Our house is a 27-yr old custom in the Phoenix, AZ area (Mesa, to be exact). I believe the existing red cedar shake roof is original to the house. I’ve done routine maintenance on the roof every year or two for the 10 years we’ve been in the house — replacing split, cupped, burned-through and missing shingles. The roof has finally become so brittle that it’s nearly impossible to step on it without splitting shingles. I think the time has come to replace it. The questions is: Replace it with what?
We’d like to keep a traditional look, but I’m not eager to put on another wood roof. I’d prefer to go with a product that requires no or little maintenance.
I don’t like the look of composition shingles (and more importantly, neither does my wife).
The existing roof framing probably wouldn’t take the weight of regular clay or concrete tile. I could afford to beef up the roof structure to take the extra weight — but then I couldn’t afford to replace the roof!
So what options are available to us? I appreciate all suggestions. I’d appreciate it even more if you can give a rough cost-per-square for your suggestions. Thanks! — Paul
Replies
I won't wade into costs. That would set up a potentially good contractor for a booby trap. maybe I'll keep it generic - somewhere's between $2 and $2000/sq
You might check out a metal roof product called Met-tile. It looks remarkably like the barrel tiles that are common in your area. It installs in long wide sheets and is light enough for your structure. Hot sparks from brush fires should be less of a concern for you than what you now have too.
Theres a product I saw that looks identical to a slate roof....cept its made of rubber. Easy to install as well..just a bit time consuming.Its also expensive...Around $300 a sq. but it really looks like the real deal . I'm sure your local roof supply house can show you samples and possibly get it for you cheaper.
Be well
Namaste'
Andy
It's not who's right, it's who's left ~ http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
Are you familiar with laminated architectural shingles? They are a 'composition' roofing, but have a hand-laid, irregular look that, to me, is by far the most visually pleasing, relatively inexpensive, and low maintainance choice available.
Ken Hill
Paul, While I'm not recommending these specific products, here's a link to an Owens-Corning wepage that shows what's available these days in a faux slate, faux shake, and copper roofing materials. Lightweight, fairly easy to install, a 50-year warranty (for what that's worth)...all for about $250-$300 a square for materials only. With your hot AZ sun, not all products may be suitable for your locale.
What's your beef with composition roofing?
What's your beef with composition roofing?
Yeah, inquiring minds want to know! I never really challenge or question my customers preferences and prejudices but I've had a few who hate the thought of Composition shingles on their house. They get absolutely repulsed by the idea and I've never understood why.
Enlighten me what turns your head away?
Excellence is its own reward!
I don't know that I can speak for everybody who doesn't like composition shingles, but I'll try to give you my perspective. It seems to me that the big advantage of composition shingles -- maybe the only advantage -- is that the material cost is fairly low. Oh, and installation might be easier/cheaper. I'm making a 50-year (hopefully) decision here, and I would prefer not to let cost be the determining factor.
I suppose it comes down to the fact that we don't care for the look of composition shingles. Composition shingles might look appropriate on a modern-style home where they're not trying to mimic anything. Our aesthetic sense leans more toward the older traditional New England or midwestern homes. In a traditional setting, the best a composition shingle can do is mimic a more-traditional product like wood or slate -- and the imitation is not very convincing. I've seen some of the high-end multilayer composition shingles that actually looked pretty good in place, but those were tall, 2 or 3 story homes where you were viewing the roofs at a steep angle and from a good distance. On one-story ranch homes like mine, even good composition shingles can't be mistaken for anything but composition shingles.
I also think there is some snobbery built into this; composition shingles go on tract homes, but custom homes get "better" roofs.
Anyway, that should give you a sense of why we're searching for a roofing material other than composition shingles. Thanks for your interest and help.
Paul
I'm in the same situation....I am getting quotes are replacing my wood shake roof in Northern California. I thought I wanted wood shakes again...the original roof gave 40 good years of life afterall. However, now I am hearing that the shakes used these days are just not as durable (old growth vs new growth wood available) and the best I could hope for would be 25 years from a wood shake roof.
I thought I hated composition shingles, but now am leaning toward them. I am not fond of the looks, but the performance is not bad at all. My roof could never support a quality clay tile, so my options are limited. Metal, light concrete tile, asphault or wood. I am not too concerend with cost...I just want to do a quality job that I will still be proud of in 20 years and maintain the character of my neighborhood.
-Richard
I tend to agree about the "snob appeal"
The same clients who would turn up nose at comp shingles seem to turn it up even further at the thought of vinyl floors or formica countertops.
The longevity of a shake roof has more to do with the quality of the installation than that of the materials delivered to site, IMHO.
And it is hard to imagine someone with snob ethics living in a plain old ranch house. ;) Thanks for the insight though.Excellence is its own reward!
Come on Piff, he did not say a "plain" ranch, he said custom! I think that you need to consider the metal roof of your choice. The house across the street from me has tile looking roof made of metal, and it fooled me for two years. Just make sure to read all the old discussions about venting, because that old cedar roof has lots more air going through it than almost anything you will replace it with. That debate should teach you about asking for advice here. By the way I have asphalt laminated and I can be as snobby as most. Go to the roofing suppliers and see in person what they have to offer. Have fun, and remember, more expensive is not always better, but it is always more expensive!!
Dan
Have you checked out the lightweight concrete shakes (Cedarlite) from Monier Lifetile. I`ve gotten samples and am pretty happy with the look. No two are identical and even up close they really look like split shakes. They weigh about 550 lbs. per sq., half of full weight. I was worried about the freeze thaw potential but they claim it`s not a problem. Price was about $260.00 per sq. last year, plus flashing and installation. Specialty tiles (rake, ridge, etc.) are about $5.00 a piece. The`re a little pricey but I think they look great. I think there are 6 colors to choose from. Info on their site.
Maybe a picture of the house is in order then. I've never seen any ranch that didn't look like a ranch and most of them are pretty simple which is part of the beauty of a ranch in the first place. Not sure what custom would mean in this case. Ford makes a 'Custom' model of truck but it is the plainest one in their lineup.
Even assuming that his house is uniquely designed with a few tricks and toys, it is still a basic shape that looks good under the architectural shingles. I'm not degrading the house when I state what in my mind is a factual description of the design style called 'ranch'
Moniers are a good choice too.Excellence is its own reward!
To be a proper "snob"......ya really should have the matching bank account!
Pick the most expensive material...hire the most expensive contractor...then brag away.
Fly me in......that'll beat any of the golf partners! Jeff She's exotic ,but not foreign, like an old Cadillac......she's a knockout!
No way he is a proper snob, living in a ranch house, especially with shake roofing in Arizona. I'm pretty sure that all the snobs have tile roofs in the desert. Have whatever you like installed, they all do just fine with proper maintenance if they are put on right in the first place. Have fun picking and remember, its your house after all, and you are paying the bills.
Dan
I was at the same place as you in the recent past. I chose to listen to my wife and redo with shakes. I wish I wouldnt have done it. The maintenence is horriffic to say the least as you know .
The lath you have makes an exellent base for metal . Go metal young man !!!!!
Tim Mooney
And Jim ,....are you married ? It doesnt have to make any sense .