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When comparing the price of an asphalt roof to the price of a metal roof, what really is the best deal for the average homeowner?

Why would you care? "When my roof needs to be replaced, I'll just call my local roofing contractor to come in and replace it. Asphalt shingles are okay. The last ones lasted about 15 years. They were cheap enough."

Were they cheap enough? Why would you want to put a roof on your house that you or someone else has to replace every 15-20 years? "But the shingles I'm getting are 40 year shingles." WOW!! How is it that the asphalt shingle companies say they are selling you a roof that will last for 40 years when the insurance companies that insure our homes say they will last only 17 years? Many of the asphalt shingle manufacturers have gone out of business due to class action law suits.

How do metal roofing costs compare to the cost of replacing an asphalt roof every 15 - 20 years? Take into account that the cost of installing an asphalt roof doubles every 15 years. So what cost $7,000 this year will cost $14,000 in fifteen years. So the cost of the roof after only 15 years would end up being $21,000. Now compare that to the cost of a metal roof that will last a lifetime. A metal roof would cost about two and a half times the cost of asphalt, or $17,500. It's a one time investment for the life of the house.

Additionally, you must consider the environmental impact. When an asphalt roof goes on, it begins to break down immediately. And when you have one installed, the old one should be taken off and disposed of. Where are they disposed? Landfills, mostly, where

they take hundreds of years to break down. With metal roofing, especially aluminum roofing, they are made from recycled aluminum and they are fully recyclable at the end of their life, which is 100 years plus. Additionally, many insurance companies offer discounts to homeowners with metal roofs.

There are many more factors to consider, such as curb appeal, wind ratings, energy savings, and tax incentives. Talk with a metal roofing professional to get the whole story. Do your research and you will make the right choice for your home.

Published At: http://www.isnare.com
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There are so many different types of roofing materials out there, how do you choose just one? If you are thinking about the type of roof that you might like to have, then this article might just help you narrow down the selection a bit. Before you decide upon any kind of roofing, it is important to consider the overall life of the material that you will choose.

While some types of roofing might be inexpensive, these materials usually don't last very long. On the flip side, while some materials might be expensive, they will last for many years to come without a lot of maintenance - just some things to think about while looking over the options listed below.

Let's start with one of the most popular types of roofing material: composition. Composition roofing is inexpensive, it comes in various colors and types, and it is relatively easy to repair.

However, a composite roof usually only lasts for 15 to 30 years, it tends to scar when heated, it can collect lots of mildew, and it is not environmentally friendly. If this doesn't sound like a good idea to you, don't worry - there are many different types of roofing materials that haven't been covered yet.

Wood shingles are popular throughout some areas of the world, though these shingles are not fire-friendly. In addition, they tend to be very high maintenance, since they rot, split, and mold frequently. However, they do give off a natural look, they tend to blend in nicely with any surrounding, and they will last for a long time if they are properly taken care of.

One great option is metal roofing. Metal roofs tend to come in various colors, they last a long time, and they are low maintenance. However, metal roofs are more expensive that most other kinds. Out of all the different types of roofing materials, metal roofs are often a favorite choice for many homeowners.

Clearly, there are lots of different types of roofing materials, and some of those sorts have not even been discussed in this article. Thus, the best thing for you to do is to contact a contractor, ask about the different types of materials that you might want to consider, and decide upon the right one for your home or business.

Keep in mind that the cheapest option might not always be the best choice. Instead, look for a roofing material that will last for many years.

All right, you just figured out you have zero ventilation in your roof. One way to tell that you have no ventilation is if you live in a snow belt and you had ice dams this year or any other year. Another sign of no roof ventilation is the asphalt shingle roof you have just does not last. It curls and gets brittle and cracks within a few years of having it installed. These are sure signs that either your ventilation is not working or that maybe you have no ventilation at all.

What can you do about it?

There are options. One of the options is to attempt to create an air passage by adding a combination of sofit and ridge or gable end vents. The idea is to get some convection going. Sometimes we see that there is no opportunity to make an airway, so this option might not work.

Another option might be to remove all of the insulation in the roof and replace it with one of the new, more efficient spray in place foam insulations that do not require roof ventilation. This can be a fairly costly fix. It depends on the access that you have to the insulation. Do you have to remove interior walls and ceilings to get to it? Sometimes, if you have an older house with boards for roof sheathing instead of plywood, this task can be completed from the outside of the house with less interruption for the home owner.

Depending on the elevations on the roof, a cold roof could be the best answer. If you have dormers and roof to sidewall areas, a cold roof may not work depending on the elevations. A cold roof is basically a roof that is built elevated above the existing roof. Depending on the situation, one can add additional insulation and ventilation very easily, or just ventilation, if that is all that is needed. It can be an economical solution to fixing a big problem.

One of the most dreaded home improvement projects that any homeowner faces is re-shingling a roof. This is not only a huge project but it is one that will affect the overall appearance of your home. If you choose the wrong material for your roof, then your roof will look rather strange.

If you choose the right material, then your roof will look good, last a long time, and withstand any kind of weather. The problem is that there are so many appealing types of roofing shingles to choose from, it's nearly impossible to know about all of them.

Let's begin with one of the most popular shingle material options: composite. Composite shingles are made from various materials that are put together. This type of shingle is popular, since it also happens to be inexpensive. However, composite shingles don't last that long as compared to metal materials.

Speaking of metal, what about copper shingles and metal roof shingles? There are all durable materials that should be considered, though metals (especially copper) tend to be very expensive. Another option is ceramic - good for warm weather climates, but not such a hot option for cold weather climates. As you can see, there are many different types of roofing shingles and it may be hard to choose the best roofing shingles.

In order to narrow down the types of roofing shingles available, it helps to have a system in place. It is never a good idea to search for this material with price in mind. Sure, you have to respect your budget, but hunting for shingles based solely upon price is not a good idea.

Why? You want shingles that will last for a very long time, and cheaper shingles tend to only last for a couple of years. In the end, you will just wind up paying more to replace those cheaper shingles than you would if you purchase a top-notch material in the first place.

So, out of all the types of roofing shingles, which one is the best? Well, this depends upon your roof, your climate, your style, and even your budget. Just remember to consider all of the things listed above before you decide upon any one kind of material.

As with anything else, it pays to shop around for the best possible option. Otherwise, you might end up with a roof that you don't enjoy, or that you paid too much for. When it comes to roofing, there are lots of things to think about. . .

To learn more about roofing shingles, be sure to visit the authors website at his shingles guide.

Most homeowners don't like to think about the roof above their head. Why? Roofs are expensive to replace, they are hard to decide upon, and the many types of shingles out there make this process even harder. So, how do you decide what kind of material to use for your roof?

Well, if you are concerned with design then you have a few options. If you simply want to cover your home with something, then you can look at nearly every material available. The problem is that there are so many types of shingles to select from that it's hard to know about all of them.

Since composite shingles are popular, let's start with this type. Out of all the types of singles, composite tends to be the least expensive. However, composite shingles aren't as durable as other materials. In this case, the least expensive sort might not be the best choice. Instead, consider metal.

Steel, iron, and copper are all great options. These are all durable types of shingles, and they are all rather easy to install. Of course, they are more expensive than composite types, but this really shouldn't be a deciding factor. If you want something different, think about ceramic tiles. Ceramic might work well depending upon your location, though they do require a bit of upkeep.

If you want to narrow down the types of shingles available, try to have a system for selecting the right material. Don't judge each type according to price alone. Instead, look into durability and installation ease.

Your shingles should last for many years, so make sure that you are choosing the best possible option for your home and for the climate that you live in. When it comes down to it, you will just wind up paying more to replace inexpensive shingles if you have to change them more than once.

Learn all that you can about the various types of shingles available to you. Find out which ones will fit your lifestyle and budget. Ask your contractor about the best style for your home. Compare prices, photos, and other factors.

Then decide upon the roof that you want to cover your home with. You will have to live with your roof for many years to come, so make sure that you select the one that you will be happy with many years from now. It never hurts to shop around for the best options out there...

To learn more about roofing shingles, be sure to visit the authors website at Roofing Shingles .

Consumers need to feel that the roofing contractor they pick can be trusted to perform the work that needs to be done in a timely manner and with safety concerns taken into account. By following a few simple tips, consumers can be assured that they are hiring the best roofing contractor to do their work.

All contractors in Southern California are required to be state licensed and insured; this includes the roofing contractor that the consumer picks to do their work. The roofing contractor should not only be state licensed and insured, he is also required to provide Worker's Compensation Insurance for all of his employees. Consumers need to check the status of the contractor's licenses and insurances, as well as retain a copy of said paperwork for their files. Doing so will ensure that the consumer is protected in case any accidents occur on the job.

When choosing a potential roofing contractor, homeowners should obtain a minimum of three bids with clear details of the proposed work. It is also a good idea to get some references from each contractor as well. A roofing contractor might be the nicest and most congenial individual the consumer has ever meet, but his previous work and past customers can give a homeowner much needed insight into what to expect for the duration of the job.

After the homeowner has settled on his choice of roofing contractor, a meeting is required to sign all of the formal contracts. This is the perfect opportunity to make sure that everybody involved has a clear understanding of all of the work to be done and eliminates the potential for surprises or cost overruns. No matter how good the contractor is, there can sometimes be things that the roofing contractor will be unable to anticipate, like unseen damage to substructures or the need for repairs from unseen water damage.

During the formal signing of any contracts, the roofing contractor will ask for a deposit before starting the job. This is typical, but the homeowner should never feel pressured to pay more than ten percent up front and should never pay for work that hasn't been done yet.

Roofing jobs are usually messy projects and the homeowner needs to be aware of this. Homeowners should feel comfortable addressing any concerns they might have throughout the duration of the project. Trees and shrubberies might end up damaged during the job and homeowners need to feel comfortable that the contactor will take the necessary steps to minimize any problems or damage that might happen. It's as simple as feeling comfortable with discussing any potential issues and building trust in the chosen roofing contractor.

By following these simple tips and by establishing good communication with the roofing contractor, many potential problems can be avoided. Consumers need to keep in mind that the roofing contractor they choose will be coming and going during the course of the job and therefore, they need to feel comfortable that their roofing contractor is someone they can trust.