How to Choose the Best Roofing Materials for Your Home

Tile and asphalt roofs along the foothills with a view of Mount Wilson

Homes throughout the San Gabriel Valley have a vast variety of roofs and roofing materials. How do you as a homeowner choose the one that’s best for your home?

Let’s consider:

the age and style of your home
the location
your roof’s condition
your budget
your goals as a homeowner

Let’s look at roofs

Each city in our area has vastly different styles of roofs and they reveal the history of the region. Here’s a quick glance in no particular order:

Altadena and Pasadena

A neighborhood in Altadena, Janes Village, has steep roofs that rival anything you’d see in the northeast. These are older homes from the 1920s that are typically less than 1,800 square feet.

Asphalt shingles would work quite well and so would slate or lightweight tile. Homes with steep roofs are less likely to have problems leaking than lower slope roofs.

Pasadena is known for bungalow homes that are similar in design as the Gamble House. But the city has plenty of mid-century modern homes with low slope roofs.

A word on older structures—they’re more likely to “breathe” and lightweight tile may actually be easier on the structure than lifetime asphalt shingles.

Drive north on Lake Avenue above Altadena Drive and turn in the neighborhoods along Rubio Canyon. Or go farther north to Loma Alta and turn onto the side streets and you’ll see homes that were built in the 1950s and ‘60s.

Some of these need materials that are only suited for lower slope roofs.

Arcadia and Monrovia

Photo by Don Simkovich

Here are two more cities with homes that differ in roofing materials and needs based on their location.

Along the foothills where fire danger is highest, tile may be necessary depending on building codes. Asphalt shingles are rated high for fire resistance and safe to use.

Alhambra

Many neighborhoods have a Spanish or southwestern style home with tile edging on a parapet roof. It’s not the only city that has them but drive south on Atlantic Boulevard below Main Street and this style of home is easy to find.

The low slope has external drains that must be properly sealed to prevent leaking.

Protecting against fire

Homes in high fire areas should, of course, clear away dry tree branches and brush. The real danger from fires doesn’t come from embers falling on the roofs, but being pulled into the openings that provide ventilation.

This is an area of concern that Thomas Garvey is equipped to address because one of the licenses that the company holds is in fire proofing.

A word on weather

Our heavy rains usually drop from mid-January through February, so you might think your roof doesn’t have much work to do.

Sealing around the chimney is an easy way to stop common leaks

The summer sun from July through September is hard on roofs. The UV rays will degrade the granules on older asphalt shingles and underlayment that’s highly reflective will reduce temperatures on the roof service and in the attic.

That’s why Garvey Roofing repairs and installs roofs for all seasons.

The seasons do impact the life and health of your roof, even in an area where the weather is as pleasant as the San Gabriel Valley.

Your budget, goals and current roof condition

Think of this like a grid:

Condition of the roof
How long you plan to own

Let’s say you have a leak, but your home is in overall good condition and you plan to sell in the next few years. Then let’s look at the location of the leak. Simply repairing with flashing or repairing a seam may be all you need.

Then when it’s time to sell, you disclose the approximate age of the roof and the repairs that were made.

However, if you’re planning to sell your home in a few years or even a year, and you have a leak going into the ceiling of your home then it’s important to gauge the health of the decking.

A new installation may be necessary.

If you’re planning to live in your home for at least several years, you may want a new roof to have a newer look for your home.

Thomas Garvey has made custom designs for homeowners.

An industry-leading guarantee

Thomas Garvey has been in roofing for over 30 years and he offers customers a unique guarantee:

Labor and materials are guaranteed on all jobs.

Plus, all estimates are free.

Read more about Thomas’ personal story on his About page.

Contact Garvey Roofing for a free estimate.