Roof Coverings

The roof may seem a fairly ordinary part of the house, its primary role being to protect the house’s framework and interior from the weather, but the type of roofing you choose can transform the appearance of your home. Most people are used to seeing roofs covered with asphalt shingles, but you may be interested to learn that there are other options available on the market.
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Asphalt shingles
Wood shingles
Metal: copper and galvanized steel
Slate
Plastic tiles
Fibreglass shingles
Tiles made from recycled products
Clay tiles and concrete tiles
Coverings for flat roofs
Solar roofs

Asphalt shingles

Asphalt shingles are as popular as ever and come in a wide variety of finishes, profiles and colours. Traditionally made from organic felt covered with crushed stone, today they are also made from fibreglass.

Fibreglass-and-stone shingles are slightly more fragile than their felt counterparts, which makes it more difficult to walk on the roof without damaging them. Felt shingles are recognized for their resistance to temperature fluctuations, while the fibreglass models provide an excellent moisture barrier. Warranties for asphalt shingles vary between 20 and 40 years, depending on the manufacturer and the model.
Asphalt shingles are also offered in a variety of styles and qualities. The most common style is the three-tab shingle, but there are also architectural and so-called "designer" profiles. These are more expensive because they are thicker, more resistant and are guaranteed for longer. "Designer" shingles are also offered in a wider range of shapes and colours and give the roof a more exclusive and textured appearance.

Asphalt shingles owe their huge popularity to the fact that they are much less expensive than other types of roofing materials. They require very little maintenance and are easy to install, which is why many homeowners replace them themselves. This material can also easily be adapted to suit different styles of homes, especially since the arrival on the market of "designer" shingles.

Wood shingles

There are two types of wood shingles: cedar and pressure-treated wood, with cedar being the more popular of the two. The advantage of cedar lies in the fact that this essence contains natural oils which make it rot-proof and insect-resistant. Pressure-treated shingles are usually made from pine that has been treated to make it more weather-resistant.

Wood shingles are made in several different grades. The type most often used on roofs is "Extra A", the top grade shingle. Wood shingles are available in various finishes, ranging from natural to pre-stained and "pre-aged". "Pre-aged" shingles are treated by the manufacturer to give them a weathered look, which confers on a property a welcoming, old-world charm as soon as they are installed, whereas natural shingles will take a lot longer to acquire this often sought-after appearance. Many companies offer shingles in a variety of shapes, such as round, diamond-shaped or hexagonal. There are also prefabricated pieces to cover the roof’s ridges.

Wood shingles are relatively expensive to install, but their rustic charm is unique. After a few years, they should be treated regularly with a protective coating. When installing wood shingles, it is important to allow for minimum air circulation underneath. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully or have professional roofers do the job for you. Wood remains a highly flammable material. Depending on the manufacturer, warranties vary from 25 to 50 years.

Metal: copper and galvanized steel

Several types of metal roofing are available, including galvanized steel tiles or sheets, and copper sheets.

Sheet steel roofs are actually lighter than they appear, so it is not necessary to reinforce the structure of the house. Furthermore, when it rains, they are a lot less noisy than one might think, because the roofs on new constructions have to meet certain soundproofing standards. Steel sheets are recyclable, thus more ecological. They also shed snow more easily than other roof coverings, which reduces the risks of roof damage caused by heavy accumulations of snow or by ice dams.

A number of different styles or profiles are offered: corrugated steel, ribbed steel and standing seam tiles; some manufacturers even make them in the shape of other types of tile such as clay or slate. Metal roofing also comes in several colours, depending on the manufacturer and the type of product used. Three types of paint coating can be used – PVC, polyester or fluorocarbon – according to the shape of the roof and the building’s environment. There is also a variety of colours available for each type of paint; the colour you choose will influence the roof’s ability to absorb or reflect the sun’s rays.

The cost of a steel roof varies according to the sheet profile, the paint coating and the shape of the roof. Although metal is more expensive at the outset, it would seem that its increased resistance and durability make it a more economical option than asphalt shingles in the long term. Its average life span is 50 years. Although steel requires practically no maintenance, by washing it periodically or giving it a new coat of paint when necessary, you can add another ten years to its life.

Copper roofing has similar characteristics to steel but it is a lot more expensive. Copper is not painted because it is chosen for its natural sheen which oxidizes with age and takes on a characteristic pale green patina.

Slate

Slate is a natural stone extracted directly from the earth. This shale has the unique characteristic of being split into perfectly flat, thin layers. Slate is an extremely resistant material that does not fade in the sun; however, it is only available in a limited colour palette of varying shades of bluish grey.

Slate tiles are mostly used on older homes, but it is possible to have them installed on new houses. The tiles are fixed in place with nails. A slate roof bestows a very characteristic charm on a property. It requires very little maintenance and is very long-lasting; in fact, some say that a slate roof will last more than 100 years. The drawback is that slate is a very costly material, and it has to be installed by slate roofing specialists.

Plastic tiles

Those who like the appearance of slate will be pleased to learn that there are plastic tiles available on the market made to look like slate. They are lighter than slate but also less durable, although some companies give their products a 50-year warranty. These tiles are fairly simple to install and do not require any special underlayment. In fact, they are a lot less fragile than slate, which needs to be handled extremely carefully, and being much sturdier, they can be fixed into place easily using ordinary roofing nails. Although they are less expensive than real slate, they are still about three times the cost of asphalt shingles. Finally, plastic tiles require very little maintenance.

Fibreglass shingles

Shingles made from composite materials have made a recent appearance on the market. Made from a mixture of clay, resin and fibreglass, these shingles look very much like cedar roofs but without the associated fire risks. This product does not absorb moisture, requires no maintenance, and is guaranteed for 50 years, all of which may compensate for its relatively high cost. Fibreglass shingles are very light and easy to install as they come with pre-punched holes. They simply need to be attached to the basic roof structure, as with any other shingles.

Tiles made from recycled products

A Quebec company has recently marketed a roofing material in the form of dark grey tiles made from a combination of recycled tires and hemp fibre. Guaranteed for 50 years, this product requires very little maintenance and no special treatment. Although it is more expensive than asphalt and wood, it is still an affordable solution because it is so long-lasting. That said, since it is such a new product, it is impossible to say how it will look in 40 years; the manufacturer says that its dark grey colour will fade a little to take on the silvery-grey tone of pressure-treated wood. In fact, these tiles do look somewhat like wood shingles. Measuring approximately 12 in. by 20 in., the tiles are attached with 1 ¾-in. roofing nails. In some cases, because they are relatively lightweight, they can even be installed directly over old asphalt shingles.

Clay tiles and concrete tiles

Very popular on roofs in Mediterranean regions, clay tiles are also sometimes used in North America. Shaped like a cylinder cut in half lengthways, clay tiles are appreciated for their unique appearance and colour. However, this material is not well-suited to cold climates or regions with significant temperature changes.

There are also tiles made from concrete, a material that is extremely resistant to temperature fluctuations, as well as to rain, hail and fire. Since they are made in moulds, manufacturers can offer a choice of shapes as well as different colours. Although concrete tiles are more costly than asphalt shingles, they are said to have a life span of 100 years (most warranties are for an average of 50 years, however), which makes them an economical choice in the long term.

Not all concrete tiles are installed in the same way, though most are attached using a specially designed fixation system whereby the attachment itself is fixed directly to the roof rather than the tile. According to the house’s location, the roof structure may have to be fortified — in areas with large snowfalls, for example. This aspect should therefore be checked with the roofing company beforehand. They will be able to carry out this evaluation or have it done by other specialists, if necessary.

Coverings for flat roofs

The techniques and products used for covering flat roofs differ from those used on pitched roofs. Traditionally, a flat roof was made from several layers of tarred felt and gravel. Today this technique is still widely used, and it is the least expensive method; however, the use of tar involves sources of extreme heat, which can set light to the roof during installation. This type of roof is guaranteed on average for 20 years.

Elastomeric membranes are being increasingly used on flat roofs. They are more durable and only slightly more expensive than tar roofing, as well as being easier to maintain, and any damage is easier to see. The installation of this material also involves some risks associated with heat and fire, so the work should be done by professionals.

A relatively new product also exists for flat roofs in the form of a self-adhesive membrane. It is easy to install, requiring little equipment and no heat. It cannot be used for large roofs, however, because the membrane has to be installed in one piece and it only comes in a limited number of sizes.

Solar roofs

Although they are not actually a roofing material, solar panels are increasingly being installed on roofs. Solar panels are made from photovoltaic cells composed of silicon alloys. The cells absorb the photons emitted by the sun and turn them into energy. The panels are fixed to the roof in such a way that they produce a portion of the energy used by the house’s occupants. Solar panels are relatively expensive to install but of course they reduce energy costs in the long run.

In addition to conventional solar panels, there are now photovoltaic roofs available in the form of shingles, architectural tongue-and-groove panels, or self-supporting structural panels. These different styles are designed to harmonize with other types of roofing materials, since the roof does not need to be completely covered by the panels. The efficiency of solar panels depends above all on sunshine levels, but the geographic position of the building is also important.
It is possible to choose and to replace a roof covering oneself, depending on the product, but it can also be in a homeowner’s best interest to have a new roof installed by professionals. If you decide to hire a roofing firm, obtain at least three different estimates and make sure you receive a copy of the warranty once the work is finished. And whatever type of roof you choose, ensure that it meets the requirements of your local bylaws and that you obtain the necessary permits for the work. Now it’s up to you to decide!
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