Contractor Referral Service
CRS Referred Products
Replacement Roofing
Safe And Secure From The Elements!
The roof over your head is one of the
most important parts of your home. A
quality roof provides security and pieceof-
mind and protects a major investmentyour
home! A leaking roof can cause
unsightly stains and serious damage
that is expensive to repair.
When replacing your roof, you’ll want a
new roof that’s durable, easy to take
care of…and fits the character of your
home.
Roofing Options
No matter what size or style of home
you have there’s a roofing material
that’s just right. Consider these options:ASPHALT shingles are the most
popular roofing materials today and
are generally the least expensive.
Asphalt roofs vary in style from the
standard strip or “three-tab” shingle
to the popular laminated shingles that
are thicker and more threedimensional
in look. Laminated
shingles create visual depth
appearance on a roof and impart a
custom, architectural look. Laminated
shingles are available in a variety of
styles, textures and colors, often
mimicking other roofing materials,
such as cedar shakes or slate.
- METAL ROOFS are growing in
popularity in the United States. They
are long-lasting, lightweight, and easy
to take care of. In addition to the large
panels you’re accustomed to seeing,
manufacturers have designed small
panel metal shingles that interlock
together and look like traditional “high
end” roof coverings such as wood
shakes, tile and slate.WOOD roofing material in the
Northwest is usually made of cedar.
Wood shingles are machine-made and
uniform in appearance, while wood
shakes are split and more rustic in
appearance. They are popular here in
the Northwest, and complement any
number of architectural styles.
However, some local building codes
limit their use because of fire safety;
most wood shingles have low fire
ratings. There are wood roofing
products available that have been
factory treated for fire resistance;
these are your best choice.
- TILE roofing is made of clay, concrete,
or other materials. Tile is very durable
and easy to maintain, but it is
extremely heavy. If you’re thinking
about a tile roof, check with your
contractor to make sure your home
can support the weight.
n SLATE is one of the most durable
roofing materials. The grade and color
of the slate depends on where it was
quarried. Slate is more expensive
than other roofing materials, and the
installation cost is higher, too,
because slate requires special
construction techniques and
equipment.
Considerations
Before you decide which roofing material
to use, take a look at full-sized samples
or perhaps look at a home that has
the kind of roof you’re considering.
Remember to always check fire ratings.
Roofing materials are rated for their
fire-resistance. Class A materials are
the most fire-resistant; Class C, the
least. Shingles you choose should
conform to American Society for Testing
Materials (ASTM) standards, ASTM D
3462 for fiberglass and will have a
distinctive seal on the packaging. Ask
your contractor about industry
certifications and ratings for the other
roofing products you are considering.
Asphalt and wood roofs will generally
last 10 to 20 years depending on the
thickness of the shingles and house
location. High quality laminate asphalt
and other roofing materials may be more
costly but can easily carry a 30-50 year
warranty adding beauty and value to
your home when you sell.
Roofing is not something you should
tackle yourself. Roofing professionals
know how to negotiate steep slopes
safely and how to properly install
shingles, shakes and roofing panels,
flashing, valleys and vents.
When replacing your roof, you should
ask your roofing contractor about:
- Adequate ventilation
- Chimney Repairs
- Gutters and Downspouts
- Warranty
You’ll want to compare roofing
warranties. In fact, the roofing
contractor’s warranty of workmanship
is as important as the manufacturer’s
warranty of materials. Note especially
limits of liability, check references andconsider how long the roofing company
has been in the roofing business to
make sure the roofer is willing and able
to stand behind work. A 20-year warranty
is of no value if the contractor won’t
honor your claims promptly and
professionally. Consider a long-term
maintenance contract, too.
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