Why We Chose A Permanent Aluminum Roof

Our home looks new again with the beautiful aluminum roof

We recently replaced our 14-year old asphalt shingled roof with an Interlock aluminum roof because we were tired of waging war against moss, fir pollen and conifer debris. Now that our new roof is installed, we wish we’d done it years ago.

Roof moss is a big problem in our area. Over time it can damage many kinds of roofing. It retains and wicks moisture, traps other debris and makes a roof look shabby. Every two years or so, we hired professionals to remove the moss from our large, steeply-pitched roof. Though the job was always performed with care, moss removal methods inevitably shorten the life of the shingles. We didn’t realize until our roof had been cleaned a couple of times that we had probably voided the manufacturer’s 25-year warranty on the shingles by cleaning them. Despite all the trouble and expense, within a few months the moss would grow again. We were losing the war.

Here’s how the moss used to collect on our old asphalt roof

Living in a region where urban forest fires are a risk, we also considered the fire resistance of our roof. Asphalt shingles are among the most fire resistant roofing surfaces, but metal is even more
resistant. Compared with roof moss, this was a minor concern – or so we thought.

Before installing our Interlock permanent roof, we visited home shows, did research, talked to roofing companies and walked through neighbourhoods looking at various roofs. We noticed that metal roofs were moss-free, and we especially liked the look of the Interlock aluminum shingles. This was clearly our best option, but would be far more expensive than re-roofing with premium asphalt shingles.

For most homeowners cost is a significant consideration, and it certainly was for us as retirees. We joked that we’d never live long enough to amortize the cost. We figured we could take two long vacations in Europe for the difference in price. We wondered whether it made sense to spend so much money on a roof when we might sell our home in ten or fifteen years. Meanwhile, the moss was advancing -- again. As with all the major home improvement expenditures we’ve made over the years, a combination of financial, practical and aesthetic considerations helped us decide.

First, the financials. We estimated that we would own our house for another 15 years. If we chose to replace our premium fibreglass-reinforced asphalt shingles, we would have to roof twice: once now (at a cost of about $8,000 – $10,000) and again in 15 years, before putting the house on the market. The second re-shingling would also involve the significant costs of stripping off and disposing of two layers of old shingles and possibly having to re-sheet some or all of the plywood underlay. So, with inflation, we estimated $16,000-$18,000 for the second re-shingling. That is a total of $24,000 – $28,000 in today’s dollars for two shingling jobs. When we added to that the estimated $7,500 we would spend on moss removal over the 15-year period, the potential cost of asphalt shingle roofing was $31,500 – $35,500. (With expected oil shortages, asphalt shingles could be even more costly in future. Some manufacturers are already using less asphalt and recycled paper in their shingles in order to manage product prices.)

We knew that the good looks, warranty and durability of a high-quality aluminum roof would enhance the curb appeal and resale value of our home, resulting in a faster and better sale. (Most buyers low-ball their offers if a roof looks bad.) Interlock’s 50-year full warranty would be transferrable once, to a new owner. We decided that in the long run, the aluminum roof would be less expensive than sticking with premium-quality asphalt shingles.

Practically, an Interlock roof offers superb protection against the elements -- and moss. If we installed a permanent roof, we could stop worrying about repairs and maintenance. As for the company, Interlock Industries has been in business for many year. The company carries ample private liability insurance, which our home insurance company requires for all contractors working on the house. Interlock’s “advance clearance” status with BC’s Workers Safety Board would protect us from liability for any overdue provincial workplace insurance premiums.

From a “green” standpoint, the aluminum roof is a superior choice. Its excellent insulating properties save energy and its durability (50 – 100 years) reduces the consumption of building materials. The shingles are made of 95% recycled materials, and are 100% recyclable should there ever be a need to remove them.

We admit to being house-proud, and aesthetics are important to us. An aluminum roof would always look crisp and clean, and Interlock’s ‘slate’ shingle option would compliment the style of our
house. On the drive-by tour, we were impressed by the superior quality of Interlock’s installation work.

Shortly after we signed the contract with Interlock, the shingles were delivered. As we awaited installation, we quipped that the equivalent of two very nice European vacations was sitting on pallets in our driveway. Were we too house proud? These small doubts vanished when a neighbouring home caught fire during a severe summer dry spell.

The house that burned is kitty-corner to our lot, immediately above us at the top of a slope. About 30 metres / 100 feet separate the back of our house from the side of the neighbouring house. Thick smoke had enveloped the house, and we prayed that the occupants were safely out. (Yes, they were.) Then fire exploded through an upper window and ignited some fir trees. We heard a ‘whoom’ as the flames raced upward at unbelievable speed. Instantly, the tree tops were 40-foot high torches. We felt the intense heat on our faces. Embers rained down.

Though the light wind was blowing away from us, we worried that the fire would spread to the line of fir trees whose branches overhung our back garden only a few feet from our roof line. The danger to our house would be from exploding, resinous conifer branches which can be propelled over great distances. Our house was far too close for comfort. Though asphalt shingles are quite fire-resistant, we knew that if a coniferous fire brand were to land on the roof and burn long enough to ignite the sun-dried moss and dead fir needles, we’d be in real trouble. We watered the back roof with a garden hose until the fire fighters arrived.

Many people had gathered to watch the blaze. Eyeing the pallets of aluminum shingles, one of our neighbours said wryly, “What you need is a metal roof.” At that moment, moss was the least of our worries. With a tinder-dry urban forest only three blocks from our house, we could hardly wait for the new roof to be installed.

We were surprised by the detailed labour and time required for installation, and could see why Interlock has certified roofers working exclusively for the company. Our crew was very safety-conscious and also very careful of the gardens. Since unexpected problems can arise during any home renovation project, it’s helpful to work with a company like Interlock Industries, which integrates manufacturing, sales and installation. This means that the company is directly accountable for everything: our installation issues were addressed without any buck-passing.

So far, our new roof has lived up to its billing as ‘BC’s best roof’. Research shows that aluminum insulates better than asphalt shingles in both summer and winter. Having chosen a black shingle, we weren’t convinced that our house would be cooler in the summer, but indeed it is. Our second storey (actually a half-storey with steeply sloped ceilings) used to be stifling in hot weather. Now it’s at least 10 ºC cooler during the summer heat.

Some people claim that rainfall sounds noisier on metal. We heard no difference during the summer rain. In any case, we aren’t concerned. If the autumn rains drum on our handsome new roof, it will surely be music to our ears.

The very day our main roof was finished, a great blue heron flew over and deposited a long, calligraphic swath of neon-white poop on the black shingles – on the street side, of course. The signature baked for hours in the sun. “Oh, no!” we groaned. “Will it come off? Will it etch the aluminum?” We rinsed away whatever the garden hose spray could reach. We needn’t have bothered because, after several more days under the baking sun, the remaining splotches washed away during a summer rainfall. Nothing sticks to this roof for very long. We’re ridiculously pleased to watch leaves and fir needles slalom down the shingles and into the eaves troughs. We’ve declared victory in the war against moss!

Comparing ‘before’ and ‘after’ photos, we can hardly believe the difference. Our old roof looked shabbier than we thought. The clean, matte-black ‘slate’ shingles and crisp trim details of the permanent roof enhance our house and have prompted many compliments.

Michael and Patricia Wolkowicz
British Columbia, Canada