When my Mom and Dad got married way back in 1974, my father’s best man was a guy named Bob Rusinski. Bob passed away a few years ago but it seems like there isn’t a month that goes by that I don’t think about him. He was a very interesting character to say the least. He would come over to see my father when my brother and I were self-absorbed elementary kids still relying on our Mom to make our beds! These visits were quite often unpredictable and would often end with my Dad explaining to Bob that he needed to quiet down because my brother and I were going to bed.
Bob had some pretty notable attributes including the ability to drink copious amounts of scotch, spend hours repairing our home computer in DOS mode and always seemed to be laughing about jokes I never understood! Bob and his partner lived in the historically beautiful and extra eccentric Detroit community of Indian Village.
Indian Village is a grand community of exquisitely crafted and architecturally beautiful homes. Within this community you will find a diverse menagerie of both functional and ornamental roof coverings. It was here that I was first exposed to the concept of a tile roof. Roofing techniques have changed of the past 100 years but many of the tried and true roofing materials are still used today.
Here are 5 different roof coverings to consider if you are in the market to replace your roof…
1. Asphalt Shingles
- The most commonly used roof covering material in the United States today is an asphalt shingle. Asphalt shingles are reinforced using either organic felts or fiberglass. While asphalt shingles reinforced with organic felts have been around much longer, fiberglass reinforced shingles now completely dominate the domestic roofing market. In addition to looking better and lasting longer, fiberglass reinforced shingles have a Class A fire rating while organic felt shingles are only Class C.
2. Wood Shingles/Shakes
- Wood shingles/shakes are most commonly made from cedar, redwood or southern pine and can be found throughout California, the Northwest and even pats of the Upper Midwest like Michigan. Wood shingles are machine sawn giving them a smoother more finished appearance while wood shakes are handmade creating a much rougher look. One point to keep in mind if you are considering using wood shingles on your home. Some building departments have codes that limit the use of wood shingles and shakes because of concerns about fire resistance. Most wood shingles and shakes only carry a Class C fire rating and some have no fire rating at all. Check with your local building department before investing any money in wood shingles for your home.
3. Tile Shingles
- Tile shingles are available in both clay or concrete compositions and are considered to be a very durable roofing material. Found on both Mission and Spanish-style round-topped roofs throughout the Southwest United States and Florida, tile shingles give a home a very unique look. Flat tile shingles are also used to give a French and English look to a home. One extra point to consider, tile shingles are very heavy. If you are taking off asphalt shingles and putting on tile ones, you will need to verify that the roof decking structure can support the load.
4. Slate Shingles
- Slate shingles are quarried and manufactured in Vermont, New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia. Slate shingles are available in a diverse array of colors and grades depending on were they have been mined and manufactured. Considered virtually indestructible, slate shingles are one the most expensive roofing materials available in the market today. In addition to their expense, slate shingles must by installed by a skilled installer who fully understand this beautiful but temperamental roofing material.
5. Metal Shingles
- Metal shingles come in a variety of configurations including corrugated galvanized steel, standing metal seam, stainless steel, copper, aluminum, stone coated steel, lead and even tin. Metal shingles are considered to be very durable can last 3-20 times longer than a typical asphalt roof. Metal roofs do not get as hot as asphalt roofs which can help lower your utility costs throughout the year. Metal shingles do however have a couple drawbacks including rusting over time and possible cellular phone interference.
The roof on your house is one of your home’s most important features! While Pure Energy Window Company does not provide new roofs, we are continually looking for ways to help our customers become more educated homeowners. If the roof on your home is in good shape but the windows have seen better days, give us a call today to schedule a FREE In-Home Window Consultation with one of our window experts. Call us at (844) 449-9990 see how Pure Energy windows can improve the comfort of your home!
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