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Make the Smart Choice
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ROOF MATERIALS FOR YOUR PANEL HOME by Mercedes Hayes Your roof is a great opportunity to make a dramatic statement to the world. This colorful creation is going to sit atop a unique, custom panel home, and no matter what material you choose it's going to look awesome. There are more choices on the market today than ever before, and an extra investment will probably make a bigger impact here than elsewhere in your panel home. Even asphalt shingles have taken on a new personality. Here are some varieties modern technology has made available to us (my cost estimates are very broad, and only meant for comparison's sake). ASPHALT (or Composition) SHINGLES: (also known as three-tab shingles) The most commonly used shingles, these are made from a mixture of asphalt and fiberglass. The ceramic granules protect the asphalt from the sun's UV rays. We tend to buy them according to life expectancy, which starts at 15 years for the thinnest shingles, 25-30 years for the next level. Their lifetime depends on the environment and how well the roof is vented. This roof will cost around $50-$150 per 100 square feet. LAMINATED FIBERGLASS SHINGLES: Also called architectural or dimensional shingles, this shingle is still made from a mixture of asphalt and fiberglass, but is built much thicker, giving it a more three-dimensional look. Architectural shingles make the roof look more textured, are larger than a standard shingle, and come in an amazing variety of shapes. They are usually guaranteed for 40 years and could easily cost twice as much as standard asphalt shingles. METAL ROOF: Metal is one of the more sought-after roofing materials for log homes. Usually made of steel, aluminum or copper, the most commonly discussed metal roof is the standing seam - sometimes called vertical panel - roof. You can also get metal shingles that resemble cedar shakes, slate, or tile. There are several advantages to using a metal roof, not the least of which is its fire resistance. These roofs are also remarkably lightweight, and stand up to hurricane-force winds. This roof will generally cost about $100-$600 per 100 square feet (very big range of materials and composition). Life expectancy is anywhere from 30-50 years up to 100 years. CEDAR SHAKES and SHINGLES: The difference between a Cedar Shake and a Shingle is that, generally, the shingle is sawn on both sides and the shake is hand-split on one (or both) sides. The shake tends to be thicker. Cedar looks picture-perfect when installed, and will age to a beautiful gray, given the right environmental conditions. However, it is prone to moss and mildew, and the shingles have been known to curl. To combat their inherent vulnerabilities, many brands are treated to prevent mildew, and others are treated for fire retardancy. The average life expectancy is about 25-30 years and could cost $400-500 per 100 square feet. |
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