Ok you need a new roof. Why? Its ugly, it is leaking , your building a new home or remodeling the one you have. There are many reason to install a new roof and lots of things to consider when you chose the product and installer that is right for you . Lets talk for a few minuets about types of roofs.
The types vary from Slate to metal to asphalt shingles and far beyond into green roofs and thatch. We are going to concentrate on residential roof here in the northeast of Vermont. Lets take each option and we can discuss some of the pros and cons . For simplicity’s sake we will start with the most expensive and proceed to the least expensive.
Slate
Slate can easily be the most expensive roof you could buy. However, if you can
afford the initial investment it can be just that, an investment. While it is true that it has the highest requirements for maintenance over the coming century it will not likely need replacement for at least 100 years. The life span varies with type, color and thickness of the roof and because of these, and questions of how complicated your roof line is, I can never say a slate roof costs “this much” however you can safely say its initial investment is higher than any other sloped roof. The Beauty and longevity though, make this an outstanding choice. Additionally it can add value to your home and is fire proof.
Metal roofing.
This we will split into two categories . Standing seam and Corrugated both types here are painted metal and can last for a long time.The chief differences are in how they are applied and the expected lifespan.
Standing seam:
Standing seam is a very high quality roof, that as pictured above, is custom formed on site at your home via a pan former. Short of using exotic materials like copper and zinc it is the second most expensive roof applied in our area. A well applied standing seam roof can last well over 50 years and be beautiful the entire time. A few things to look at when getting an estimate: How often are the clips that secure the seams installed ? I have seen roofers install one or 2 clips over 10 feet. Clips should be at minimum no more than 16 inches apart. and every seam should be double locked. Some guys will have all kinds of reasons why you only need to single lock a standing seam roof. I’ve heard guys say its unnecessary. The only totally failed (blown off) standing seam roofs I have ever seen were single locked. here are some objections I have heard to proper double-locking a standing seam roof:
Its not necessary: Do you consider homeowners insurance necessary? Or automobile insurance? The second stage lock is your insurance that the lock cannot come apart.
It makes the roof ripple(oil can). A roof oil cans for many reasons, improper prep work, a roof line that is not flat, tooling that is out of adjustment, Double-locking does not cause oil canning.
It makes the clips show. Nope, over squeezing the lock does that.
The only real reason I know of to not double-lock is: Its not easy to do by hand. And a power seamer costs $4000 dollars. We own two, a left and a right hand seamer. The roofer that cant afford the right equipment is likely an under-experienced roofer. Please don’t hire him, you will be upset when your roof is scratched rippled leaks or blows off.
Corrugated or painted steel roof
This type of roof is easily the most cost effective roof you can install. It costs 
slightly more than asphalt and can last for decades. the disadvantage of this roof is that the screws that hold it on have a rubber gasket that will fail eventually. Other than that for a roof that is cost effective and last for a long time this is the choice.
Wood shingles:
I am not going to spend much time here. Cedar shingles or shakes need to breath. A qualified installer can explain why. If he cant find a new installer.
Asphalt shingles:
Cheep, quick and looks good for a time. The sad fact is shingles seam to be of lower quality each and every year. Now, in northern Vermont you are doing well to have them last more than 15 years. Meaning that you may as well start saving for your next roof as soon as the first is finished. However that does not mean that you cant install them so as to gain the most life expectancy. Proper underlayment and nailing is vital. Once again the largest failure I see is roofers that fail to follow the manufactures instructions. If you have this type of roof installed read the directions , and ask your installer if he did