Best Roofing Buying Guide
Dec. 12, 2023
Best Roofing Buying Guide
As they have for years, asphalt shingles remain the most common type of residential roofing purchased in the U.S., says Kelly Moomey, the market analyst who covers roofing for Consumer Reports. "However, there are small, niche segments emerging," she says.
Metal roofs, for instance, are expected to grow in popularity. The inherent advantages of this type of roof—including resistance to leaks and wind uplift, not to mention durability against the elements—are likely to make metal roofing more popular in areas prone to violent storms, according to the Freedonia Group, a market research company. Here are some other trends we see in roofing:
Fewer choices, higher installation costs. Stung by supply-chain issues of the past few years, manufacturers have cut back on new styles and colors, our sources tell us. At the same time, historically high prices for roofing installations could continue to rise in the next year or so, largely due to continued high demand from consumers and a tight labor market. Finding workers has been a challenge, explains Maciek Rupar, technical services director at the National Roofing Contractors Association, based in Rosemont, Ill. “Contractors aren’t complaining about the supply chain, but lead times for roof construction and replacement still may be extended due to a lack of qualified labor,” he says.
Solar roofing options expand. Major roofing manufacturers GAF and CertainTeed have joined Tesla in introducing photovoltaic—aka solar—roofing shingles for homes. CertainTeed’s Solstice shingle looks more like a traditional shingle than GAF’s Timberline model, which includes perpendicular bars across the shingle array.
Federal tax credits now apply only to solar roofs. Homeowners who retrofit their roofs with solar panels or solar roofing tiles now can get a federal tax credit of 30 percent of the project cost—with no income restrictions or dollar ceiling on the project—thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. The credit is good through 2032. But an earlier federal tax credit for traditional roofing with energy-efficient properties has expired.
"Cool roofs" are an option for sustainability. While this option isn’t new, it’s worth considering if you need a new roof and want to reduce your carbon footprint without buying costly solar. The trick: Pick a lighter color roof. Because a light-colored roof reflects more sunlight than a darker roof, it can reduce the energy and cost needed to cool your home by up to 15 percent. White roofs are best, reflecting from 60 to 90 percent of sunlight, according to the Department of Energy. But you also can shop for a "cool colored" roof: a darker roof that uses specialized pigments that reflect about 30 to 60 percent of sunlight. (Check the DOE’s Energy Saver page for advice on buying cool-roof roofing products for both shallow-pitched and steeply pitched roofs, and check the Cool Roof Rating Council for cool-roof products.)
Seat Cover Material Comparison Guide 2023 Update
Seat Cover Material Comparison Guide 2023 Update
With the different types of materials and brands of seat covers available, it can certainly be confusing and overwhelming to select the right one for your car.
Especially when committing to a custom made option which is higher priced, it is important to select the best material for your application.
Whether durability, comfort or value is your main priority, the below guide will help you choose the best material for your new seat covers.
How to read this chart.
★★★★★ Excellent ★★★★ Good ★★★ Average ★★ Poor ✔ Yes ✖ No
Velour
Velour is the basic material choice for seat covers. It is designed to look like the original upholstery in modern vehicles so is ideal for the person who is looking to protect
their seats without looking like they have seat covers. The material is soft and comfortable but not the most durable or waterproof. Velour is a good economic, multipurpose
option for any vehicle.
Jacquard
Similar to the velour, the jacquard is not waterproof or super durable. The material is a bit rougher than the velour and features a heavy duty centre panel. You could argue that the jacquard is more hardy than the velour, while the velour is more comfortable and modern looking.
Canvas
The most durable of all the fabrics, canvas is the favourite for trades vehicles, trucks and agricultural vehicles. It is fully waterproof, rough and designed to take a beating.
Comfort is not its strong suit though and can be a little rough on the skin so is not recommended for family cars. Perfect for those who require ultimate protection for their seats. For a more thorough comparison of canvas seat covers, checkout our ultimate guide.
Neoprene
Neoprene is a great all round fabric for seat covers. Comfortable, highly water resistant and durable, it is the popular choice for those with an active lifestyle. Made from wetsuit material which is 98% rubber, neoprene is really popular amongst surfers and beach goers.
Leather Look
The easiest to clean of all the materials, leather look is the number 1 choice for taxi and Uber drivers. The fully waterproof vinyl barrier is perfect for regular spilt drinks,food crumbs and vomit. It can easily be wiped off and will look just like new again. Unfortunately leather look can get hot in the summer, and cold in the winter so is not the most comfortable seat cover unless you wear appropriate clothing for the seasons.
Denim (low stock levels)
Denim is a high end seat cover material made by Black Duck. Most famously used for jeans, denim is hard wearing and relatively comfortable. The denim used for seat covers are very high quality with a foam backing making them soft with a smooth finish. These seat covers are for those looking for Black Duck quality and fit, with extra comfort.
Mesh
The design of mesh material makes it the best material for seat covers in a very hot climate. The mesh allows air to get underneath the seat covers allowing better circulation and less sweat. Very similar to velour in quality, it is a very popular choice in the RM Williams, AFL and NRL seat cover brands.
Sheepskin
The ultimate luxury seat covers, sheepskin provides the best comfort of all the material options. It is warm in winter, cool in summer and the thick pile gives the passenger
the best cushioned ride. The downside is that is can be very expensive, especially for custom options and requires dry-cleaning. Sheepskin is very durable however and
offers the highest warranty of the lot.
Acrylic Fur
Acrylic fur is a synthetic material which looks and feels similar to genuine sheepskin. Obviously being synthetic, the fur is not as smooth or luxurious as the real thing.
It also doesn't have the properties which genuine sheepskin has, such as regulating temperature and durability. It is however, much much cheaper. A custom made rear seat cover in acrylic fur can be around 1/3 the price of genuine sheepskin. If you do not get much traffic in your rear seat but want to match your front sheepskins without paying through the nose, then acrylic fur is a very popular option.
The acrylic fur is already used on the skirting and back of most universal front sets of sheepskins. When we have the custom rear seat cover made for you, we will match the colours up perfectly with the fronts.
4Elements
4Elements is a technical material developed by Black Duck to bridge the gap between the hard core canvas material, and the softer denim. It has been specially formulated to be soft and stretchy to touch, but also 100% waterproof and extremely durable.
The 4Elements are high end in terms of price but also super high quality, justifying their price tag.
Perfect for the driver who wants the best of both worlds in terms of comfort and durability.
For more information on our variety of materials , please call us on 1300 554 288 8:30am to 4:30pm Monday to Friday AEST.
RoofBag Car Top Luggage Carriers Frequent Questions
- NOISE
GENERAL
What exactly is a roof rack and what is a car top carrier?
A roof rack consists of hardware permanently installed on the roof of a car and intended for fastening hard or soft luggage carriers.
Roof racks consist of either side rails (running front-to-back along the sides of the car), cross bars (running side-to-side across the width of the car), or both.
Some roof racks include a metal basket, while others are specialized for fastening bicycles, kayaks, etc.
A car top carrier is a closed bag or box that rides on the roof of the car and allows carrying cargo on the roof of the car.
What is the difference betweenhard
andsoft
car top carriers?
Hard car top carriers are rigid plastic boxes that require a roof rack and metal hardware, special risers and tools to attach to the rack. They are waterproof, durable and keep their aerodynamic shape when empty.
But they are expensive, heavy, difficult to install and remove, and difficult to store. They are also noisy, because of the turbulence that forms in the space between the roof and the box.
Soft car top carriers are large bags that fasten with straps to a roof rack. They are easy to install and remove, economical, and easy to store. On the downside, some are not durable or waterproof.
RoofBag car top carriers have been perfected over 16 years and are durable and waterproof.
Additionally, RoofBag's unique design allows fastening to a roof rack (if the car has a roof rack) or to the roof and door frame of the car (if the car has no roof rack).
And because the RoofBag carrier is in contact with the roof and has an aerodynamic shape, it is quieter than a hard roof top carrier.
Howwaterproof
is the RoofBag Cross Country carrier?
All the joints are electrically sealed, not sewn, making the joints fully waterproof. A 2-inch double-thickness zipper flap covers the zipper. The zipper tape is polyurethane coated, which makes it waterproof.
Our carriers have been tested successfully under the most extreme weather conditions, and countless customers have confirmed that our car top carriers are not only waterproof, but also snow-proof and dust-proof (see
However, water can enter the carrier through the zipper if the zipper is not closed all the way or if the zipper flap is not pointing down all the way around.
PRECAUTIONS TO AVOID WATER ENTRY
- Install the RoofBag carrier with the logo toward the rear of the car.
- Close the 2 zipper sliders all the way until they touch at the rear of the carrier.
- Use the carrier full or almost full whenever possible. This forces the zipper flap to point down and cover the zipper.
- When using a half-empty carrier, fasten the straps so that the zipper flap points down all the way around.
With proper installation, water cannot enter the carrier under any storm conditions.The RoofBag Cross Country is the most waterproof soft car top luggage carrier in the market. The fabric used to make the RoofBag carrier is coated with a heavy layer of vinyl on each side, which makes this fabric 100% waterproof.All the joints are electrically sealed, not sewn, making the joints fully waterproof. A 2-inch double-thickness zipper flap covers the zipper. The zipper tape is polyurethane coated, which makes it waterproof.Our carriers have been tested successfully under the most extreme weather conditions, and countless customers have confirmed that our car top carriers are not only waterproof, but also snow-proof and dust-proof (see Car Top Carrier Reviews and Testimonials ).However, water can enter the carrier through the zipper if the zipper is not closed all the way or if the zipper flap is not pointing down all the way around.PRECAUTIONS TO AVOID WATER ENTRY- Install the RoofBag carrier with the logo toward the rear of the car.- Close the 2 zipper sliders all the way until they touch at the rear of the carrier.- Use the carrier full or almost full whenever possible. This forces the zipper flap to point down and cover the zipper.- When using a half-empty carrier, fasten the straps so that the zipper flap points down all the way around.With proper installation, water cannot enter the carrier under any storm conditions.
How resistant to heat, cold, sun, etc. is the RoofBag car top carrier?
We designed the fabric for Roofbag car top carriers to provide maximum protection from the elements:
• Will not rip or tear: 480 pounds resistance without tearing.
• Will not weaken or fade: blocks the sun's damaging UV rays.
• Will not get damaged in extreme heat or cold: can withstand heat up to + 250° F and cold down to - 40° F.
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT, CAPACITY
What are thedimensions
of the RoofBag car top carrier?
- Size 13: 37 inches wide x 40 inches long.
- Size 17: 38 inches wide x 48 inches long.
- Height of both carriers is approximately 10 to 13 inches at the front and 17 to 18 inches at the back.
- The width is measured side-to-side and the length front-to-back.
You can find more dimensional details on this page:DIMENSIONS:- Size 13: 37 inches wide x 40 inches long.- Size 17: 38 inches wide x 48 inches long.- Height of both carriers is approximately 10 to 13 inches at the front and 17 to 18 inches at the back.- The width is measured side-to-side and the length front-to-back.You can find more dimensional details on this page: RoofBag Car Top Carrier Dimensions
What is thedistance
between the straps in the RoofBag carrier?
Side-to-side, the strap guides are separated by 19" in the RoofBag carrier size 13, and by 22" in the RoofBag carrier size 17.
You can find more dimensional details on this page:Front-to-back, the strap guides are separated by 22" in the RoofBag carrier size 13, and by 31" in the RoofBag carrier size 17.Side-to-side, the strap guides are separated by 19" in the RoofBag carrier size 13, and by 22" in the RoofBag carrier size 17.You can find more dimensional details on this page: RoofBag Car Top Carrier Dimensions
What is theweight
of a RoofBag carrier?
A RoofBag carrier size 13 weighs about 8 lbs, and size 17 weighs about 9 lbs.
How large is thebox
in which the RoofBag carrier comes from the factory?
We fold each RoofBag carrier meticulously so that we can ship it in a small box. We ship the RoofBag size 13 in a box 14" x 12" x 6", and the RoofBag size 17 in a box 16" x 12" x 6".
How muchweight
can I put in a RoofBag carrier?
Since the RoofBag carrier is flexible, the weight limit is really determined by the roof of the car and not by the RoofBag carrier. We have heard that customers carry 100 lbs, or even 150 lbs of cargo in the carrier without a problem.
As long as the weight is distributed over a wide area of the roof, the normal weight of items that people normally carry in luggage bags like clothes, camping gear, etc. does not cause any damage to the roof of a car.How much stuff
can the RoofBag carrier hold?
A RoofBag carrier size 13 holds 13 cubic feet of contents, which is the equivalent of 3 medium-sized suitcases.
A RoofBag carrier size 17 holds 17 cubic feet of contents, which is the equivalent of 4 medium-sized suitcases.
Can I putsuitcases
in the RoofBag carrier?
It is possible to place suitcases inside the RoofBag luggage carrier. However, you will use the space inside the carrier more efficiently if you place the items in the carrier directly, without the suitcases.
If you carry suitcases in the RoofBag carrier, cushion the interior points of contact between the hard edges of the suitcases and the fabric of the RoofBag carrier with towels or blankets to avoid damage to the fabric of the carrier.CHOOSING THE RIGHT SIZE
Which size
carrier is right for my car?
In general, size 13 cu ft is recommended for most sedans, and for small SUVs. Large sedans, mid-sized SUVs, vans and station wagons can use either size 13 cu ft or size 17 cu ft.
If you don't think you will need the extra space of a size 15, you may be better off choosing size 11, as a full RoofBag carrier rides quieter than a half-full carrierYou can find a sizing guide on the Sizing Info page: Car Top Carrier Sizing Guide , which includes a list of car models and the recommended carrier size for each.In general, size 13 cu ft is recommended for most sedans, and for small SUVs. Large sedans, mid-sized SUVs, vans and station wagons can use either size 13 cu ft or size 17 cu ft.If you don't think you will need the extra space of a size 15, you may be better off choosing size 11, as a full RoofBag carrier rides quieter than a half-full carrier
If my car accepts sizes 13 cu ft or 17 cu ft,which size
should I choose?
If you need as much storage space possible, then choose size 17. But if you don't think you'll need the all the storage space of a size 17, you may be better off using size 13.
A full RoofBag carrier works better than a half-full carrier: quieter ride and better fuel efficiency. In addition, a full carrier makes the zipper flap point down all around, which protects the zipper from water entry.INSTALLATION OPTIONS: CARS WITHOUT ROOF RACK
Do I need aroof rack
on my car to use the RoofBag car top carrier?
No, RoofBag car top carriers can be fastened securely to a roof rack (if the car has one), or to the roof and door frame of the car (if the car has no roof rack).
How is the RoofBag car top carrierfastened
to a car without a roof rack?
The straps are 1,000 lbs strong, and the buckles are tested to 365 lbs. Additionally, the straps are thin (0.5 mm) and water-repellent to avoid interference with the door seal or water wicking into the car. See installation diagrams for a car without rack using
2 - STRAPS WITH DOOR HOOKS - An alternate installation method for a car without a rack uses the optional Straps with
Straps with Door Hooks need to be ordered separately. See the
If your car does not have the ridge required for the Door Hooks, or if you are not sure, we recommend using the Pass-through Straps that come standard with the RoofBag carrier when you order a carrier for a car Without Rack. Pass-through straps work on any car.1 - PASS-THROUGH STRAPS - A RoofBag car top carrier intended for a car without a roof rack is shipped with 2 Pass-through Straps that fasten the carrier to the door frame of the car. This attachment is secure.The straps are 1,000 lbs strong, and the buckles are tested to 365 lbs. Additionally, the straps are thin (0.5 mm) and water-repellent to avoid interference with the door seal or water wicking into the car. See installation diagrams for a car without rack using Pass-through Straps 2 - STRAPS WITH DOOR HOOKS - An alternate installation method for a car without a rack uses the optional Straps with Door Hooks , which attach to a ridge that 70% of cars have on the top section of the door frame.Straps with Door Hooks need to be ordered separately. See the Car Top Carrier Extra Straps section of the Products Page.If your car does not have the ridge required for the Door Hooks, or if you are not sure, we recommend using the Pass-through Straps that come standard with the RoofBag carrier when you order a carrier for a car Without Rack. Pass-through straps work on any car.
My car has doors withno frame above the window
. Will it work?
Yes, the Pass-through Straps fasten the RoofBag carrier to the door frame that is the rigid continuation of the roof, not to the door itself. The doors just close over the straps. So, it doesn't matter if the top of the door is a metal door frame or the glass window.
Can the RoofBag car top carrier be fastened to aconvertible
?
No, the roof of the car needs to be rigid in order for the RoofBag car top carrier to be securely fastened to it.
Can I use the Straps withDoor Hooks
?
If your car does not have this ridge, or if you are not sure, we recommend using the Pass-Through straps that come standard with the RoofBag carrier when you choose a carrier for a car without a roof rack. These straps work on any car.The straps with door hooks have the advantage that they don't take away overhead space inside the car as the inside straps do. However, for the Straps with Door Hooks to work properly, the top part of the door frame of the car must have a ridge as described on this page: Car Top Carrier Door Hooks If your car does not have this ridge, or if you are not sure, we recommend using the Pass-Through straps that come standard with the RoofBag carrier when you choose a carrier for a car without a roof rack. These straps work on any car.
INSTALLATION OPTIONS: CARS WITH ROOF RACK
How is the RoofBag carrierfastened
to a roof rack?
Some side rails don not have slots for the straps to go through and thus are unsuitable for fastening the carrier to them.The RoofBag carrier can be fastened to any type of roof rack. When you order a RoofBag carrier for a car with rack, we include 2 straps that fasten the carrier to any type of rack: to side rails (straps go left-to-right), or to cross bars (straps go front-to-back). See installation diagrams on the Installation page of our website: Fastening Car Top Carrier to a Roof Rack Some side rails don not have slots for the straps to go through and thus are unsuitable for fastening the carrier to them.
My side rails are only36 inches apart
, and the RoofBag is38 inches wide
. Will it still work?
Yes, the RoofBag car top carriers are flexible and can be squeezed into a space a few inches smaller than the width of the carrier.
My cross bars arecloser together
than the length of the RoofBag. Will it still work?
Yes, the RoofBag car top carrier works with cross bars that are close together. If the cross bars are adjustable, it is best to separate them as much as possible. If the RoofBag is still a few inches longer than the separation between the cross bars, the RoofBag carrier can be squeezed in the space available between the cross bars.
If the cross bars are considerably closer together than the length of the RoofBag carrier, the carrier can ride over the rear cross bar. See next question.
Can the RoofBag cartop carrierride over the cross bars
of a roof rack?
The installation is most stable when the front of the RoofBag carrier is right behind the front cross bar. The rear cross bar can be under the carrier. See installation diagrams on the Installation page:
If both cross bars are under the RoofBag car top carrier, the bag may flap and create noise during travel.
If the car has both cross bars and side rails, we recommend buying an extra set of Straps for Rack, and using one pair left-to-right on the siderails, and the second pair front-to-back on the cross bars.Yes, the RoofBag cartop carrier can ride over the cross bars. It is best to first separate the cross bars as much as possible.The installation is most stable when the front of the RoofBag carrier is right behind the front cross bar. The rear cross bar can be under the carrier. See installation diagrams on the Installation page: Car Top Carrier with Cross Bars If both cross bars are under the RoofBag car top carrier, the bag may flap and create noise during travel.If the car has both cross bars and side rails, we recommend buying an extra set of Straps for Rack, and using one pair left-to-right on the siderails, and the second pair front-to-back on the cross bars.
Can the RoofBag cartop carrier be installed on asunroof
?
RoofBag cartop carriers have been installed successfully on cars with sunroof by many customers. We are not aware of any problems resulting from such installations.
We recommend distributing the weight evenly and using good judgment when deciding the amount of weight placed on the sunroof. If in doubt, please consult the car manufacturer.
If I buy a RoofBag for a carwithout rack
, can I use it also on a carwith rack
?
The RoofBag carriers for cars with roof rack or for cars without roof rack are the same. The only difference is the installation of straps.
SHIPPING AND DELIVERY
How soon
can I have my RoofBag car top carrier if I order today?
If you order Monday through Friday before 3 PM California time, your order is guaranteed to be shipped today. This means you can have your RoofBag car top carrier as early as tomorrow morning, if you choose next-day delivery.
We offer shipping options ranging from next day service to ground service. Ground service takes between 1 and 5 business days, depending on your location.
You can see all the shipping options available, along with cost and arrival dates by entering your zip code in the small box in the Shopping Cart, which is visible on each page of our website.
Is thearrival date
quoted in your websiteguaranteed?
The Arrival Date is a best estimate provided by the shipping company. These estimates are accurate 98% of the time. We cannot guarantee that your package will arrive on the estimated arrival date, since about 2% of the time, the shipping company delivers a package late for reasons ranging from bad weather to overflow of their system in busy season.
If shipping company delivers a package late and you decide to return the package, we will refund the value of the items purchased, but we can refund the shipping cost only if you have chosen a guaranteed service and the shipping company has issued a refund. (See below for list of guaranteed services).
Even with guaranteed services, the shipping companies will not issue a refund if the delay was due to bad weather, system overflow or a faulty address.
Whichshipping services
areguaranteed?
If you choose a guaranteed service, the shipping company will issue a refund for the cost of shipping if the package is delivered later than the date quoted during the purchase, except if the delivery delay was caused by bad weather, system overflow or a faulty address.
U.S. DESTINATIONS
The following services are guaranteed by the shipping companies:
FedEx Express Saver
FedEx 2nd DayFedEx Standard Overnight
FedEx Priority OvernightUPS 3-Day Select
UPS 2nd Day AirUPS Next Day Air Saver
UPS Next Day Air
USPS - Express
INTERNATIONAL DESTINATIONSUSPS - Express Mail International
USPS - Global Express Guaranteed
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