Originally posted on https://www.mysignatureroofing.com/roofing-treasure-valley-best-custom-roofs/

 

Treasure Valley has grown quite a lot since 1900. Back then there were only 161,722 residents. By 2018 that number had grown to 1.75 million people.

While not all of the residents of Treasure Valley own homes, many of them do. And prices are rising.

In March of 2018, the median price for both a new or used Ada County home was around $300,00. In Canyon County, it was around $200,000.

The increase is due to demand. People are looking for new homes to be built according to their specifications.

Including custom roofs. If you’re looking to build the home of your dreams, keep reading.

We’re sharing with you everything you need to know about the best roofing options for your custom home.

 

WHAT TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING ROOF MATERIALS

There are a few things you should think about before you look into roofing options. They are:

• Slope/pitch
• Color
• Climate
• Longevity
• Energy efficiency

Knowing exactly what you need and want will help you find the best roofing materials for your home.

 

SLOPE OR PITCH

In Boise Idaho, the month with the heaviest amount of snowfall is December with seven inches. It’s also the snowiest month with an average of six days in December receiving snowfall.

There’s even less of a chance of heavy snowfall in Eagle Idaho where the total accumulation per snowfall is usually around 0.4 inches. This means there’s not much of a need for a high slope or high pitched roof which would allow the roof to shed the snow quicker.

 

ATTRACTIVE DESIGN WITH OPTIONS

However, a sloped roof is not your only option. Here is a complete list of roof types to choose from:

• Catslide
• Clerestory
• Combination
• Bonnet roof
• Butterfly roof
• Dormer
• Flat
• Gable
• Gablet (Dutch gable)
• Gambrel
• Hexagonal (Tented)
• Hipped
• Jerkinhead
• Lean-to
• M-shaped (Multi-gable, ridged)
• Mansard
• Rainbow roof
• Saltbox
• Saw-tooth
• Shed roof (Skillion)

Keep in mind that you need to choose the right type of material to go with the style of roof you’d like. Otherwise, if you choose the wrong type of material you could cause unwanted damage to your roof and home during times of bad weather.

 

COLOR

Choosing the right color isn’t just about aesthetics. The right shading can also help keep your home cooler during the summer months.

And since the median temperature in Boise Idaho is 91.2° Fahrenheit and in Eagle Idaho, there are 15 hours and 27 minutes of daylight on June 22nd each year, color is an important element to consider.

 

WHAT TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING THE COLOR AND SHADE OF YOUR ROOF

Do not match the exterior paint of your home. Instead, find a shade that complements it.

Black or gray roofs with a white exterior are perfect combinations if you want a classic, traditional look. Before you make your final decision, bring home some samples and place them next to the exterior of your home.

Things never look the same as they do in a brochure.

 

KEEP FUTURE BUYERS AND THE WEATHER IN MIND

And while you may plan on staying in your home for a while, eventually you will have to sell it. Keep potential buyers in mind and select a roof color that appeals to a range of preferences.

Your location and how much sun exposure you have will also play an important role when selecting your roof’s color. Darker roofs attract more heat while lighter colors reflect heat.

 

CLIMATE

The best roofing material will be one that is compatible with the weather in Treasure Valley. Whether you’re in Boise or Eagle Idaho, we feel the best roofing materials to choose from are:

• Asphalt
• Metal
• Tile
• Membrane
• Cool roofing

You can also choose wood shingles or shakes. Though they’re not considered to be as compatible with the climate in Idaho.

 

LONGEVITY

Each type of roofing comes with its own lifespan. While some may be more expensive up front, you should also consider how long each type of roofing material is expected to last.

You may want to invest in a higher quality roofing material that will last you 25 years or longer rather than a material that requires you to make frequent repairs or even have your roof replaced within a few years.

 

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

As any native of Idaho can tell you, winters are cold and summers are hot. That means a rise in your energy bills when the weather gets extreme.

Choosing the right roof material can help you save money on energy. Materials like metal reflect heat away while clay and concrete absorb the heat.

 

PROPER INSTALLATION INCREASES ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Make sure your roof installers understand proper roof design and installation as these two factors can also increase energy efficiency. Make sure you have roof ventilation that is not blocked and is ample.

Have them install a layer of insulation that allows the transfer of heat both in and out of your home. An energy-efficient home should have a one-inch layer of insulation and roof sheathing.

 

ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY ROOFING OPTIONS

If you’re looking for a very environmentally-friendly roof, there is also cool roofing. This type of roofing helps reduce C02 emissions while cutting cooling and heating costs.

Cool roofs can be:

• Roofs painted with a white reflective coating
• Solar roofs
• Green roofs

Green roofs use live plants to absorb and use the sun’s heat as a way to cut costs while helping the environment.

 

THE BEST MATERIALS TO BUILD CUSTOM ROOFS WITH

Since roofing is one of the most expensive parts of your home, you want to make sure you invest in a material that offers both quality and affordability.

 

ASPHALT

Thanks to their affordability and durability, asphalt is the most commonly chosen material for roofs in America. But they do come with a few pros and cons you should know before you make your selection such as:

PROS

• Repairs are cost-effective
• No additional support is necessary except standard roof sheathing
• Aesthetically pleasing on most homes
• Available in a wide variety of colors and styles

They’re also easy to install and are quite waterproof.

CONS

• While affordable, it also needs to be replaced more often than other options
• Shingles are more likely to crack during rapid changes in temperature
• No eco-friendly

And if you need to replace the second layer of shingles, you’ll have to have all layers take off.

Typically asphalt shingle roofs have a lifespan of 20 years. However, the quality varies greatly depending on what you invest in.

 

SLATE

Slate roofs are cut from stones that have been mined from quarries. While they are among the most expensive of all roofing options, they’re also the strongest.

PROS

• Increased resale value
• Increased curb appeal
• Eco-friendly
• Requires little maintenance
• Gives your home an upscale look

Slate is a great look for modern homes. They’re also available in a wide variety of colors and styles.

CONS

• Natural slate is a dense material which requires more framing support
• Slate can break when walked on making roof and chimney repairs more difficult
• Rapid moisture issues can occur if improperly installed
• Prone to erosion in areas with fluctuating weather

The lifespan of natural slate is 100 years or longer.

 

METAL

The most commonly used metals are lightweight steel, zinc, and aluminum. They’re extremely lightweight

PROS

• Can easily mimic the look of other materials
• Energy-efficient
• Panels are 100% recyclable
• Low-maintenance
• Can install over existing roofs

They’re great in extreme weather conditions and aren’t flammable.

CONS

• Pricier than asphalt or wood roofing options
• Noisy during rainstorms
• If there’s an emergency, it’s more difficult for a firefighter to administer water to your home
• Installation is complicated

The lifespan of metal roofs is between 50 to 100 years, though the average is 60 years. Warranties are usually for up to 20 years.

WOOD SHINGLES AND SHAKES

Wood shingles are made from thin, wedge-shaped, machine-cut natural wood pieces. Wood shakes are hand-cut and thicker than shingles.

PROS

• Some woods contain natural oils that are resistant to moisture and insects
• Naturally beautiful
• Eco-friendly since they’re made from salvaged trees
• Sturdy materials

They resist both UV rays and weather damage as well.

CONS

• Difficult to install
• Not safe in areas prone to fire hazards
• Repairs are costly

The lifespan of a wood shingle roof is between 25 and 30 years. But with proper maintenance can last even longer.

 

ROOF TILES

Roof tiles have been in use for a long time. There are three types of roof tiles to choose from

1. Clay
2. Concrete
3. Fiber cement

Each of these options has a waterproof coating.

PROS

• Recyclable
• Resists fire and insects
• With light-colored tiles, it decreases heat penetration and cooling requirements

You can also choose a variety of colors, styles, and textures.

CONS

• Since it’s denser than most other materials, you may need more framing support
• Tiles can break if walked on so repairs for chimneys and roofs can get expensive
• Roof tiles are more expensive than asphalt, metal, and wood

The lifespan of roof tiles is around 50 years.

 

CONTACT US SO WE CAN HELP YOU DECIDE

It’s also a smart idea to ask the professionals who design and install residential roofs for help. We can give you advice that works with the style of your home and meets your budget requirements.

We’re here to provide you with service and to help answer any questions you may have. Click here to contact us or call (208) 994-8493.