Victoria isn't Saskatchewan. In the arid, sun-filled Saskatchewan climate, buildings exist with cedar shingle roofs in good, original condition that are five or six decades old! But in the Victoria climate, most of us face the prospect of investing in a new roof much sooner than that. The winter rains, the temperate climate and the tree-lined streets all conspire to produce living organisms which attach themselves to our roofs, and have us writing a cheque for a new roofing job.

What type of roofing material you should choose depends on a range of factors. They include: 1) whether you plan to do the job yourself; 2) how much you are willing or able to pay; 3) local climactic considerations; 4) the 'look' you want for your house; 5) the projected life of the roof; and 6) maintenance needs of each roof type.

If you plan to take a 'do it yourself' approach, a couple of roofing types can be eliminated from the outset, as they require special skills and equipment to install them properly. In particular, clay tiles and slate shingles are usually beyond the capabilities of most home handypersons. Additionally, some metal shingle manufacturers require installation by certified crews.

If you will be contracting the job to roofing professionals, then clay tiles and slate shingles are excellent choices in terms of expected lifetime of the roof, pleasing aesthetics, low maintenance, and resistance to most of what mother nature brings to bear, including rot, insects, algae and wind. In other words, they are suitable for use in most climates, including Victoria. Depending on the pitch of the roof, slate should shed snow well, but as slate is very heavy, additional heavy snow loads could potentially lead to structural problems. In Victoria this shouldn’t be a concern - but remember 1996?

In terms of costs, slate is at the highest end of the range. Asphalt shingles are at the other end of the range, with cedar, metal and clay tile coming in between.

Metal roofs have always been common in heavy snow-load areas, such as Revelstoke and the Kootenay area. But newer metal shingles are becoming more widespread. This type of shingle may be either aluminum or steel. Both shed snow well, are largely immune to algae growth, and of course, like clay tile and slate, have a good fire rating. They should be very durable and they should carry an excellent manufacturer's warranty (if installed by a factory-certified installation crew). They are not impervious to wind damage, and some people note metal shingles have a 'shiny' look.

Cedar shingles and shakes were great in their day, and they are attractive when new. However, they have become much less popular in recent years in and around Victoria. This is partly because they don't stand up as well in the Victoria climate, and before too many years have passed, that new cedar roof can take on a decidedly greenish hue, becoming home to a healthy growth of moss and lichen. Regular treatment to prevent the formation of algae helps. You only need to recall the fires that raged through the Kelowna area in 2003 to realize that cedar shingles and shakes can go up in flames in an instant. And, they are more expensive than asphalt.

Asphalt shingles are the most popular choice for Victoria homeowners. They represent a compromise of the six-listed considerations. Costs are reasonably low compared with other types of roofing materials. When properly applied, a good 'wind rated' asphalt shingle can withstand most blows Victoria is subjected to. In terms of durability, they are usually 'rated' as 30, 40 or 50 year shingles, but expect their appearance to decline during their lifetime. Like cedar, they should be treated every five years of so to prevent algae formation - algae will accelerate deterioration of the shingle. Newer types of 'dimensional' asphalt shingles, and high profile ridge caps, can enhance the appearance of an otherwise uninteresting look.

These are all things to discuss with your Victoria roofing contractor. Choosing one is discussed here.

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