Roofing materials cut energy usage

Q. My roof is about 20 years old and has sprung a few leaks. My budget is limited, but I want to install a long-lasting and attractive roof. What is the best type of roof to install? — W.T.

A. If you have noticed a few leaks, there probably are many more that you haven’t found yet. Don’t wait too long until the water does structural damage. Also some new roofs can help keep your house cooler in the summer.

There are many attractive types of roofing materials — asphalt, laminated and wood shingles, slate, clay, concrete, fiber cement, etc. Many of these come with a 40-year warranty, but actually will last much longer.

The climate, design of your house and your budget determine the best roof choice. A shallow-sloped roof limits the acceptable choices. If you must walk on the roof to clean skylights or gutters, tile is not a good choice.

Installing contoured shingles, shakes, tiles, or slate forms small air gaps above the roof sheathing. In the summer, this produces natural air flow under the roofing to reduce the roof temperature in the hot sun. Couple this with a new attic ridge vent and your air-conditioning costs are reduced.

New laminated asphalt shingles, usually with a fiberglass base, are durable (up to 40-year warranty) and are attractive. They are made by laminated two shingle layers together and are available in several styles.

The edges of laminated shingles are covered with special darker mineral granules. When installed on the roof, this accentuates the shadow lines and creates the illusion of extra depth like shakes or expensive slate.

Fiber cement tiles also offer the elegant look of slate at a lower price and weight. They can also be molded to look like wood shakes and barrel-shaped tiles and have an expected life of up to 50 years. With the cellulose fibers embedded in cement, they resist fire, insects and fungus.

Wood shingles and shakes (shakes are thicker, rougher and irregularly shaped) are very attractive and can last up to 30 years. Some lower cost pine shakes are chemically pressure treated to resist fire and decay. One company uses a steam process to bend cedar shakes into unique profiles.

Write for Update Bulletin No. 745 — a selector guide of 30 roofing material and attic vent manufacturers, styles, weights, prices and ridge vent installation instructions. Please include $2 and a business-size SASE. Send to James Dulley, 6906 Royalgreen Drive, Cincinnati, Ohio 45244. To rush delivery or read 150 previous columns – www.dulley.com.

Q. I installed an unvented gas fireplace last winter to help heat my living room. I have noticed that the humidity level in my house has increased since then. Is there moisture that comes in with the gas? — D.S.

A. You should expect more indoor humidity for two reasons. First, the chemical products of complete combustion of natural gas are primarily carbon dioxide and water vapor. The gas itself does not contain water.

Second, when using your gas fireplace, your old furnace does not run as much. Most old furnaces draw combustion air from inside the house. Since it runs less, less cold dry air is sucked into your house through cracks.