By James Preston
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March 7, 2025
What Kind of Roof Do I Have? Baltimore Edition Know Your Roof for Smarter Repairs Homeowners: repairing your roof starts with knowing what’s up there. Flat or sloped? Old or new? Tiles or sheets? The Omni-Roofing and Exterior Remodeling Company breaks down eight common types with clear clues and facts spot yours, fix it right. Asphalt Shingles Looks Like: Small, flat rectangles layered like fish scales—usually gray, brown, black, or other shades; gritty feel. Where : Most Baltimore sloped roofs, row-homes to suburbs. Facts: 80% of U.S. roofs. avg. Wears out in 12 - 15 years here (GAF). Repairs run $200 - $500 for leaks. Yours?: Sloped, shingled? This . Slate Looks Like: Thick, flat tiles stacked tight - often gray, green, purple, or other shades; smooth, sharp edges. Where: Historic Baltimore like Bolton Hill. Facts: avg. 50 - 100 years. Cracks from 30+ freeze - thaw cycles . Fixes at $20 - $50/tile . Yours?: Old, tiled? Slate. Rubber (Modified Bitumen) "Torch-down" Looks Like: Flat, wide rolls with a black, tar-like finish - sticky, rough, sometimes gravel-topped. Where: City row-home flat roofs. Facts: 40% of flat roofs here in Baltimore. avg. 15 - 20 years. Leak patches start at $300 . Yours?: Flat, tarry? Rubber. EPDM Looks Like: Flat, broad sheets of smooth rubber - black or white, stretchy, no grit . Where: Newer Baltimore flat roofs. Facts: avg. 20 - 30 years. Tear fixes $400+. Humidity-proof. Yours?: Flat, rubbery? EPDM. TPO Looks Like: Flat, shiny rolls - white, light gray, or other shades; slick, plastic - like. Where: New builds, some homes. Facts: avg.15 - 25 years. Repairs $450 – $650 . Heat-reflective. Yours?: Flat, bright? TPO. Wood Shake Looks Like: Thick, uneven wooden planks - brown, gray, or other shades; splintery, rustic. Where: Rare - older homes near Baltimore. Facts: avg. 20 - 30 years. Splits cost $500+. Fire risk if untreated. Yours?: Sloped, woody? Wood shake. Metal Looks Like: Long panels or shingle - like-silver, copper, green, or other shades; smooth or ribbed. Where: Industrial zones, some homes. Facts: avg. 40 - 70 years . Rust fixes $300–$800. Durable. Yours?: Sloped, metallic? Metal. Clay Tile Looks Like: Curved or flat tiles - reddish-orange, Green or other shades; baked, terracotta-style. Where: Rare, historic homes like Mount Vernon. Facts: avg. 50 - 100 years Crack fixes $25–$70/tile. Heavy. Yours?: Sloped, tiled, old? Clay. Need Repairs? Check age, layers ?, call us, we’ll ID it fast. Roof leaking? Call The OMNI Roofing and Exterior Remodeling Co. for repairs James Preston The OMNI Roofing and Exterior Remodeling Company Baltimore, MD (443)-900-4815