Roofing Buying Guide

Repairing or replacing your home’s roof is one of the most important investments you'll make in your property. An ideal roof will protect your home and look great while doing it. Whether you plan to do the work yourself or hire someone, it is important to know some basic facts about roofing materials. The more knowledge you have, the better equipped you will be to make sound decisions.

Replacing your roof requires a lot of thought and planning, since a roof should provide shelter for you and your home for years to come. In starting your project, you'll need to focus on material and installation.

There are many choices of materials. Asphalt shingles are popular and versatile. Other materials, such as slate or copper, are more expensive options geared towards specific architectural aesthetics. Though all roofing materials should withstand harsh outdoor conditions, specific properties, such as expected longevity, fire resistance, grade of product, weight, suitability for low or steep slope roofs, and more, should be explored.

Installation will play a major role in how well your new roof functions and lasts. It is usually recommended to hire a licensed, insured, and experienced roofing contractor. The installer, whether it is you or a contractor, should have experience specific to the material being used. For example, asphalt shingles, cedar shakes, and tile installations all require different skills. A qualified professional can also help steer you towards the right materials for your needs.

You can protect your new roof by cleaning gutters regularly and pruning back trees.

There are some roofing terms with which you should be familiar. These should aid you in understanding some differences in materials, as well as help when talking to contractors or planning the job yourself.

Rafters: Rafters are the basic supporting framework of the roof.

Deck/Sheathing: The deck, or sheathing, which is generally made of plywood or OSB (oriented strand board, which is composed of wood chips and lamination glue) is attached to the roof rafters to cover them as the first layer of roofing.

Underlayment: The underlayment, or felt, rests between the deck and the final roofing material to provide an extra layer of watertight protection. It is usually made of asphalt-saturated material.

Flashing: Flashing, which is often made of metal sheets, is used to reinforce and prevent leaking around sky lights, chimneys, vent pipes, dormers, and any other irregular roof area, including other projections or valleys.

Shingles: The most common form of final roof covering, these are overlapping pieces of roofing material. Shingles are smooth; shakes are rough. They come in a variety of sizes.

Shakes: Available in wood, often cedar, shakes are rough hewn and have a more rustic look than shingles. They come in a variety of sizes.

Slope/Pitch: This is the ratio of the rise of the roof to the horizontal span of the roof. For example, if your roof has a 6/12 pitch, it means that your roof rises six inches for every 12 inches of horizontal distance. It is vital to have an accurate pitch measurement in order to buy appropriate materials in the correct quantity. A roof is a steep slope roof if the rise increases by more than four inches per horizontal foot, and is low slope if it is four inches or less. Most houses have steep slope roofs and most commercial and apartment buildings have low slope roofs.

Dormer: A small structure, usually with a window, projecting from a sloped roof. Dormers require flashing around them.

Valley: The intersection of two adjoining sloped roof surfaces creates a valley. This is another area that requires flashing to protect from leaks.

Louvers/Ridge Vents/Soffit Vents: These are all devises which provide proper ventilation to the roof via the attic. These should never be blocked. Without proper ventilation, heat and moisture can build up in the attic and cause structural damage, such as rotting, to the roof, which will decrease its life span.

Drainage: In a roof, shape and slope contribute to drainage, as well as gutter systems.

Fire rating: Roofing materials have a standardized fire rating of Class A, B, or C. Class A indicates that a material is most fire resistant.

When choosing your roof covering, you should consider appearance, quality, fire rating, suitability, and installation.

Appearance

You should look at actual samples of the materials that you are considering. This will help you decide on the appearance, including texture and color. Architectural grade materials are generally considered to be most visually appealing. Consider how the look will blend with the rest of your house and your surroundings. Some roofs are more visible than others, depending on height, tree cover, and other landscaping components. If your roof, as most do, plays an important role in the look of your home, choose your roof material carefully. It should be with you for many years to come.

Suitability to your Structure and Environment

You should also consider the suitability of the material for your structure, part of which will depend on the slope of your roof. Specifically, there are different material and installation issues for steep and low slope roofs. Most houses have steep slope roofs. Please see Slope/Pitch in the Definitions section for more on slope. A quality contractor should be able to accurately judge your slope and guide you to appropriate materials.

Also consider your environment, including amount of sun, rain, wind, snow, ice, humidity, and tree foliage. Sunlight can cause deterioration over time, while anything that creates moisture can cause rot. Dense foliage can contribute to damage from tree limbs, and leaves in gutters can clog drainage and contribute to moisture problems. Though all roofing materials are designed to withstand harsh outdoor conditions, these environmental factors may lead you to choose a more sturdy grade of product.

Longevity

For longevity, both material and installation are influential. Most roofing systems, such as asphalt shingles, are designed to last about 20 years with proper installation. Some materials, such as slate, will last even longer. Higher grade products that are suitable to your environment and structure will have the best life spans.

With all materials, proper installation will greatly influence the longevity of your roof. Contractors should be chosen carefully to make sure you get the most longevity out of your material of choice. Make sure contractors are licensed, insured, and experienced in installing the material being used. Ask for references. Find out what kind of guaranties are offered on the work. Like materials, keep in mind that the cheapest choice often is not the best one.

A good indicator of longevity expectations for your material is the warranty.

Quick Quality Checks

There are some standard aids to help you check quality.

Fire Rating: Check the fire ratings of materials you are considering. A is highest and C is lowest in fire resistance. If a material is not rated, that generally means it falls below the C rating.

ASTM Rating: Also find out if the materials meet ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) standards for its class. This should be noted on packaging or in product literature.

Warranty: Find out if there is a warranty and for low long. Quality products generally come with warranties.

Product Grade: Within all materials, there are different grades and quality levels, both between competing manufacturers and within manufacturers. Make sure you consider exactly what grade product you are choosing. As a general rule, be somewhat wary of the least expensive or lowest grade choice.

Asphalt Shingles

These are the most popular option for residential roofing materials and generally the most economical choice. There are two main types of asphalt shingles: organic or fiberglass. Organic asphalt shingles are made of organic felt manufactured from wood and paper fibers. Fiberglass asphalt shingles are made of fiberglass mat. Both kinds are soaked in asphalt and coated with mineral granules for color and texture. Whichever type you choose should meet the ASTM standards for its class. This will ensure that you are investing in a high quality product and should be noted in the product literature.

The appearance between the two types of asphalt shingles does not vary much. Both are available in a large range of colors, textures, and grades, with architectural grade products generally falling in the high end of appearance specifications.

The fire resistance rating differs between organic and fiberglass shingles. Most fiberglass shingles are Class A, the highest level of fire resistance, while most organic shingles have Class C ratings. In part because of this difference, fiberglass asphalt shingles are now more popular than organic asphalt.

Bottom Line: Asphalt shingles are a sound option for good economy and straight forward installation. They are durable, time-tested, and generally come with a warranty. As far as appearance, you'll have lots of attractive choices in colors and texture.

Wood Shingles and Shakes

The natural look of wood shingles and shakes is appealing. Cedar, redwood, pine, and other hard woods are all options for wood shingles and shakes. Cedar is an especially durable choice, since it offers natural resistance to insect damage, moisture, and other forms of decay.

Unless treated for fire-resistance, most wood roofing products have a Class C fire resistant rating, which is the lowest, and some have no rating at all. Building codes should be checked before using wood shingles or shakes, since some areas limit their use because of fire concerns.

Shingles and shakes have different looks. Wood shingles offer a smoother, more refined appearance; shakes are thicker, rough hewn, and offer a more rustic style.

Bottom Line: Wood shingles and shakes offer an attractive natural look, but be sure to consider their potentially lower fire ratings.

Metal

Most metal roofing products are available in multi-shingles sections or sheets. Metal roofing is long-lasting, lightweight, weather-resistant, and can be visually appealing. There are many types available, and most imitate the look of more traditional options, such as wood shingles or tile. Most metal roofing materials have a Class A fire rating. Typically a low slope roof choice, metal is an option for steep slope residential use as well. Metal roofs can last from 20 to 50 years or more.

Common metals used for roofing include steel, stainless steel, aluminum, copper, and zinc alloys. Each has different characteristics. Steel, the most common choice, is heavier and stronger than aluminum. Coatings and finishes to steel provide protection from rust and add color. Stainless steel is very expensive but will not rust. Aluminum is a very lightweight, rust resistant option and is popular in residential roofing; it is painted for visual appeal. Copper, a beautiful upscale choice, weathers attractively, will not rust, and is very expensive. Alloys are manufactured for strength and appearance; cost varies by material.

Bottom Line: Metals can be economical or expensive, depending on type. These long-lasting materials are worth considering, particularly if you have a low-slope roof.

Slate

Slate is an attractive natural stone roofing material that is extremely strong, long lasting, and very expensive. You or your contractor will need to have skills and experience specific to slate roof installation in order to work with the material properly. Grades and colors vary.

Bottom Line: Slate is an upscale and incredibly durable choice that you may want if it works with your home's overall architectural style.

Tile

Tile is durable, attractive, and available in many colors and styles. It comes in either clay or concrete varieties. A major consideration in tile roofing is the weight. Since tile is heavier than most other roofing choices, you will need to make sure your house can support it.

Bottom Line: Popular for certain home styles, such as mission, tile is a great look if your house can hold the weight.

In general, moisture is the biggest danger to your roof, so properly functioning drainage is key. Your best guard against large problems is to have your gutters cleaned twice a year at the right time for your climate by a licensed roofing professional. This professional will also be able to spot any problems before they result in extensive damage to your roof or leaking inside your house.

It is also a good idea to keep trees pruned back from your roof. This will limit shade, which will help control moss and algae growth. It will also protect your gutters from clogging with leaves as quickly. Pruning can also help limit damage to your roof from heavy limbs that can fall or move in high winds and storms. Finally, since tree br /anches can create a perfect walkway for wildlife, it will help keep insects and other creatures off your roof, and save your roof from the damage they can cause.

Roofing material pricing varies according to type of material, manufacturer, quality, and quantity. Installation is usually a necessary cost as well, since it is generally recommended that a professional contractor install roof materials. It is best to carefully evaluate your needs and budget, review all options with your contractor if you are hiring one, and then find the right balance between quality and cost for you. Keep in mind that roofs should last for 20 years or more, so your investment is a long term one.

Cedar West, Simpson Dura-Vent, Stanley-Bostitch