Designed for Long Term Performance
With over a century of proper field performance in other parts of the world, tiles provide the longest track record of performance compared to other roofing materials such as asphalt shingles. Our modern engineering design provides a natural water shedding and ventilation feature allowing tiles to be the primary roof covering in warm and cold climates (even reducing ice damming in cold areas). Our higher weight and strength allows tile to meet the anticipated loads of today's design requirements for all of the climatic regions.

Available in a Variety of Colors and Styles
Roof tiles come in many colors, shapes, and sizes. In fact, with modern innovations, concrete and clay roof tile manufacturers can produce tiles to suit any architectural style, from authentic Spanish and Mediterranean to New England Colonial, historic, or contemporary. Roof tiles can be flat or round, simulate wood shakes, or seek to replicate centuries-old roofing materials. The possibilities are virtually limitless.

Long Lasting Protection
To maintain their long-lasting beauty, the weight of tile is important because it provides enduring protection without developing problems like other roofing materials. Most homes built today are strong enough to support the weight of a tile roof. There are also varieties of lightweight tile offered in certain regions of the country that are ideal for new and re-roofing projects. Tile is fast becoming the re-roofing product of choice due not only to its durability but also to its ease of maintenance. Single tiles are much easier to repair than other roofing materials.

Economical
Clay and concrete tile roofs are one of the most cost-effective choices due to their long lifespan-50 to 100 years or more. Both concrete and clay tile outlast other roofing materials, with manufacturers offering warranties from 50 years to the life of the structure. In fact, in Asia and Europe, many structures with clay roof tiles have remained intact, functional and beautiful for centuries.

Require Limited Maintenance
All roofing systems require some maintenance, and certain climates and regions have special issues to address regardless of the type of roofing system. Under normal conditions, tile roofs require minimal maintenance. With tile, maintenance is restricted to gutters, protrusion flashings, and venting. With other roofing systems, maintenance may include coating, painting, cleaning, and/or sealing the majority of the roof surface.

Metal Roofs are Technologically Innovative.
We put our materials and designs to the test every day. We have a proven history of staying on the leading edge of residential metal roofing. Our intricately detailed installations and products are well respected as leading the industry in terms of beauty.

Metal Roofs are Durable and Quite Strong.
During hurricane season here in Texas, you really want to have a roof covering on your home that is able to withstand some very strong winds. Metal Roofing Systems have passed wind and uplift tests that are rigorously demanding, testing roofing materials simulating wind speeds over 150 miles per hour. Metal roofing systems also lead the way in fire protection for your home. Because of your metal roof having that extra strength (and resistance to fire), you may be able to qualify for lower premiums on your homeowner's insurance. Check with your insurance agent for information.

Metal Roofs are Virtually Maintenance-Free.
Most roofs will require some combination of maintenance or repair over their lifetime. Not so with a metal roof. No maintenance means no hassle and no ongoing expense. Of course there are rare exceptions, such as hail, which can dent the metal.

Metal Roofing is Energy-Efficient.
This is a big factor here in Texas, where the sun is relentless much of the year. It is common for temperatures in your attic to go well above 100 degrees. When your home has a metal roof, it will actually reflect a good percentage of that radiant energy coming from the sun. The roof will also have its own built-in venting system. All of this means that your attic doesn't get as hot, so your home's AC system doesn't have to work as hard to keep your living area at a comfortable temperature. That translates to lower electricity costs.

A Metal Roof Adds Value to Your Home.
Most people don't stay in a home for 50 years. If you think you might sell your home and move within the next decade or two, a metal roof will be a big selling point. The new buyer will know that the roof won't need to be replaced for a long time.

Asphalt shingles are the most commonly used type of shingle.
Asphalt shingles are currently the most popular type of residential roof material for a variety of reasons. They are relatively inexpensive, starting at around $0.80 per square foot installed and go up from there. They come in a variety of colors and styles, are fairly durable (some have been tested and have achieved a class IV hail rating - the highest available!), and can be easily repaired and maintained.

Types of Shingles
Asphalt shingles come in two basic types: glass fiber (a.k.a. fiber glass) and organic. Organic shingles consist of an organic felt material which is generally paper saturated with asphalt to make it waterproof. A top coating of adhesive asphalt is then applied and the ceramic granules are then embedded. Organic shingles contain around 40% more asphalt per square (100 sq. ft.) than their glass fiber counterpart which makes them weigh more and gives them excellent durability and blow-off resistance.

Glass fiber shingles have a glass fiber reinforcing mat manufactured to the shape of the shingle. This mat is then coated with asphalt which contains mineral fillers. The glass fiber mat is not waterproof by itself. It's purpose is for reinforcement. What makes the glass fiber shingle waterproof is the asphalt. However, the asphalt itself will not stick to the mat. For this reason, "fillers" are used. The fillers in the asphalt cling to the glass fibers in the mat. The asphalt then encapsulates the glass fibers, fills all of the little holes and voids in the mat rendering it waterproof. After this cools a bit, an adhesive asphalt is used to cover the mat and the ceramic granules are then embedded.

Laminate Shingles
Great improvements to the asphalt shingle have been made, resulting in a more durable product know as Laminated shingles. Laminate shingles are also known as "dimensional" and "architectural" shingles. Laminate shingles are also made of asphalt but differ from the "three tab" shingle in design. They were designed to add character, color and depth to the roof aesthetics. They are made of multiple staggered layers of material, with a range of durability, typically 15 to 50 years.

Laminate shingles are thicker and heavier than "three tab" shingles, thus are more resistant to wind. From a distance, some of the high grade (high quality) laminated shingles have the look of an expensive slate or shake material, by incorporating angled or rounded tabs, shadow lines and variant color patterns.

Positive Slope
Flat roofs should never be dead flat. They should provide a positive slope to the drain locations, or roof edge. Ponding conditions should always be avoided, as excessive water from rainy periods or melting snow situations can put the structure at risk. Ponding conditions also stress the roof system and membranes, which can lead to premature failure, roof leaks, degradation of the membrane, discoloring of the roofing, as well as leading to further sagging of the structure ( especially wood frame buildings).

Low-slope and flat roofs are the most problematic types of roof, today. This is due to little, or no, water run-off capabilities. Ponding water will eventually lead to roof failure, if not properly addressed. It is not the water itself that does the damage, but the algae that grows because of the standing water. The algae will create tension on the surface. This constant tension compromises the roof material and causes it to deteriorate.

A steep-slope roof depends on gravity to drain water or snow in one general direction into a gutter or the edge of the roof, whereas a low-sloped roof or flat roof can't. They must form a watertight, monolithic membrane that stays watertight all the way to the drains or edge.

Solutions
Cheap bids do not allow for slope changes as a rule. Ponding conditions can be cured and flat roofs can have slopes created, but the specification and the bid must provide for this extra but necessary element.

The cures are many, but they include adding a layer of EPS style foam insulation which we call "Sloped Insulation". Besides adding a little energy efficiency, R Value, noise reduction, this EPS sloped insulation can be kitted for each building. A site measurement is taken, and a variety of thicknesses and tapered insulation is code numbered and delivered to the site, ready to be assembled similar to an easy jig saw puzzle. The roof system is then installed over this sloped insulation, and will now have positive slope to the drains or perimeters.

So now that you know that you CAN improve the roof system performance by adding a little positive slope, the current reality is that most roofers and most buyers of the roofing system are simply recovering the existing structure without improvement of slope or drainage. Buyer beware in our rainforest climate. I am not trying to be alarmist, I simply want everyone to know that the manufacturers of roofing membranes that are meant for flat roofs all expect positive slope to drains or perimeters for their roofing materials to be able to perform as expected. Plus their warranties usually require such slope or drainage, or they are voided.

EPDM has been in use on roofs in the US since the 1960's and is one of the most common types of flat/low-slope roofing materials. This is because it is relatively inexpensive, simple to install, and fairly clean to work with when compared to conventional Built-up roof systems.

The odors and fumes that accompany built-up roofs are not present with single ply systems; this is very appealing to many owners of buildings.

There are three standard application procedures of EPDM:
1. Fully-adhered
2. Mechanically-fastened
3. Loose-laid

Fully-adhered EPDM uses water or solvent-based adhesives to adhere the rubber to the substrate.

Mechanically-fastened EPDM is attached by manufacturer-approved mechanical means to the substrate, and loose-laid.

Quality
All single ply systems are strong and flexible, and have a general life span of approximately 25-30 years. Single ply roofs are resistant to UV radiation, weathering, and chemical oxidation. They require no additional surface protection, and when painted in certain colors, can allow for both heating and cooling effects, making them very cost effective. Also, singly ply systems are made of recyclable, pure grade materials, which keep your house green.

All low slope single ply roofs should be inspected about twice a year, and after any extreme weathering such as storm. The maintenance work that may be required can include tightening of fasteners, attention to flashings, tightening of any penetrations, unblocking of drains, and removal of any debris. Because of the unique way singly ply roofing is installed, it is strongly advised that you hire a professional roofer to maintain a single ply roof.

TPO Membrane
TPO membranes are single-ply roof membranes constructed form ethylene propylene rubber. They are designed to combine the durability of rubber with the proven performance of hot-air wieldable seams. They have been tested as having excellent resistance to ozone, are algae-resistance, environmentally friendly and safe to install.

The material's manufacturers are so confident in properly welded seams that the material is sometimes advertised as a monolithic (seamless) roof. Seam strengths are reportedly 3 to 4 times those of EPDM's adhesive and tape seams. TPO is highly resistant to tears, impacts, and punctures with good flexibility to allow for building movement.

TPO's are most common in white; however, many more colors are available, with thicknesses of either 45 mils (.045"), 60 mils (.060"), or 80 mils (.080"). The width of the membrane depends on the manufacturer but they usually come in widths of six to six-and-a-half feet and are one hundred feet in length. TPO is the most common single-ply system used here in Texas.

PVC Membrane
PVC membrane is a roof membrane composed on only one layer of material, polyvinyl chloride. PVC roof systems are specially designed to withstand ponding water - PVC membrane is welded together with hot-air (no open flame) to eliminate all seams so moisture cannot pass through, just like TPO systems.

PVC roofing systems also reflect nearly 90% of the heat of the sun, thus lowering energy costs substantially, especially in high-heat areas such as the southwestern United States. PVC's are available in 50 mils, 60 mils, and 80 mils, and in sheet width up to 78".