SELECTING A ROOF - REROOFING

Chances are, you are considering replacing an existing roof covering because:
        - it has reached the end of its useful life, either functionally or aesthetically.
        - it is leaking due to failure, probably from some catastrophic weather event.
        - the insurance company insists.
        - local codes or covenants have changed.
        - a potential home buyer insists on a new roof.

One simple alternative is to replace the old roof covering with a similar material.  The key advantages of this approach are:
        - time saved researching and making decisions.
        - no change to home appearance.
        - no change to a home’s thermal performance.

Conversely, not changing the roof covering has its own downside:
        - a roof is a major component, as much as 50%, of a home’s visual presentation.  A missed
          opportunity to upgrade curb appeal will not increase a home’s value.
        - new technology roofing can provide longer life and property value enhancing warranties.
        - new technology roofing generally requires less, and therefore less costly, maintenance.

       Reroofing candidates are generally 15-30 years old.  As with most building products, innovations in technology have changed product value and performance substantially over that period.  Adaptation of popular and traditional building materials like concrete, wood and asphalt to the conditions seen on roofs has led to subpar roofing life and performance compromises, especially in the more demanding climatic zones of the United States.  Hail, fire, wind, sun, snow, freeze/thaw cycles, extreme temperatures, and other geographically specific climatic conditions should dictate roofing material selection.  In response to the need for better performance and longer life, roof coverings more appropriate to tough roofing environments are now available.  For an approximation of which factors to consider in product selection for the project site, click on the climatic zones map.

       Unless a decision to reroof with material similar to the existing installation has already been made, an emergency replacement is needed, or someone has been hired to handle product selection, now is the perfect time to learn about today’s roofing alternatives.  This is not the simple decision it may seem to be, once climatic elements are considered.  As outlined below, Ce·DUR Shakes continue to prove themselves to be an excellent solution for residential and light commercial sloped roof replacement.  The following factors should be considered.

Appearance           Roof color, texture, and finish appropriate to the home’s architectural style and exterior décor are vital to curb appeal, and therefore critical to the home’s market value.  Frequently a wood shake look is dictated by homeowner association covenants.

                   Ce·DUR
                              - is a direct copy of actual 1” butt wood shakes.
                            - comes in varied widths, as with wood shakes.
                            - meets “wood shake only” covenants.
                            - is a “Weathered Wood” color throughout.
                            - is color consistent across an entire roof.
                            - has no coatings or sealers to wear off over time.
                            - Photo Gallery

Weight                       Light weight materials require no “beefing up” of  existing building structure.
 

                   Ce·DUR
- is very light, wet or dry,  since the shakes absorb  essentially no water
- weighs approximately 210 pounds per square for the 1” butt product line.
- will weigh 130 pounds per square for the upcoming 5/8” butt product line.
- Roofing Material Weights

Installation ease     Installation is very important to the cost, performance, and life of a roof, and can be as much as 75% of the total roof cost. The simpler and easier the better.

                   Ce·DUR         
 - installs just like wood shakes.
 - requires no special tools, fasteners, or techniques.
 - requires no battens, trim, coatings or sealers.
 - is very lightweight and easy to handle, with less breakage than
   many other products.
 - is fastened by hand or pneumatically, with roofing nails or staples.
 - requires no shuffling of varied color lots.
 - Installation

Insulating value     A roof is an important component of a home’s thermal envelope, and can have a large impact on heating and cooling system operating costs

                    Ce·DUR
- provides approximately 1 R per inch of thickness, slightly better
  than wood shakes, and substantially better than concrete, metal, or slate.
- will result in no increases in heating and cooling costs.
- Insulating Value

Roof life                 Material appropriate to the weather and prevailing climatic conditions must be used for maximum life.

                   Ce·DUR         
- carries a 50 year limited warranty with hail and wind coverage.
- is UL classified for impact, and listed for fire and wind resistance.
- heals itself of hail indentations within a few weeks.
- is chemically inert to naturally occurring elements.
- absorbs no water.
- is a homogeneous material, not a composite of materials with dissimilar
  performance behaviors.
- Warranty

Maintenance          Repair and maintenance should be minimized.

                   Ce·DUR         
- requires no sealants or coatings.
- is maintenance free.

Economics             A new roof can cost from $140 to over $2000 per square (100 square feet) and the choice of material is critical to the initial and the long range costs. Better roofing materials can qualify for substantial ongoing insurance discount savings and avoid surcharge disincentives.

                   Ce·DUR 
- is maintenance free.
- is slightly more expensive to install than the premium, 1” butt, fire treated
   wood shake it is meant to replace.  However, wood shakes have a limited life span.

Walkability             If a roof will need to be accessed, it should be easily and safely walked without need for special precautions, procedures or equipment, and with no risk of damage to the roof covering.

                   Ce·DUR       
 - has no surface granules to wear off over time.
 - has no surface coatings or sealers to wear off due to foot traffic.
 - is not cavity backed, resulting in no weak areas to avoid.
 - has superior crush strength in excess of 500 pounds per square inch.
 - requires no special paths to walk on roof.

Building Codes       Local codes can restrict use of some roofing materials or demand others due to local experience and/or threats (hail, fire, wind, etc).

                   Ce·DUR         
 - meets the UL listing/classification requirements accepted by most building
   and fire authorities.
 - installs in accordance with wood shake industry standards, requiring no
   special building department approvals.
 - is not banned by any building or fire authorities.
 - application for ICCES approval is in process.