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Choosing the best roofing (and siding)


Long lasting metal roofs are energy efficient. Above: Metal roof with skylights. Below: Cedar shake roofs look great, but need maintenance and are costly. By Mary Wilson and Trevor Graumann T


here are so many interesting roofing products to consider when it comes time to renew you roof. Most of us


opt for the good old fashioned asphalt shin- gle, because it is familiar and affordable and “that’s what’s there right now”. We pick a colour and feel well pleased with ourselves for making such a difficult decision. But spend some time considering the options and you may change your mind about the next roofing material you opt to install. Asphalt is certainly one of the possibili-


ties. It is affordable — about $200 to $300 a square (a “square” is a roofing measurement of 10 feet by 10 feet or 100 square feet) in- stalled. Asphalt comes in 50 colours and a dozen styles and its lifespan is about 15 to 20 years. Asphalt can also come as a com- posite with fibreglass or other materials. Given asphalt’s short life, however, you


may be better off to think long term and opt for a metal roof, with a lifespan of 50 to 100 years. Its added advantage is its ability to shed snow. The cost of metal is anywhere from $200 a square to $600 a square, de- pending on the quality of the metal and the complexity of the roof. Metal can be made to look like cedar shakes or other roof prod-


24 • Spring 2012


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