Life Cycle Costing of Roofs
Life Cycle Costing of Roofs
(CA.ARA) - Like the tires on your car, a roof is a depreciating item that starts to wear out from the moment it is installed. Thus the question of "how much?" must always be considered along with "how long?" Just as you would never put your family at risk by driving on bald tires, you don't want to put your home at risk by waiting until ceiling stains signal the need for a new roof.
As we all know, depreciating items should be amortized over their life cycle; the cost per year is the true cost of the product. This reality explains why, at tax time, the government requires businesses to claim a yearly depreciated portion cost, rather than a one-time capital expense cost, on most major purchases.
Perhaps the most important bill former U.S. President Bill Clinton ever signed was the American infrastructure life cycle costing bill. Rather than compare bids on the basis of the best initial price, it decrees that the actual cost per year of a road, bridge or other infrastructure project over its entire estimated lifespan be factored in. This will unquestionably save American taxpayers billions of dollars by allowing the planners to choose the best quality materials, which are almost always the best value when priced on an actual cost per year basis.
Similarly, the spirit of the new Condominium Property Act is based on the premise that condo owners should pay for their yearly usage of the depreciating condo components -- roofs being a prime example. This new legislation will drive condominium designers and owners to specify more durable products such as concrete roof tiles that may cost more initially, but are less expensive than cheaper alternatives on a yearly amortized basis.
This rational is why many condo boards are now choosing maintenance-free exterior products like plastic decking components, vinyl windows and trim, and other non-wood alternatives. Their initial cost is often higher, but amortized over the life cycle they end up being far more economical. Most concrete products also fit this profile and fiber cement siding and concrete roof tiles are becoming more commonly used. Concrete roof tiles are the roof covering of choice in about 80 percent of the homes in California, Arizona, and Florida. Of course anyone who lives in an area with a high risk of a fire storm should have a concrete tile roof, as this is the only time proven roof covering that can protect your home in the face of such devastating fires.
Life cycle costing should definitely be used when choosing roofing material. In Europe, where the value of permanence is understood, more than 70 percent of roofs are concrete, clay or slate. Even the least costly of these -- concrete -- has an 80-year life expectancy and generally carries a strong 50-year warranty. Slate and clay tile roofs have been known to last several hundred years.
Many people in Canada are surprised to learn how cost effective concrete roof tiles are. While most people are familiar with the more commonly used asphalt and cedar shingles, they have not considered using concrete roof tiles as a roofing product. In Europe, where concrete roof tiles have been the standard for more than a century, they are recognized to be the best value as well as the safest and most durable choice, Even south of the border in the United States, concrete roof tiles are very popular; they are used in more than 80 percent of new homes constructed in California. However, in Canada they are just beginning to become popular.
One large Canadian manufacturer, Unicrete Roof Tile in Calgary Alberta, www.unicrete.com has been producing high quality roof tile for new homes and for re-roofing for over 25 years. They also make a lightweight concrete re-roofing tile that was featured on the cover of the Canadian Homebuilder magazine in July of 2002. This tile requires no structural upgrading of the roof system before using.
Courtesy of ARA Content
For more information, call (800) 570-4733.
