Roofing options for homeowners

• Photo courtesy of Elk Premium Building Products, Dallas.
• Photo courtesy of Owens Corning, Toledo, Ohio.
• Photo courtesy of Dura-Loc Roofing Systems, Courtland, Ontario, Canada.
• Photo courtesy of Dura-Loc Roofing Systems, Courtland, Ontario, Canada.

For some time, homeowners were limited in their choice of roof coverings to standard asphalt shingles unless they were able to afford high-end products, such as slate or tile. But changes in technology have spurred manufacturers to introduce shingles in all types of colors and styles, as well as alternative materials, such as metal and synthetic rubber tiles.

Professional Roofing asked several manufacturing executives to discuss the benefits of current roof covering options available to homeowners. Those who provided information include Kim Huntington, technical services coordinator, and Tina Montone, marketing manager, for Atas International Inc., Allentown, Pa.; Jane Bradley, marketing coordinator for Dura-Loc Roofing Systems, Courtland, Ontario, Canada; Kerston Russell, division president of EcoStar, Mundelein, Ill.; Mike McClintock, director of marketing for Elk Premium Building Products, Dallas; and Brian Chambers, product manager for Toledo, Ohio-based Owens Corning's Residential Roofing section. Following are their comments.

Asphalt shingles

Elk

Why should laminated fiberglass-reinforced asphalt shingles be preferred over nontraditional materials? There are several reasons, some of which follow:

• Laminated asphalt shingles offer a wide variety of natural colors, shapes, textures, looks and sizes at prices much lower than alternatives. Looks can range from wood shake to slate that work with all types and styles of housing in rural, urban and suburban settings.
  
  
• Asphalt has been a proven material for steep-slope roofing for more than 200 years. In fact, the first asphalt roofing shingle was made by a machine in Connecticut in 1802. Metal "unit shingle" roofing only recently has found its way into residential roofing applications.
  
  
• Installed metal roofing can cost as much as four times an average installed laminated fiberglass-reinforced asphalt shingle roof system. Fiberglass-reinforced asphalt shingles are offered in price ranges giving homeowners several options. Limited warranties range from 30 years to 50 years with options for transferability from the first homeowner to the next.
  
  
• Fiberglass-reinforced asphalt shingles can be applied with a minimum of tools and training—shingles can be cut on a roof with a utility knife. And an average home can be roofed with asphalt shingles in one day. The same roof can take as much as one week to roof with metal shingles.
  
  
• Fiberglass-reinforced asphalt shingles do not expand and contract in temperature extremes. Metal roofing can expand and contract in temperature extremes. Such movement can put stress on a roof and cause warping and distortion.
  
  

  Top photo courtesy of Elk Premium Building Products, Dallas. Bottom photo courtesy of Owens Corning, Toledo, Ohio. Choosing an asphalt roofing shingle can have advantages over other roofing options.

• All fiberglass-reinforced asphalt shingles carry an Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Inc. Class A fire rating with a 15-pound (7-kg) underlayment. Most metal roof systems only can earn a Class B fire rating. For a Class A fire rating for a metal roof system, special underlayments are required.
  
  
• Many fire marshals will not allow firefighters to walk on a metal roof system because the roof deck will burn. A firefighter standing on a metal roof will not be able to determine if—or where—a deck is on fire and can fall through the metal roof into a burning structure.
  
  
• Fiberglass-reinforced asphalt roof systems are "quieter" than metal when hit by rain.
  
  
• Fiberglass-reinforced asphalt shingles can be installed directly over a roof deck and felt paper underlayment without the need for any additional substructure. Some metal roofing products require a substructure between a deck and metal roof system.
  
  
• Fiberglass-reinforced asphalt shingles are produced and distributed by nationally known companies and available at roofing dealers and distributors everywhere.
  
  
• Fiberglass-reinforced asphalt shingles will not rust, bend, "oil-can," glare or dent. Metal shingles can be difficult to walk on because of their slick surfaces and tendencies to dent. Once the painted surface of a metal roof system has been scratched and exposed to water, the rust process may start.
  
  
• Accessory items for metal roofing, such as hip-and-ridge and vent-penetration areas, can be detailed, difficult to apply and expensive.
  
  
• The use of caulk to seal out moisture is common with metal roof systems. In fact, an average metal roof system can take up to 50 tubes of caulk. Caulk tends to harden and crack over time resulting in leaks and the need to recaulk.
  
  
• Fiberglass-reinforced asphalt shingles now are being offered in larger sizes that can be installed more quickly and provide a natural wood-like appearance.
  
  
• Fiberglass-reinforced asphalt shingles come in a variety of colors, including popular earth tones, dark greens, off-whites and blues.
  
  

Owens Corning

A roof not only makes a bold statement about a home's exterior, it also can be the most important investment a homeowner makes in his home. Choosing an asphalt roofing shingle can have significant advantages over other roofing options.

According to McGraw-Hill Construction Dodge, a division of The McGraw-Hill Cos., New York, nearly 70 percent of homes throughout the United States use asphalt shingles—either three-tab, laminate or super laminate. And there is a growing number of new shingle choices homeowners can select to protect their homes. Evaluating all available options is an important step—a roof can make up as much as 30 percent of a home's exterior. And new developments are improving the performance of asphalt shingles. Whether it's the durability in harsh climates and high wind, the aesthetic appeal with a wide variety of color palettes or even asphalt shingles that deter algae growth, there are a number of trends in this area.

The first trend is the continued movement of strip shingles, or three-tab shingles, to laminates. Laminate shingles, which have a second layer and offer a more dimensional look than three-tab shingles, account for more than half the total sales of asphalt shingles, up from about 15 percent 10 years ago. Driving this trend is that laminate shingles provide an improved look and affordable price.

For higher-end homeowners, another trend has been the shift toward super-laminate shingles. These asphalt shingles are bigger and heavier and offer even more color and style choices than standard laminate shingles. In addition, they carry more performance features, such as longer product warranties, higher wind protection and resistance to algae growth.

Additional color choices are another trend. Brighter color hues, such as blues, greens and oranges, now are available to give homes a distinguished look without the cost of alternative roofing.

The fourth major trend with asphalt shingles has been improved wind resistance. Traditional wind warranties have been up to 60 mph (97 km/h), but now it's common to see asphalt shingles rated as able to withstand winds from 110 mph (177 km/h) to as high as 130 mph (209 km/h).

Despite the benefits of using asphalt roofing products, some homeowners still inquire about the use of alternative roofing materials, such as metal, wood shakes and slate. Many of Owens Corning's area sales managers talk to contractors on a daily basis who have clients who want to explore alternative roofing options for their homes.

The sales force finds that a number of homeowners want the look of slate but do not want the prohibitive cost and construction factors that it brings. Slate is expensive, has to be ordered well in advance and is quite heavy, making it difficult to install. As an alternative to slate, there are asphalt shingles on the market that resemble slate and feature the important characteristics clients are looking for in a roofing solution—performance, appearance and value.

Asphalt roofing products have been the dominant roof system protecting North America's buildings for the past 100 years because homeowners get great performance for their investment. They still are the most widely used and reliable roof system available. Excellent value, long life, proven durability, flexibility, compatibility with existing systems, ease of reroofing and superior long-term performance make them the most consistent, popular choice for building owners, specifiers and contractors.

Metal

Atas International

During the past few years, metal has been recognized as a new construction and reroofing option. Not only has it been taken into consideration, it has become the intelligent choice for homeowners across the United States. There are many reasons for this increase in popularity: life expectancy, performance, architectural aesthetics, environmental aspects and installation benefits of reroofing.

The life expectancy of metal roofing is one of the most important factors in making metal a preferred material. Metal does not break down or decompose when exposed to long periods of weather. A quality finish of KYNAR 500® or HYLAR 5000® contributes to this characteristic. Warranties of 50 years are not uncommon.

During its life expectancy, metal provides outstanding performance. The high-quality paint used with metal roof systems allows for continuous cleaning of a roof's surface when rain falls. Contaminants associated with other roofing materials are not present with metal. It does not attract mold nor allow algae to grow.

Painted metal roof systems may reflect 70 percent or more of the sun's radiation depending on the color and type of pigments. With high emittance, painted products also efficiently lose heat to the atmosphere. These characteristics translate to cooler roof surfaces and reduced cooling energy costs. Unpainted metal also has high reflectivity but lower heat-shedding capabilities, a combination of characteristics that make it well-suited to climates where both heating and cooling costs are important. Weighing much less than other materials, metal roofing has a low thermal mass that cools quickly. The lighter weight also may reduce the requirements for structural supports.

In addition, metal virtually is maintenance-free if installed properly. Higher-quality paints are designed to resist chalking and fading. Individual shingles do not decompose nor require replacement.

Highly wind-resistant, most metal profiles are designed to withstand external forces of nature. Metal roofing products are ideal for extreme winter conditions. Ice damming often is minimized by various profiles offering air flow and ventilation under a panel system. A steep-slope metal roof system also releases loads more quickly, creating less of an opportunity for ice to build up. Ponded water can be eliminated, and drainage can be added with a metal roof system. Metal is a noncombustible, highly fire-resistant material. Many metal roofing products carry the highest available impact-resistance rating for roofing products, making their use in regions that experience hailstorms a smart choice.

The variety of metal profiles available contribute to the architectural aesthetics of a home. Metal design profiles are not limited to traditional standing-seam panels or "flat" materials. Metal is manufactured to resemble shingles and tiles in a large spectrum of colors. Painted aluminum or steel, copper and zinc also add to the appearance. Roof geometry easily is altered for practical or aesthetic purposes. The designer, installer and homeowner are given the freedom of choosing from different styles/profiles without sacrificing performance.

Currently, environmental aspects have become a consideration with building materials. Metal contains postindustry recycled content and is 100 percent recyclable. The general benefit of reroofing with metal is that it can be installed directly over most roofing materials, eliminating tear-off costs and inconvenience. Eliminating tear-off provides a tremendous benefit to the environment because an existing roof system's materials will not be added to landfills.

Dura-Loc

Homeowners who prefer traditional roofing profiles can achieve the traditional look with metal but without the weight limitations of clay, wood shakes and asphalt. Not only are the available styles extremely attractive, but homeowners have a vast spectrum of colors and finishes from which to choose. Finishes range from bare Galvalume™ to zinc, copper, stone-coated and painted.

It also has been found that metal roof systems are more energy-efficient than traditional roofing materials. A metal roof acts as an excellent insulator with the possibility of lowering utility bills in all seasons. An ENERGY STAR®-rated granular-coated metal roof system can reduce energy bills by 50 percent and decrease the amount of pollution that results from hotter roof systems and heat-absorbing buildings. Another benefit to an ENERGY STAR-rated roof system is possible insurance rebates that vary among states. Some insurance companies in Texas offer discounts up to 35 percent when a metal roof system is installed on a house.

The less a roof system weighs, the less damage a structure will sustain as a result of an earthquake. Most destruction caused in an earthquake occurs when heavy roofs collapse. Roofing with a lightweight material, such as Galvalume, eliminates this risk. The less weight there is on the top of a structure, the more forgiving a structure will be during an event such as an earthquake.

Many metal roof systems can withstand winds up to 120 mph (193 km/h), which means they will be resilient during tornadoes and hurricanes. Most of the destruction that results from tornadoes and hurricanes is not a result of the wind but foreign objects that are raised and catapulted, causing severe damage to homes and communities. One reason metal roof systems contribute little damage during wind events is because of their abilities to resist wind. Another reason is their high-impact-resistance and puncture-resistance qualities.

Installing metal roof systems using screws eliminates leaks from ice dams often found among asphalt shingle roofs. As any structure settles or moves (as a result of wind, earthquake or age), screws will keep the metal panels fastened whereas nails on asphalt or metal, because of their straight shaft, will vibrate out and hover over the material they are supposed to be fastening.

UL 2218, "Standard for Impact Resistance of Prepared Roof Covering Materials," Class 4 test is the most severe of the hail-impact tests. The Class 4 test uses a 2-inch (51-mm) steel ball dropped from 20 feet (6 m) to determine the hail resistance of a roof system. Some metal roof systems supersede this test.

Metal has some advantages that add to its fire-resistance capabilities. For example, the method of fastening metal panels will not allow lifting and ember entry, and ceramic stone and steel do not burn. In addition, should there be a fire, steel panels coated with stone will not burn into the building's interior. A fire may cause an inward collapse of a metal roof system, which will prevent the spread of embers to nearby homes.

Unlike asphalt, metal roof systems, which are made from acrylic and ceramic stone granules, do not support fungi growth.

In addition, when a homeowner makes the choice to reroof a home, in most cases, a metal roof system can be installed directly over most asphalt shingles, reducing the amount of waste entering North American landfills.

Ventilation is important because it deters moisture from accumulating in attics and helps release heat during summer, which will cool a house and lower energy costs. In winter, a well-ventilated roof system will maintain a cold roof and prevent the formation of ice dams.

Synthetics

EcoStar

Rubber polymeric steep-slope roofing products have changed the face of steep-slope roofing. Developed to provide a strong alternative for contractors and homeowners, this type of product offers long life and high durability. There are four areas in which polymeric tiles excel: life cycle, durability, environmental and aesthetics.

When considering life-cycle costs, alternative premium roofing products offer a strong short-term solution and long-term cost savings. When a consumer looks at the long-term costs, premium products are less expensive because they are manufactured to last at least 50 years or more with little or no maintenance.

Alternative roofing materials were developed to match the durability of traditional products with the added benefit of lightweight technology. Polymeric rubber tiles are built to withstand the elements and provide exceptional durability, as well as resist fire and hail. These tiles also are extensively tested for ultraviolet (UV) degradation and wind uplift, and they do not crack, tear or split.

Polymeric steep-slope rubber roofing materials were developed with roofing contractors and rubber-injection molding experts. The EPDM rubber and TPO plastics that are used in synthetic tiles have a long life coupled with high tolerance to UV rays. As has been proved with EPDM and TPO low-slope roof systems, residential rubber roofing is providing a long-term, durable solution.

A key difference with polymeric rubber tiles is the use of recycled materials from postindustrial waste. No mining or oil drilling is needed to produce polymeric tiles. They are made of 100 percent recycled rubber and plastic. The tiles also offer long life and can be recycled, providing a strong alternative to the amount of roofing material that is being hauled to landfills.

According to the National Association of Home Builders Research Center, "Reroofing generates an estimated 6.8 million tons [6.2 Mg] of waste in asphalt shingles each year—equivalent to nearly 3 percent of municipal solid waste. Waste that shingle reroofing generates include asphalt shingles (90+ percent of the waste stream) and miscellaneous packaging, fasteners and roof trim."

Architects and specifiers also are aware of the choices in sustainable roofing products. According to the Construction Specification Institute's Web site, www.csinet.com, "It is a myth that all green products cost more. In some cases, the initial cost may be slightly higher but not so over the life of the building when considering some of the side benefits of green products, for instance, the environmental and health merits. The production and use of these materials means less energy consumption and less natural resource depletion and pollution, and they also are generally less toxic for both the planet and its occupants."

The environmental element of many alternative roofing products is yet another sign that through the development of these products, the problems that are associated with traditional products are being addressed by this new evolution of roofing products. Yet a final key difference is the ability of alternative roofing products to emulate traditional roofing products perfectly.

In the case of rubber synthetic tiles, because they are injection-molded, the technology allows manufacturers to perfectly replicate any traditional roofing material. Molds are developed from exact roofing pieces of slate, shake or tile.

As the effects of mining and logging are felt, the ability to perfectly emulate traditional roofing products with lighter, sustainable raw materials becomes a key benefit. Polymeric rubber tiles are able to emulate the beauty of slate, shake or tile while providing a lightweight, durable and long-lasting roofing material.

With these points, it becomes clear polymeric roofing materials really are not alternatives but are the next step in the evolution of roofing.

Never-ending possibilities

The residential roofing market has much to offer homeowners in terms of material, cost, color and environmental benefits. And Professional Roofing is interested in hearing your thoughts and opinions about traditional and nontraditional steep-slope roof coverings. Readers' responses received will be posted on Professional Roofing's Web site.

Ambika Puniani is editor of Professional Roofing and NRCA's director of communications.