Roofing Products
The following information will describe the different types of roofing products. The description will include an overview and comparison, followed by detailed information on each type.
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Overview
of Roofing Types
Metal Roofs - Our Specialty
Roofing Types - Details
Overview of Roofing Types
Asphalt is perhaps the most common roofing material and is often the least expensive of all the roofing types. There are two forms of asphalt roofing shingles: standard and laminated. While similar, the laminated asphalt tiles cost more due to their more textured look.
Wood shingles or shakes are a standard roofing material in the west and north. Made from Cedar (sometimes Redwood) which resists rot, insects, and weathering, these shingles blend well in nature. Their life span is in direct proportion to the quality and thickness of the wood. Because of the intense summer heat and low humidity of the west, most new shakes must be treated with fire retardant.
With a wide variety of products, tile (clay or concrete) is fast becoming material of choice,( subplanting shake) for the move - up houseing market. This material has an extended life (to 50 years or lifetime), superior Class A fire protection, and a heavy architectural look. Although ancient in use, modern materials have changed the look and usage of tile.
Slate is one of the few building materials that actually becomes tougher and more resilient with age, and slate roofs dating back to the 18th century still protect buildings today. The color and quality of slate varies with its geographic origin, but all slate is naturally impervious to the elements. Slate graded the highest for strength and hardness is practically non-porous, and makes the most lasting roofing material known. The best slate is quarried in the northeast corner of North America, with the absolute finest coming from Vermont, New York, and Canada.
Aside from gold, copper is the only metal with natural color. And no other metal commonly used in architecture can measure up to copper. Its durability and aesthetics are enhanced by the beautiful progression from bright, romantic red hues to a characteristic green patina. When properly installed, a copper roof's first cost is nearly its last. After six months, it comes almost into its full, dark color. With minimal but proper maintenance, through years of service, a copper roof naturally becomes nearly impervious to environmental damage, and can have a life expectancy of 70 years or more.
Other metal roofing materials include steel, aluminum or zinc. These specialty metal roof systems are becoming increasingly popular for residential applications. With superior durability, longevity, wind and fire resistance, energy efficiency, and beauty, metal shingles and shake systems outperform and outlast traditional roofing materials. These systems come in a wide variety of styles, colors, and profiles. Steel tile, for example, is medium expensive and has become popular as a 2nd or coverover roof. At 1/8 inch thick it is a light weight, fire proof material, with color chips on the surface.
Finally, BUR-(built-up roofing) uses hot or cold tar. The use of this product is wide spread. From large, flat commercial roofs to sloped decks on houses, grain silos to household shower pans, this is a versatile inexpensive material with a life span of appoximately 7-15 years. With use of gravel or a cap sheet life span can be increased slightly. A cap sheet is 36 inch wide, granulated material used to cap off, or cover, the plain tar layers.
Asphalt or Composition Shingles
Asphalt shingles are by far the most popular
product in the U.S. residential roofing market. Asphalt shingles can be
reinforced with either organic or fiber glass materials. A shingle's reinforcement
will have little effect on its appearance. Organic shingles consist of
a wood-fiber base that is saturated with asphalt and coated with colored
mineral granules. To fight fungus growth in warm, wet climates, they are
available with special algaecide granules.
Fiberglass shingles consist of a fiberglass mat and top-and-bottom layers
of asphalt and mineral granules. Typically, fiberglass offers greater
durability, but their manufacturer is important to defining the quality
of the product.
Asphalt shingles are good performers in extreme temperatures, and areas
where wind, water and ice are of particular concern. They are efficient,
and the high-volume production and the relatively low application cost
of asphalt shingles provide consumers with an overall value that is difficult
for competing roofing materials to match, especially in terms of comparable
life expectancy. Further, asphalt shingle roofs, when properly chosen
and applied, require little or no regular upkeep, and are easily repaired
if damaged. Finally, Asphalt shingles are considered to be the easiest
of all standard roofing materials to apply and the flexibility and strength
of asphalt shingles support their application on a wide variety of roof
designs.
Despite their popularity, Asphalt shingles do have deficiencies. They are easy to scar if hot, they are susceptible to blow off in high winds, and they can sag on steep roofs, particularly if hot. Correct nailing helps. Finally, They do not have the dimensional look of tile or shake and their lifespan isn't as long as some other options.
Wood
Wood shingles were the most common roof covering in Colonial America -- and several hundred years later, they are a choice material for historic restoration. With proper care and maintenance, these roofs can be attractive and reliable protection.
Cedar is the most commonly used wood in North American these days for roofing, but other woods like oak and pine are also used. Cedar roofing comes in two varieties -- shingles or shakes. A shingle is tapered and smooth sawn on both surfaces for a uniform appearance. A shake is split to reveal the uneven natural grain of the wood on the face and is usually much thicker than a shingle.
Cedar roofs may require more care and maintenance than manufactured roofing products. Premium grade cedar shakes and shingles, maintained properly and installed on spaced wood strips have been documented to have lasted for 50 to 60 years. However, cedar shingled roofs that aren't maintained, can't "breathe" and are requiring complete replacement at 15 years.
Clay or Concrete Tiles
Clay has been used for centuries and was commonly formed on the upper thigh of workers. This material is known as cap and pan, mission, or spanish style tile. It is designed to be a two piece (bottom piece pan, top piece cap) system, or a modern one piece S tile, similar in look to old - Spanish Mission - tile roofs. Clay tile Commonly uses mortar to secure trim pieces (ridge, hip cap pieces). There are an unlimited number of special products that are made of clay but the following are common to all: they normally have about a 50 year/lifetime span, this product is sold and reused, often for several hundred years, and they have Class A fire protection.
Concrete is a more modern tile with a wide variety of colors
and styles. Concrete tile is found with differing thicknesses and weight,
but all using a similar base product. It is designed to replace the more
expensive clay tile with a product of different but considerable character.
Concrete tile is usually set without mortar on the trim pieces. A more
uniform appearance is gained by using molds with the concrete. As the
curing process does not affect the uniformity of the cement/ concrete
materials as much as it does the natural clay products, the result is
a straight, clean look.
Slate
Slate is one of the few building materials that actually becomes tougher and more resilient with age, and slate roofs dating back to the 18th century still protect buildings today.
The color and quality of slate varies with its geographic origin, but all natual slate is essentially impervious to the elements. Slate graded the highest for strength and hardness is practically non-porous, and makes the most lasting roofing material known. The best slate is quarried in the northeast corner of North America, with the absolute finest coming from Vermont, New York, and Canada.
Natural slate is quarried from dense rock formed from beds of shale (laminated rock consisting essentially of clay) that have been subjected to the intense pressure and high temperature of the crumpling and folding of the earth's crust. Recently, manufacturers have developed forms of "slate" made from a fibre cement based material and more recently in resin and polymer forms.
Metal
There are numerous types of metal roof design and material options, ranging from flat locked shingles, to steel Spanish-barrel tile, to traditional standing or vertical seam, to aluminum and steel products designed to mimic wood and tile shakes or shingles. Depending upon the individual product, metal roofs can achieve a vast variety of looks, and can drastically differ in pricing, as well.
Metal roofing can be completed using numerous sheet metal techniques,
which are generally determined by specific roof conditions such as angle
of slope or architectural requirements. Standing Seam Roofing roofing
is the most commonly used on steep sloped roofs. It can be defined as
the joining of two vertically perpendicular metal panel upstands that
are progressively folded onto each other. Other types of metal roof products
include flat seams, cornices, gutters and other decorative pieces, and
even metal shingles.
Copper is one of the most popular metals. One of the oldest forms of metal, this material is ideally suited for roofing, flashings and decorative sheet metalwork due to its relative softness in sheet form. With minimal but proper maintenance, through years of service, a copper roof naturally becomes nearly impervious to environmental damage, and can have a life expectancy of 70 years or more.
Tar
Tar is also known as BUR or "Built-Up Roofing. The use of this product is wide spread. From large, flat commercial roofs to sloped decks on houses, grain silos to household shower pans, it is a versatile inexpensive material with a life span of appox. 7-15 years. With use of gravel or cap sheet life span can be increased slightly.
There are several types of Tar applications. Hot, is literally boiling hot tar. This product is melted in large kettles with propane fueled torches, until appox. 500 degrees farenheight. It is Layered with an asphalt or fiberglass based rolled material and durablity and protection are directly related to thickness and amount of plys (layers). Cold is an inexpensive tar/asphalt based, semi-liquid material used mainly for smaller jobs that by cost, or other restriction, do not require a more substantial roof. It's application similar to hot, but applied with a long handled brush or roller.
The capsheet used in conjuction with hot or cold tar is rolled, 36 inch wide, granulated material is used to cap off, or cover, the plain tar layers. Usage gives Ultra Violet, and physical protection to the layered tar roof. This material is not waterproof by itself, and must be used with a companion product. It is easily confused with roll roofing, which is made to be a stand-alone product.
