If you are preparing for a full roof replacement you’ll want to carefully consider your roofing options with regard to longevity, material type, cost, and other factors. The average 3-tab asphalt shingle roof, which is among the most common roofing materials, will last 15-25 years, while other roof types can last longer. All roofs require periodic inspection and maintenance to ensure they will not fail prematurely, but inevitably, all types need to be replaced at some point. Read on to find information to help you make a decision about what type of roof installation is best for you.

General Considerations

First, let’s address potential constraints on your roofing material options:

• Local building codes may not allow for wood, thatch, or other roofing materials.
• Roof pitch can limit which roofing materials can be used on your home.
• Fire and wind resistance may be an important consideration for you, and different roofing materials have various resistances.
• Durability varies greatly among roofing materials. Some materials require much more rigorous and regular maintenance. Your choice will thus have implications for the cost and frequency of solar roofing options.
• The weight of some options could be too heavy for support beams.

Roofing Materials

• Asphalt shingles are the most common due to their low cost and ease of installation. They last between 15 and 25 years.
• Metal roofs can be aluminum, steel, or copper, and they can be installed as panels or shingles. They tend to be long lasting (50+ years) and low maintenance, but they can also be expensive.
• Tile and cement roofs are beautiful but heavy. They are long-lasting and generally low maintenance. One big issue – relevant to Bay Area owners and builders – is that wind damage can create big problems for tile roofs.
• Slate roofs tend to be very expensive, and you must use specially trained workers for installation. The material is obviously heavy, but it is also long lasting (75+ years).
• Wood shingles, often made of cedar or redwood, can be a great choice, but you may need to fireproof. Wood also has a relatively short lifespan and relatively high maintenance burden.

Looking for a Quote from a Bay Area Roofing Contractor?

Century Roof and Solar is a certified and licensed East Bay roofing company. We can install and repair nearly every roofing material on any pitch of roof. We also provide solar roofing options to make your home easier on the environment and your monthly bills. Call us today at (888) 233-7548 or send us a message from our website for a free estimate.

Follow us on Facebook, Google+, Twitter or Pinterest to find more information on roofing maintenance tips!

Before you make the leap, you need to know whether your current roof (or prospective roof) would be a naturally good fit for solar. Here are five tests to do:

1. Search for shadows

Shadows cast by trees, buildings, and overhanging vegetation can influence the solar setup. To do PV installation, for instance, you want to maximize your sun exposure. Your roof should be south-facing here in the Bay Area to extract as much solar energy as possible.

2. Learn the load bearing capacity of the roof

You obviously need to know the amount of infrastructure that the roof can safely hold. A standard solar panel set up weighs about 15 kilograms per square meter.

3. Know how much solar power you need to generate

Not all available rooftop space can be used for your panels. In some cases, you can use up to 90% of the rooftop. But aim for around 70% max to be on the safe side.

4. Pay attention to miscellaneous factors

You may have aesthetic constraints or ambitions, for instance. Some high-end products and panels can look practically indistinguishable from more “natural” types of roofing material, but these materials can add to your budget. What’s more important to you: cheap or beautiful? Prioritize before you start shopping.

5. Appreciate the tailor’s maxim: measure twice, cut once.

Spend time doing research and planning before you invest in a multi-thousand dollar roofing construction project. The better you budget, the more clearly you will understand whether the project will deliver a return on investment.

The team here at Century Roof & Solar would be happy to talk to you in detail about your solar roofing project. Connect with us today for a free estimate.