Are you looking for a new roof? You should know that there are lots of options for you to choose from. Depending on the type of roofing material you choose, you may be looking at very different prices, longevity, quality, safety, and appearance. Each roofing material has its unique advantages and disadvantages, but must be considered with respect to the climate you live in.
Here on the North Shore, we’re accustomed to wet, moist and mild. In our review of various types of roofing materials to choose from, we’ve kept this in mind. Contact a roofing professional for additional qualified opinions on roofing materials for your home or commercial building.
Asphalt Shingles
The most common roofing material in North America is that of asphalt shingles. Asphalt is inexpensive, can be used on many building types and is available in an array of colours and textures. These types of shingles –because they are so common — are not hard to find replacements for, and many roofing companies will install and maintain this type of roofing.
Asphalt shingles often come with warranties typically lasting 20 to 30 years, but various shingles may not last that long depending on the material itself and the maintenance it has undergone through its lifetime.
Asphalt shingles are not recommended in areas with high susceptibility to fire as they are not particularly fire resistant. This is a consideration in areas that are hot and dry and is mostly not a huge issue in North Vancouver.
However, although generally durable, asphalt shingles are susceptible to mold, moss and lichen growth. Special treatments are available to counteract this issue. Mold and mildew growth can be a factor in wet and humid areas such as North Vancouver. Moss, in particular, can be a problem for roofing materials as it holds moisture against the roof and hastens the deterioration of the roofing.
The major disadvantages of asphalt shingles — mold and moss susceptibility and shorter lifespans — need to be weighed against the main advantages of asphalt, namely affordability and colour/appearance choice.
Find out more about shingles in this information sheet: http://www.rona.ca/en/projects/Asphalt-shingles.
What About Fibreglass Shingles?
Sometimes referred to as fibreglass shingles, these types of shingles, which are a type of asphalt shingle, have a fiberglass matting on the underneath portion of the shingle. This matting lies against the roofing felt on the roof sheathing. This type of shingles is a subset of asphalt shingles.
Both fibreglass and asphalt shingles are good materials, but fibreglass may last a bit longer, depending on its make, and asphalt shingles can be more flexible aiding in installation in cold weather. In terms of maintenance, however, there should not be a difference between fibreglass and asphalt shingles. As noted on our home page, inspect your roof regularly for cracked or broken shingles. Get them replaced immediately. Following heavy winds, check to see for any lost shingles. Particularly after installation, this may be an issue as the shingles have not fully set.
Environmentally, asphalt shingles may not be your best choice. They are mostly not recyclable and end up in the landfill once their usefulness is up. In addition, they are made from petroleum which is sourced at environmental cost and also can have toxins run off the shingles following rainfall.
However, asphalt shingles remain popular due to their low cost and attractive colour options.
Wood Shingles/Shakes
Wood shingles are another popular choice for roofing. This is an attractive option that can elevate the look of a home. As the wood ages, it can develop desirable colour characteristics and bring out more character from your home. However, wood shingles can involve a lot of maintenance, particularly in wetter climates such as ours. Regular cleaning and special treatments may be required to discourage the growth of mold and mildew.
Because wood shingles can last longer than asphalt, this may be a slight advantage. However, their lifespan is still very dependent on the level of maintenance and care taken of your roofing. It is also dependent on the shingles themselves. Cedar shakes and singles from young growth forests have a shorter lifespans than shingles manufactured years ago.
Wood shingles can also be more environmentally friendly than asphalt.
In the same vein as asphalt, however, wood shingles are also very susceptible to moss. Regular maintenance treatments are required. Wood shingles can also be susceptible to termite and other pest damage. In heat, these shingles can crack and split. Also, wood shingles are highly flammable.
In short, although cedar shingles can be a beautiful roofing material, they are expensive and require regular maintenance. As compared to asphalt, however, wood shingles are no more difficult to maintain, yet can be a far more attractive option.
Metal Roofing
Metal roofing can consist of aluminum, copper, or less expensively, steel and other types of metal. Metal roofing can be made to mimic other types of roofing, or can be highlighted in its own right.
Metal roofing can be a great choice for wet climates as they are water-resistant, do not attract pests, are not susceptible to moss growth and are very low in maintenance. The lifespan of a metal roof can depend on the specific type of material, but is generally at least 50 years.
Metal roofs are also fire resistant and a more environmentally friendly option than alternatives. It is also available in several types of appearances to complement your home.
Metal roofing, however, does cost more than asphalt shingles, for instance. But again, depending on the type of material chosen, it can be comparable to cedar shakes or other types of roofing.
In terms of fire resistance, metal roofing is a safe option as it resists sparks flying from neighbours’ houses or in areas where forest or bush fires can happen. It can also be safer in that it won’t catch fire. Once people have been evacuated, however, there have been concerns by firefighters that metal roofing is more difficult to work with, as they will often punch holes in the roofing and spray from there. With a metal roof, however, they are restricted to working more from the sides of the house only. However, this concern needs to be balanced with the fact that a metal roof will resist fire taking hold of your home in the first place, if the fire source is external.
In addition, there have been concerns with metal roofing in that standing seam roofs with concealed fasteners — which have all the advantages outlined with metal roofing — is different from metal roofing known as exposed fastener metal roofing. Exposed fastener metal roofs may have a much shorter lifespan, and although cheaper, you may end up with leaks. This is something that will likely not happen with a standing seam roof. It’s important to gauge what kind of roofing you are purchasing.
Slate
Slate tiles have a very long life span and are beautiful roofs. They are common on heritage buildings in Europe. They are, however, enormously expensive. Slate shares many advantages and disadvantages with concrete tile, although it is much more expensive.
Concrete Tile
Roofs made from concrete tile are very durable. They have an attractive look, are fire-resistant, and are more environmentally friendly than asphalt roofing.
However, concrete tiles are more expensive than asphalt. In addition, a concrete tile roof is very heavy — a consideration with respect to earthquake prone areas, as well as whether a home can support such a roof or not. In fact, new construction built to support a concrete roof are designed with this in mind with regard to its truss system.
With regard to earthquakes, many earthquake-prone regions, such as California, have recommendations against the use of concrete roofing. In an earthquake, these heavy roofs become very dangerous and can cause much more damage than a lighter roof, such as asphalt, wood, or metal.
With regard to maintenance, concrete roofs do not decay and are pest resistant, in contrast to cedar roofing, for instance. However, concrete can still suffer from moss and professional maintenance, such as power-washing, is recommended.