Guide: Repairing the cottage roof

Aluminum shares some of the qualities of steel: Both shed snow and ice, stay put in a wind, and come with long product warranties. Neither metal absorbs moisture and thus neither gains weight on the roof, as asphalt does. The light weight makes aluminum easier to install over some existing roofs. However, aluminum shingle manufacturers, like many steel suppliers, insist on using factory-trained installers. Peter Demchuk of Mississauga, Ont.-based Interlock Roofing, says that the company’s aluminum shingles and tiles resist winds up to 200 km/h. The shingles are fastened with four-way locking clips so “the wind has a better chance of lifting the roof than the shingles,” he states.

Demchuk acknowledges that golf ball-size hail could damage the surface, but he claims that aluminum is superior to steel in holding its colour. The prime attraction of aluminum is longevity, with lifetime guarantees on the material. Eternity has its price, however. Demchuk admits that aluminum is the most expensive product on the market, “maybe three times the cost of cedar. But it’s the last roof you’ll ever buy.”