Example of an asphalt shingle roof by local contractor Nace Hagemann.

The most obvious sign that you need to have your roof inspected is when leaks appear in the attic, ceiling or interior walls, but you should also pay attention to a sudden rise in your heating bill and watch for sagging or rotten soffits. If you catch these signs early you may just need a repair, but you will need to replace it eventually, so here are a few things to consider.

Hiring a local building or roofing contractor to help you through the process will ensure that you get the proper ventilation, underlayment and installation promising a long-lasting roof. Asphalt shingles, metal roofing, wood shingles or shakes, clay or cement tiles and stone shakes are the typical choices for roofing material, with asphalt shingles being the most commonly used product in the United States.

COST: Roofing materials and installation are priced out by the square, which is 100 sq. ft or a 10’ x 10’ area. Asphalt shingles are the least expensive, followed by metal roofing, wood shingles or shakes, cement or clay tiles and natural stone increasing in cost. If you are replacing and existing roof, you will also need to consider the cost of removing and disposing of the existing materials and any repairs or reinforcements that may be needed in addition to the basic installation.

Appearance: Asphalt shingles come in dozens of colors and patterns, but are still the most common. Wood shingles or shakes or a standing seam metal roof will give you a more traditional look, corrugated metal roofing will be more contemporary and natural stone or clay tile will add elegance and classic style to your home.

Maintenance: Most roofing materials require little maintenance, with the exception of natural wood. Although pressure treated wood shakes or shingles are available, they are still susceptible to rot, mildew and insects and will need regular upkeep. Once installed, asphalt shingles are very low maintenance and can be walked on without damage for snow removal, but will need to be replaced more often. Metal roofing also offers easy snow removal and, if good quality material is used and properly installed, is nearly maintenance free. Tile and stone are weatherproof but are heavy, and with snow accumulation the added weight is extreme. Stone and tile can also become brittle in cold temperatures and may not be walked on, making snow removal difficult.

Fire Protection: Stone, tile and most asphalt shingles have a stand-alone, Class A fire rating, which means that the products themselves are excellent for fire protection. Metal roofing is typically an ‘assembly rated’ Class A, meaning that there are additional products needed during installation to receive the Class A rating. Wood shingles and shakes are available pressure treated with a retardant or can be sprayed with a fire retardant to increase the resistance, and may be installed over a gypsum barrier to receive a Class A rating. Of course, all of these products vary by manufacturer and should be researched before deciding what is best for your home. The Cook County Firewise website www.boreal.org/fireinfo recommends installing a metal or asphalt roof to protect against wildfires in our area.