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.

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.