There are many deciding factors when choosing a new roof for your new or current home. A few of these not only look pleasing, but also too are cost, weight, and installation necessities. If building a home from scratch or choosing a roof for an existing home there are many of materials that you can choose from ranging from asphalt, wood, and even composite shingles such as slate, concrete, and clay tiles. Many people are most concerned with style but it is not the only important factor to include. A few other key points are shown below:
The Square
A term that roofing contractors use instead of talking in “square feet” they use is called squares. A square is the basic unit for measuring and is 100 square feet in a given area. For example if a home is 2,500 square feet it would consist of approximately 2,000 square feet of roofing area or by using this new term about 20 squares.
Cost
There are many of factors that will affect what the general cost of a roof will be. The beginning point would be the price on materials. Another factor that would affect cost would be the condition of the existing roof if has one at all. If remodeling a current home and the old materials have to be stripped off sometimes repairs need to be made to the supporting structure. The physical shape of the roof will also contribute to the cost. A house with no breaks in its planes like chimneys, skylights, intersecting rooflines or other structural enhancements will cost less than the house with the additions.
Materials
When deciding on materials, unfortunately not every kind can be used on each roof. Roofs with a flat or low slope may require different materials than one with a steeper pitch. Slate and tile can be very heavy and some homes will not have a structure that will be able to sustain them. Be sure to talk with your designer and get estimates for the job at hand. The most frequently used roof material is asphalt shingles. This is most likely because they are the least expensive choice and does not require as much skill to install. There are two configurations of these to choose from; the standard type and the laminated products. The standard cost half as much but the laminated are more appealing with a texture appearance.
Another choice of material is wood. Through history wood was the main choice and still a good option however fire codes sometime will forbid it. They are typically made form cedar, redwood, or southern pine and have life expectancy in 25- year range but are on pricier side, about double of asphalt shingles. Metal roofs made from aluminum, steel, copper- and- asphalt, and lead are among the most strong and yet very expensive of roof choices. A common style on Spanish Colonial and Mission styles use tile and cement which again is very durable, very heavy, and again a costly decision. Lastly, slate is a great choice and is not all the same and it will outlast the fasteners that hold it in place but will come at a very high price starting $800 a square.
Making a Choice
In most cases, if as person is doing a remodel on the home, the current roof material is the deciding factor of a roofs replacement. If wanting to decide a different material than the existing, keep in mind not only cost but color, weight, durability, texture or each option as well as what other homes in the area have chosen similar to yours.
Installation Notes
After making a decision on material, in most cases you will also need flashing. Flashing is a very important part of any exterior work on both a roof and siding. Flashing is made from metal or plastic film. It is installed in strips to areas where the materials are connected. The main reason for flashing is to keep structure watertight since water is most likely to leak through cracks wear the materials meet just a word of caution when using a contractor who relies on tar for joints.
Home Pro Roofing contractors offer a variety of roofing services throughout Brighton, East Lansing, Ann Arbor, Fenton and Commerce Township, including installation of shingle roofs, metal roofing and roof repairs. You will find them at http://www.homeproroofingmi.com today.