Posts Tagged Roofing
Roofing Trends in the Northeast
Posted by ryan in Uncategorized on May 19th, 2009
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.
Composite Roofing - Let’s Know a Little More
Posted by ryan in Uncategorized on April 21st, 2009
Composite roofing is a natural choice for most homeowners: It’s long-lasting and cost effective, and as a result, it makes up more than 90 percent of the market.
Composite roofing is available in many colors, and most products are covered under warranty for 20 years. And some roofing products are covered for as long as 30 years, further increasing their attractiveness.
Remodeling magazine’s annual “Cost vs. Value” report estimates the average cost of roof replacement with composite fiberglass asphalt shingles to be just under $19,000; That estimate includes a 25-year warranty and 30 squares of 235-pound shingles with new underlayment, galvanized drip edge and mill-finish aluminum flashing, as well as custom flashing for two skylights.
Not All Composite Roofing Products Are Equal
Composite shingles are well suited for a variety of roof pitches and are easy to install yourself. They work well with most any flashing and edging products and don’t require special accessories for roof edges, chimneys or vents.
However, be sure to shop around before you buy. Each product has its pluses and minuses. Some composite shingles are sturdier than others, but are also heavier to lug around; others are lighter and carry a better fire rating, but don’t perform as well in cold weather.
Compare warranties, too. While a warranty might have a long lifespan, that doesn’t mean the shingles themselves won’t fail long before the warranty expires. Conduct online searches to determine whether the products you’re considering have been the target of homeowner complaints or dissatisfaction.