Are You Covered? - Getting the right Roof

Every buyer has a check list of considerations when purchasing a home. Quite often, the condition of the roof is right up on the top three must have's.

The roof can be the first aspect of a home to meet the buyer's eyes. Is it an inviting color? Is there signs of wear and tear, or in wet regions, moss patches? Or heaven forbid, the tell-all tarp indicating a leak?

Initial cost is just one part of the roofing financial puzzle, whether you are building new or renovating. It is also important to look at longevity of the materials, and making ensure your roof is right for the climate you live in. In addition, durability and low maintenance are also top of mind for most homeowners. Here are a few options to consider:

Metal roof tiles

Metal roof tiles offer a wealth of benefits to homeowners. Highly durable, these tiles protect against hail, wind and fire, and conserve energy by reflecting much of the sun's heat back to the air.

Metal roof tiles are much lighter than asphalt roof tiles, by as much as half the weight, and can be purchased in galvanized steel - the least expensive; aluminum - used most often; and copper - very attractive but the most expensive.

Average life span: 25 years or longer

Asphalt shingles

By far the most economical, asphalt tiles can range in quality and durability. They are a better choice for cooler climates as they last longer. Easy to install, either by a professional installer or enthusiastic D.I.Y. people, the fiberglass-based version is chosen most often.

Traditional black asphalt shingles, or other roofing options, can be a recipe for heat exhaustion inside the house. Temperatures of up to 180 degrees F. can be realized on the roof on a sunny day.

Instead, install materials that have a high solar reflectance. The best choice of these are smooth and white, and can provide reflectance of up to 80%. Conversely, standard white shingles only reflect about 25% of the sun's heat. Premium shingles are only slightly better at 35% reflection.

An additional reason to have light-colored roofs is they tend to last longer. With dark roofs, the constant heating and cooling of a roof causes it to expand and contract, causing wear and tear on the materials.

Average life span: 14 - 20 years, depending on the region

Clay roof tiles

Clay roof tiles have been used all over the world for centuries. Many ancient buildings still have their original tiles. In North America, we haven't had to test that level of longevity however, most suppliers claim that a tile roof will last a minimum of 50 years or longer. With the modern addition of custom colors, these roofs are not only durable, they look great, too.

One California company offers clay tiles in 32 colors that reflect solar radiation and emits thermal radiation at a rate that exceeds the state's recommendations. In addition to their solar reflectiveness, clay tile roofs can offer enhanced air circulation because ambient air can flow above and below the tiles. This flow helps the roof shed solar heat more rapidly.

Clay tiles are heavy, so support systems currently in the roof must be considered if a renovation is involved. Additional braces may have to be added to handle the increased weight.

Average life span: 50 years or longer