So you have decided to replace the roof on your home, or you are building a new house and you know you will be needing roofing. It’s time to make a decision about what type of roofing material you want, but maybe you have been putting it off because you really don’t feel qualified to make the right call. After all, maybe terms like architectural shingles, standing seam metal roofing, and cedar shakes seem like Greek to you.
I want to set your mind at ease. You can sort through the confusing haze and make an informed decision. You have plenty of resources available to you, from the experts at the home improvement center or building supplies store, to the plethora of websites on the subject. Some of the very best websites are those sponsored by the major roofing manufacturers like Owens Corning, Certainteed, Timberline and others. You can learn the relative pros and cons of the various materials, as well as where each is a good fit.
If you are going to install your roof yourself, you can also get great how to and installation advice on the same sites. Most major cities also have a lot of experienced roofing contractors, most notably Dallas, Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Philadelphia, How To Thin Roofing Tar and Boston. Consult with a few of them and you’ll get the equivalent of a college education in roofs and roofing. You can learn all about fiberglass, corrugated, and steel, and you’ll be able to compare the cost and relative benefits of each.
For instance, did you know that concrete roof tile has an average life of over 75 years? Of course, they cost more than other roofing materials, so you will need to take that into account as well. They Cornice Repair Philadelphia are also quite a bit heavier than other types of roofing, so you will need to have adequate support in place if you plan to use concrete. The same goes for slate roof tiles and clay roof tiles.
This is just a brief primer, but it should be enough to get you thinking and doing your research before you buy your roofing supplies.
