OWNER BUILT | TP OF THE MONTH

September

Roofing

There are several roofing choices on the market these days, the style of home and your budget will effect the one’s you ultimately pick. One of the most common types is tile however most people are not aware of the differences between tiles. The following is a list of available tile products and some information an each.

Concrete slurry tile- This is a concrete tile with a baked on paint product applied to the top surface. Many of these products will be warranted for 50 plus years and have excellent durability qualities, they are widely used in tract subdivision and are the most reasonable of the tiles. Slurry tiles tend to have a shiny appearance and come in more of the pastel colors. If the thin color coat should wear off gray concrete will show through.

Concrete color thru tile- These tiles are commonly found on custom homes, the concrete used to make the tile has a stain mixed into it so the color extends completely thru the tile. This type of tile tends to have a more natural appearance comes in a greater color selection. Some manufacturers will allow you to custom blend your own colors into the tile. The color thru tiles will be more expensive than the slurry type tile.

Sand cast- This tile comes from Mexico and gives the roof a very rustic appearance, typically they have a mix of terra cotta, gray, and black coloration. This is a two-piece tile that consists of a pan on the bottom and a cap on top. It is common to grout each tile down with cement, which adds to the rustic appearance. These tiles although beautiful are very fragile and require an asphalt roof system under them. Once in place you cannot walk on the roof and a strong hailstorm can severely damage the tile. The breakage factor during installation will be several times that of concrete or even clay tiles. These tiles are more expensive than concrete tiles.

Clay tiles- Traditionally clay tiles are a red, terra cotta or burnt orange color. Many old Spanish style buildings will have this type of tile. More recently clays tiles have come in a wider range of colors like blue or green. Clay tiles are more durable than sand-cast but softer than concrete. These tiles give an unmistakable and beautiful look but come at a price, more than all the other type tiles.

Flat roofs

Asphalt build up- This roof will consist of a rolled roofing product that overlaps itself at the seams. The outside will typically have a granulated material and come in a few colors. Some times it will be painted over match the color of the house. The warranties will vary depending on the thickness and type of material in the body i.e.: “rubberized”

Foam- Residential applications will use 1” foam sprayed directly onto the plywood decking of the roof. Commercial applications will be 2” or more, the foam will be covered with layers of elastomeric paint products. The warranties will range from 5 to 12 years. This is a great product when applied correctly and is even rated with an insulation factor of apx. R-7 per inch. Foam roofs should be serviced every 4-5 years, this consists of removing any peeling paint and rolling the roof with additional coats of elastomeric primer and paint. The paint can be tinted to almost any color to match your house. For some reason woodpeckers like to peck this type of roof, we always specify that a layer of silica sand be applied to the paint layers to discourage and/or prevent this.

Asphalt shingles- This product comes in many different colors and features. They are sold in bundles, 3 bundles make a square, 1 square will cover approximately 100 square feet. A common upgrade is the simulated shake or architectural shingle, these have additional pieces laminated to them to change the texture and look. Shingles come with warranties anywhere from 15 to 35 years and are very economical.

**Keep in mind that even though a roof product comes with a warranty from the manufacturer it may not cover labor to remove and install the replacement material if needed, negotiate this with the roofing subcontractor before signing a contract.

* The information contained in this “tips” section is to be used as a general guide only. When making decisions about your project a professional should be consulted using the specific information that is unique to your project.