Roofing material

After a recent comment by a visitor I decided to look at roofing materials a little closer. There are a lot of materials available to the builder out there, anything from the standard wood shingles to terracotta tile. What one chooses will be a matter of budget, environment and aesthetic choice.

Starting with the basics, the standard shake or shingle roof.

These can last 30-50 years, but usually are only "guaranteed" to last 25. These are usually made from cedar trees, can be expensive to install, and can require periodic maintenance to re-seal the wood. Also, local fire code can prohibit their use in some areas, and some insurance companies may not like them other due to the fact that it is wood, and will burn or ignite relatively easily. They look great, though, and aesthetically can make or break a building depending on the style you are going for. The shingles age to a nice silver or dark brown depending on how they are treated, and can really add a sense of age to a building. These cost anywhere from $70-170.00 per every hundred square feet of roofing and depends on the type (shake or shingle), size and roof pitch.

There are substitutes for this type of roof that look very similar that are made from asphalt or cement-type material. They look pretty close to the real thing, last longer, require less maintenance, and in case of the cement based shingle, can be almost fireproof.

While on the subject of cement based shingles: Something to consider- the cement based shingle weighs a lot more and will require extra support, that means more or heavier trusses, and that means it will cost more due to the extra structure. Double the cost of wood shingles for the first-time installation. That's pretty substantial, but the investment will be returned over the lifetime of the building. These shingles will outlast you, and remain in service for around 100 years. Quite a selling point to a potential buyer, fire resistance and a roof that will probably last 2-3 owners. This product also comes in a wide variety of styles, anything from shingle lookalikes to simulated slate.

Next choice, metal roofing. This roofing type features some of the same benefits and drawbacks of cement roofing. It also comes in a wide variety of styles; shingles, slate, flat, strips, copper, anodized, painted; the choices are only limited by budget. The cost: $100-600 dollars per 100 square feet, the top end being the cost of a beautiful copper roof. The benefit: almost completely fireproof, looks great, very low maintenance, and can last up to 150 years.

Slate roofs are one of the most expensive. $1000 per 100 square feet. The reasons? Extra support required to hold the weight of the stone roof and the need for a skilled craftsman to install the material. This would be a great material to have if you didn't have too many budget constraints, it's as old-world real as you can get. The slate itself will last forever, it is stone, but the roof may require maintenance to repair cracked shingles or the hardware used to affix the slate to the roof. Slate roofs look fantastic, though; especially with age. They add a sense of weight and solidity to a building, as well as old-world charm.

Along the lines of old-world charm, there is simulated thatch available, but this stuff is even more expensive than slate. $1300 per 100 square feet, not including any hardware or special parts like eaves or corners. The material is PVC, and fire resistant. It looks just like the real thing, is low maintenance, and lasts around 50 years. If you absolutely have to have that thatched roof on your castle or cottage, this would be the way to go.

Another roof type is a rubber roof. If your are installing a "flat" roof, one with a very low pitch, this can be a viable choice. Rubber roofs (E.P.D.M.) cost a little less than $100 per 100 square foot and can last 50 years.

Terracotta roofing will be around $500-800 per square 100 ft. to install. Like slate or cement, weight is a consideration when installing this roof type. Another consideration is that some types are porous, and can absorb water. Not a problem in a perpetually warm area, but if you live anywhere that there are below freezing temperatures regularly your roof can disintegrate, so this type will likely be restricted to warmer climes. This material can be very colorful, and looks great. It also will not burn, so fire resistance is a benefit.

Again, these costs are only general and don't include the costs of any structural modifications needed to support the roof, nor does it include the cost of any extra work or materials needed to work around chimneys or vents, or hardware such as flashing and gutters. Roof pitch can also contribute to cost. Also, local code obviously is a factor. One additional benefit is that some roof types may get you an insurance discount due to longevity and fire resistance.

For the structure I'd like to build, I would probably choose a simulated slate or a metal roof. One for the looks or the other for durability, either of them are good for fire resistance and low maintenance . If budget were no constraint, copper or thatch would be a consideration.