Compare the most popular roofing materials and find your best buy – whether you're in Victoria, Nanaimo, the Comox Valley or beyond!
So you've decided it's time to replace your old roof.
Now comes the fun part – comparing the various roofing materials and deciding which type of roof to install.
With so many roofing materials available, which type of roof is best for Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands? Let's look at some of the most popular roofing materials you'll come across:
When thinking of replacing your roof, one of the first things you should do is look to see if the roofing company is a member of The Better Business Bureau on Vancouver Island. Member companies apply to become a BBB Accredited Business and make a commitment to resolve customer complaints in good faith.
Look for roofing companies with a consistent long term “accredited” membership that coincides with the years they’ve been in business. If these don’t coincide then you should be asking yourself...WHY? Also, an A+ rating signifies the quality of the company and any complaints filed. Visit the BBB website to learn more.
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In almost every case, a permanent metal roof is going to be your best bet. (Compare roofing materials)
Permanent metal roofs, the most common type of which is known as Ironwood shake, require no maintenance, add value and curb appeal to your home and cost far less than other high-end, permanent roofs (like slate).
But perhaps the most compelling reason to choose a permanent metal roof is that you'll never have to replace your roof again.
Buyer Beware! CBC’s marketplace exposes unethical warranties on asphalt shingles.
Weather-resistant – An Ironwood shake roof will resist the worst of a Vancouver Island winter, including torrential rains, pounding hail and winds higher than 175 km/hr!
Moss - and decay-resistant – An Ironwood shake roof is naturally resistant to moss, which mars countless cedar and asphalt shingle roofs on Vancouver Island and actually speeds decay by trapping moisture against the roof. Speaking of which, Ironwood shake won't rust or decay under any circumstances.
Fire-resistant – Ironwood shake, like all permanent metal roofs, is completely fire-resistant and is therefore ideally suited for Vancouver Island's increasingly hot, dry summers. Especially in heavily treed rural areas, this quality cannot be understated.
Earthquake-safe – In an earthquake-prone region like Vancouver Island, topping your home with a heavy roof like concrete or slate can have disastrous consequences. Because ironwood shake is one of the lightest roofing materials available on Vancouver Island, it's also one of the safest in the event of an earthquake.
Affordable – An Ironwood shake roof costs about as much as a high quality cedar roof, yet will last years, even decades, longer without any maintenance. Ironwood shake has substantial advantages over similarly priced roofing materials like concrete tile and even over much more expensive aluminum and slate roofs.
On Vancouver Island, the exclusive distributor of permanent metal roofing is Ironwood Shake and Tile, which has crews stationed in Victoria, Nanaimo and the Comox Valley and serves the entire Island and the Gulf Islands.
Luckily, this company has a great reputation and an ‘A' rating with the Better Business Bureau of Vancouver Island.
(Click here to see the BBB's report on Ironwood shake & Tile, Ltd.)