout tile or only applied on the surface.
• Eco-Friendly: Made from natural materials but requires significant energy to manufacture.
• Durability: Long lasting and low maintenance but can break.
• Weight: Heavy, require reinforced roof framing to support.
• Slope: Can be used on moderate to steeper sloped roofs.
• Fire & Wind: Excellent fire resistance, fair to low wind resistance.
• Cost: Moderate.

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

• Materials: Made from natural slate rock.
• Appearance: Usually dark gray with irregular appearance.
• Eco-Friendly: Made from natural materials.
• Durability: Long lasting, durable (depending on where quarried).
• Weight: Heavy, require reinforced roofing structure to support.
• Slope: Steep sloped roofs only.
• Fire & Wind: Good fire and wind resistance.
• Cost: Very expensive. Requires specially trained workers to install.

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

• Materials: Commonly made of cedar, but can also be made of other rot resistant woods, such as redwood.
• Appearance: Gives natural look, weathers to a silvery gray. Available in sawn shingles or thicker split shakes.
• Eco-Friendly: Made from natural materials.
• Durability: Short lifespan and requires periodic maintenance.
• Weight: Moderate in weight.
• Slope: Can be used on moderate to steep sloped roofs.
• Fire & Wind: Good wind resistance, poor fire resistance (can be treated with a fire retardant).
• Cost: Moderate.

Consider Warranties

There are two warranties to consider when roofing your home. The manufacturer’s 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 home’s single most important defense when it comes to protecting it from the elements, so it makes sense to make sure it’s done right.

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Some Of The Top Brands To Choose From:

IKO Asphalt Roofing Shingles are effective protection for your home and family against inclement weather.

• With their thick dimensional profiles, extra-large exposures and color blends, IKO’s Premium Roofing Shingles, like their IKO Royal Estate and Crowne Slate shingles, mimic the sought-after designer look and beauty of genuine slate tiles or wood shakes.
• Many of their asphalt roofing types have Class A, Fire-Resistance ratings, built-in algae-resistance and superior wind-resistance for those living in areas prone to inclement weather.
• 130-mph Wind Resistance Limited Warranties are available for IKO Cambridge IR and IKO Dynasty asphalt roofing shingles.
• Shingle and installation costs can vary considerably for these shingles.
• Savings are available in IKO Cambridge Cool Colors shingles, which can help reduce your home’s carbon footprint and potentially reduce your energy bill. Many of these shingles have a Class 4 Impact-Resistance Rating, which can help homeowners obtain a discount on their home insurance premiums.

Owens Corning Duration Shingles protect your roof by preventing individual shingles from loosening or flying off during windstorms. They also offer a high-end appearance, which will make your neighbors and guests believe that you spent a lot more on your roof than you did.

• Owens Corning Duration Shingles include a limited lifetime warranty, plus additional protection from a 130-mph Wind Resistance Limited Warranty and Algae Resistance Limited Warranty. While the company will reimburse you for failed materials, you’ll have to pay for the removal and disposal of such shingles. Then, you’ll have another fee for the installation of the new materials.
• Owens Corning 33.3-square foot three-tab roofing shingles cost roughly $22.50 per unit. Their laminated-architectural shingle is a bit smaller at 32.8-square foot and run at the slightly higher cost of $25 or so per unit.
• Owens Corning TruDefinition Duration laminated architectural shingles start at $35 and can cost as much as $50, depending on color and style.

GAF Timberline Shingles has a GAF Golden Pledge ® Warranty that covers the entire roof, including installation, removal and disposal costs. To qualify, you must purchase five GAF accessories like Deck-Armor™ Premium Breathable Roof Deck Protection at the time of your shingle purchase.

• GAF Timberline sells upscale shingles for between $32 and $43 per unit.
• Most GAF shingles are laminated architectural.

For additional information to learn more about our roofing services in Bridgewater, Long Valley or Randolph or for a free consultation, contact our team at Proven Contracting.