| Your roof is a great opportunity to make a | | | | will age to a beautiful gray, given the right |
| dramatic statement to the world. This | | | | environmental conditions. However, it is |
| colorful creation is going to sit atop a | | | | prone to moss and mildew, and the shingles |
| unique, custom home, and no matter what | | | | have been known to curl. To combat their |
| material you choose it's going to look | | | | inherent vulnerabilities, many brands are |
| awesome. There are more choices on the | | | | treated to prevent mildew, and others are |
| market today than ever before, and an extra | | | | treated for fire retardancy. The average life |
| investment will probably make a bigger impact | | | | expectancy is about 25-30 years and could |
| here than elsewhere in your home. Even | | | | cost $400-500 per 100 square feet. |
| asphalt shingles have taken on a new | | | | |
| personality. Here are some varieties modern | | | | Concrete Tiles: You'll find a lot of concrete |
| technology has made available to us (my cost | | | | roofs in Europe. Needless to say, they are |
| estimates are very broad, and only meant for | | | | incredibly durable and fire-resistant, and |
| comparison's sake). | | | | because concrete takes stain so well, you can |
| | | | find it in up to 50 colors. Of course, this |
| Asphalt (or Composition) Shingles: (also | | | | is a hefty solution for a hefty home: figure |
| known as three-tab shingles) The most | | | | out about 1000 pounds per 100 square feet. |
| commonly used shingles, these are made from a | | | | Concrete roof tiles come in several profiles, |
| mixture of asphalt and fiberglass. The | | | | and have a life expectancy of about 80 years |
| ceramic granules protect the asphalt from the | | | | and can cost around $200-400 per 100 square |
| sun's UV rays. We tend to buy them according | | | | feet. There will be extra expense for |
| to life expectancy, which starts at 15 years | | | | beefing up the rafter system to support the |
| for the thinnest shingles, 25-30 years for | | | | weight. |
| the next level. Their lifetime depends on | | | | |
| the environment and how well the roof is | | | | Clay Tiles: When you mention clay tiles, most |
| vented. This roof will cost around $50-$150 | | | | of us think of the half-round shapes on |
| per 100 square feet. | | | | Spanish Mission buildings. Think no more! |
| | | | Clay tiles are flat, interlocking, |
| Laminated Fiberglass Shingles: Also called | | | | rectangular, slabs... and of course |
| architectural or dimensional shingles, this | | | | barrel-shaped. You can get them in solid |
| shingle is still made from a mixture of | | | | colors or blends, textured or smooth. Figure |
| asphalt and fiberglass, but is built much | | | | about 1000 pounds per 100 square feet. They |
| thicker, giving it a more three-dimensional | | | | have a life expectancy of about 50 years, and |
| look. Architectural shingles make the roof | | | | can cost $400-$500 per 100 square feet. |
| look more textured, are larger than a | | | | |
| standard shingle, and come in an amazing | | | | Slate: Complex, durable, and beautiful, slate |
| variety of shapes. They are usually | | | | has a life expectancy of 60 -125 years, and |
| guaranteed for 40 years and could easily cost | | | | more. Your standard slate is about 1/4" |
| twice as much as standard asphalt shingles. | | | | thick. The slates are overlapped so that the |
| | | | bottom edge of the slate is actually covering |
| Metal Roof: Metal is one of the more | | | | two additional layers, and less than half of |
| sought-after roofing materials for log homes. | | | | the slate is exposed. This standard |
| Usually made of steel, aluminum or copper, | | | | thickness will weigh about 750 pounds per 100 |
| the most commonly discussed metal roof is the | | | | square feet. Modern variations of slate |
| standing seam - sometimes called vertical | | | | roofs are: Rubber Slate (post-industrial |
| panel - roof. You can also get metal | | | | waste) and Engineered Slate (marble dust and |
| shingles that resemble cedar shakes, slate, | | | | polyester resins). A real slate roof can |
| or tile. There are several advantages to | | | | cost up to $1000 per 100 square feet |
| using a metal roof, not the least of which is | | | | installed. |
| its fire resistance. These roofs are also | | | | |
| remarkably lightweight, and stand up to | | | | One of the things I've noticed over the years |
| hurricane-force winds. This roof will | | | | is that lighter colored asphalt shingles have |
| generally cost about $100-$600 per 100 square | | | | a tendency to streak as rainwater washes down |
| feet (very big range of materials and | | | | the roof. Even my dark green roof is |
| composition). Life expectancy is anywhere | | | | streaking in one spot, although the green |
| from 30-50 years up to 100 years. | | | | masks the darker stain. Before you decide on |
| | | | a color, do yourself a favor and drive around |
| Cedar Shakes and Shingles: The difference | | | | the neighborhood; look for other houses with |
| between a Cedar Shake and a Shingle is that, | | | | similar shades. Then you can make a decision |
| generally, the shingle is sawn on both sides | | | | as to what's more important: how your roof |
| and the shake is hand-split on one (or both) | | | | will reflect or absorb the heat, or which one |
| sides. The shake tends to be thicker. Cedar | | | | looks better over the years. |
| looks picture-perfect when installed, and | | | | |