Designer-Inspired Roofs

While the roof represents nearly 50 percent of the home’s exterior, homeowners rarely pay much attention to it unless there’s a problem — the dreaded leak, blown off shingles or an unfortunate fire. This attitude is slowly starting to shift and this is partly due to the increase in remodeling activity.

“The hot remodeling market is driving reroofs,” says Lee Nelson, Western district sales manager, TAMKO Building Products. “Roofs are a critical part of a home’s exterior appeal due to their size and exposure. They are too big to ignore. A new roof is an opportunity for a whole new look and better protection from the elements at the same time so the case can be made for the investment in a new roof.”

The result of this booming market has been a new and rapidly growing market segment for premium architectural roofing materials.

There was a time when a basic 3-tab shingle was the only option on the market. But with a lot of attention on aesthetic appeal, manufacturers are adding lines specifically targeting those wanting a unique and designer look. Whether the choosen material is tile, a synthetic material or 30-yr. asphalt shingles with a more dimensional, textured effect — the array of color options and increase in weather protection are what homeowners are seeking and what remodelers should be offering.

“There are more different roofing products available now than ever before but in many cases the consumer doesn’t know about them,” says Nelson. “Remodelers can fill a market need by showing the broad range of roofing options that are now available.”

Architecturally Pleasing

Manufacturers are developing new designer-inspired roofing materials, largely in response to customer demand for these premium products. “The traditional 3-tab strip shingles are slowly fading,” says Jay Butch, senior marketing manager for CertainTeed’s Contractor Program. “Now, architectural shingles are taking over and become the standard.”

Accounting for about 80 percent of the residential roof surfacing in the United States, asphalt shingles are being introduced in the luxury market. CertainTeed’s Shangle features a full size, one piece shingle as a base. Individual shingle tabs or overlay pads are applied to this base shingle providing a dimensional look to the roof. Part of its Luxury Collection, the Grand Manor Shangle features two full-size, one-piece base shingles beneath a massive weather tab, 8-in. exposure and virtually five-layer coverage when applied.

While tile roofs have been around for centuries — clay dates back to China in 10,000 B.C. and concrete tile was introduced in the late 19th century — recent innovations have allowed tile manufacturers to develop new styles and colors that maintain tile’s appearance while expanding the architectural range to include contemporary and historic designs, reaching a bigger consumer base.

Concrete tile is available in an array of colors and profile styles that emulate the appearance of clay, slate and cedar shake roofs. Since the 1960s, MonierLifetile has been manufacturing concrete roofing materials that provide a great look with long-lasting qualities.

“MLT tends to focus on aesthetics and durability,” says Cheryl Inbody, marketing communications manager for MonierLifetile. “Our product line does specifically address all types of materials; so you can easily complement your home with a wood, shake, slate or clay look. All types of colors are also available, in both solids and blends. Aesthetically, tile is usually thought of as round and red.”

MLT’s Aesthetic Innovation, a process and philosophy the company has incorporated into each product, combines Old World materials with modern durability. Each region has a product line specific for its needs — both in aesthetics and durability.

Eagle Roofing Products, another manufacturer of concrete roof tile, has also developed region-specific product lines that help coordinate the architectural style for that region and the weather resistance needed in a certain area.