Built-Up Roof
10-20 years / 3lbs. / $5,000-$15,000 |
| Fire Rating: |
Varies. With 3 to 5 layers of fiberglass felt and gravel covering or mineral surface capsheet, should secure A rating |
| Appearance: |
The standard asphalt-and-g ravel covering for flat and low-slope roofs. Surface can be rock, slag, or colored capsheet |
| Pros / Cons: |
Inexpensive. But if poorly installed, may be messy-looking and may leak |
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Torch Down10-20yrs / 2lbs. / $5,000-$12,000 |
| Fire Rating: |
Two layers, with a modified fire-resistant base sheet, should secure an A rating |
| Appearance: |
Variation of built-up roof: an asphalt-and-g ravel roof laid down in one roll. Smooth or granular surface; white, grays, browns |
| Pros / Cons: |
Usually made in factories under controlled conditions, unlike standard built-up roofs. Reflective coatings are available that protect them from ultraviolet deterioration |
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Single Ply Flat RoofLifetime / 2lbs. / $7,000-$15,000 |
| Fire Rating: |
Class A |
| Appearance: |
Energy Star Effecient, Lightweight, Lifetime Guarantee |
| Pros / Cons: |
Manufacturer Approved Installation only. |
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Foam7-10 years / 3lbs. / $7,000-$15,000 |
| Fire Rating: |
Class A |
| Appearance: |
Sprayed at least 2 inches thick. Must have protective coating. Appearance varies from slightly pocked (like orange peel) to bumpy (like popcorn) |
| Pros / Cons: |
High insulation value. The coatings are highly reflective, which protects against UV deterioration. Must be recoated every 5 to 10 years if covered with acrylic. Fairly easy to damage. The most attractive and durable roofs use high-density foam and a more expensive coating |
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Standing-seam Metal Panel20-40 years / 2lbs. / $10,000-$25,000 |
| Fire Rating: |
Class A |
| Appearance: |
Painted metal panels with raised seams 18 to 24 inches apart. High-tech or industrial look |
| Pros / Cons: |
Installation is simpler than with metal tiles, but also difficult to seal around perforations |
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Metal Tile20-40 years / 4lbs. / $8,500-$15,000 |
| Fire Rating: |
Class A if old roof removed; B if installed with heavy roofing paper between old roof and new; C if applied directly over roof |
| Appearance: |
Designed to have a shake or tile like look. Wide color range |
| Pros / Cons: |
Lightweight, durable. Difficult to seal around perforations. May require gypsum-board base |
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Wood Shake Pressure Treated10-20 years / 4lbs. / $7,500-$15,000 |
| Fire Rating: |
Class A only if you install a 72-pound mineral surface capsheet underneath |
| Appearance: |
Classic wood roof that many synthetics try to mimic |
| Pros / Cons: |
Must be kept clean: Moss, mildew, and debris speed deterioration. In dry climates, untreated shakes (even those treated with spray-on coating) are essentially kindling |
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Fibrous Cement Shake20-40 years / 5.5lbs. / $9,000-$20,000 |
| Fire Rating: |
Class A (B if not installed over plywood; also may not meet seismic codes) |
| Appearance: |
These synthetics can often look like shake or slate |
| Pros / Cons: |
Lightweight and durable; generally requires no roof reinforcement. In wet climates, rain can cause the fibers to expand and contract, causing premature failure |
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Fiberglass Composition Shingle20-50 years / 3lbs. / $4,000-$30,000 |
| Fire Rating: |
Class A |
| Appearance: |
Most common for moderate-slope to steep roofs. Crushed, uniform mineral surface |
| Pros / Cons: |
Easy to apply and economical. Some homeowners’ associations won’t allow these roofs. Some now available thicker and more textured, considered more attractive |
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Concrete Tile50 years / 5.5lbs. / $15,000-$25,000 |
| Fire Rating: |
Class A |
| Appearance: |
Synthetic shakes, slate, Spanish tile look-alikes, in many colors, textures |
| Pros / Cons: |
Same weight and framing challenges as clay tile; a bit less prone to breakage. New lightweight concrete becoming available |
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Clay Tile50-100 years / 5.5lbs. / $15,000-$25,000 |
| Fire Rating: |
Class A |
| Appearance: |
Classic red Spanish roof. Other colors available |
| Pros / Cons: |
Long-lasting and attractive; meets same breakage strength requirements as concrete tile. Very heavy, but lightweight clay tile is also available |
