Roofing Systems That Aren't Raining Cats and Dogs

"It's raining cats and dogs!" You are certainly familiar with this silly little saying for when the rain is pouring down. While you may never have a thought about where it came from, the saying comes from the 1500's when/www.homes-seekers.net“> houses in Europe had a fairly flat thatched roof made of a thick layer of straw. The household animals would curl up in the straw and use it for bedding. These roofs didn't have much in the way of wooden timber support and when you had the combination of an old roof and a heavy rain, well you can picture the rest of the story!

Today, even though we still enjoy a wonderful canopy bed, our roofing material has tremendously improved. Roofs are rarely flat and are usually sloped. In fact, most roof slopes are so steep, that it takes a professional contractor to address any roofing problems.

Most homeowners who need to replace their roof are looking for durable and energy efficient materials. The traditional roofing materials are clay tiles and a wide variety of shingles. Steel and aluminum roofs are becoming popular and some homes even have a concrete roof.

Replacing or repairing the roof of a home is an expensive process, more money than the average homeowner may have readily available to spend on home repairs. Most homeowners will finance the roof repair by taking out a home improvement loan or a home equity loan. The good news is that a major repair such as a new roof does increase the value of the home. The way to know how much money to borrow is to obtain estimates for replacing the roof.
This is part of the process of finding a qualified contractor to handle the job. A good way to find a suitable contractor is to network with friends and neighbors for referrals. Do remember that the lowest bidder may not be the best bargain. Be sure to check on the qualifications of your contractor through agencies such as the Better Business Bureau.

A new roof should last as long as the shingles hold up, typically 15, 20 or 30 years depending upon their lifetime rating. Usually more expensive shingles will have a longer lifetime. However, the improvement in looks of the home combined with the durability of the new roof will add to the value of the home.

One manufacturer of highly respected roofing material is GAF Materials Corporation. Most contractors are aware of GAF roofing products and many belong to GAF's CARE (Center for the Advancement of Roofing Excellence) program. This program provides professional advanced seminars about roofing and roofing products. Contractors can join GAF's organization for professional roofers called "Certified Contractor Zone". Through CARE, contractors learn how to appropriately sell GAF products and methods to customers based upon the needs of the customer's individual home.
The GAF sales approach is to teach homeowners that they have more than just the options of repairing or replacing the roof of their home. The third option is to restore the roof. Some of GAF's famous materials include:
- A premium grade of architectural shingles called Grand Timberline .
- A complete system for steep slopes called GAF's Weather Stopper Integrated Roofing System.

Roofing is an essential part of your home that can improve the home's value.
Before selecting one contractor and one standard roofing material, explore your options and weigh your decisions.