If your home is due for a new roof, you’ve looked in the right place. There are many considerations when thinking about installing a new roof. Most people don’t know these elements affect your roof however the experts you hire to install your new roof will be experts and knowledgeable in these areas. Make sure you ask them the right questions to ensure they can provide you with the best product possible so your roof will last for years to come.
The Different Parts Of The Roof
For most slanted roofs, there are five key parts. The drainable system allows for the water, snow, ice and debris, etc. to naturally evacuate your roof. The internal structure is what is found on the inside of your home including the rafters and trusses, which ultimately support the bottom layer of the roof. The sheathing is the bottom layer and is often made of sheet material or boards that are connected to the structure itself and acts as a foundation for the top layer, whereas the flashing is put in place to prevent leaking into the home and can be a variety of materials. Lastly, the part that everyone knows because it’s what you see, is the covering. The covering can be made of several different types of materials (like shingles most commonly) and is the first line of defense from the outside elements.
The Different Roof Covering Options
Depending on the style of your home’s exterior, and the sloping of your roof, different materials are recommended. All roofing materials have their own pros and cons, which means there are many factors to consider. Some materials are heavier, therefore some homes cannot carry the weight, whereas some materials aren’t meant for heavy rainfall which means you can cross those off your list if you live in the Lower Mainland.
- Tile roofs are produced in a circular form (or a half cylinder) and are rather expensive and heavy yet durable. You’ll see this style most often in Spanish-style homes. You’ll sometimes find similar materials made of cement which are also made to have the same effect as tiles.
- Wood shingles have been around the longest and for good reason — they have an average lifespan of 25 years. However in certain areas of British Columbia that are prone to wildfires you won’t be allowed to install this type of roof as it is a fire risk. Wood shingles are also about twice the price as asphalt shingles.
- The least expensive, and most used, material is by far the asphalt shingles. There are two types of asphalt shingle: the single thickness and the laminated variety which are thicker. Both are based of fiberglass that is reinforced with asphalt which results in a sand-like texture. The thicker shingles are twice as much as the standard shingles, but both last approximately 25 years.
- The most durable material is slate. Slate can last over a century, and will sometimes be recycled to live another century and so on. It’s long-lasting properties are incredible. However with its durability comes a hefty price point. It is about 15 times more expensive, on average, than standard asphalt shingles and is much heavier.
- Roof coverings can also be made of metal, including steel, copper, lead, aluminum, and a copper and asphalt hybrid. Metal roofs are durable and can withstand a variety of environmental factors, but are also much more expensive than asphalt shingles (about 5 times more). Each variety offers different styles and installation methods as well.
