Parade of Homes

Parade of Homes Spring 2017 121 up on the rooF Put a durable, attractive lid on it By Jim Timlick >> The roof is literally the peak of any home, but it hasn't always been top of mind for most home buyers. While buyers used to spend countless hours deliberating over kitchen cup- boards, lighting and flooring, the roof was often something of an afterthought. That's hardly the case anymore, says Pete Ploegman, manager of Oakwood Roofing and Sheet Metal's shingle division. "People have become more educated and are starting to research the different prod- ucts available and ask more questions," Ploegman says. "If you are spending $400,000 or $500,000, you need to ask what are you putting on the roof. That's what's going to protect the contents of your home. It's the first line of defence against the elements." r o o F i n G Although protecting your home against Mother nature remains the benchmark for any qual- ity roof, much more attention is now being paid to esthetics — a fact reflected by the wide range of choices now available. The industry standard for roofing remains fi- berglass laminate shingles, which surpassed the traditional three-tab asphalt shingle in popularity over the last decade. Laminate shingles are the most cost-effec- tive option and offer plenty of durability even in an extreme climate like Manitoba's. Fiberglass matting has replaced the paper backing used on asphalt shingles, meaning they are far less likely to curl with age. Another selling point of laminate shingles is the broad selection, says Richard Suderman, manager of Roofmart's Winnipeg branch. "There's a wide range of styles and looks to choose from to make your home look unique," Suderman says. "We offer 19 colours in one style alone and we have four or five different styles to choose from in most tiles." Cont'd on page 122 'You need to ask what are you putting on the roof. That 's what 's going to protect the contents of your he. It 's the first line of defence against the elements.'

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