Why do Architectural Committees disapprove the most energy efficient, hail resistant, fire resistant, roofing materials? (Austin: apartment, HOA)

[eileenkeeney]

According to an email, I just got from the person who is in charge of the MUD (Deed) Restrictions

"Shingles must be of a composite nature. No tile, tin or other such material is likely to be approved."

So the concept of "green" building is not nearly as important as appearance?

Is most of Austin like this?

[hoffdano]

I did not think the Municipal Utility District was involved in those issues. The MUD is a legal entity empowered to provide water, sewage, drainage and other similar functions within its boundaries.

Perhaps this note comes from the HOA instead?

But I think the general answer is - No it is not like that all over Austin. In some areas a composition roof is prohibited.

[eileenkeeney]

It is the MUD that enforces "Deed Restrictions".

I once thought this was an HOA activity, hence I asked my Realtor the wrong questions, when I asked about HOA restrictions. (I still think he may have known what I meant, because I was pretty certain the conversation mentioned my not wanting someone else to dictate such things as color of my home. But on this, I am giving the benefit of the doubt. I did not ask the right question and do not remember the exact conversation.)
It was only later, talking to neighbors, I discovered that the MUD enforced something called "Deed Restrictions".

I can not just choose a different neighborhood. I do not drive, so I either need to be able to walk to work, or it has to be a reasonable bus trip (short with no transfers). Otherwise the advantages of owning a home decrease, and living in an apartment close to work becomes a better option for me.

OR
I make an offer on the house, contingent on getting a roof I am comfortable buying, approved by the committee.
The problem is that this route could end up costing me a lot in inspection costs, and I could lose.


I kind of feel bad, not buying a house, after all the work the Realtor has done. (He did work really hard.)
But I do not want to spend money on a roof, that is not as environmentally responsible as I consider reasonable, based on what is now available.

[hoffdano]

Originally Posted by eileenkeeney

It is the MUD that enforces "Deed Restrictions".

I once thought this was an HOA activity, hence I asked my Realtor the wrong questions, when I asked about HOA restrictions. (I still think he may have known what I meant, because I was pretty certain the conversation mentioned my not wanting someone else to dictate such things as color of my home. But on this, I am giving the benefit of the doubt. I did not ask the right question and do not remember the exact conversation.)
It was only later, talking to neighbors, I discovered that the MUD enforced something called "Deed Restrictions".

I can not just choose a different neighborhood. I do not drive, so I either need to be able to walk to work, or it has to be a reasonable bus trip (short with no transfers). Otherwise the advantages of owning a home decrease, and living in an apartment close to work becomes a better option for me.

OR
I make an offer on the house, contingent on getting a roof I am comfortable buying, approved by the committee.
The problem is that this route could end up costing me a lot in inspection costs, and I could lose.


I kind of feel bad, not buying a house, after all the work the Realtor has done. (He did work really hard.)
But I do not want to spend money on a roof, that is not as environmentally responsible as I consider reasonable, based on what is now available.

I understand your desire to be "green." But does the roof need to be replaced? Or is it in good condition but you just want to replace it?

[eileenkeeney]

Originally Posted by hoffdano

I understand your desire to be "green." But does the roof need to be replaced? Or is it in good condition but you just want to replace it?

The particular house, I am now considering, is in need of a new roof.
It is leaking.

However, the reason I am considering that specific house, is because I want something I can turn into an energy efficient home, and would not want to replace a roof that does not need replacing.

[atxcio]

Originally Posted by eileenkeeney

The particular house, I am now considering, is in need of a new roof.
It is leaking.

However, the reason I am considering that specific house, is because I want something I can turn into an energy efficient home, and would not want to replace a roof that does not need replacing.

Did you specifically ask an Architectural Committee member about a metal roof? Because the deed restrictions are often very old, they can't easily be updated, and often variances are granted to address this. If there are indeed other metal roofs in the neighborhood, they wouldn't have much to back a refusal.

Of course, if you want to use a "green" composite shingle, you can always get something like : http://www.gaf.com/Roofing/Residenti...s-Shingles.asp

[Jennibc]

Time to lobby your state legislator about introducing a bill that makes it illegal for deed restrictions to exclude green building practices.

[CptnRn]

If you really want a metal roof, then...

First, I would verify that there actually is a "Deed Restriction" that says this. I can imagine if it is an old subdivision they may have prohibited corrugated or flat sheet metal "tin" roofs (galvanized steel) back then, like you sometimes see on sheds and farm buildings, as it rusts and discolors pretty quickly. But modern metal roofs are a far cry from "tin" roofs. Few real architects would object to them.

Second, these so called "architectural" committees don't always have complete authority to ban anything they don't like. Their authority is usually limited to upholding the official deed restrictions on the property. So I would verify what actual authority they have.

However, You wrote:

However, the reason I am considering that specific house, is because I want something I can turn into an energy efficient home, and would not want to replace a roof that does not need replacing.

As Atxcio pointed out above, there are very green energy efficient shingles available, they could not only give you an energy efficient roof, but it could entitle you to a tax credit:

Tax Credit…
Get up to $1,500 (30% of material cost) back from the government in the form of tax credit on colors that are Energy Star® qualified*

[HappyTexan]

Solar panels and metal roofs are some of the issues that homeowners seem to have in HOA or, in this case MUD controlled subdivisions.

At one time satellite dishes were considered the eyesore but that issue got overruled at the Fed level and no one can be denied their satellite TV anymore.

Time to send those emails to your rep for a change..hopefully at the Fed level so that people all over America who want to go green via solar, wind and metal roofs are not prohibited from doing so.

[austinnerd]

Another thing to consider is that if the restriction is purely an aesthetic one, that you can purchase metal roofs that look like shingles (as well as tile or shakes) vs the "standard" flat sheets. This will cost you more but it might be a way to get around the restriction but still get you the benefits of going metal. You can also check out companies that make shingles that have reflective materials embedded in them.

If that doesn't work and you still want to "go green", perhaps you can take the money you save by going with shingles and apply it to other green features (e.g. better attic insulation, radiant barriers, well placed trees, rain water collection, etc, etc).