Tile is a highly attractive and non-combustible material that is popular for roofing on Southwestern and Spanish style homes. Coupled with stucco siding, this type of home has an excellent fire safety rating. However, mistakes in construction and maintenance can make a tile roof less of a barrier against flames than it would otherwise be. Basically, anywhere there is a crack or other hole in the clay material there is the potential for a fire to gain a foothold.

Consider a classic barrel style clay tile roof. Each tile is round on top and open on the end. They are overlapped to make a solid roof. However, at the edge the tile is open to penetration. Embers that are blown into these openings can catch the roof underlayment and wood structure on fire. There are caps called “bird stops” that should be used to close off these apertures as part of the installation process.

As the name suggests, these bird stops are intended to keep feathered intruders from creeping under the clay tiles to make nests. Since nest materials are generally highly combustible, they present an additional fire hazard. The bird stops should be checked regularly (for example, twice a year when you check your gutters). They may become dislodged and require re-affixing to restore the integrity of the clay tile roof.

If you live in an area that is prone to wildfires, there are probably building ordinances in place dictating the required fire rating for your roof. For the rest of us, this choice is based on our own level of awareness surrounding the issue of fire safety. Not every home absolutely needs the highest rated materials for roofing, but knowing what’s what never hurts.

The Basics

The classifications for roofing range from A (the least likely to catch fire and burn) to C (the least fire retardant). The rating is not always based on just the shingle material. Instead, it may take into consideration the entire roof assembly including the underlayment, insulation, and construction method used. The ratings are determined by exposing a sample roof to fire from an exterior source. This means it doesn’t indicate what will happen to your roof if a fire originates inside your home.

Material Considerations

Cap sheets (roll roofing felt) or fiberglass reinforced gypsum board products may be used to enhance the fire rating of a less retardant shingle material such as cedar shakes. Materials such as metal and slate are non-combustible. However, they should still be installed on top of an appropriate underlayment. If a severe fire occurs, even a Class A roof may need to be replaced because of damage. However, it is still a good investment if it keeps your entire house from burning to the ground!

Wood roofing used to be the norm but fell out of favor with the introduction of asphalt shingles. Today, a wood roof is a specialty item. There are two varieties – shingle and shake. If you are springing for a custom roof, be aware that wood shingles don’t last too long (usually 15 years or less).

It makes more sense to invest in a thicker, high quality shake roof that can last 30-40 years. This material has excellent insulating properties. It also adds natural beauty to your home. Cedar can be sealed to preserve the original color or allowed to weather to a silvery grey over time.

Is Cedar Safe?

Cedar can be pressure treated and impregnated with fire retardants to make it fairly resistant to burning. However, its fire resistant rating is not as high as that of other materials such as cement, tile, and slate.

Some municipalities that experience frequent wildfires prohibit the use of cedar shakes; but in most areas they are permissible as long as they meet fire codes. When you look for materials, make sure the wood isn’t simply treated with a spray-on or brush-on flame retardant – those may wear off over time.

What About Moisture?

A properly installed cedar shake roof with appropriate underlayment and flashing doesn’t pose a leakage risk. A good power washing every few years will actually help keep the roof in good condition.

If you live in a particularly humid area, look for materials that have been pretreated with a fungicide. This should prevent excessive mold or mildew growth on the exposed surfaces of the shakes. Algae may also grow on the wood but doesn’t damage it.

Damaged Chimney

As a homeowner, you probably check your roof (at least from the ground) after any significant storm event. However, it’s probably been a while since you inspected your chimney stack. The exterior brick portion of your chimney is exposed to hot and cold weather as well as moisture. It is common for wear and tear to take a toll. Freeze and thaw cycles can cause damage very quickly. Check your chimney every couple of years and have maintenance done before problems get out of hand.

Do It Yourself

Replace or repair metal flashing that is loose or has fallen off. Flashing keeps the seal between your chimney and the surrounding roof watertight. Preventing moisture penetration into your attic is important for reducing the incidence of mildew growth.

Install a metal chimney cap. This keeps birds and other animals from entering your chimney. It can also double as a rain cap keeping water out.

Waterproof the exterior of your chimney. A silane/siloxane sealant is ideal. It prevents liquid rainwater from penetrating into the bricks and mortar. However, it is breathable and permits water vapor to escape from the bricks.

Hire a Professional

Check the chimney crown for proper construction. Builders often cut corners when it comes to protecting the interior of your chimney from the elements. The crown should extend at least 2 inches beyond the walls of the chimney. It should be made of a precast (or metal reinforced) concrete slab – not mortar mix. The crown should slope away from the center slightly so water runs off the edges.

The flue liner extends up through this slab. It expands and contracts with the heat of the fire below. This means the crown slab should be protected from direct contact with the flue. Heat tolerant silicone caulk should be used to seal the gap between the flue liner and the crown to prevent water from seeping in.

If there are problems with the crown, chances are there is also damage to the mortar on the stack below. Get cracks and flaking repaired ASAP to prevent further deterioration.

Roof underlayment materials provide the final surface on which shingles are attached. The most common type is roofing felt (sometimes called tar paper). It is often made of fiberglass “paper” impregnated with asphalt. This felt is available in #15 and #30 weights with the thicker paper, 30 lb paper being slightly more durable. These products must be fire, wind, and puncture resistant to meet current building codes.

Tar Paper Installation

Tar paper isn’t designed to act as a replacement for shingles. It is intended to make your roof less susceptible to moisture penetration. Felt is applied over the roof decking and may be layered over an additional water barrier such as flashing tape. Roofing felt is a very inexpensive material but not as durable as some of the newer products on the market. It must be overlapped properly during installation to prevent water from seeping between the layers. Extensive smoothing is often required to prevent wrinkling.

Thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) is a membranous, synthetic roofing underlayment. It is less prone to leaking and tearing than traditional tar paper. One major advantage is the breathability of the material. Instead of trapping moisture in the attic, it permits water vapor to escape. This minimizes the risk of mold growing under the roofing material. TPO is generally available in wider widths that reduce the number of total seams that must be overlapped. This type of product is sometimes advertised as providing wrinkle-free installation.

Specialty felts are available for extreme climates. Some are designed to be self-adhesive and are thick enough to withstand ice as well as rain. They won’t allow water through – even around nail holes. These barriers are laid down first with a layer of traditional tar paper or synthetic membrane on top. With all of these materials, proper installation provides the greatest protection and longevity for your roof.

Concrete tiles were developed in Europe during the mid 19th century. Since that time, they have proven to be one of the most durable roof products on the market. Some examples of this type of roofing have lasted in excess of 100 years without requiring replacement. Because of the manufacturing technique used, these can mimic many other types of roofing tile including terracotta and slate.

Although concrete tiles were intended to be cheaper and lighter substitutes for clay tiles, subtle differences in color permanence means the two should not be mixed even if they are made to look the same. They will wear differently over time and areas on a clay roof that are patched with concrete tiles will be apparent.

Costs and ROI

Today, concrete tiles tend to be a bit more expensive in upfront costs than other types of roof materials. However, their durability means that over the years the difference is recovered. In fact, the warranty is often for the lifetime of the building.

Extreme Durability

High standards in modern manufacturing allow concrete roofing tiles to withstand up to 150 mph sustained winds. This durability makes concrete roofing ideal for hurricane prone areas. These materials have been laboratory tested to withstand a strike from a 2 inch diameter hailstone without any blemish or damage of any kind.

If large blown embers from a fire land on them, then there will be no observable damage below the tile and only some discoloring on the surface. Basically, it is very fire resistant but not completely fire proof.

Modern concrete roofing tiles also exceed current seismic load requirements and standards. This means that they are more likely to withstand an earthquake too. This doesn’t mean that they are indestructible. A visual inspection is still necessary whenever your roof experiences extreme weather conditions or a natural disaster.

Attic ventilation is extremely important. It keeps heat and moisture from accumulating in your home. Because spinning roof turbines (whirlybirds) have moving parts, they will eventually experience some kind of mechanical failure. You’ll know it is time to take action when you hear the annoying squeak or notice that a turbine is not moving anymore.

To access the turbine and fix the problem, you need to get on top of the roof. Remember to use proper safety procedures and be cautious. Bring along a can of WD-40 and some silicon based lubricant or sprayable lithium grease.

First, spray the pivot point with WD-40. This solvent should free the mechanism. While the problem may seem to be solved, that little squirt will not last for long. You need to grease/lubricate the pivot point for a more permanent solution.

Replacement Options

If this quick fix fails (or you must do it repeatedly), it is time to replace the whole turbine with a newer ventilation mechanism. You don’t necessarily have to purchase another whirlybird. There are some devices such as flat roof vents or Aura Vents that work without any moving parts. You just need to make sure that the product you choose will adequately handle sufficient air volume.

If you do decide to replace your roof turbine with another whirlybird, buy one that has permanently sealed ball bearings or plastic bushings. It is usually the ones with cheap metal bushings that begin to squeak within a few years of installation.

Water damage from a leaky roof can be swift and extensive if not dealt with immediately. Contractors are rarely available to repair a roof before your ceiling is completely saturated. The water will spread horizontally throughout the structure of your home unless you take emergency action to mitigate the situation. Coping with leaky roofing requires several steps, some of which must be done in rapid sequence:

Locate the leak – This may not be easy depending upon the location of the damage. Follow the drips, moisture, mold/mildew or water stains (in that order) to find the source of the leak.

Redirect the main flow of water – You will need buckets for this. They will act as reservoirs to protect against flooding of your living space. Place these containers underneath the drips and attach a string from the main flow of water to the bucket. Surface tension will help keep the water flowing along the string and safely into the bucket.

Limit the damage whenever possible – If necessary, poke a hole in the ceiling at the point where water seems to be building up. This will allow the drywall or ceiling panels to drain much more easily. Also, you can plan for where the water will fall and protect the area underneath.

Call a roofing contractor ASAP.
 
Apply a temporary repair patch if appropriate – This can be done with roofing cement, plywood, or tarp depending on the extent of the damage. Remember the rule, one piece of patchwork per leak.

Invest your home improvement funds to get the repair done properly.

If there is physical danger in taking any of these steps because of a potential collapse or fall hazard, wait for the arrival of a qualified contractor.

Composite shingles are the usual choice for new and replacement roofs on most U.S. homes. These shingles are cheap to make and easy to install. However, they don’t last as long as other materials such as metal or slate. This shorter life cycle means the production and disposal of each roof places a strain on the environment. However, there is a way to reduce this impact – by ensuring that the composite shingles contain a high percentage of recycled material.

Products Used in Recycled Shingles

A number of plastic and rubber items can be incorporated into shingles. These include post-consumer waste like milk jugs and tires. The leftover scraps from the manufacture of baby diapers are another popular source of plastic for roofing materials.

One Canadian waste management company is currently developing plans to offer collection services that pick up used baby diapers for recycling as a roofing component. Of course, these “nappies” have to be sterilized (probably using a waste autoclaving process) to break them down into usable, germ free material. Knowaste already has the technology to make this possible. It’s just a matter of getting the public involved in this new recycling effort.

Quality and Variety Included

These composite shingles don’t look second hand. They can actually be formed to mimic slate and other high-end roofing options and are available in many colors. You can also buy shingles made with recycled fiberglass. These are advertised as being particularly energy efficient. So, the next time you go roof shopping, keep an eye out for recycled products. The more you know the more you can do to buy “green”.

An asphalt shingle roof is generally the most economic choice for homeowners over the short term. Composite shingles can be installed by minimally skilled laborers and are very inexpensive. However, these materials don’t offer much in the way of texture and aesthetics. Asphalt sometimes lasts for a couple of decades. That may be all you need if you will eventually sell your house and move on.

However, when you are building a retirement home that you plan to pass on to your descendents, it makes sense to look at more distinctive options that are longer lasting. Metal is one of these higher end options. It can be formed to look like many different roofing materials. However, it doesn’t require extra structural support like that needed to handle the weight of tile or slate. Unlike wood shingles, it is highly fire resistant and won’t absorb moisture.

Material Options

For a striking and unique finish, consider copper. It changes color from pale metallic brown to rich green over the years as verdigris forms on its surface. This is a lovely option if your roof has a steep pitch – it makes your investment more visible. Aluminum is very lightweight and naturally rust proof. This makes it a popular choice for the residential market.

Steel and stainless steel are both very durable. They aren’t as prone to denting as softer metals like aluminum and copper. Regular steel must be coated with a corrosion resistant finish while stainless steel may be coated to make it more attractive (and more energy efficient).

No matter which metal you choose, decide in advance if you really want to hear the sound of rain drumming overhead. If you wish to reduce the noise level, adjust your budget to include the cost of installing sound insulating materials under the metal roofing panels.

Rooftop gardens have become a popular option for commercial buildings as modern companies compete to show their commitment to the environment. However, the technology can also be scaled down to fit a single family home. Garages and additions with gently sloping or flat roofs are the typical starting place for homeowners who want to grow a garden on their roof.

Advantages of Green Roofs

Live plant and sod roofing has excellent insulating properties. It helps keep your home cool in the summer and dampens noise intrusion from outdoors. A green roof also reduces water runoff and soil erosion – rain is retained in the sod instead of draining into storm sewers.

The space on your roof can be used to support many types of vegetation. This ensures that you have some plant cover – even in winter. Grasses and mosses make a simple, easy to maintain mix. Add some wildflower seeds and your roof will bloom with color in the spring and summer. As a bonus, this garden will attract birds and butterflies. Increasing the natural habitat available in your neighborhood encourages biodiversity.

Installation Considerations

Garden roofs are significantly heavier than asphalt shingles. This means some houses must be reinforced to carry the extra weight. A membrane will be installed to keep moisture in the soil from leaching through into your home. A green roofing specialist can help you determine what system will work best with the structure of your home and for your geographical location.

Pre-planted modular units offer a couple of advantages. You don’t have to wait for your rooftop garden to grow from seed. Also, you can start small and increase the size of your garden over time.

A roof replacement represents a serious investment for homeowners.  Typically costing between $12,000 to $20,000, depending on where you live, they should take a huge chunk of your renovation budget.  Rightly so, since a home’s roofing affects some of the most crucial factors that determine its overall value.

Energy Efficiency

Your roof works much like the lid of a cooking pot.  If your lid is improperly placed or has damages (like holes or cracks), your heat will literally be going through the roof.

As homeowners, most of us are aware of the potential energy benefits we can derive from windows and doors.      What we rarely hear about are the energy savings we can glean from improving our roof’s energy efficiency.  In fact, for many older homes, a roof replacement will be just what the doctor ordered to keep your home warm at lesser costs during the winter months.

More energy-efficient roofs means tons of savings in your monthly utility expenses – and that amount adds up over its many years of use.

Curb Appeal

While a roof’s aesthetic impact is usually subtle, it’s appearance affects people’s overall impression in more overt ways than you probably imagined.  According to one survey of realtors around the U.S., as much as 40% of a home’s curb appeal is dependent on the type of roofing units installed.

Curb appeal is often what pushes a home’s market value to shoot up during appraisal.  Good roof replacements should let you sell your home for much more than if you choose to skimp on it.