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Your roof is one of the most important components of your home. Your roof is the last layer of protection from the outside elements. Asphalt roofing shingles are very common in many areas of the country. They come in sheets that are nailed down and have a lifespan of 10-15 years. Architectural shingles give more depth and texture, and generally last about 25 years. If you live in a climate with severe winds or even tornados, you may have to replace shingles after a big storm. In more arid climates clay tiles are used for roofing shingles. They help absorb the suns rays, keeping the home cooler. Proper drainage off your roof is extremely imperative to prevent roof leaks. This is why rooflines feature peaks and gables, to keep the water continuously moving off the roof. Gutters are usually installed at all eaves to collect the water and move it down and away from the house. A roof leak can be very costly. If left undetected or unrepaired it can eventually seep into the home and cause water damage to the drywall, insulation and any belongings. Have a professional home inspector or roofing contractor check your roof frequently to ensure it is in tip top shape.

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"Roofing Contractors Stay on Top of Things" The number one financial advice to homeowners is to protect their investment. Now this can be understood as installing alarms, getting security devices, or keeping insurance on your home. What most homeowners fail to remember, that the number one thing they must do to protect their home's value is just above them; their roof.

Featured Roofing Articles:

Uncle Sam will Help You Raise the Roof

By Alicia Rowe

Thinking about replacing your roof? If your roofing material meets certain criteria, you may be eligible for a federal tax credit of up to $1,500. You can claim 30% of the cost of materials on your federal income taxes. Asphalt shingles and metal roofing with the Energy Star label qualify for the credit.

This credit only applies to replacement roofs, so if you just bought a brand new home, you won't qualify. If you don't live in your house more than 80% of the time, you will have to prorate your tax credit according to the amount of time you live there. For instance, you have a vacation home you spend 6 months out of the year in, you can take 50% of the tax credit.

Energy Star certified roofs have high solar reflectance. This means that some of the heat from the sun is reflected back into the atmosphere, keeping it from penetrating your roof and entering your attic. A cooler attic means possibility of heat seeping into your home. Cooler roofs also last longer in hot climates. Energy Star roofs tend to be light colors which absorb less heat, but some manufacturers are adding reflective glazes and granules to darker colored roofing.

Asphalt roofs have long been a favorite for pitched roofs. Shingles are typically fiberglass-reinforced, making them durable and fire-resistant. Granules in the topcoat reflect the sun's rays, and protects them from weather and algae growth. The downside of asphalt roofing is that shingles can get knocked loose in bad weather. Regular roof inspections and repairs can prevent serious problems. Asphalt shingles tend to be economical, although some laminated shingles can carry a hefty price tag. Be sure to choose shingles with a good warranty! You may have heard of "30-year shingles," but many of theses only have a 10-year warranty.

Metal roofing such as aluminum or steel tend to be expensive, some more than twice the amount of comparable asphalt roofing. However, it comes with a lifetime warranty, are fire-resistant, and very durable. If "metal roofing" makes you think of rusty old corrugated barn roofs – think again! Now you can get metal roofing that looks like wood shakes, asphalt shingles, and Spanish tile. Sun reflecting granules and glazes further reduce heat absorption.

Don't wait to replace your roof, the offer for these tax credits expires in 2010! Be sure to consult with a professional contractor to make sure your project goes as smoothly as possible. But remember, your only the materials, not labor or contractor fees, qualify for the tax break.

Qualify for a New Roof Tax Credit

By Jennifer Weldon

Many home improvements that are done to increase the energy efficiency of a home now qualify for a federal tax credit. Installing a new roof on your home is one such improvement that does. Make sure you qualify for the new roof tax credit by following these guidelines.

Qualify for a New Roof Tax Credit
Homeowners are taking advantage of many new federal tax credits aimed at energy efficient home renovations. One such tax credit applies to installing a new roof on your home. There are several parameters the new roof must meet to qualify for the tax credit.

Type of Roof
Only roofs comprised of Energy Star labeled metal or asphalt shingles will be eligible to receive the new tax credit. In addition, the tax credit is aimed at current homeowners replacing their existing roof. If you are building a new home, you cannot qualify for the tax credit. The government's goal in these tax credits is to increase the energy efficiency in homes across the country. Thus, they need to provide incentives to homeowners to upgrade their inefficient roofing systems.

Amount of Credit
If you meet the requirements for the tax credit, you may qualify for 30% of the expense of the new roof, up to a maximum of $1,500. Expense refers to the cost of the materials of the new roof only, not any labor or installation expenses. You can even take advantage of this tax credit on your second home or vacation home. The tax credit for a second home is prorated for the length of time you live in that home. Thus, if you live in your second home 6 months of the year, you would be eligible for the half of the 30% tax credit.

Advantages of a New Roof
Installing a new energy efficient roof can pay for itself over time. The new materials reflect more of the solar energy from the sun. Thus, less solar rays penetrate into the roofing, attic, and ultimately the home. This will help you maintain more consistent temperatures in your home using less energy. An added benefit is that since the roof will not heat up to such high temperatures, its lifespan will increase.

Asphalt Roofing
Asphalt roofing is more popular among homeowners due to its look and affordability. Some of the new Energy Star roofs are light in color, which helps reflect the sun's rays. However, darker new roofs also have added granules or glazes to create a reflective quality. The added granules also provide added protection from the elements. Asphalt shingle roofs are typically reinforced with fiberglass. This makes them resistant to fire and increases their durability. While these asphalt shingles are commonly referred to as 30-year shingles you should check the warranty on the specific product. Many products actually have 10 year warranties.

Metal Roofing
Metal roofing can be cost prohibitive to some homeowners. However, the true cost should always be evaluated because many metal roofs have lifetime warranties. This would mean you would never have to repair your roof, thus making the initial cost much more palatable. Metal roofing offers homeowners a wide choice of colors and styles. It can mimic wood shakes, Spanish tiles, and even asphalt shingles. The new energy efficient metal roofs also have the reflective granules and glazes and are fire resistant.

To take advantage of this tax credit for your new roof, have it installed in 2009 or 2010. Enlist the services of a professional roofing contractor to help you select the roof type and style that is best for your home. They can also help you choose among the new products that will qualify for the tax credit.

Types of Roof Shingles

If you are like me you want a roofing solution that is cheap, no maintenance and lasts forever. However, most roofs will need some maintenance after 15 years. If the roof shingles were high quality the maintenance may be minimal from the standpoint of resealing a few that came loose during bad weather. A little roofing cement under the edge and you're done. If the roof shingles were cheap, they may need to be replaced completely. It's always smart to invest in the best roof shingles you can afford. Remember, the interior of your home is at peril. A leaking roof can cause thousands or tens-of-thousands of dollars in damage.

Wood Shingles
Called wood shakes or a shake roof these shingles give a look of nature to your home. Each shingle/shake is a different width and thickness and each roof is as individual as DNA. Wood does have an energy benefit in that it stays cooler than the metal or composition shingles and allows the hot air in the attic to escape through the small spaces between the roofing felt and the shakes. Wood shingles do require more maintenance than most other types of roof shingles and present a greater fire hazard. Many brands come with fire retardant sprayed on but this offers limited protection and wears off after a few years. There are shake shingles made of pressure treated wood that carry a class Q fire protection rating and offer a longer life and lower maintenance.

Composition Shingles
Composition shingles are most commonly referred to as asphalt shingles. However, this class of shingle also includes fiberglass shingles. They are affordable and relatively easy to install and can be nailed directly over the existing roof in some situations. Most offer a class A fire protection rating and have a 20 year warranty, at minimum. They are also available in recycled materials, can be walked on and are low maintenance. The new architectural grade offers a little more dimension to the roof than the standard flat shingle.

Tile Shingles
This is one of the oldest types roofing shingles, next to thatch/grass, and is still used today in new homes. Clay tile shingles are a great choice for homes with a southwestern or Spanish mission style, as well as the Tuscany designs. Clay tile shingles are impervious to insects and won't burn or rot. They are heavy and require extra roof support. Walking on them can crack or loosen them, which makes it difficult to get to other things on the roof that may need maintenance such as cleaning fireplace chimneys or installing or adjust reception antennas. The life expectancy of a tile roof is longer than the materials used to support the shingles. There are homes that are several hundreds of years old with the original clay tile shingles still in place.

Metal Shingles
Metal roofs at one time were the most popular of roof coverings. They were made from copper, zinc or lead and were maintenance free. The metal roofing and shingle has made a comeback in the past 10 years and are now principally made from steel or aluminum. They are fireproof, environmentally friendly and energy efficient. Metal roofs have come along way from the tin roofs that adorned nearly every rural and farm house in America from the 20s through the 60s. You can now get metal roofing in a large variety of colors and styles including look-a-likes for clay tile, wood shakes, Victorian metal tiles and composition shingles. Commercial buildings are returning to the use of metal roofs that give a distinctive appearance and offer low to no maintenance.

Slate Shingles
Slate shingles are made from actual slate from nature. They offer the same benefits and draw backups as clay tile roofs. The slate roof is usually seen on high-end homes. The style and colors are limited to those found in nature. Additional roof support is required because of the weight of the stone.

Concrete Shingles
You usually think of concrete tile as being used for water and sewage drain systems and not as a roof shingle. However, recent innovations in concrete technology have produced an excellent roof covering. Concrete mixed with fiber materials to produce lighter weight shingles that come in styles that look like wood shakes, clay tile, slate or composition shingles. They have either a plastic, thin metal or enamel covering to preserve the concrete and offer a variety of colors. They are fireproof and offer a long life with little or no maintenance. And, because the concrete is mixed with a fiber material they are much lighter than actual clay tile or slate shingles.

Repairing or replacing roof shingles can be a dangerous job and in the case of the newer roof shingle materials, special tools and techniques are required. It is a job best left to the professional roofing contractors.