Repairing or replacing the roof is one of the most noticeable improvement projects homeowners can take on. And although the effect of a new roof is stunning, the price tag doesn’t have to be.

Going back to the basics when it comes to getting a new roof can employ the “genius of ‘and,’” according to TAMKO Building Products President and Chief Executive Officer David Humphreys.

“It’s a way of describing how you can successfully achieve two or more goals that might not seem compatible,” Humphreys says. “For example: you can add value to your home and save money doing it.”

This is possible in roofing through the reliability, durability and affordability of the traditional asphalt shingle.

Reliability
And when it comes to roofing, the standard asphalt shingle could be the fastest path to a new roof, while still maintaining reliability, durability and affordability.

Asphalt shingles have more than 150 years of proven severe weather durability as a roof covering. But as a waterproofing agent, asphalt’s history goes back much farther.

Kent Blanchard, vice president of roofing manufacturing for TAMKO Building Products, says asphalt and tar have been used as a waterproofing agent for thousands of years, including by the ancient Egyptians.

Durability
Asphalt shingles are made from sheets of fibers, coated in asphalt (a petroleum by-product) and a variety of granules. The result is shingles that are light-weight, easy to install and low maintenance.

Two of the most common types of asphalt shingles are three-tab and laminated.

Three-tab asphalt roofing shingles are made from individual layers of fiberglass mat, a base material made from glass fibers to add strength. The mat is dipped in asphalt and coated with fire-resistant granules.

Classic three-tab asphalt roofing shingles generally include a 15- to 30-year warranty and are one of the more cost-efficient roofing product options.

Laminated asphalt shingles are a newer option and increasing in popularity. These shingles have added dimension because of extra layers of fiberglass mat, which create a wood shake-like appearance.

Some laminated shingles have a 30-year limited warranty, and are also wind and fire resistant.

Affordability
Despite the expansion of roofing products over the last 100 years, the most popular and affordable option continues to be the asphalt shingle.

Asphalt shingles continue to dominate about 80 percent of the U.S. market. It’s estimated that more than 100 million roofing squares are laid on U.S. roofs each year.

And a new asphalt roof is in everyone’s price range. With a variety of types of asphalt shingles, three-tab or laminated, asphalt roofs are available for as little as one-third of the cost of more expensive tile and wood roofs.

Asphalt shingles afford the consumer the luxury of a large home improvement without the luxury price tag.

A new roof can add immediate value to the home if the owners are looking to sell, but can also help prevent costly leaks while they still live there.

The health of a roof can affect the energy efficiency and utility bills of a house. In today’s world of energy and cost-consciousness, the roof has become an asset that homeowners cannot afford to overlook.

Annual roof maintenance checklist:

* Clean all debris off the surface of the roof, including anything that has gathered behind skylights, valleys or pipes. Debris can hold water and speed up roof deterioration.

* Check flashing for holes and repair or replace if needed.

* Seal flashing if needed.

* Check for loose or damaged roof shingles. Apply sealant under the loose shingles.

* Remove and replace any damaged shingles.

* Trim overhanging trees to prevent future roof damage from animals or limbs.

“Even the highest-quality shingles cannot work to protect a home if one other part of your roofing system isn’t operating in perfect concert with the other parts,” says Bert Elliott, Owens Corning roofing systems expert.

So what is a roofing system, and how do you choose one that’s right for you? Here are a few tips:

First, know the signs that it’s time to replace your roof. Most likely your roof has asphalt shingles, as four out of five roofs in the United States do. Conduct a simple visual inspection from a ladder or by viewing the roof through binoculars. Signs that it might need replacing or repair include algae growth on the shingles, damaged flashing around chimneys and other openings, buckling, curling, blistering, missing shingles or rotten wood in the attic.

Next you’ll need to make sure that you understand what a roofing system is to know what to ask your contractor. It’s easy, if you think of your roof serving three important purposes: protection from the elements, ventilation and beautification.

* Ice and water barriers protect vulnerable areas such as eaves and valleys from ice, snow and driving rain.

* Underlayment products provide protection against water seepage between the shingles and the roof deck.

* Shingles protect your home from the elements while adding curb appeal as they can make up to 50 percent of the face of your home.

* Hip and ridge shingles add extra protection and style to a home’s roof ridge line.

* Gutter protection prevents clogs, while allowing water to flow freely.

*Ventilation products help ensure that your attic is properly ventilated, preventing mold growth.

* Attic insulation allows homes to become more energy efficient by maintaining a more comfortable temperature year round.

Ideally, all parts of your roofing system should come from a single manufacturer as it is designed to work together for maximum performance.

“While your contractor is up on the top of your home, ask him or her to make sure your attic is sufficiently insulated. A properly insulated attic helps increase the energy efficiency of your home and make your home more comfortable,” Elliott says. “The best part is it pays for itself over time in energy saved – a properly insulated home can help save up to 20 percent on heating and cooling bills and insulation is eligible for the tax credit too, according to the government’s Web site for the ENERGY STAR program.”

Once you understand the parts of a roofing system, consider how a roof can impact the curb appeal of a home. Work with your contractor to find a style and color that coordinates with the siding, colors, and style of your home.

Choosing a contractor to install your new roof is just as important as choosing the overall system itself. Use references from friends and family, and online resources like Owens Corning’s contractor locator – found at www.owenscorning.com – to gather names and information on candidates. Be sure to check contractors’ license status before you seek bids from them. And don’t automatically go for the lowest bid – be sure competing bids are comparing apples to apples before you decide on one.

Now you might figure that living in beautiful coastal Los Angeles that I don’t really need a roof, and for 10 months of the year you would be right. But unfortunately, in a wet year we can get a foot or two of rain. So my wife says we need a roof over our heads.

Until recently, that hasn’t been much of a problem. You see, we were very astute shoppers when we bought our home a few years ago. We picked one that ALREADY HAD A ROOF. Feeling smart and smug, we’ve been getting along just fine with our old grey roof.

It’s so high up off the ground, you have to kind of squint to see it, and it’s always looked smooth and dry. Until the winds came. This April Los Angeles had several weeks of strong, hard winds. (not florida winds, or kansas tornado watch winds, but good solid 45-50 mph winds roaring through like a freight train.) Since my house sits on a ridgeline, Easterly winds have a clear shot at my house. Nothing to slow them down as far as the eye can see. When the wind blows at my house you can feel it in your bones. And this year, it managed to get under our skin. Or at least under the roof tiles.

The next morning we started finding old grey roof tiles out on the sidewalk, in the street and down in the backyard. For a day or two we pretended that it was somebody elses roof blowing away. But soon enough we walked down the block, looked back up our hill and could see the gaping hole on the north slope of our roof. No deck for me. I was getting a roof.

(Okay, I confess, we
did put it off for a month or two to match better with my work
schedule.)

Step one on any significant remodeling job is to pick the right
contractor. The first step is to make a list of who you know, and who you trust who can give you the best referrals. Who’s done a similar project recently? Who’s in the business? I’m lucky. One of my friends owns a number of rental properties, and has always been able to recommend high quality contractors who price out well below the “retail” price.

After a bit of looking around, some preliminary estimates from other
contractors we chose his guy. Easy to talk to, the great eference and 50% of his normal retail price. Now lets hope that what they say about low bidders isn’t true.

So here we are on a bright, sunny May morning, with 4 men on my roof, (well on what’s left of my roof). There’s a truck in the driveway, and
loads of old roof flying through the air going thunk.