Today's Roofing Ideas Mix Classic and Contemporary Styles

by KRISTEN ARMSTRONG, Staff Writer

(Monday, October 15, 2007 1:01 PM EDT)

When you're customizing or remodeling your house, the roof might not be the first think you think about, but it may be the key to completing the exterior look of your home.

“In my mind, it's not a custom home without a high-end roof and exterior,” Piedmont Roofing owner Tim Reed said in a recent interview. “That's what makes it special. Your home should be as special on the outside as it is on the inside.”

Reed has been in the business since 1977, and the recent trend he's seen in roofs is metal, especially pre-painted metal. His company had 124 metal roof jobs last year.

“The big wave is in pre-painted metals . . . they come in every color of the rainbow,” he said. “And they've taken over the marketplace.”

Reed sees this as a positive change, and understands why homeowners are partial to the metal product.

“Right now, shingles are more expensive,” he said. “If you get a metal roof, there's a 35-year paint guarantee. There are no maintenance costs once it's on.”

What kinds of roof designs can you expect from metal? Designs have run the gamut, from castle-replica domes to more contemporary looks, like a roof with 32 skylights.

In addition to metal roofs, Reed also has restored historic roofs, tearing everything down to the basic roof system and re-creating it as close to the original as possible.

And, looking to the future, Piedmont Roofing is exploring the use of solar power in its products.

With the number of options to consider when installing a roof in your home, Reed recommends doing the necessary research.

“The best thing I can think of . . . is to have educated consumers who know a lot of about the product,” he said. “The more you know about it, the easier it will be to pick a reliable contractor.”

 

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