In the past, Victorian gray slate and Spanish Mediterranean red tiles were about the only choices if you wanted tiles on your roof. But because of new tile roofing innovations, technologies and manufacturing methods, there are many more architectural choices for your tile roofing system. Now, tile roofs are constructed of many different materials, colors and designs that can fit a multitude of taste and design choices for residential and commercial property owners.
For the most part, you can expect a tile roof to have a lifespan of 50 years or more. Some of the great things about tiles are their fire resistance, how they withstand strong chemicals, how they are resistant to biologically degrading, keep away bugs and animals, are mold resistant and can handle extremes in temperature, whether hot or cold.
A lower weight makes them able to be used in many types of architectural designs and systems.
20 to 30 % more utility savings for property owners due to modern green technologies.
Cool roof choices that will help towards solving urban heat island issues.
Manufacturing processes are incorporating new materials, such as recycled options in their manufacturing of tiles.
Many architectural styles can be used because of a myriad of new colors and shapes, such as even wood and shakes.
They’re more moisture resistant than the past due to developments in waterproof underlayment barriers and trim and venting options.
These are made by baking clay thats been colored and glazed. They can be used with many textures, finishes and styles. They are durable and long lasting, requiring less maintenance.
These are made using concrete reinforced with fibers, which increases strength and durability. They can be pressed into molds, which creates different kinds of shapes and designs for architectural purposes. They are then finished with different colored dyes and glazes.
Can last as long as 100 years, a natural stone material that requires very little maintenance. You can cut it into various shapes and sizes to fit the architectural needs of any home or business its being designed for.
Made form aluminum, copper, steel or tin, they can be made to look like stone with many different shades, shapes, and colors. They’re very lightweight, extremely durable and can be used in cold and elevated areas that have a lot of snow.
They can mimic the look of clay, ceramic or slate through rubber or polymer compounds that can be shaped and molded into many styles and designs. They’re also very light, durable and much easier to install than other tiles like clay, concrete or metal.
If you’re thinking about putting a new roof on your home, your choice of roofing materials has a direct relationship with how long you can expect your new roof to last.
The longest-lasting products, such as concrete, clay, or slate tiles are extremely durable. These tiles outperform other manufactured roofing materials, such as asphalt shingles and metal roofing, by a significant margin.
These have a good lifespan but aren’t quite as durable.
Other factors to take into account are regional weather conditions, the design of your home, and the amount of routine maintenance the materials will need.
In short, the quality of the roofing materials you invest in plays a critical role in determining the life expectancy of your new roof.
According to the National Association of Home Builders, most roofing products are designed to last at least several decades under normal weather conditions. Let’s take a closer look at how the longevity of different materials is rated.
Usually, asphalt shingles last about 20 years; but, higher-quality asphalt shingles can be warrantied for up to 50 years. However, you can expect to pay more for a premium, long-life product.
These are asphalt shingles that are thicker, which can create an appearance similar to slate, or clay tiles at a lower cost. Architectural asphalt shingles last about 30 years on average.
Wood roofing has an expected lifetime of about 30 years, but it can last much longer under moderate weather conditions. Not really used much anymore in our extreme summer heat.
The International Association of Certified Home Inspectors projects metal roofing to last between 40 to 80 years. The Metal Roofing Alliance gives a life expectancy of at least 40 to 60 years.
Each of these products is rated for a life expectancy of 100 years or more by both the NAHB and NACHI. The underlayment beneath the tiles usually needs to be addressed every 15-20 years, however.
How long your roof lasts is directly related to the cost of the materials you choose.
Asphalt shingles are among the least expensive residential roofing products. But, the difficulty of installation will greatly increase the cost per square foot.
Architectural shingles, which are twice as thick (and heavy) as asphalt costs almost twice as much as regular asphalt shingles.
Metal roofing materials are a premium home product, and costs run about two to three times that of asphalt shingles. It’s comparable to tile or cedar shakes, but less expensive than slate.
Expect to pay between $5.00 to as much as $15 per square foot. Adding a breathable underlayment is recommended and can increase these figures also.
Simple roofing designs with tile or slate cost about $15-20 per square foot, but more complicated architectural designs and premium slate or tile roofing materials can cost as much as $40-50 per square foot.
Asphalt shingles are the most extensively used roofing product in the United States says the National Roofing Contractors Association. They are relatively inexpensive, and there is a wide choice of colors, patterns, and styles to choose from.
Architectural asphalt shingles are a recently developed product. It's a material made from engineered polymer composites that look like cedar wood shakes or slate tiles.
The good news is that they’re much less expensive than natural products; the bad news is that they don’t have a long history of performance benchmarks to analyze.
Metal roofing materials, including metal shingles, slates, tiles, and vertical panels, weigh up to 50% less than asphalt shingles and 75 percent lighter than tiles.
The problems they have are the same as the other materials: leaks, punctures or tears, and pooling water.
Wood shakes typically get warped from a lifetime of wetting and drying with the seasons. This can jeopardize the integrity of the roof.
But, they’re still a popular choice in many parts of the country. Pressure-treated shakes will hold up better, and thick-cut cedar shakes generally last longer than thinner cedar shingles.
The main drawback with slate or tile roofing is its weight. 3/8-inch thick slate or tile can weigh as much as 1,500 pounds per square (a 10-foot by 10-foot area), and each additional 1/8-inch thickness increases the weight by 500 pounds per square.
Before choosing a type of new roof, consider how much you want to invest, what types of roofing products are used in your neighborhood, and how long you expect to be living in your property.
It would also be a good idea to consult with an experienced, professional roofing contractor about which materials are the best fit for your property and area.
You hear advice all the time when you’re looking for a roofing contractor in Arizona that you should never hire unlicensed roofing contractors to do your work.
What's the reason for this? Does it truly even matter? Some property owners think that if the roofing contractor does good work based on a referral from an acquaintance or family member and they had a good experience, then why should it matter if they don’t have a license.
And, as a bonus, they can probably save some money in the process.
If you have a dispute with a licensed contractor, you can call the company’s licensing agency for help in mediation. They also may be able to help recover any monetary losses you might have incurred.
But, if you have an issue with an unlicensed contractor that they refuse to resolve, you’ll have to make a decision about filing a civil lawsuit. That isn’t something that you’re likely to have much success with.
Legal expenses are high and, even if you should win, you might never be able to collect any funds because unlicensed contractors are notorious for going in and out of business.
Who knows how long they’ll be there to pay you, or they could just disappear completely leaving you holding the bag.
The reality is, an unlicensed contractor doesn’t have the same incentive to do quality work because it’s easier for them to get away with providing minimal service and poor work quality, due to the fact that your choices are limited with legal action.
So, let's say some unlicensed contractor doesn’t finish your roofing project and runs off with your money? Good luck trying to find them and trying to get any compensation or having the work finished!
Or does not honor their warranty after a rainstorm reveals a leak on their handy work.
Worker’s comp and liability insurance are expensive for a contractor. Because of this, unlicensed contractors many times will not carry these vitally important policies. Just as important for you as it is for them.
If a roofing contractor’s crew member gets injured while working on your roof, without worker’s comp insurance would mean you’ll likely be responsible for paying for their medical bills. Have you checked the cost of a week-long hospital stay lately?
Without liability insurance, if a contractor damages your home and refuses to fix it, you’re out of luck and you’ll have to pay for the damages yourself.
A “Bond” is a type of insurance that compensates you if the contractor doesn’t complete the job as you’ve requested or contracted them to do.
Unlicensed contractors usually won’t even offer a written and signed contract, much less be bonded with an adequate amount.
Therefore, if the finished roof project isn’t what you thought you were getting, that’s your tough luck! There’s no bond available for you to make a claim on.
To obtain a license, a contractor is tested on their knowledge and application of local building codes.
Here’s why this could be a big problem:
If you decide to sell your property and during the inspection process the home inspector points out that your roof isn’t built to code, you’ll be responsible for fixing that before the Buyer or the Lender will move forward to close on the purchase.
Fixing something like this in a short time frame could cost thousands of dollars that you had no idea you were going to be liable for.
Also, disclosing to an inspector that you hired an unlicensed roofing contractor to fix any past issues with your roof could greatly decrease the property’s value, if the inspector or the Buyer isn’t comfortable with assuming the liability for an unlicensed contractor’s work.
Obtaining a license means that a roofer meets minimum industry training standards and work experience. This is in place to protect consumers like you.
If a contractor is unlicensed, you don’t have any idea about their level of competency or experience. Low-quality roofing work and materials can backfire on you later in a big way.
We have severe monsoon storms every summer in Arizona. Imagine seeing your roof literally blown off in the middle of one of these storms because the unlicensed contractor that did the work either cut corners, didn’t really know what they were doing, or used subpar materials to get the work done and pad their profits!
Don’t settle for a simple handshake. Get your roof work completed by licensed, professional, experienced contractors. If they cut corners by not paying for licensing, insurance or bonding, they’re likely cutting corners on the work too.
Usually, a polyurethane foam roof costs about equal to a Built-Up Roof (BUR) with underlying insulation. However, foam roofs are unique because they are the only roof type that both insulates and protects against leaks with a single monolithic barrier.
There are a lot of flat roofing materials, but all are not equal in quality. An EPDM (rubber roof) or single-ply roof, sealed either by tars or adhesives are not as high quality as a typical BUR roof.
The reason is they usually last less than 10 years, while a higher quality BUR roof may last a lot more than 10 years. Usually, a BUR roof is built with a few semi-flexible membrane layers, and then water-proofed with water-resistant modified bitumen.
Remember, coal tars are a known carcinogen (not as severe as asbestos – otherwise, this would be more widely known). Modified bitumen, however, comes from oils, refined at much lower temperatures than coal tar, and is a much safer substance.
The fluctuating prices in the cost of a barrel of oil get passed on to the roofing industry. As the costs of asphalt roofing materials continue to increase, and the cost of a high-quality polyurethane foam roof remains more steady, that makes SPF or foam roofing more affordable for consumers.
Cost, of course, can vary due to a lot of factors, like geographic location, and the size and type of the project. Prices might be estimated anywhere between $3-$12 per square foot, and this can be affected by several other factors – the quality of the materials used, the labor costs to install these materials, and any associated warranty, contractor insurance, or bonding costs which will get passed on to the customer.
If you’re going to install a roof, it’s good to think about the long-term cost impact. If you have decided to install a foam roof, the insulation factor can pay off big in the long run.
Also, think about adding cool roof coatings; just by changing the color of a roof to something reflective can lower summer cooling bills by 30% or more.
Medium Density Sprayed Polyurethane Foam Roofing conforms to the corners and angles of a roof and usually has an R-Value around 6 to 8 per inch of thickness. In layman’s terms, one inch of foam is as effective as 6 to 8 inches of solid wood.
In reality, due to things like vapor trapping (foam forms a barrier), and the density of foam (it is light, but heavier than air–of course), foam can be 4 times more effective than fiberglass.
If you have lived in an older, poorly insulated home, you know that heating and cooling bills can really get out of control with poor insulation.
This is just one final cost factor that should be considered when you’re comparing an insulated roof like SPF with other roofing materials, like EPDM, Single Ply, or BUR, with no insulation. Watch out for the myths of foam roofs.
The flexibility of shingle roofing is demonstrated here in our diverse Arizona weather. Most cities in Arizona have warm and dry weather. In the major metro areas of Phoenix and Tucson, summer months bring hot, sweltering days and winter brings crisp cool air. Other areas in North Central and Northern Arizona have a mountainous climate where the summers are mild and sunny and winters have snow and cold winds. In this article, we will be discussing the pros and cons of shingle roofs.
There are many things to consider when making the decision to do a shingle roof installation on your home. Your property in the interior of your home depends on having a quality roof overhead.
Anytime the roof’s structure is in trouble, you need to take action right away to fix the issue.
This article will discuss 10 steps you can take to ensure your shingle roofing system is up to par for your peace of mind.
Like many home improvement projects, installing a new roof is expensive.
One way you may think you can save money is with a “roof over” or by re-roofing- this entails placing the brand-new shingles immediately over the age-old ones.
While it might seem advisable and allow you to save money in lower disposal and labor expenditures, the problems will probably outweigh the benefits.
Roof overs may actually reduce the life of brand-new shingles due to heat buildup and issues with moisture.
There are also possible problems with the underlying decking that are not seen and restored. Check your shingle warranty to avoid loss of coverage due to an ill-advised roof over.
For a shingle roof installation, contractors will measure your roof and offer you an estimate based on the number of squares of shingles needed. A square is a material needed to cover 100 square feet, so a roof with 20 squares has 2,000 square feet of surface area that needs to be covered.
One element that contributes to the long life of your roof is the right amount of ventilation. Ascertaining your roof system has the necessary ventilation can modulate the attic temperatures in the summer and reduce moisture being developed in winter.
Request your contractor supply you with the kind of venting that is included with the roofing project to make sure your roof lasts through its warranty period.
Part of professional roof repair is not only removing all the old shingles but making any needed repairs to the underlying wood substructure.
Your contractor should address this and allow for these kinds of repairs if needed in your agreement.
Placing brand-new shingles over faulty wood is never advisable and will reduce the life of the brand-new roofing materials.
Shingles should never be affixed directly to raw lumber on the roof. Protective coverings made of felt or other materials offer additional heat and water shields needed to fully protect your dwelling. This is especially important in areas with heavy rains or icy temperatures.
Likewise ensure the contractor includes all the additional substances needed for a proper roof replacement like fasteners, flashing, and drip boundaries are a part of the estimate.
A properly functioning roof system will protect your home and possessions for many years. Be sure you discuss what this assessment consists of and how your contractor will ensure that your brand-new roof is finished to your satisfaction.
Some roofing contractors will provide independent inspections and certifications for your complete peace of mind.
In evaluating the quality of the roofing materials and their installation, the warranty and performance relevant to the wind is a major factor in evaluating which product to purchase.
This is especially important in areas where monsoon storms, microbursts, or other severe weather patterns can cause severe wind damage.
Wind speed warranties can be as low as 60 miles per hour and can cover up to 130 miles per hour. Properly installed, acquiring shingles with higher wind warranties can be the difference between a brand-new roof and complete protection should you experience severe weather.
Is your contractor licensed and bonded? Does your contractor have proper insurance? What warranties do they offer for materials and labor?
Do they secure the proper permits and follow all local, regional codes and regulations? How reliable are they? What work have they performed previously in your geographic area?
One of the most important parts of any residence improvement project is the service you get after the project is complete.
Does your contractor offer a standard warranty? What does that include for products, labor, and parts? For what length of the period does the warranty have?
Is there an extended warranty available? What does that include and for how long? What does it cost? How do you request service calls? Is there a cost for service calls? Will the company be there over the next 10 years if you need them?
The natural inclination is to find the lowest cost. While cost should always be a factor, the most important part of the decision should be appreciable value and your return on investment.
Will the contractor give you a fair estimate and one that handles the cost of quality products and professional installation?
Does the estimate encompass all facets of your roof replacement including ventilation, protective coverings, fasteners, permits, and inspections, flashing as well as removal and dumping of the old roofing substance and delivery of brand-new materials?
Does the estimate encompass all labor, project management, and coordination? Are there allowances for unforeseen expenditures such as repair or replacing the underlying wood structures? Peace of mind, quality substances, and complete project specs are as important and will provide you with a roof that lasts a lifetime.
A new roof is a big investment that typically can cost thousands of dollars. The materials you use will be a small portion of your investment.
Most of it will go toward the skilled labor involved. That means choosing an experienced roof installation contractor is the best route to protect your investment and ensure a proper job.
Sounds simple, right? Unfortunately, roofing is a business that requires little more than a pickup, a ladder, and some basic tools start, so you have to be careful and diligent in choosing the right roofer for your project.
If you can get recommendations from a neighbor, friend, or someone you are familiar with, it's probably the best route to proceed.
Gather the names of at least two potential companies. Make sure each one has been in business for a minimum of five years. Roofing corporations who do bad work generally won’t be in a business that long and are usually unlicensed.
Check the availability of your roofer. There’s no reason to waste time if they’re booked up for months. Make sure to get calls and addresses of past customers, and eliminate any contractor that is hesitant to provide them.
Do a drive-by inspection of a few of their recent projects. If it's a shingle roof, visually make sure that the spaces between individual shingle tabs, known as water gaps, line up laser-straight as they alternate shingle rows.
Make sure the shingles are trimmed in a clean path along the valleys where they overlap the flashing. On the ends of the roof, shingles should also be neatly trimmed so they align with the leading edge of the roof. Ragged paths mean poor work.
Likewise look for neat, tar-free flashing at the roof valleys and at the eaves.
If the roofs look like they stand up to scrutiny, call their past customers and ask them these questions:
When a roofing company comes by to estimate your job and work up a price quote, notice their look. If they aren’t clean enough to sit at your dinner table, do you really want them working on your property?
Make sure to detail the entire assortment of your expectations. Know who will be doing the work and who the main foreman will be. Always get everything in writing.
If you like them, then it’s time to ask if they carry workman’s compensation coverage and at the least$ 1 million of liability insurance.
Get the name and contact information of the roofer’s insurance agent and ask the agent for their proof-of-insurance certifications.
After you’ve seen these documents, then it's time to talk about an estimate, which they should be doing for free.
Make sure you get a warranty that takes care of leaks, flashing loss or failure, and any other labor-related issues.
A one-year warranty is a minimum you should get, but two or three years is what you should really demand. These same specifications need to be in the contract, which should also include what type of quality materials they will be using.
Make sure you ask for the highest-rated, longest-lasting shingles or tiles you can afford to pay for.
Manufacturers generally warrant their products for 20 to 30 years.
Some can be voided if shingles are put on over existing ones, so tearing off the existing layer of shingles might be required, which would be an additional expense. Asphalt shingle roofs should last 13 to 15 years on average, so a 20-year warranty is what you would want.
Tiles should last 30 to 40 years. Make sure to get the proper paperwork and proof of purchase required, in case you have to pursue any problems that arise in the future.
More than likely it was the advantages that convinced you to choose a foam roof originally. However, just like any other type of roof, foam roofs also need to be properly maintained.
Some property owners put furniture and other such things on the surface of their foam roof. While this might be a good way to take in a view, keep in mind that these unnecessary items could also damage the very material you’re depending on to keep your property watertight. Putting it bluntly, the less you use the roof as a platform, the less the foam is likely to need expensive repairs or more than normal maintenance.
Every roof needs to be kept clean, so this should go without saying. Every year, you should go up and take a look for yourself to see whether any obvious maintenance is needed. If you can, though, you should go up on your roof once every season just to be careful. It’s also a good idea to check the roof after any major monsoon storm, just to make sure nothing got blown on top of it or damaged anything. The good news is that the cleaning can probably be done by you yourself. Clearing bird’s nests, leaves, tree branches and other debris can easily be done by hand and will help protect your foam roof.
One thing a foam roof won’t attract is pests like rodents and insects, so you won’t have to worry that cleaning it also means you’ll have to deal with these little nuisances.
When you’re up on your roof, check to see if any areas look like they’re beginning to get discolored discolored. You should also check the texture. This is why you want to do more than just cleaning to properly maintain your foam roof. You should walk over the whole structure to make sure it still has a texture that looks something like an orange peel. Anything else should make you concerned. Typical problem signs are textures that might resemble popcorn of scrambled eggs, strangely enough. Either one is probably a sure indication that your foam roof has been damaged in some way.
Obviously, if you notice that the roof is being exposed in any way or its showing signs of deterioration beyond the texture issues we just spoke about, you definitely have a problem.
Foam roof maintenance is something that can be handled by the property owner, but re-coating the roof most definitely is not. The process may look simple and easy, but it involves a specific and critical form of cleaning using the correct materials in specified amounts. If you decide to try re-coating the roof on your own, you’’re going be inviting more expensive problems in the future. You should leave repairs and re-coating to qualified professional flat roofing contractors.
A tile roof adds a rich and elegant look to any residence, while giving it a durable, fire-safe protective layer that is also resistant to bugs and rot. It won’t grow mold, stain or lose any of its color as years go by. For these reasons, a tile roof installation is a great choice for your roof.
Tiles are generally made of concrete or ceramic clay, and come in a broad range of traditional and modern designs. Concrete tile is generally warranted for at least 50 years, while ceramic clay can be warranted for 75 years or more.
If you have just acquired a new home in Arizona, you may be wondering what type of roof installation you should choose for your property. While it is possible to simply pick whatever the builder is offering for the lowest add-on fee, you can save yourself a lot of funds and heartbreak in the long run by looking at other options.
In the U.S., asphalt shingles are used on 70 percent of dwellings. They are immensely popular because of their low cost and longevity. Essentially, they can get the job done and last for 20-40 times as long as they’re properly maintained. However, asphalt shingles can be prone to cracking and breaking when faced with extreme heat. By keeping up with the appropriate upkeep, an asphalt roof can be a winning contender.
In the past 15 years, clay and concrete tiles have become the more popular selection for new dwellings in Arizona. When scrutinizing why more new dwellings are choosing these type of roofs, it’s easy to see the reasons in our red-hot summer climate. Clay or concrete tile roofs have a much longer lifespan and its fair to be expected to last between 20 and 30 years. The tiles themselves will last much longer, but the underlayment is necessarily going to need replacement first. Tiles are strategically spaced so the roof can have optimum ventilation, which means it will cool down faster and last longer. They are also fireproof and will not rot.
Tile roofs require a structural engineer’s report to ensure no additional bracing is a requirement, if the homeowner is switching from a shingle roof to tile. How one’s home is made can determine how much weight the roof can handle. Having an engineer’s report helps ensure that the roof won’t be taking on too much weight.
For most homeowners, the costs of roofing is an essential issue. Clay and concrete tiles are often priced higher than asphalt shingles, but price is not ever the only factor. Unless you plan on living in your new residence for the rest of your life, you should consider shopping the price as well. Concrete and clay have the best price in this regard and can increase the appraisal value of your residence. When considering that the tiles can last a half a century with proper upkeep, it is clear why numerous homeowners pick the initial overhead of clay or concrete roofs.
So what type of roof will you choose? Although asphalt shingles have been used for most dwellings, concrete and clay tiles have made a lot of headway in the past decade or so. While present trends of concrete and clay tile roof in Arizona is likely to stay strong for the foreseeable future, make sure you do your homework. Feel comfy with your roof selection prior to beginning to work on the project.
