How then, do we move backwards? How does a society, with most of the people having no clue of future events, move from being dependent on a vast and intertwined network of goods and services produced by the indigenous people of whereever, to a local resource and renewable energy based society, and do so in the timeframe available (20-30 years using the most liberal extimates, 10-20 with resonable estimates, 5-10 with worst case scenarios), all the while prices on everything increasing, world politics getting more militaristic, governments continuously reducing civil liberties, shortages of goods on the market and weather patterns resembling bad Hollywood movies?
I've come to the point where I need to decide on a roofing material and I'm kind of at an impasse. The way I see it, I've basically got three choices. Normal 30 year shingles, a seamed metal roof using cool roof tech, and then a green roof.
The shingles are the cheapest, but have the most solar gain, and will wear out the quickest.
The metal roof should last forever, but is fairly expensive. It can incorporate cool roofing technologies fairly readily and you can also do things like rain catchment off of it without much trouble if its coated correctly.
The green roof is probably the best in terms of solar gain, and insulation. Its in the middle expense wise, it should last indefinitely, but would require maintenence that the other two roofs wouldnt.
So, given these three choices (or possibly others I haven't considered?) I'd like to ask the community which you think I should go with, and why. I appreciate your insights as I work towards building my little slice of low energy realestate. Thank you.
Joined: May 14, 2005 Posts: 2125 Location: Along the banks of the muddy Mississippi
Posted: Tue Jul 25, 2006 7:55 am Post subject: Re: [Shelter] Roofing materials
I vote metal, because my wife tells me that's what we'll be using when we replace our current roof.
But seriously, I think there is a lot to be said for rain catchment. Water is going to be an issue in the near future (already is in many places); being able to collect it off your roof will be a real plus.
Also no maintenance is a benefit that should not be trivialized.
Nice looking location, by the way. _________________ “Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves.” (Ted Perry)
Posted: Tue Jul 25, 2006 8:07 am Post subject: Re: [Shelter] Roofing materials
There is also the option of clay tiles or slate which last indefinately and have good water catchment characteristics.
From what I have seen on the internet,the clay tile manufacturers in the US have a really wide range of products and its certainly worth looking into.
there is a weight issue to these roofs that must be taken into consideration when framing them.
Not only must they be braced but the rafters must be strapped at the peak because the force of the weight of the shingles tends to push forward toward the eves of the house also.
Ive got exposed ceilings in my house so you see the roof pitch from inside.What I noticed last winter was that even though the ceilings are high,and heat rises,when it reaches the peak,it is forced down along the pitch so in a sense the rising heat recirculates.
Plus the ceilng looks like a million bucks even though I am just a humble carpenter. _________________ ΜΟΛΩΝ-ΛΑΒΕ
Joined: Apr 03, 2004 Posts: 6368 Location: My Grandkids' Farm
Posted: Tue Jul 25, 2006 8:09 am Post subject: Re: [Shelter] Roofing materials
I think metal is the way to go too, as long as you check out your installer well. We would have gone that way had we had the $, as it was we went with laminated 30yr comp. Should last 15…
What type metal are you thinking of? _________________ Make a plan and work it:
Posted: Tue Jul 25, 2006 8:19 am Post subject: Re: [Shelter] Roofing materials
Well, if I do go with a metal roof, I would definitely try to incorporate a 'Cool Roof' coating, i think they are called AVP coatings. You can apply them to any kind of metal. I was thinking of going with a 1' metal seam room in a color that would work at least decently well energy wise.
I think most metal roofs are either steel w/ zinc galvanizing, or aluminum. I'd probably go with whichever I could afford.
Joined: Apr 17, 2005 Posts: 2662 Location: Vancouver Island
Posted: Tue Jul 25, 2006 8:46 am Post subject: Re: [Shelter] Roofing materials
I like the metal that I put down on my shop, When/if I need to do the house roof it will be metal as well _________________ shame on us, doomed from the start
god have mercy on our dirty little hearts
Posted: Tue Jul 25, 2006 9:00 am Post subject: Re: [Shelter] Roofing materials
Unaclad looks like it has a decent metal roofing system that handles all the cool roofing techs. I'm going to pass them on to my contractor and see how much its gonna run me. Now I have to convince my wife to get a decently efficient color
Posted: Tue Jul 25, 2006 9:01 am Post subject: Re: [Shelter] Roofing materials
Metal all the way. I am currently replacing my roof with metal. Great stuff and easy to install. Best for water harvesting too although that may not be an issue in your area...
-G _________________ All right, you primitive screw-heads, listen up!
Posted: Tue Jul 25, 2006 9:53 am Post subject: Re: [Shelter] Roofing materials
Looks like she likes the Colonial Red. Not too bad. .32 reflectivity, .89 emmissivity. At least its in the top half of the colors. I knew I couldnt sell her on the arctic white
I just had two houses re-roofed. I talked to a number of reputable contractors who worked with both asphalt and metal. Every one of them recommended the asphalt over the metal. Part of this had to do with climate - these houses are about a quarter of a mile from the ocean. Apparently, even the very small amount of salt in the air is rough on metal roofs.
Regardless of ocean proximity, they all told me that in a wet climate (PNW) I should expect a 50 year asphalt shingle to last about 30 years and a metal roof to last 35 to perhaps 40 years. Even if I got 10 more years out of a metal roof, it would not justify the difference in cost.
I thought I would be going with metal, but I ended up going with asphalt. _________________ With a farewell scream of escaping steam, the boiler bows to the Diesel;
The Iron Horse has run its course and we ride a chromium weasel
-Ogden Nash
Joined: Aug 19, 2004 Posts: 1653 Location: Republic of Texas
Posted: Thu Jul 27, 2006 8:51 am Post subject: Re: [Shelter] Roofing materials
Laughs_Last wrote:
Your house plans show a roof that is too steep for an earth roof.
I noted the same thing. Plus, will you be able to climb up and maintain that Green roof when you are 60 years old?
A sod roof might be neat in urban areas, but I just don't see how the short lifespan (15 years) and high maintenance requirements could be justified in a rural setting when abundant growing space is readily available on the ground.
Cool house plans though Brian.
Also consider Concrete Tile. It's lighter than slate or clay, but provides the same benefits of long lifespan, low maintenance, good fire protection, and resistence to rot and insects.
I'm a firm beliver in spending the extra money to build it right the first time using materials that will provide service to your grandchildren, and don't require replacement every 15 years. _________________ Conform . Consume . Obey .
I don't know about 15 years. Have you read the stuff Rob Roy has written on earth roofs? His earthwood project as far as I know has been standing for almost 30 years. The way he tells it, it will probably last 60 more. I'd check into an earth roof if I where you. _________________ Azreal60
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