Different Roofing Materials - Know What Is On Your Roof

 Once a very popular choice in Colorado, the T-lock shingle has been discontinued and is no longer manufactured. As a result, even a modestly damaged T-lock roof may be replaced completely by your insurance company due to the fact that it cannot be repaired with like material. Because of this situation, some insurance companies are raising premiums and deductibles for homes with T-lock roofs. If you suspect your T-lock roof may be damaged, it is important to contact us immediately to start the replacement process and avoid any insurance rate increases. 

 A very natural and luxurious option, cedar was installed on many homes in the 80’s and 90’s. Cedar shake over time, tends to curl and split due to the Colorado climate and becomes more susceptible to wind and hail damage. The way it ages combined with its combustible nature leads many homeowners to replace their cedar shake material with Architectural shingles. If you suspect that you may have hail damage to your cedar shake roof, it is important to start the process immediately. As time passes, it is difficult to discern the difference between hail damage and normal wear and tear. 

 The three tab roof is very popular in Colorado. Its affordability is offset by the fact that it is prone to wind damage. Also, as the three tab ages, it becomes more brittle and susceptible to hail damage from minor hail storms. Many ordinances require an upgrade to a more wind resistant shingle. A hail storm or significant wind storm can create enough damage to warrant roof replacement to this type of shingle.  Also, some of the older 3-tab colors are no longer available, resulting in the need for complete replacement if damage is found.  JOURNEY ROOFING upgrades 3-tab shingles to an architectural style shingle at no extra charge.

 Also known as Dimensional, the Architectural shingle has become the shingle of choice in recent years due to its denser composition, increased resistance to wind and natural look. Many ordinances require Architectural shingles due to their ability to resist wind speeds of up to 130 mph. Architectural shingles are available in many types and styles including 30, 40 and 50 yr. (Limited Lifetime) and impact resistant. The strongest hail resistant shingles are ones that are made with SBS (Modified Bitumen).

 The two most popular types of tile roofs are clay and concrete. Their characteristics are similar in that they are very durable and have long lifespans. Clay tile is much heavier than concrete tile, and both can break when being walked on making routine maintenance like painting or cleaning rain gutters a challenge.  When deciding to replace your roof with concrete tiles, it is likely that you will need an engineer's report stating that your home can support the extra weight of the tile roofing material.  Here in Colorado, our constant changing weather can make tile roofing material prone to cracking under the extreme conditions.

 There are several options available for low pitch roofs. The most popular one is called modified bitumen. Modified bitumen is rolled onto your roof and is relatively strong due to its layers of polyester and fiberglass.  This type of roofing is required by code in many areas for roofs under a 2:12 pitch, usually porch and patio roofs.  We can usually match the color of this type of low slope roofing material closely to the color of the newly installed shingles.

Due to the fact that these shingles are no longer manufactured, and in many areas repairs on this product are not allowed, most insurance companies will replace these roofs if only minor damage exists from wind or hail.  If you have a roof with this material installed, frequent inspections are recommended, especially after high winds or hail.

These heavy duty asphalt shingles are often a great choice when replacing wood shake roofs or when switching from light-weight concrete tile roofs to an asphalt shingle.  They are heavier than single laminate shingles and have a shake-like appearance.  They also are available in impact resistant options with SBS (Modified Bitumen) built into the shingle.