On 3/8/2016 9:52 AM, ChrisB wrote:
That sounds very exciting, Ken.
I’m surprised that your roof covering needs replacing. Over Here the roof
tiles that we use last for a loooong time. Our slate roof is probable as old as the
house, or could be (1750s). Our Annex has concrete tiles which are made to look like
small clays and I expect them to last a hundred years or two.
The vast majority of home construction in the US is focused on minimum cost. Some of it may look fancy, but underneath,
even most of that is CHEAP.
Asphalt shingle is inexpensive to buy and to install. It's also light, so the roof structure can be light and cheap,
too. And it doesn't require much pitch, again requiring fewer materials. It lasts somewhere over a decade; most
importantly lasting longer than any home warranty. You can be sure that the weight/grade for new construction is
carefully chosen with that in mind.
Then the light roof structure tends to dictate what replacement can be done when it wears out. My roof is supported by
2x4s on 24" centers. When it needed replacement, I found that none of the cement, tile or slate alternatives could be
used without expensive reinforcement of the roof. I ended up with a metal roof that looks vaguely like shake, is very
light and lasts many years. It's proven so far to be an excellent choice.
My crazy neighbor was on a mission to make his house a showplace. He spent endless hours and $ on it, including major
reinforcement of the roof so he could cover it with slate.
Cedar shake used to be a popular roofing material, at least out here in the real west. It could last several decades.
But now most of the old roofs have finally succumbed to age and the elements. Newer shake roofs don't last nearly as
long. All the old growth cedars are either gone or protected, and wood from smaller, younger ones doesn't last.
...
I’m disappointed that you can’t go with integrated PV, but perhaps it means that you
could have new panels now which would be replace in 30 years’ time with more modern and more
efficient panels.
That seems to me to be a critical factor. If BiPV efficiency deteriorates with age, replacement could be horrendously
expensive. Replacement of separate panels is pretty simple.
Electric Moose
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What if the Hokey Pokey *IS* what it's all about?
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