What types of roofs are there?

There are a lot of different kinds of roofs to meet your modern roofing needs, so we’ll break them down according to what is most common for our area.

What kind of roof should I get?

Naturally, each type of material offers different benefits when roofing in Idaho, and most people decide based on price and preference in the look of the material.

All of these roofing types have an underlaid material under them, whether that is 15 or 30 pound tar paper or 15 or 30 pound synthetic felt. The felt is accompanied by Ice and Water Shield to protect cold surfaces such as eaves as well as in the valleys (to be laid 24″ inside the inside of the exterior walls or troublesome areas where water will move slower or ice will build up).

The separate roof types for pitched roofs often found on residential buildings are the following:

Asphalt Shingles (3 tab: 200-300 lbs / architectural/laminated: 300-500 lbs. / high profile: 500+ lbs)

Asphalt Shingles:

Click the following links to view shingle warranties (Please note that asphalt shingle systems have a typical life as follows: 3 tabs = 20-30 years of use (not all of that time is under warranty). Architectural/ laminated = 30-50 years of use, (again not all of that time is under manufacturer warranty). All manufacturers have different warranties that govern the different aspects of the shingles. High-profile shingles will often give you more than 50 years of use on your roof and many many years after that, especially when paired with their appropriate underlayment (30 lb synthetic felt):

The great thing about asphalt shingles is when they are installed correctly they are a maintenance-free roof; they perform their function without help during their life and when their life is worn either due to old age or severe weather, they are to be replaced.

Asphalt shingles dominate the majority of the residential market because they are commonly much cheaper than metal, stone, or wood shake roofs.

3 tab shingles are difficult to get on our current market, because they are quickly becoming obsolete, as architectural shingles are quickly taking over and have become the most common shingle, due to their higher resistance to wind and water penetration.

Designer shingles, or what is commonly known as presidential shingles or 500-weight shingles, are less common due to their cost but provide a longer-lasting shingle. 50+ years of use is not uncommon to see in this class of shingle. Along with its longevity, this shingle typically boasts a class 4 hail impact rating, which means it can withstand 2″ hail at storm-force winds without damaging the shingle. This is slightly different from the (picture of 300 weight) 300 weight and 200 weight. 300-weight shingles usually boast a class 3 hail rating which is 1-1/2″ hail ball at storm force wind impact, and 200 weight is often followed in class 1 or 2. Some 300-weight shingles fall into the class 2 hail rating.

At CCX Roofing, we prefer to use Malarkey Roofing Products’ shingle line, which includes the Highlander, Vista, Legacy, and Windsor for roofing in Pocatello and roofing in Idaho Falls.

There are many other types of roofs that you can see in the photo album below. Stone roofs are even a possibility, but they are commonly seen in hot, dry regions as they perform best in those areas. They do require a lot of underlayment material to perform as intended, and they also require A LOT of maintenance. Because of the impact on cost, roofing product manufacturers have come up with a synthetic plastic/vinyl material that, at a distance, has the appearance of a stone roof; however, if money is not a factor, we can make any of these happen.

Metal Roofing:

Metal roofing is typically double the cost of a typical asphalt shingle roof and sometimes even triple due to the complexity of a project. Many people investing in this type of roof understand this and are more interested in its longevity. As you do the math, the metal roof costs less over time as you should only need one for the span of the life of the home. Metal roofs are light, and because of this lightweight has much less effect on the structure of your home.

Metal roofs don’t hold snow on the roof in cold climates, the weight of snow has much less impact on your structure usually due to the slick surface of the metal roof not holding on to the snow. and as the sun warms the surface of the roof the snow sluffs off, or if you warm it from below, using your home’s heat, it also sluffs, making metal roofs a must-have in the deep snow climates like Sun Valley, Island Park, Driggs, Tetonia, Ashton, etc.

Different roof types are built out of different gauges of steel or different thicknesses of aluminum. The typical gauge found on a roof is 26 gauge steel. Metal roofs are often used as accents, giving the owner both the look they want and the higher quality as well as increasing the cost of the home.

Things to know about metal roofs:

Metal roofs require some maintenance depending on the type of metal roof you get. This maintenance includes keeping the screws at a proper tightness to ensure water tightness and wind protection.
Keeping leaves and debris clear from your roof is a must for metal, and any roof really.
Metal moves as it heats up and cools down with the seasons and sometimes makes seams crack or expand where two panels meet, keeping a fresh line of sealant in these areas will also ensure the quality of the roof for the duration of its life expectancy.

These maintenance items should take place about every 5 years, and as needed. If your roof was installed a long time ago (more than about 5 years), let us know, so we can come to inspect it, to ensure things are tight and sealed up. The cost to maintain a roof is far less expensive than re-doing it. The metal will be fine for a long time, but the wood underneath is often what is damaged and causes a compromised roof structure. Some reports of metal roofs being louder than asphaltic roofs have been brought up. Clients have mentioned that they can now hear every rain storm, and the snow sluffing off can be a new experience for a new metal roof owner (snow sluffing off sounds like a rock slide on top of your house and depending on how deep the snow can be quite loud).

Metal roofs are typically cooler than asphaltic roofs. This is not always true, because color makes a difference. Lighter colors help a metal roof stay cooler. Metal roofs often carry a much stronger resistance to hail impact and can be installed with a high wind rating in mind in regard to screw spacing and thicker gauges.

For more information on styles and colors, visit www.tetonsteelidaho.com/products. We trust Teton Steel to manufacture the products we need AND in the quality we expect for modern roofing Pocatello projects.

Another handy tool to help you make some decisions is the IKO Roof Viewer App. Also available for iPhone on the App Store and Android on the Play Store.

How much will it cost to replace my roof?

The cost of roofs varies greatly based on several factors. There are several factors that make the project more or less difficult. This can include things like the season to the pitch (or steepness) of your roof. Naturally, the size of your roof, the material, and the level of complexity (many facets and angles) all affect cost.

SEASON

We love our everchanging seasons in Idaho, but each one can certainly pose unique challenges. The main things that we see, as far as the effect on the cost is:

Summer is an incredibly busy time of year for construction trades, meaning that we have A LOT of jobs we are working on and demand is high.
In the winter, with the cold, ice, and snow, it often requires us to spend more time on job sites.
Spring can be very rainy and wet.

Does all that mean that fall is the perfect time to have your roof done? No. If you’ve lived here for a year or two, you’ve probably found that our fall season is usually VERY short. What it all means is that we do roofing year-round, and the seasons are just one factor that can cause price and timeline to vary. Don’t let the weather discourage you from calling us!

MATERIALS

Most roofs in Idaho tend to have asphalt shingles. These are more common because there isn’t really any maintenance as long as the roof was installed properly. As far as asphalt shingles, we prefer Malarkey as they have proven to manufacture a superior product and lead the industry with the following:

Increased nail strip size (“The Zone”), which allows for a larger target, which ensures your home receives an efficient and proper installation and proper wind protection.
Smog reducing granules. Time Magazine did an article on Malarkey shingles, calling them The Best Invention of 2018. The smog reduction equation is as follows: For every 10 squares of shingles (or 1000 square feet) installed on a roof is the equivalent to one mature spruce tree in its effects on pollution).
Polymer-modified asphalt, which allows for greater elasticity and granule retention. On a hot summer day, we have even seen it regain its original shape after someone had stepped on the shingle. Malarkey Roofing Products also contain recycled products. The polymer uses plastics extracted from milk jugs, and for every 1000 square feet of Malarkey roofing products, they contain approximately five tires worth of recycled tires.
The tapered shim, reduces the likelihood of troughing.
Larger reveal, which actually provides a more covered area reducing overall cost whereas some companies covered area is slightly smaller and requires you to purchase more of their product. In other words, when purchasing shingles to cover a standard 10′ x 10′ area, Malarkey shingles gets you 10′ x 10′ (100% of a square unit) of covered area whereas other companies come up just short (around 98%), causing you to have to purchase more shingles.
Carbon Black. Malarkey also uses Carbon Black in the asphalt of their shingles, which reduces erosion from the sun and aids in granule retention and longevity of your shingles.
Recycled Products.

You may also see the occasional wood shake roof. While they may seem to be a fire hazard, wood shakes are saturated in chemicals that aid in fire resistance and reduce moss and molds for years and years. That being said, they are still made of wood and susceptible to fire. While wood shake is beautiful, it does take more work to maintain; however, if maintained properly, they are a lifetime roof.

You still see some tar and ballast (gravel) roofs on shallow-pitched roofs. It can be difficult to find contractors who will install this type of roof. Many of these roofs were installed many years ago and require a lot of maintenance. They are susceptible to shrinkage and cracking. They are heavy and cause can be the source of sagging or bowing in your roof structure. We prefer an EPDM or TPO roof. EPDM and TPO are often installed over a foam deck, which is lightweight and adds to the insulation value of your home, helping you save on energy costs.

Metal roofs are great because they are the most long-lasting, and while they generally cost about twice as much as asphalt shingle roofs, and do come with their own maintenance items. It is proper to maintain a metal roof every 5 years, ensuring screws are tight, washers have not deteriorated, rubber washers are not cracked, and any seams that may have opened through the season are sealed. They also offer several different styles, such as delta rib/tough rib, which will be much cheaper than a metal shingle, metal tile, or a standing seam. Metal roofs also have the capacity to last over 100 years and typically hold up better under harsher climates with large amounts of snow.

TPO and EPDM are most commonly used for commercial roofs. Commercial roofs are typically more expensive than residential roofs. When it comes to commercial roofs, there are generally three major factors that account for this difference: Materials, expertise, and size of the project. Materials for commercial projects are more expensive than residential roofs. Commercial roofs also require more expertise and are usually larger than residential projects.

NEW ROOF VS EXISTING ROOF

Do you have a new build or a pre-existing roof? New roofs are cheaper to do than replacing an existing roof due to the fact that there is no existing roof to tear off, clean up, or dispose of. We at CCX Roofing do not believe in cutting corners. Simply put, we tear off every roof we install. There have only been certain circumstances where we have installed new material over existing materials. In these circumstances, we cannot offer our standard warranty.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the price varies greatly depending on the project. Whether your roof is new or needs to be replaced, residential vs commercial, materials used, and the season can all affect pricing. We as your roofers in Southeast Idaho are here to help you decide what material, style, and type of roof would be best for you.

What types of roofs are there?