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Roofing Trends in the Northeast

Tags: Roofing, Replacement, Installation

Roofing Trends in the Northeast

Northeast slate was once a traditional roofing material for homes and civic buildings. While it's beautiful, long-lasting and great for ice and snow, slate is also extremely expensive -- as much as $1,000 per hundred square feet. Roofing in Massachusetts and Connecticut roofing used to see much of this.

Today composite asphalt shingles are king when it comes to replacement roofing materials. About 90 percent of homes nationwide use composite shingles. They come in a wide range of colors, styles and with different levels of quality and types of warranties.

But composite roofing is far from the only choice. And because it is so common, you can easily set your home apart by using a different, more unique roofing choice.

Wood Shake and Wood Shingles

Decay resistant cedar is a common choice for wood shake and wood shingle roofing. You can count on wood roofing to last 20 to 25 years (however, you'll find those who say cedar can last much longer); cedar roofing costs between $70 and $170 per hundred square feet.

Clay Tile

Clay or ceramic tiles, like slate, are heavy and durable, with roofs lasting 100 years or more. However, such a heavy roof requires reinforcement to support all the weight, meaning installation will likely be pricey. Clay and concrete tile roofs cost about $300 to $500 per hundred square feet.

But keep in mind that they are virtually maintenance free. If you plan to live in your house for the rest of your life, a ceramic tile roof might make sense.

Consider installation and maintenance costs as you weigh your roofing choices -- and how long you plan to live in your home. According to Remodeling magazine's annual "Cost vs. Value" report, a new composite roof averages just less than $19,000 and has a 65 percent return on investment.