Things to consider when choosing a roof for your home

What type of roofing material is ideal for you?

While certain roofing materials such as copper, wood shakes and slate have remained virtually unchanged for years, today’s wide and expanding pallate of roofing materials provide homeowners many options to consider, all of which are worth your consideration. From asphalt-fiberglass, a perennial favorite, to plastic composites, along with other new cement-made products, you now have a whole host of materials to choose from. Let us briefly examine each of them.

• Asphalt Composition Shingles: Perhaps the most preferred roofing type for today’s homes, studies show that Asphalt Shingles account for nearly eighty-percent of total residential roofing. Typically, they are made from either fiberglass or an organic paper fiber mat impregnated with asphalt and mineral granules added to them. This material boasts a broad range of beneficial features such as longevity, affordability, and appearance. The best in this class are known as architectural or laminated shingles; these are more textured and thicker, potentially lasting between thirty to forty years. One notable disadvantage of Asphalt shingles is that they are not eco-friendly, as they are petroleum-based. However, they may still be recycled.
• Metal: It is imperative to note that metal roofs are relatively more expensive than their asphalt counterparts, and as such, offer increased durability and more wind-resistance. They are also available in a wide variety, comprising of copper, steel, aluminum or zinc alloy. On most occasions, iron roofs come coated with a zinc or painted finish. On the other hand, copper roofs are installed unfinished, often requiring a protective green patina as time goes on. They are also relatively durable, depending on the material. Again, they offer resistance to both the wind and fire.
• Wood Shakes and Shingles: These are commonly made of cedar, redwood or any other type of resistant wood. As such, they’ll provide a natural aesthetic and since they originate from natural materials, are eco-friendly! Though they are fantastically wind resistant, they are destitute of fire resistance.
• Slate: Often dark-gray in color and irregular in appearance, slate roofs are made from natural slate rocks. Highly durable, they offer excellent resistance to both fire and the wind, and sometimes require a reinforced roofing structure for extra support. Unfortunately, as a result, they can be expensive and require highly-skilled workers for installation.
• Concrete Tile: These feature materials are extracted from Portland sand and cement. These tiles can be modified to look like slate, wood shakes, and clay tiles. Concrete tiles are also very durable, low maintenance and have high fire resistance.
• Plastic Polymer: Molded from high-tech plastic polymer materials, these are long-lasting, wind and fire resistant and eco-friendly.

Cost Considerations?

If you are unaware, the overall cost of a new roof can vary widely.  Besides the shingles you choose, the roof’s height, and complexity as well as ceiling steepness can influence the labor costs. Based on your preferences, values, needs and budget, you should be able to arrive at the best choice.

Are the weather factors significant?

Your home is the primary barrier between you and the elements of nature. Thus, choosing a material which will shelter your belongings reliably is crucial. To be even more precise, protection must be offered against snow, wind, rain as well as the sun’s scorching heat. Simply put, your roofing material must be capable of withstanding whatever type of weather that comes its way.

Again, other factors such as the roof’s slope and strength will limit your options. In regions prone to hurricanes or natural fires, choose a product with excellent fire rating as well as strong fire resistance.

Is the material durable?

Without a doubt, you expect your new roof to serve you for an extended period. Note that the ultimate cost of any roofing material is a factor of its durability. As such, a cheaper material such as composition roofing will likely serve you for a shorter period, relative to a premium material. Finally, always pay close attention to warranty, fully comprehending the coverage being offered.

If you would like a Bay Area roofing contractor to consult you on choosing the right roof, contact Century Roof Tile

When weighing your options for new roofing material, discussed above are the most significant factors to consider. If you are a Bay Area homeowner seeking roof installation, look no further than Century Roof Tile. Century Roof Tile is a seasoned provider of roofing services in the greater Bay Area region. We offer a wide variety of roofing materials at very competitive prices. Contact us today at (888) 233-7548 for professional assistance. If you are reaching out to us after-hours, simply send us a message online via our contact form.

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!

Your roof keeps your home safe from the elements, prevents the leaching of heat, and ensures the coherence of your house’s architecture. For these reasons and others, you need to choose high-quality roofing materials as well as a skilled Bay Area roofing contractor to install them and ensure the integrity of the structure. Here are three issues to consider as you evaluate materials and make your selection.

1. Type of shingle.

How strong does your roof need to be? How much maintenance are you willing to do on a regular basis? What are your weatherproofing and fireproofing needs? Different answers will point you to different types of shingles. For example, slate shingles are durable and resistant to fire, but they tend to be more expensive than other options, but they also tend to last considerably longer, you will have to do some math to fully weigh your options.

2. Reputation of contractor.

Before choosing any roofing contractor, evaluate him or her by reading reviews from past clients and asking the contractor to show proof of licensing and bonding. You may also want to look for a contractor that has been doing the type of roofing that you are considering for at least 10 years, so that you can be sure that their installations have held up over time. If you identify customers leaving negative feedback online after their roofs have been installed for a few years you may want to find another contractor.

3. Budget.

In a perfect world, you would simply choose the best possible roofing materials. However, your budget may limit your choices. Choose materials that meet your needs, and consider long term expenses (e.g. replacement or maintenance) as well as the initial cost of the installation and materials.

[Related: Why Asphalt Shingles Fail Prematurely]

Bay Area Roofing Professionals Provide Additional Information and Guidance

Would you like insight into how to handle your roofing challenges? Call our East Bay roofing contractors to analyze your roof, suggest materials and methods for the project, and execute it seamlessly. Century Roofing contractors can be reached at (888) 233-7548 or online from our contact page.