Protecting Your Investment By Choosing The Right Roofing Material

Have you ever wondered why we have to have a roofing material barrier over the plywood that makes up a roof?  Yes, it gives a finished look to a home as does it counterpart for the sides of the house, siding.   The main reason we have roofing systems consisting of more than plywood is to create a barrier against the natural elements. Without the barrier present the elements would wreak havoc on the homes structure.  Water is the most intrusive natural element and the one most roofing materials are made to withstand.

To accomplish protection against the natural elements as well as the human elements the roofing material must protect the under laymant.  In order for this to happen the observable roofing material must withstand stresses presented by nature and man.  Industry standards have been put into place and tested to ensure the quality and life expectancy of a variety of roofing materials including; asphalt shingles, cedar shingles, metal roofing, concrete tiles, clay tiles and a variety of other materials now present in roofing.

Weather in the Michigan varies a great deal.  Roofing needs to withstand hail, wind, extreme temperatures varying from intense heat to extreme cold, snow, ice and the various freeze/melt scenarios of present in Michigan.  As with everything involving your home it is important to research the materials you are considering for your roofing need and determine for your environment what is going to be the most cost effective material to use to provide a weather proof barrier for your homes roof.  

Below is a list of roofing materials commonly used in Michigan to choose from:

·         Asphalt Shingle Roofing

-          Inexpensive and straight forwarded installation

-          Has a high fire resistance rating

-          Is available in different class levels for a variety of weather situations

-          Wind warranties that withstand one hundred thirty mile an hour winds

-          Easy to repair if damage occurs

·         Metal Roofing

-          Long lasting and needs to be replaced less frequently than other materials

-          Available in high fire resistant ratings and class ratings to withstand fire and weather

-          Metal material is lightweight and durable

-          Easy to repair if damage happens to occur 

Anyone that has owned a home knows that you pour your life savings into it.  Between the interior, exterior and the worldly possessions found inside the amount of time, energy and money put in is irreplaceable.  This is why choosing the right roofing material for your home is so important.  

Not only is choosing the right material important but also the right installation company.  Finding a professional in your area should come fairly easy; selecting one however might be a tad bit more difficult.  Follow the steps below and you should be able to find a reliable, trustworthy roofingcontractor.

·         Find a contractor that has a permanent place of business.  This should include a phone number, tax id and is licensed.

·         Ask to see a copy of the insurance contract the company has.  It is important in finding a reputable roofing contractor that they are responsible and liable for accidents with his employees that happen while working on your roof.

·         It is important to also find a roofing contractor that maintains financially stability.  You as a consumer have the right to ask for information relating to this. 

·         Work with a contractor that has references that can vouch for the work the company provides and the manner in which his employees work.

·         Always get a written contract for the services that are to be performed in detail.  This should include the materials, type and quantity to be used in your install.

·         A contractor should be able to also explain how much he works on your project verse has employees to assist.  You should know if he is a supervisor only or if he has a crew with a supervisor for each individual roofing project.

·         Carefully read the warranties that are provided on the materials the professional roofing contractor is recommending be used on your roofing project.

·         Look especially careful into bids that are way below industry norms.  If is sounds too good to be true it probably is. 

Finding The Right Roofing Material For Your Home

What do people want most when spending money on a product and service?  If you answered something around the arena of getting the best bang for their buck you are thinking along the right track.  This is exactly what homeowners looking into replacing their roofs are looking for.  They want to get a reliable option in materials and labor at a realistic cost.  When looking into replacing a roof consumers are interested in something inexpensive, few, simple maintenance requirements and longevity.  

When looking into replacement roofing there are many options available to homeowners.  The roofing materials that are available to you will also depend a lot on the region in which the home is in.  For instance, in Michigan we find that clay roofing tiles are not a feasible option in roofing material.  The cold temperatures and drastic climate changes would not play well with this fragile option.  However, in a southwestern climate clay roofing tiles are a popular option because they don’t dry rot, burn or are not easily damaged by insect wear and tear.  They require a small amount of maintenance helping to maintain their popularity within certain regions within the United States.

 

Popular options for Michigan homes tend to lean towards materials that are viable in the changing climate.  Shingle roofs and metal roofing remain a solid choice for homeowners within this region. Shingle roofs are by far the most common material used in roofing within the region. There are several types of composition shingle roofing materials including higher quality, more durable asphalt shingles and fiberglass shingles which also may include recycled content.  

Shingle roofs, often known as composition or asphalt shingle roofs, offer many advantages over other roofing materials especially for those of us that live within a climate such as Michigan where the season changes are inevitable.  

Advantages: 

·         The style of home that the material can be used on is a wide range. Whether the home is historic, contemporary, modern or classic shingles are aesthetically pleasing.

·         Shingle roofing material tends to be a less expense option when compared to other roofing material such as metal.

·         The durability can be increased using higher quality architectural shingles.  Although many homeowners find the low-cost 3-tab shingles a viable option for their needs and desires.

·         The variety of colors, types and manufactures also make this option popular.  Complementary shingle colors should be sought out using your existing siding color as a guide.

·         Shingle roofing is easy to repair and fire resistant which also makes it incredibly desirable to homeowners seeking to install a new roof.  Roof repairs are not unheard of. Shingles make the repair a bit easier which save the homeowner time and money.   Wind damage is the number one cause of roof repair and in states such as Michigan that is not unfamiliar territory.  

Disadvantages: 

·         Unlike other roofing materials composition shingle roofs last a relatively short amount of time.  The average life span varies between fifteen to thirty years.  Depending on how long you plan on being in your home may convince or detour you from purchasing this type of roofing material.

·         Extra hot temperatures can cause damage such as scarring.  Although this is a rather minor roof repair and the temperatures would have to be way above average for a good portion of time for people in the North-East region.  

·         Given the right conditions moss and mildew can grow on shingle roofs.  This again is a fairly simple fix but something to think about.  If you live in an area with very little sunlight getting to the roof it might be something to consider when choosing a shingled roof.

·         A disadvantage of some shingles is that they are considered environmentally unfriendly.  They do not decompose rapidly if placed in a landfill.  Many shingle suppliers are starting to sell recycled shingles to improve the environmentally friendliness.