Rolled roofing consists of long rolls of mineral-impregnated and asphalt-impregnated material topped with mineral granules. Each roll is about square feet of roofing, and about 3 feet wide. These large-format strips of thin roofing material offer a fast, convenient, and inexpensive way to cover a sloped-roof building like a workshop where appearances aren't important. Rolled roofing can be applied either with the torch-down method or with roofing nails.
Rolled roofing lasts, on average, about 10 years before it needs to be replaced. Built-up roofing BUR is one of the oldest options for material for flat roofs or roofs that are very low in pitch. BUR systems are constructed with several layers of roofing felt impregnated with asphalt that is applied hot.
The felt is applied in overlapping layers to form a barrier two to four layers thick, then a layer of finely crushed stone is embedded in hot tar over the top to create a very durable and impenetrable roof.
Industry surveys show that a properly installed BUR roof can last 20 to 30 years. Another choice for flat or very low-pitch roofs is a membrane roof. There are several types of membrane that can be used, including:. One of the best membranes is EPDM. EPDM is a synthetic roofing material often referred to as "rubber roofing. Lifespan is typically 20 to 35 years when the roof is properly maintained. Asphalt composite shingles are the most popular roofing material in North America.
Made from a fiberglass base topped with asphalt and mineral granules, these three-tab shingles are an all-around good choice for most home roofing needs. They typically come with a to year warranty, and replacing individual shingles that are damaged is a fairly easy job. Virtually every roofing company is familiar with installing these singles.
Composite shingles excel at flexing and adapting to a roof's movements due to expansion and contraction. Depending on the quality of the shingles and the conditions, the lifespan of the roof can range from 12 to 30 years. The most common type of metal roof is the standing seam roof, so named because the aluminum or steel roofing panels meet in raised seams that interlock to keep moisture out. Metal roofs of all kinds are increasingly popular in regions with heavy snowfall or where there is a notable danger of wild fires since this is a roofing material that is fully fireproof.
Metal roofs are very long-lived and are fully recyclable when they finally do wear out. But installation requires special skills and not every roofing company is prepared to install a standing seam metal roof. Metal roofs commonly last 30 to 50 years, but some have been known to last 75 years.
For homeowners who do not like the look of standing seam metal roofs but want the advantages of metal, there are steel or aluminum shingles or shakes now available. Made from stamped metal and finished with either a high-quality baked-on coating or mineral granules, metal shingles can be fabricated to look very much like traditional asphalt shingles, wooden shakes, or even slate or clay tiles.
They are an excellent choice where appearance is a critical concern. They can last 30 to 50 years. Wood roofs are very attractive, but they are also quite expensive and have limitations. They are not particularly long-lived, and they are a poor choice in areas that get lots of moisture or where wildfires are a danger.
Still, they are among the most attractive of all roofing materials, which makes them a popular choice for luxury homes. Although both are made from natural wood, usually cedar typically found on Cape Cod-style homes or redwood, there is a difference between wood shakes and shingles.
Shingles are typically thin, wedge-shaped slabs of wood that are produced by precise sawing. Shakes are produced by splitting wood and they are thicker wedges with a rougher texture. Longevity depends very much on circumstances and maintenance. While the heat-, hail-, and moisture-resistant, noncombustible shingles with a low propensity for leaks last anywhere from 50 to years in all climates, their capacity to withstand large volumes of snow makes them the best choice for homes in the Midwest.
Consult with a structural engineer before installation. Afterward, leave repairing or replacing individual shingles to the pros to avoid injuring yourself under their weight. Best for: Houses in the Southwest Pros: Variety of colors, noncombustibility, energy efficiency Cons: Heavy weight which means not all roof structures support its installation.
Clay or concrete shingles—molded out into flat, barrel-shaped pictured above , or scalloped tiles of different colors—are two popular choices in Spanish-style homes in the Southwest. Clay is noncombustible and non-fading, while concrete reflects sunlight and effectively insulates interiors from heat and cold. Although concrete tiles are heftier than clay, roofs made with either type of shingle warrant consulting a structural engineer to make sure your home can support the installation.
Typically, a roof will still need extra framing underlying supports during installation to support their weight. You can repair these tiles on your own with roofing cement, but individually replacing them on your own is difficult due to the weight and limited impact resistance of individual tiles.
Best for: Houses in all regions Pros: Authentic replicas of natural materials, colorfast, additives offer added defenses Cons: Expensive, narrow pool of experienced roofers. These shingles retain their color over their lifespan of plus years, are heat- and impact-resistant to varying degrees those with a Class-A fire rating and Class-4 impact-resistance rating offer the best resistance to fire and hail. The additives in some composite shingles lend them additional defenses such as moss and UV resistance.
However, they usually offer less insulation than the materials they mimic upping your heating or cooling costs. One more point to consider before committing: A relative scarcity of roofers experienced with this fairly new type of shingle can also make it trickier to achieve a quality installation. The decision of whether to use composite shingles ultimately boils down to your budget and expectations of durability. You can still get the same appearance more affordably by going for synthetic slate shingles, slightly expense of durability.
Also known as laminate shingles or dimensional shingles, this option is often designed to resemble cedar or slate. This means that you can enjoy a different appearance on your roof while still appreciating the durability and reliability of asphalt shingles. This type of roof is often found on historic buildings or on homes that homeowners want to make to look older than they actually are.
Because it can last for hundreds of years, it can be a great option. I think a green roof is a great idea especially if you live in a place where the climate fosters such a roof i. Here are the pros and cons of a grass roof. If you can afford it, a metal roof is best for the following reasons benefits set out by State Farm insurance :. While metal roofs have many benefits, they are not cheap costing up to 3 times the amount of shingles. Before roof shingles were invented, roofers would usually cover the roof with a durable fabric or heavy paper and coat it with tar for protection.
Then they would sprinkle the tar with sand to make it last longer. And eventually, roofing manufacturers began making pre-made rolls of paper with tar and sand already applied. Henry Reynolds holds the dubious honor of inventing roof shingles. He was a roofer who, in , came up with the idea of cutting the rolls of treated tar and sand into smaller pieces. The first shingles were hand-cut and smaller than the ones that we see today.
Just about all of the materials used in roof shingles can be recycled. Asphalt can always be ground up and used again. Metal roofs can be melted and reused.
Tile, slate, concrete, composite, and rubber roof shingles are all non-toxic and can be recycled. Even the glass and wires used in solar roofing is recyclable.
Wood roof shingles are where you will need to be careful. Without a doubt, they are designed to be waterproof. Typically, tar paper or roofing felt will offer the most effective protection under the shingles. Technically you can paint anything, right? Roof shingles would probably fall into that category. And the final finish is incorporated into that design. The idea is for them to maintain both their integrity and their beauty throughout their lifespan.
Not only are they slippery when wet, but most of them are on a slant, making them even slicker. You should always be wearing the right shoes or boots when walking on a rooftop, and if possible you should avoid being on a wet roof unless you have the right safety precautions in place.
Each type of shingle would be secured in its own way. Asphalt, composite, wood, tile, rubber, and metal shingles would be nailed down. But there is a certain way to drive the nails for each material.
Concrete and solar shingles would use their own specific types of adhesives. And, slate uses nails for support, instead of being nailed down. Most old roofs are replaced because they have reached their limits of endurance. But sometimes shingles can be reused, especially if a roof is being replaced for aesthetic reasons. If the shingles are still in good shape and waterproof, they can be reused to reconstruct a roof.
Not only can they be cleaned, but they should be cleaned on a regular basis. Most people have their gutters cleaned at least twice a year. Leaving wet leaves, twigs, and other debris on your roof shingles can cause a lot of problems, creating wet spots that can make the shingles begin to prematurely decompose. And those wet areas are ideal breeding grounds for insects and mold. The most effective way to clean a roof is to have it professionally pressure washed, especially if you are trying to get rid of stains.
Not only are you thinking about your safety, but you are also protecting the structural performance of your roof. Too much pressure from a power washer can cause damage to some roof surfaces. Some roofs can be successfully cleaned with a pressure washer, removing any stains and bringing them back to life. When it comes to building a house; cost, curb appeal and quality are the three main factors everyone cares about.
For many people the answer to this puzzle lies with a single word in the residential roofing industry: shingles. Good quality shingles can be great insulators keeping your home properly insulated against extreme thermal changes. That means the right quality of shingles can help you save on the cost of air conditioning as the temperatures in your home are often well regulated requiring little or no extra regulation. Roofing shingles also provide a rich selection of roofing design options to choose from.
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