06 November 2006

Roofing Materials - What Are Your Choices?

Need to Find a Roofing Contractor? We Can Help:




Roofing Material Choices:
Whenever someone describes their home, they sometimes call it the "roof over their heads." That's because humans need protection from the elements - and your roof is that protection.

Your roof takes a beating. The roof of a house must withstand the power of rain, snow, hail, temperature changes, and the heat and light from the sun.

Throughout the ages, we have always used a multitude of materials to cover our homes. Grass, mud, wood, stone, you name it... it has served as the roof on a home. There are still many choices on what to use to protect your home. Roof Contractors have many quality materials to choose from, beyond the standard asphalt shingle.

When it's time to find a roofing company to install a new roof on your home, you'll have to decide what will work best for you, your home's style, and your budget. Some roofing materials are more durable than others. Some are more expensive. Some are the right fit and look for the type of home you own.

Asphalt Shingles
Most home have asphalt shingles (about 3/4 of the houses in the U.S.) They are very economical and durable, with some brands lasting 20, 30, or even 40 years. The warmer the climate (and more sun exposure), the fewer total years you can expect to get out of the shingle. If you live in Florida, your 20 year shingle will probably last between 13 and 15 years. Asphalt roofing shingles can be purchased in many forms: strip shingles, laminated shingles, or interlocking shingles.

Wood Shake Roofs
Another roofing option is wood shake (and wood shingle.) The most common are made of cedar and, with the right coatings, can be very durable and economical.

There are also fiberglass shingles which are laminated and very durable and can be made to duplicate the look of wood or slate shingles. Some brands of the fiberglass roof shingles are guaranteed for 50 years.

Many are going with slate, clay tile, or even concrete roofs. These can be extremely durable but also expensive. They also may require a heavy roofing infrastructure to hold the extra weight.

Metal Roofs
Another option are metal tiles, metal shingles, or metal shakes. They last a very long time and require virtually no maintenance. They're also very lightweight and can be installed over top of an existing roofing material.

If your home is in need of a new roof, you can use ConstructionDeal.com to help match you to a roofing contractor today. You'll save time and money by not having to search at random from your phone book.

By getting multiple bids from as many roofing contractors as you want, you get the right bid for your budget! Contact us today at 866-663-4711,

03 November 2006

How Long Should a Roof Last?

Need a New Roof? We Can Help:

If you're wondering about the life expectancy of your current roof, or even how long your new roof will last, once it is installed, you'll need to consider several factors:
  • The Geographic Location & Climate of your House
  • The Quality of Materials of your Roof
  • The Style of Roof
Climate
If you live in a particularly warm and/or moist climate, you roofing material may not last as long as predicted. Heat and sun exposure can reduce the life of most asphalt shingle roofs - - and about 75% of all American homes use this material. In fact, they say that the only roofing material that gets the full life from the listing are houses in Alaska.

Climate and harsh weather do a number on roofs -- the sun and heat, as previously mentioned, are a major factor. So, too, are rain, snow, hail, sleet, and wind. Many parts of the country have more excessive weather and larger changes from season to season. All can affect how long your roof will protect your home.

Quality
There are inexpensive asphalt shingles that can be put on your home and very expensive tiles. You can have a cheap tin roof or a stylized and sturdy metal roof. But, in the world of roofing, what you spend affects what you get -- spend more for higher quality products and you'll need to have your roof replaced or repaired much less often.

It's also going to depend on the thickness and quality of insulation and backing paper that is used during installation. You can get a cheap roofing job done, but you're going to end up with a cheap roofing job as well.

Fiberglass shingles, for example, are stronger than organic shingles. They're more flexible to withstand weather changes. They are more expensive, too. Making sure that your roof installation includes the proper venting and flashing -- which can increase the budget -- will affect your overall results.

Metal and some tile roofs (especially concrete tiles) can last an extremely long time. You'll spend more for installation, but it's probably something you'll never have to worry about again.

Style
The pitch of your roof can be a factor. You can have a flat roof or an highly sloped roof (like on an A-frame house.) Homes in the Southwest may have a flatter roof because there's not as much need to ensure water and snow runoff. A flatter roof has a harder time getting rid of the damaging affects of moisture.

Most asphalt shingles can last from 12 to 30 years. Wood shake roofs from 10 to 30 years. Metal roofing can last from 50 to 100 years. Tile roofing is probably in that same range.

If you need to find a local roofing company to repair or replace your roof, contact ConstructionDeal.com to save time and money. Our network of is ready to come out to your house to give you a proper estimate.

Post your request, at no cost, and choose how many companies you'd like to contact you -- it's that easy.

technorati tags: