Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | Dec 09, 1999 07:57am | #1

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   Kirsten,

   I'm in a farming area and I've seen Ondura used quite a bit here on barns and fail badly. The stuff is asphalt sheets. The sheets flex alittle and soon soften at the nail holes and the nails pull through.

   I only did one roof with this stuff. The original roof had failed after about 12 years (lifetime warranty). Ondura provided the farmer with all new material and I installed it. Fast easy install except that you can't walk on the stuff without it crushing badly. Part of that problem might have been my petite 250lb frame.

   Ondura's line about roof failure is that 1) they make it better now and 2) you have to keep it painted or it will fail. I'm not sure how you're supposed to keep it painted under the nail heads which is where the failures seem to be.

   Overall, I'd never use it on my house.

   Consider a standing seam roof. I think they are great.

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   Guest_ | Dec 09, 1999 08:27am | #2

   *I have a clear memory of this stuff being discussed previously a few months back, but I can't find the thread now. Seems to me no one had anything good to say about it.Or maybe I imagine it.....Rich Beckman

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   Guest_ | Dec 09, 1999 09:26am | #3

   *Wont hear anything good from me. We used it on a small addition to match what was already there and I wasnt impressed at all. The only thing keeping the existing roof from leaking was the fact that they had roofed over an asphalt shingle roof and it was apparently still doing its job. Chuck

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   Kirsten_ | Dec 10, 1999 12:28am | #4

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   Well, I'm definitely getting the impression that Ondura is not the route to go. What about plain ol' galvanized steel? We have considered that as well. Price is an issue, but we would prefer to stay away from the potentially cheaper option of shingles. Also, this would be something we would install ourselves (my husband is also of the "petite 260 lb. frame" variety ;) ).

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   Guest_ | Dec 10, 1999 01:21am | #5

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   I'd be leary of any roofing system where the fasteners are exposed. In the long run, I think you are asking for trouble.

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   Guest_ | Dec 10, 1999 03:13am | #6

   *If you're going to install it yourself, I wouldn't recommend a metal roof, just like they said, stay away from exposed fasteners, and your penetrations require some skills and assessories you may not have. Standing seam is great, but should be done by experienced mechanic.Have you looked at Certainteed's "Hatteras", 40 year shingle, ?

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   Guest_ | Dec 10, 1999 05:30am | #7

   *If you use galvanized steel , get them long enough to go from peak to eve and use screws with neopreme washers. Stay away from nails on metal roof sheets.

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   Guest_ | Dec 10, 1999 07:19pm | #8

   *I know folks say stuff like "those metal roofs will last forever" and they probably have better stuff available today, but a few years ago I looked into a steel roof and I was surprised to learn that most of that stuff is only warenteed for 20 years. I agree with previous posters, the most weathertight product for an amatuer would have to be a composition roof.

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   Kirsten_ | Jan 05, 2000 12:49am | #9

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   My husband and I will be starting construction on a contemporary styled home this spring. We would like to roof with something other than shingles and have been looking at the Ondura system stuff at Lowes. We are also considering galvanized steel. We like the looks of a corrugated sheet form of roofing, rather than run-of-the mill, generic looking shingles.