B2B Blog

Your choice of roofing materials often depends on your locality, as much as on your own personal taste. In some regions, for example, metal roofing is a common selection due to its fire resistance, while in other regions, the predominant home styles might call for a Spanish-influenced tile tool. 

Roof pitch (angle) also affects the kind of roofing materials you can use. For example, wood shake shingles can be used for steeper pitched roofs but are not suitable for flatter, low-pitched roofs.

The most common choices for residential roofing include: 

• Asphalt composition shingles:  

These are cheap and easily obtainable, but they are less attractive than other options due to their flat appearance. This is by far the most popular type of roofing material.

• Wood shakes or shingles: 

These are pricey but attractive shingles. They have great durability but aren’t a good choice in regions where there is a fire danger. 

• Metal Roofing:

Metal roofs made of steel or aluminum has become more popular in recent years, due in part to their durability and because they are fireproof. These are expensive roofs that require specialty contractors for installation, but they may be cost-effective over the long run due to their long life. 

• Slate roofing: 

This is a highly attractive, high-end roofing option, but it is expensive and very heavy. Slate roofs are extremely slippery to walk on and difficult to repair when damaged. 

• Composition slate: 

These synthetic tiles made from 95 percent recycled materials, including rubber, are gaining in popularity.

• Clay or ceramic tile: 

Long the most predominant image in Southern California and Florida, the so-called Spanish-style red tile roof is still common but is being gradually replaced by metal and composite materials that mimic the Spanish tile look.

Cost Considerations

Several factors go into the cost of a roof, beginning with your choice of roofing materials (ranging from cheap three-tab asphalt shingles up to architectural shingles or even slate).

The roofing contractor you choose, the pitch (steepness or your roof), and the square footage of your roof are other factors that affect the cost. 

Rock-Bottom, three-tab composite roof for a small home may cost as little as $7,000. Nationally, a typical roof using architectural asphalt shingles costs between $3.50 and $5.50 per square foot—a cost that includes all demolition, permit fees, waste disposal, and cleanup. 

Typical average costs of different roofing options: 

• Three-tab asphalt shingles: $7,000 to $12,000
• 30-year shingles: $9,000 to $15,000
• 50-year shingles: $11,000 to $20,000
• EPDM rubber: $8,000 to $14,000
• TPO or PVC membrane: $10,000 to $15,000
• Wood shingles: $14,000 to $25,000
• Steel shingles: $14,000 to $25,000
• Aluminum shingles: $15,000 to $28,000
• Standing seam steel roofing: $23,000 to $30,000
• Natural slate: $25,000 to $50,000
• Concrete tile: $20,000 to $40,000
• Clay tiles: $25,000 to $50,000

These 10 important tips with homeowners to show them that your company is reputable and can be trusted to protect their home and their wallet.

Get local referrals. 

There is less chance of potential issues or scams when you choose a contractor from your community.

Look for manufacturer designations. 

Manufacturer designations are considered a badge of honor because the contractor must pass certain minimum requirements to be factory-certified (although, some manufacturers have more stringent requirements than others).

Research Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings. 

Some contractors blow in (no pun intended) right after a storm looking for work, so it’s important to look them up on the BBB website and make sure they have a good score.

Get an extensive warranty. 

Not all contractors can offer manufacturer warranties that include coverage of the contractor’s workmanship. If a contractor installs the roof incorrectly, it may take months or years for the damage to show up—and insurance won’t pay for it.

Be concerned about safety. 

A contractor without a training or safety program may not be the best person for your job. GAF sponsors a unique national training organization called the Center for the Advancement of Roofing Excellence (CARE), which has trained more than 200,000 professionals.

Check for proper licensing and insurance. 

The contractor should have insurance for all employees and subcontractors and be able to provide a copy of their insurance certificate for validation. Not having adequate insurance could potentially lead to litigation between a contractor and homeowner if a roofing employee sustains an injury at the home.

Pay your deductible. 

Any contractor who claims they can handle the repair without having the homeowner pay their insurance deductible is committing insurance fraud and endangering the homeowner.

Handle your own claim. 

A contractor who says they are “a claim specialist” or can “handle your insurance claim” may be breaking the law.

Don’t give in to pressure.

Watch out for a contractor who pressures you to sign a contract before the insurance company has estimated the damage.

Know your material choices. 

A contractor who does not offer you different shingle options is not looking out for your best interest. The style and color of the shingles you install can affect the resale value of your home.

Today, advanced roofing materials provide an unprecedented range of alternatives, as well as new looks for existing materials.     

1. Solar tiles

Advanced solar collectors integrate seamlessly into existing shingles, generating up to 1 kilowatt of energy per 100 square feet. They’re particularly good for sunny roofs in homeowners’ associations that forbid typical solar panels.

2. Asphalt shingles

Asphalt shingles are the most common roofing materials in America because they’re effective in all environmental conditions. Quality varies widely, so ask whether they pass the ASTM D3161, Class F (110 mph) or ASTM D7158, Class H (150 mph) wind tests and the AC438 durability test.

3. Metal roofing

Metal roofing comes in vertical panels or shingles resembling slate, tile and shake – and lasts about 60 years. Metal excels at sloughing off heavy snow and rain, won’t burn and resists high winds.

4. Stone-coated steel

Interlocking panls mimic slate, clay or shingles and resist damage caused by heavy rains (up to 8.8 inches per hour), winds of 120 miles per hour, uplifting, hail and freeze-thaw cycles.

5. Slate

Slate roofing lasts more than 100 years. It won’t burn, is waterproof and resists mold and fungus. Slate is effective in wet climates but is expensive, heavy and may be easily broken when stepped on. Keep this in mind if you live in an area that experiences hail.

6. Rubber slate

Rubber slate looks natural and can be cut with a knife to fit intricate roofs like those found on Victorian homes. Rubber slate roofs can last 100 years but can be damaged by satellite dishes and walking – so may also be susceptible to damage by hail, similar to slate.

7. Clay and concrete tiles 

Clay and concrete roof tiles can withstand damage from tornadoes, hurricanes or winds up to 125 miles per hour and even earthquakes, according to “A Summary of Experimental Studies on Seismic Performance of Concrete and Clay Roofing Tiles” by the University of Southern California for the Tile Roofing Institute.

8. Green roofs

Green roofs are covered with plants and can improve air quality, reduce water runoff and insulate homes to reduce urban heat islands.

9. Built-up roofing

This heavy roofing consists of layers of asphalt, tar or adhesive topped with an aggregate and is only for flat roofs. Tar and gravel roofs, also for flat roofs, are best for roof-top decks with heavy foot traffic.

Minor metal roof repairs that can found and fixed during the first trip out usually cost somewhere between $200-$600 depending on the length of time spent on the building and amount of material used to make the repair. More difficult or mystery leaks that require follow up trips to completely eliminate will cost more but how much more will depend on the following factors:

• Amount of leaks to be stopped
• Size of the leaking areas
• Accessibility to roof
• Amount of materials needed to make repairs 

We will work within your budget and help you prioritize leaks based on importance and estimated cost to stop the water intrusion into your building. 

PVC Metal Roof Recovery System 

Our best overall metal roof repair option available to building owners and facility managers is to recover the existing metal roof with PVC membrane. At a mid range of $2.75-$4.00 per sq. ft. installed the metal roof recovery system is hard to beat. Factors that drive cost are:

• Size of area of metal roof to be recovered, larger jobs usually have lower price per sq. ft.
• The amount of insulation added to the building. You can add only the minimum or add more to achieve a desired R-Value
• Number of roof penetrations such as HVAC units, stack flashings, or exhaust vents
• Duration of the warranty of the PVC membrane, 15 year, 20 year, or 20 plus years

Metal Over Metal Recover

The higher cost of $7.00-$10.00 per sq. ft. installed is well worth the price for those who won’t have anything less than the strength and durability of a standing seam metal roof on their building.

Factors that drive the cost of metal over metal recover:

• Profile of your existing metal roof and whether or not sub purlings are needed
• Type of standing seam used to recover existing metal
• Adding insulation to building

Metal beats out conventional roofing materials in several ways:

Expected life. 

Properly installed, a metal roof should last as long as the house, sealing out water, surviving high winds, and easily shedding snow. Metal is resistant to fire, mildew, insects, and rot.

Weight. 

Compared to the weight of tile at 750 pounds per square (an area equal to 100 square feet) or concrete tile at 900 pounds per square, metal roofing is very lightweight. Most varieties run from 50 to 150 pounds per square.

Speed & ease of roofing installation. 

Most metal roofing materials come in multiple-shingle sections or in 12- to 36-inch-wide panels.

Fire resistance. 

Because metal roof materials are noncombustible, they typically have a Class A fire rating (the most fire-resistant rating).

Heat conduction. 

Metal reflects radiant heat from the sun, minimizing midday heat gain. This means you save energy needed for air conditioning during the day. Though the material itself is low in insulation R-value, metal roofing can be applied over rigid-foam insulation that has very high R-values.

Metal Roofing Drawbacks

Though metal roofing offers many pluses, a few drawbacks are worthy of mention. For the most part, metal roofing manufacturers have improved their products to address or solve many of these concerns:

Cost. 

The biggest drawback is initial cost. Metal roofing is equivalent in cost to other premium materials—from about $150 to $600 per square (100 square feet).

Noise. 

For some, the sound of rain tapping on the roof is romantic and homey. For others, it’s like living inside a drum. In a rainstorm or hailstorm, living beneath thin sheets of metal is bound to be noisier than living beneath thick slate or tile.

Denting. 

Just as your car will dent if a golf ball hits it, a metal roof can dent if large hailstones fall on it.

Commercial Metal Roof Types

Metal roofs can be further broken down into five basic profile types:

1. Standing seam
2. CF panel
3. AP panel
4. U-panel
5. R-panel

Standing seam 

In this roofs are considered the most attractive metal roofing option—and they are also the most costly.

The name “standing seam” refers to a seam that has been mechanically hemmed at 12- to 24-inch intervals. One of the biggest advantages of a standing seam roof is it has no exposed fasteners; the panels are attached to the roof deck by means of screws and metal clips, which are hidden by the neighboring panel.

CF panel,

It concealed fastener, metal roofs employ a lock-joint system that gives a clean and smooth appearance, and the fasteners are hidden. This type of metal roofing is known to be almost maintenance-free as well as fire and hail resistant.

AP panel 

It metal roofing resembles standing-seam roofing but costs a lot less. AP panels use a pass-through system, which allows the screws to show. This type of roof is known to be very durable, low-maintenance, and fire and hail resistant.

U-panel 

It roofing is typically composed of 26-gauge commercial-grade steel, which is heavier than the material typically used on metal roofs.

R-panel 

It metal roofing is low-maintenance and durable and presents an alternative to conventional roofing, as it can be retrofitted over top of existing roof material. It is also resistant to winds up to 140 mph, is fire and hail resistant, and is often made from 26-gauge steel.

TPO roofing membranes are becoming increasingly popular both in residential and commercial single ply roofing markets across the US, offering an economical price as compared to its rival PVC roofing membranes.

1. Test welds should be done at least twice daily — at the start of the day and after lunch. Also, it is really important to do test welds whenever the machine is restarted. This is a necessary step that can prevent excessive heat during welding.

Excessive heat has been identified as a major problem that needs to be safeguarded against because it can consume polymer stabilizers that will lead to the membrane’s deterioration.

2. For proper installation, there should be no welder drag. A contractor needs to align the inside edge of the nozzle with the edge of the roller. If this is not done correctly, improper alignment of the hot-air nozzle can create gouges in the membrane outside of the seam.

3. It is important to be careful when probing seams, because incorrect probing or lack of care can also lead to problems down the line. When probing, it is best to use a blunt probe. Probes tend to sharpen with use and as a result must be occasionally dulled.

4. To avoid future problems, it is also critical not to crease the membrane when it is folded during installation. Folding over the membrane can result in a hard crease and surface cracking. To avoid this, it is best to fold back the membrane for applying adhesives or fasteners. However, it is important not to place any weight on the fold to hold it in place.

Thermoplastic Polyolefin (TPO) is a single-ply roofing membrane made up of a single layer of synthetics and reinforcing scrim. It is manufactured by the chemical combination of propylene, ethylene, rubber, and other filler materials

Cost

TPO roofing remains a viable option for both residential and business owners, as it is relatively low in cost. On average, TPO roofing can cost anywhere from $5.00 to $7.50 per sq. ft. installed.

Durability

TPO roofing is incredibly effective in resisting bacteria, debris, algae, and dirt, as well as ultraviolet and chemical exposure. In addition to its high resistance to debris build-up, TPO’s flexible membrane allows it to withstand punctures, tears, and impact damage.

Simple Setup

Due to TPO’s lightweight and flexible properties, it is much simpler to install, as there as fewer seams. Less work and time spent on installing TPO translates into direct savings.

Energy Efficient

The energy efficiency of TPO roofing attracts many homeowners, as TPO roofing produces monumental savings on cooling fees, and is good for the environment. TPO’s white reflective surface exceeds the EPA’s energy star requirements and white, tan, and gray are indexed with the Cool Roof Rating Council. Installing a TPO roof on your private home or building will keep the indoor temperature comfortable on blistering summer days while reducing HVAC costs!

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Thermoplastic Polyolefins (TPOs) are polypropylene based materials that have been modified to provide better ductility and impact resistance compared to standard off-the-shelf Polypropylene (PP) grades.

TPOs retain the ease of processing, lightweight nature, and chemical resistance of PP.  However, they do not require drying prior to molding, which saves on both cost and time.

Often, TPOs are compounded with fillers – usually minerals – to provide a good balance of stiffness and impact resistance, as well as better dimensional stability and increased Heat Deflection Temperature (HDT). 

Stiffness and impact resistance can be custom tailored to provide the right balance for a wide range of applications.

While the cost of TPOs are often slightly higher than traditional PP compounds, TPOs are still a very cost effective choice for applications requiring good impact resistance and stiffness when other Polyethylene (PE) or PP materials do not meet the application demands.

TPO compounds can be formulated for increased UV weathering and scratch/mar resistance when needed.  The UV grades of RTP Company’s TPO compounds were designed to be compatible with common paint systems to provide an all-in-one solution for situations where some parts are painted and some are not.