Roof Material Options

We bought our 1964 ranch home in suburban Central Ohio at the end of 2006.  The home inspector estimated that the roof was between 5 and 10 years old at the time.  11 years later, we're looking at between 16 and 21 years old, which about the average lifespan of a traditional asphalt shingle roof.  Not bad.

So, at this point, we knew we were looking at replacement.  We got an estimate from a reputable, local roofing company.  In business since the 1950s, not a huge company, but excellent reviews all around.  Their estimate for removing the existing shingles, putting down felt, and 3-tab shingles, was around $6,500.  At 20 "squares" (1 square = 100 square feet of roof), that's $325 a square.  I'll consider that my high estimate.  Checking Craigslist, I see that a who-knows-who-they-are-roofing-company estimate of $189 a square.  $3780.  I'll consider that my low estimate.

I previously mentioned 3-tab shingles.  These are the traditional, and extremely common, asphalt shingles you see.

It's a shingle with, you guessed it, 3 tabs.  They're your "bottom of the line" shingle for people who don't care what kind of shingle is on their roof.  Nothing wrong with that, it is what it is.

Another option, is an architectural shingle, or dimensional shingle.

These are (with a few exceptions) the same size and shape as 3-tab shingles, but with a few differences.  There are no notches cut out like 3-tab shingles, they're solid across the bottom half. Secondly, they're often laminated, and made from 2 pieces.  This gives them a 3-dimensional look... because they are.  They have higher wind resistance, and a longer warranty than 3-tab shingles, and aren't significantly more expensive.

And finally, we had the option of metal roofing.  On a house?  Not a barn?  Not a commercial building?  Yes, metal roofing isn't just for barns or office buildings anymore.

Metal roofing offers many advantages, and for a long time during my 2+ month internal debate about which product to choose, I was leaning toward metal roofing.  First, it's sold in long pieces that go from the ridge right to the eave.  The pieces are sealed together.  The only way water could get inside is through the screw holes, but those have rubber washers that seal it up.  Metal roofs have better wind resistance, hail resistance, and lifespan than asphalt shingle roofs.  Also, the lighter colors are Energy Star rated, to keep the attic cooler.  Those advantages come at a price, though, and metal roofs are more expensive than asphalt roofs.  The large panels themselves are reasonably priced, but the necessary trim pieces; the valleys, valley cap, ridge cap, gable-end cap, all really add up.

My roof isn't complex, per se, but it's not super-simple.  I've got 2 gable ends, a hip end, and 2 valleys.  When I priced out the metal roof, the trim pieces ended up being about 2/3 of the cost, and the main panels about 1/3.  If I had a super-simple roof, something with just 2 gables, I might very well have gone with the metal roof.

As it is, after much research and internal debate, I chose Owens Corning TruDefinition Duration architectural shingles, in Shasta White.

These, to me, offered the best compromise of features.  I would get the increased wind resistance (110mph vs. 60mph) and warranty (lifetime vs. 20 year) that is common with metal roofs, without the cost and extra detail required for a metal roof.  Also, the Shasta White shingles are Energy Star rated, and should hopefully contribute to a cooler attic.