Unicrete Products Ltd. - Life Cycle Costing

LIFE CYCLE COSTING OF CONCRETE ROOF TILES AS IT RELATES TO THE NEW ALBERTA CONDOMINIUM PROPERTY ACT

With the new Condominium Property Act finally in place here in Alberta, the way roofing materials are chosen for condominium products will also logically change. The old adage "You can pay me now or you can pay me more later" especially holds true. With the spirit of the new act insisting that condo owners should pay for their yearly usage of the common depreciating components, there is no longer a case to be made for choosing an inferior material that will need to be replaced in 25 years or less.

Wooden roof products carry significant maintenance costs to even get them to a 25-year life cycle. Condominium owners must now pay for these maintenance costs monthly. With materials such as asphalt shingles, the condominium owner will now have to pay not just for the initial roof, but will need to make payments for the second or even third roof, every month in the reserve fund. In effect, choosing a roof with less than a 25 year life expectancy will mean that all condominium owners will be saddled with an extra monthly reserve fund payment for the next roof.

As the Act begins to take effect, the monthly reserve fund condo fee payments will become a huge factor in the sales selection process. Specifying a product that will cost less in the long run, be more aesthetically appealing, and not increase the monthly condo fees just makes sense. Concrete roof tiles do all of this in addition to greatly increasing the condo re-sale value

- Independent studies have consistently shown that Concrete roof tiles have the lowest yearly cost over their life cycle as compared to any other roofing material1.

- One roof for the life of the building - no ongoing monthly reserve fund condo fees to pay for the next roof.

- No decaying or deterioration means no maintenance.

- Class A non-combustible fire rating and the most wind and hail resistant roof available means lower insurance costs and peace of mind2.

- Consistently rated as the most aesthetically pleasing roof in consumer surveys.

- Adds $10 per square foot to the value of the home compared to asphalt shingles in the Appraisers costing "Bible" - the Marshall Swift report3.

- Eliminates the hassle of coordinating a major re-roofing project every 20 years.

- Eliminates the hassle of maintenance or leaking from deferred maintenance.

- True 50-year non pro-rated warranty.

- Used for more than a century as the main roofing choice in Europe where the value of permanence and quality is clearly understood.

- Lightweight concrete tiles now available that need no additional roof structure support work. Great for re-roofing applications.

- Variety of choice in standard and custom colors and a variety of styles.

- Most energy efficient roof available - two-roof rain screen system keeps your house cooler in the summer, and reduces ice damning in the winter.

Life cycle costing and the new Condominium Property Act, brings a new reality to the marketplace. A concrete tile roof is really the only sensible sloped roof system to specify for a condominium project. A typical wooden building is expected to have a life span of 60 to 70 years. This is a perfect match for the expected life cycle of concrete roof tiles of around 80 years - with a non-pro-rated 50-year materials guarantee. The best looking most desired roof is now also the least expensive condominium roof choice!