Posted by John Dudley on Tue, Feb 03, 2009 @ 07:07 PM
Most people assume they only have one option when it comes to replacing their roof, and that is asphalt shingles with either a fiberglass or organic base. However, there are many other less common options available for roof replacement. The question our customers ask us is, "are these roofing types right for my home?" Here is a list of pro's and con's for each category to help you decide.
Asphalt Shingles: A base material combined with either an organic fiber mat or fiberglass core. Each type is impregnated with asphalt and coated with mineral granules to add color and texture. An adhesive back combined with nails is the fastening method used.
Pros: Largest variety of color and style, Many warranty options through certified companies, Generally the least expensive option
Cons: Less impact resistant than some other options, Does not reflect heat
Metal Roofing: Once limited to low-slope structures, standing seam steel roofs can now be used on steeper roofs as well.
Pros: Durability, practically maintenance-free, heat reflective
Cons: Aesthetics are not pleasing to most people, more expensive than asphalt, Noisy, Limited options
Slate Tile Roofing: One of the oldest forms of roofing in New England, it is still used today on certain more traditional homes and in specific neighborhoods.
Pros: Traditional appearance for older homes, Long lasting
Cons: Requires reinforced roof to handle the weight, Difficult to repair, Limited styles and colors, Very expensive
Composite Slate: The composite slate market is on the rise in the roofing industry. Lamarite® Slate composite shingles seem to be leading the pact.
Pros: Accurately resembles slate tiles, Less expensive than slate
Cons: Limited styles and colors, Few roofers in New England have experience with it
Interlock: Interlock roofing is a composite roof system made mostly from recycled materials.
Pros: Durability, Longevity, more variety than other types of roofing except asphalt
Cons: Aesthetics, Much more expensive than other options, short track record
Wood Shingle Roofing:
Pros: natural aesthetic beauty for country style homes
Cons: quality and longevity can vary significantly, attracts moss and algae, more expensive than asphalt roofing
Posted by Peter Martino on Thu, Jan 29, 2009 @ 07:11 PM
There are many manufacturers of asphalt roofing materials in 
business today, such as GAF and CertainTeed, and they offer many different types of shingles, from 3-tab to architectural, from designer to luxury shingles. The most popular type of shingle being used today is the 30-year architectural. Most people have the misconception that "30-year" means "I am covered by the warranty on my shingles for 30 years". Unfortunately that is far from true. The term "30-year" has nothing to do with the performance of the shingles and most roofing companies are only able to offer their customers a 30-year limited material warranty through the manufacturer.
If during the 30 year period the shingles fail, the limited warranty offered by the manufacturer only covers the homeowner if the manufacturer determines such failure was caused by material defect. The manufacturer would then pay the homeowner a certain pre-determined amount generally not exceeding $.40 per square foot on day one of the warranty, and then prorating equally from that time. However, if it is determined by the manufacturer that the problem is not from defective shingles, then the warranty is void. There are many other limitations which void the warranty such as an improperly vented roof deck, improper nailing, and failure of the surface to which the roof is applied. Even if one is successful in claiming this type of warranty, the homeowner still has the burden of hiring a roofer, pulling a permit, disposing of the shingles, and purchasing any other miscellaneous materials needed for the repair or replacement.
But there is some good news! Some manufacturers make it possible for certain roofing companies to achieve a level of certification allowing them to offer more inclusive warranties. For example, CertainTeed offers the "ShingleMaster Company" and the "SELECT Shingle Roofer" certifications. There are very strict requirements for a company to be awarded any of these statuses. A CertainTeed "SELECT Shingle Roofer" company, CertainTeed's highest level of certification, for example, is able to offer homeowners 100% of the costs of the repair for 20 years, including tear-off and disposal of the old shingles, new materials, labor and workmanship. So fellow homeowners, when hiring a roofer, do your homework. Find out the exact details of the warranty being offered to you. You don't want to invest thousands of dollars in your new roof, just to find out the hard way that your investment went kapoof!