 |
|||
|
|||
 |
Roofing 101 - A PrimerBy Jim Sulski Summary: You don't pay much attention to your roof until there is a problem. Then it is an emergency. Jim gives you the basics about roof repair and replacement options. Considering the role they play, roofs are fairly much an unappreciated and
overlooked part of the house - until they need repairing or replacing. Then, homeowners usually focus on the cost of the roof and little else. A roof replacement, however, should be carefully scrutinized by a homeowner. A roof is one of the most important elements on a house, protecting the house from the environment. Roofing materials - even less expensive asphalt shingles - can also give a house texture and drama. There are several signs that it's time to pay attention to the roof. The first is the roof's age. Most asphalt roofing has a lifespan of about 15 years plus. A second sign is the physical condition of the roof. Curled tiles, leaks and missing shingles are all signs of an aging roof ready for replacement. Another sign is the condition of the valleys on the roof. "Those are going to deteriorate quicker because they hold snow and water longer than the steeper-pitched sections of the roof. An act of nature, however, isn't an indication of replacement. For example, a rip in a roof because of a fallen tree branch doesn't mean the entire roof needs to be replaced. Viable roofs can be repaired in sections. If you're not sure whether the roof should be replaced, it's time to call for the opinions and estimates of at least a couple of roofing contractors. If it's determined that the roof is worn out, the next big question should be whether the roofing job will be a "tear down" or a "reroofing". A tear down consists of removing the existing layers of shingles. That will, of course, cost more for the labor. Tear downs usually occur if there are two or more layers of shingles on a roof. If there's a single layer of shingles on a roof, the new roofing can usually go right over that - a reroofing. On a tear down, inevitably some repair work will also need to be made on the plywood sheathing and wood support system under the shingles. Water damage and age can often weaken or damage that wood. A good contractor will be able to point out any problems by finding slight sags, depressions and problems with the gutters. But there could be some damage that's not discovered until the roofing is removed. The next step is to determine whether you want to upgrade or downgrade from the existing roofing materials. For example, if you have asphalt roof, you may want to consider moving up to cedar shakes, especially if you have a more expensive home. Asphalt shingles are made from both fiberglass and organic bases, and are manufactured in dozens of shapes, sizes and colors. Popular are earth tones - as well as the standard grays, browns, greens and blues - that can be chosen to match up with existing siding and brickwork. Although asphalt comes in one-foot by three-foot sheets, it can imitate an array of tile shapes, from tab shaped to interlocking brick-shaped. Asphalt roofing is popular, capturing more than 80 percent of the residential market, because of its lower cost. Generally, asphalt and fiberglass shingles generally run between $90 and $140 per 100 square feet. Price, however, depends a lot on the house, the roof style, the grade of tile and the amount of work. For example, a tear down can add $50 to $60 to every 100 square feet of roofing that needs to be replaced. Often times, siding around dormers, as well as facia and soffit coverings, may need to also be replaced. While the most economical type of roofing, asphalt has the shortest lifespan of all roofing materials, with most shingles lasting between 15 and 20 years. Higher grades of asphalt - which are thicker, more durable, and more visually pleasing - will last longer. Currently, there is asphalt shingles available with manufacturers' guarantees of 25 and 40 years. Asphalt is also the easiest type of tile to install and is the most economical to repair. In addition to asphalt, there are several other types of roofing materials
a homeowner may wish to consider. For example, cedar shake is a major step up
from asphalt but one that offers a home a drastically different appearance.
Clay tile is yet another step up from asphalt, but one that offers a completely
different look from cedar. Tile comes in a range of colors, shapes and sizes.
Popular choices are terra cotta, barrel or Mission tiles, and rounded Spanish
tiles. Slate is the premier category of roofing tile because of its durability,
its appearance, and its cost. It can last more than 50 years but runs as high
as $1,100 per 100 square feet. © by Jim Sulski. All rights reserved. February 15, 2005. NOTE: This column is distributed by Real Estate Matters Syndicate, PO Box 366, Glencoe, Illinois, 60022. This column may not be resold, reprinted, resyndicated or redistributed without written permission from the publisher. © 2005 by Ilyce R. Glink. Distributed by Real Estate Matters Syndicate. |
 |
|
|
|
RSS Feeds
|
