Richmond is situated just south of Vancouver and is full of 30 year old cedar shake roofs that needs to be replaced. The most common choice of roofing is asphalt. Laminate fibre glass to be exact. A selling feature on new construction is that cedar shake roof will help the home sell faster and when it is time for a change the home owner finds cedar costs 30% more than fibre glass. Cedar does not come with a warranty either; new growth is all that exists now even if the salesman promises it is old growth.
In Richmond cedar tends to last 30 years and it is becoming more common for little companies that pop up claiming they do cedar treatment. Yes this works and it gives your roof an extra three to five years. For $ 2000.00 was that worth it? Even worse is getting this done to your roof stops the ability to shimmer a shake if your roof happens to leak. Why? You shake is severely dehydrated of it's oils when cyanide is sprayed all over your roof. The cedar can basically crumble after your treatment.
The only real benefit to a cedar roof is it's ability to breath. It is probably the most green roof you can get. If not treated of course. It is biodegradable and it can breath like no other product. This is important because the best way to keep you home energy efficient is to keep the addict well ventilated. When you convert to laminate fibre glass you need a solid plywood deck and as a result ventilation becomes a big issue. Ridge vents as well as df75 air vents are crucial and building code must be applied. There is no roofing product in Richmond that will give a full warranty if your roof isn't ventilated to building code. It is possible to get a fibre glass laminate roof to ventilate as well as a cedar roof.
Richmond roofing contractors are numerous in their numbers and most are unaware of British Columbia building code. It is sad when the best deal was the reason one forgets about quality. Roofing is the first barrier against the hardest elements mother nature has to offer. Doing it right is the only choice a home owner has and asking questions about ventilation is probably the most important.