Boulder Issues New Roof Mandate
If you live in the city of Boulder, you may be required to replace your roof before 2014. The city of Boulder has issued a new roof mandate that will require all homes within the city of Boulder which currently have a roof covering which consists of 50% or more of wood by volume to be replaced before January 1, 2014.
The new ordinance states that no new wood roofs can be installed including any that have been treated with fire retardant treatments. It further states that no person owning a building with a wood roof shall fail to remove or cause to be remove their existing wood roof.
The city of Boulder issues the new roof mandate to help protect Boulder residents from unnecessary risk of fire. Although wood shake roofs were used extensively in the past, not only for their aesthetic appeal, they also had good insinuative qualities. Unfortunately, they also substantially increased the risk of structure fire. Wood shake roofs have a class C fire rating (or no rating), which offers little or no degree of fire protection. In contrast, most types of clay tile, concrete tile, slate, metal, and composition shingles have a class a or class b rating which offer a high degree or moderate degree of roof protection.
Homeowners who have wood roofs should start their research now. Their research should include a study about the various types of roofing material available, their cost, lifespan, pros and cons. Homeowners should also make sure they choose a reputable roofing company; ask for references and check to see if they are a member of the Better Business Bureau. Also, do your online research to see if the company has a history of complaints or negative comments. Of course, you can also check with your local real estate professional who typically has worked with numerous roofing companies through his/her varied real estate transactions.
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Hmmmmm....I understand why the City is doing this...I wonder if we are not over regulating our lives away however.
Glad that your back blogging. Hopefully there are not too many wood roofs out there yet.
Thanks for the update Vickie. This is good to know.
Vickie ~ with all the fires our areas can have, I'm not surprised that something like this would be going into effect. But it certainly doesn't give the homeowners too much time to do this.
Jeffrey, I know what you mean. There are a lot of residents who are upset by this new mandate. Especially when they have to completely replace a roof before it would otherwise be necessary. Some have said it would have been a better idea to limit the replacement material and over time, the problem would correct itself.
Chuck, it feels good to be back! Unfortunately, we have a lot of wood roofs, and many home owners who will be faced with an expensive roof replacement.
Brandon, thanks for reading my blog. Knowledge is power. No doubt this roofing issue will come up as an inspection item for sellers trying to sell their Boulder homes. Savvy agents will be looking for ways to help their buyers negotiate a sale when purchasing a home with a wood roof.
Dawn, I think it is being done with the right intent; the execution however.... could have been better thought through.
While I understand the fire hazards, I wonder if the 2014 deadline for roofs will give people enough time to get their roofs lined up. It can be costly. Rather than mandating this, wouldn't it be better to state that wood shake roofs shall be not replaced with wood? How do the residents feel?
Ouch. Makes me wonder how many HOAs have these wood roofs, and, then, how many will have a very tough time making the deadline with their current budget.
Eric,
No doubt there are going to be a lot of homeowners and HOA's who will be shifting plans and budgets in order to be in compliance.