New Paltz NY Home Inspector: Silver Maple Inspections LLC
Silver Maple Home Inspections LLC regularly inspects homes in the New Paltz NY area which have older, brittle shingles which can cause cracking and a loss of integrity of the shingle. This is largely due to the climate of the New Patlz, Ulster County region. It is not uncommon to see 30 year rated asphalt shingles that need replacing after 25 years. The heavy snows and freeze/thaw cycles of winter, combined with the typical driving wind from the west, contribute to this early deterioration.
Check out our article by Andy Lewis, owner Silver Maple Inspections regarding roofing products to help you make the best decision for your New Paltz home.
A roofing inspection is one of the more important aspects of a home inspection for your New Paltz home. The roof is your first line of defense against weather and water intrusion. There are many different styles and designs of roofing. While it may not be possible to determine the exact age of a roof, or how long it may potentially last, below are some general guidelines for some of the most common roofing types in our area.
*Note: Roof Life Expectancy for New Paltz Area Homes: All life expectancy values listed below are dependent on environment, maintenance and manufacturer. We base these values on our years of experience in the field, and information provided from manufacturer’s specifications. The New Paltz NY area weather patterns can be viewed here. These values are not meant to be used for any legal or warranty purposes and are for informational purposes only.*
Composite Asphalt Shingle Roofing
Architectural Shingles
Architectural shingles are generally thicker, have a texture to them and provide better coverage and life expectancy.
Lifespan: Architectural Shingle - 15-30 years
3 Tab Shingles
Three tab shingles are more affordable, are equally as easy to install but have shorter life span
Lifespan: Three Tab Shingle - 15-20 years
Roll Roofing
Roll roofing is typically used when there is a low slope, or pitch, to the roof. Traditional shingles are not rated to shed water on such a low pitch. Roll roofing will have little or no seams, therefore there are less possible areas for water to penetrate. This pitch is usually 3:12 or less (3 inches vertical for each 12 inches horizontal). Roll roofing comes in a variety of materials. Asphalt roll roofing, EPDM rubber (ethylene propylene diene monomer), and modified bitumen (torch down) roofing are most common. Each of these materials have their advantages.
Asphalt roll roofing
Asphalt roll roofing may be the least expensive and easiest to install. It is similar to asphalt shingle roofing material, however it comes in large strips which are installed overlapping one another. This typically comes with an adhesive pre-applied to the roll.
Lifespan: Asphalt Roll Roofing - 5-10 years
EPDM roofing
EPDM roofing can come in strips which overlap, or in large sheets which can cover a large area at a time. This roofing is applied using a contact glue and often uses a special substrate under the rubber.
Lifespan: EPDM Roofing- 40-50 years
Torch down roofing
Torch down roofing consists of a non-woven polyester mat and a membrane embedded in a thick asphalt layer. Torch down is installed as the name suggests, using torches. As the material is rolled out, open flames are applied, melting the overlapped sheets together to form a waterproof layer.
Lifespan: Torch Down - 15-20 years
Wood Shingles and Shakes
Wood shingles and shakes are a very attractive option and have been used for centuries. A thin wedge of wood, typically cedar or yellow pine, is nailed to the roof deck in a pattern which creates an overlap of the wood, allowing water to shed from the roof. These are more time consuming and difficult to install than standard shingles, and can require some upkeep for longevity. This involves replacement of cracked or split shingles/shakes and keeping the wood clean from moss growth.
Lifespan: Wood Shingles- 25-30 years
Lifespan: Wood Shakes- 35-40 years
Both products can increase their lifespan up to 50 years with proper maintenance.
Shakes differ from shingles in that they are thicker, last longer, and are better at reflecting UV rays. Shakes also cost more per square foot. There is an aesthetic difference as well, with shakes sometimes having a rougher, rustic look while shingles have a clean flat profile.
Metal Roofing
There are several types of metals which can be used for roofing. Aluminum, copper, tin, zinc and steel. These all have differing benefits depending on budget, aesthetic, longevity and ease of installation. Metals come in different gauges, or thickness, depending on their intended use. There are also several different ways to fasten metal roofing to a building.
Exposed Fastener Corrugated
Hidden Fastener Standing Seam
Exposed fastener metal roof is usually the most affordable and is typically a corrugated
material, fastened to the roof deck using screws with a rubber washer to prevent water
penetration.
Other metal roofing types use hidden fastener systems. This can include a hidden nail fin with pre-punched slots, others can use a separate clip which is attached to the roof deck. These are considered standing seam roofing systems.
Not typically found in residential applications, mechanically seamed roof panels are also used. All of the above systems offer excellent weather protection and can be used on a variety of roof designs and pitches. They are also low maintenance and fire resistant.
Lifespan: Metal Roofing - 40-60 years
Clay or Cement Tile
Clay Tile
Known for their durability, clay tile roofing is most commonly found in the Southwestern United States. However, they provide excellent protection anywhere in the county. These tiles can be made of terracotta, ceramic or cement. Similar to other shingle applications, these are installed individually, overlapping to provide coverage. These roof systems should be monitored for cracking, and broken tiles should be replaced when necessary. These tiles can also be treated with a clear alkyd to increase their longevity.
Lifespan: Clay Tile - Up to 100 years
Slate Tile
Slate tile roofing can be found on older structures throughout the Hudson Valley. The first recorded slate tile roof is reported to be found in North Wales, England and dates back to 1300 AD. The slate from New York and Vermont produced a variety of colors not found in any other part of the world. It’s popularity declined with the rise of the less expensive asphalt shingle roofing. Again, installed in a similar fashion to other shingles, the tiles overlap to shed water. These tiles require upkeep and monitoring to assure the flashings have not failed and the tiles have not cracked. It is possible to provide this maintenance, but total replacement of a slate roof is typically cost prohibitive.
Lifespan: Slate Tile - 100 plus years
Solar Roofing
Solar power shingles, also known as building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) or photovoltaic shingles, have the appearance of a conventional roof system but are made up of individual solar panels. These have gained popularity in recent years as the technology has become more viable. Many of the shingles on the market are composed of thin-film solar cells (TFCS) made from copper indium gallium selenide. This has a high energy conversion rate of 12%. At a 20% conversion rate, a monocrystalline silicon (mono-Si) is available, but is a more expensive option. These are typically installed by a qualified roofing contractor with a specific set of skills, oftentimes contracted directly through the shingle manufacturer. They offer a very sleek look, while providing the benefits of producing a sustainable energy source.
Lifespan: Solar Roofing - 20-30 years peak energy output
Of course there are always alternatives not discussed here!
