Types of roofing you can choose from: COMPOSITION SHINGLES Composition is far and away the most popular and widely used home roofing material. It typically comes in 20-, 30-, and 40-year “lives.” (There is also an unlimited-life variety.) 20-year shingles are used on most starter homes and have no texture. 30-year shingles have a dimensional or architectural look with good curb appeal. 40-year shingles and higher are considered specialty shingles and are recommended as an upgrade to consider. CONCRETE TILE This type is considered a "lifetime" roof and is typically used on upper-end homes. Weight is an issue, so a home must be engineered, or otherwise evaluated, to handle 1,000 pounds per square of roofing space. Most concrete-tile orders take two months to be fulfilled; only small amounts of tile are normally in stock. CLAY TILE Clay is considered an upgrade over concrete tile. Special underpayment is required. Clay can be offered in one-piece and two-piece styles. Two-piece tiles require perpendicular batten boards and additional labor. Two-piece clay is a minimum of $150/square more than one-piece clay. METAL ROOFING There are two styles of metal roofing to choose from. Screw down (using exposed fasteners) is used on most standard homes. The screws have a tendency to "back out" after seven to ten years, requiring normal maintenance. Standing seam (using concealed fasteners) is considered an upgrade and is the more costly of the two. SLATE ROOFING Slate is a very expensive and heavy material. In order to install slate roofing, a house must be engineered to support over 1,000 pounds per square. There is normally a two-month lead time for the product and typically a lengthy installation period. SYNTHETIC SLATE Not as pricey as real slate but also not as heavy. No special bracing is required as most homes can handle the weight. Allow at least six weeks for material and extended time for installation. WOOD SHINGLES Two styles of wood shingles are available. Wood shingles are the smaller of the styles (18") and installed over open lathe at a 5" exposure. Wood shakes are 24" installed using #30 felt at a 10" exposure. Most city codes require that any installed wood shingles be fire treated. Wood shingles are costly and require at least a four-week lead time. (MODIFIED) FLAT ROOFING Modified roofing is made by all shingle manufacturers. It can be installed by the "torch apply" method or it can be "hot mopped." Some modified roofing is "self-adhering" so no heat source is required. Modified roofing is used on most commercial applications as well as patio roofs and in the waterproofing of walk on decks. Single-ply roofing also is available in Duralast, which does not require a flame for installation and carries a 15-year warranty.