While choosing the type of roofing material for your home may not be the most exciting thing to do, it is definitely one of the most important. Not only will it add value to your home, but it will also protect your home from the elements. There are numerous options available for you to choose from and being well educated on each option is vital before making the investment in a new roof.
Before deciding on which material to use to build your roof, there are a few things to factor in.
- How long with the roof last?
- Will it hold up during intense weather?
- Will it complement the style of the house?
- How much will it cost?
These are all things to consider when purchasing a new roof for your house. Once you have answered these questions, take a look at the roofing options available below. We will point out the pros and cons of each material to help you understand the differences in each material.
Metal Roofing
For a clean-looking finished roof, metal roofing tile is one of the best options to consider. Metal roofing comes in many different materials such as steel, aluminum, copper, copper-and-asphalt and lead. As you might imagine, metal roofing is one of the more expensive types of roofing material, but the pros may outweigh the expensive upfront cost.
Pros
- Snow and ice repel off roof
- Long lasting durability
- Fire resistant
- Can be made by recycled materials and can be recycled when replaced
- Absorb less heat than other roofing materials during summer months
Cons
- Possible denting from hail or falling debris possible
- If not treated properly, the roof can start to rust
- Expensive – higher than the majority of the other roofing materials
- Most coordinate with style of house, otherwise does not look appealing
Asphalt
Asphalt shingles are the most common roofing material today and are generally the least expensive. With asphalt you have a large array of weights, colors, durability levels, styles, sizes and designs to choose from.
Pros
- Most cost-efficient option for roofing
- ariety of choices to fit your home style
- Light-colored shingles can reduce cooling costs
- Easy to install and shingles are recyclable
Cons
- Subject to mildew and moss
- Vulnerable to wind and ice damage
- Degrade over time due to sun exposure and environment
Clay Tile
Clay tile roofing is considered to be one of the most durable materials to use on your home. While the cost of the roofing materials may be high, the finished productive of a clay roof looks spectacular and adds value to your home. Flat styles of clay tile are often used to create French and English looks while curved styles are used for Mission or Spanish-style old world European looks as well as Southwestern looks.
Pros
- Low maintenance requiredDurable and long-lasting
- Fireproof
- Gaps between tiles allows for good insulation
- Versatile and eye-catching
Cons
- One of the more expensive types of roofing material
- Tiles are heavy and need to be installed in a structure that can support them
- Quite breakable and can chip
- Needs to be installed by a professional roofer (extra installation costs)
Composite
The idea of composite roofing is that it's intended to mimic other forms of roofing (like tile or slate) while taking advantage of the benefits that these alternate materials provide, like lighter weight and the use of recycled materials.
Pros
- Lighter and less expensive than many of the other types of material
- Made from recycled materials
- Very durable roofing material
- Made to resemble slate or wood shakes
Cons
- New on market so long term performance is still unknown
- Moderately expensive compared to other materials
- Visual appearance of finished product varies
Slate
Slate is one of the oldest roofing materials and is still used today! It is one of the most durable and long-lasting types of roofing materials you can choose, but is also one of the most expensive.
Pros
- One of the longest-lasting roofing materials
- Waterproof and fireproof
- Visually appealing
- Requires little maintenance
Cons
- Slate roofing is one of the heaviest materials and requires a strong structure to support it
- One of the most expensive types of roofs
- Slate can also be breakable and requires very specialized installation
Wood
Wood shingles or shakes have a natural appearance and blend in with the environment, which makes them a first-class choice for numerous architectural styles. One of the great beauties of a wood roof is that no two installations will ever look exactly the same due to color variations and cuts as well as thickness to the shake or shingle.
Pros
- Visually appealing – no two roofs look identical
- Offer high resistance to rot
- Eco-friendly – made from natural material
Cons
- Vulnerable to fire damage – need to treat with fire retardant
- Life expectancy is on the lower side compared to other materials
- High maintenance
- Loses color and weathers to a grey color over time
- Moderately priced
There are many other factors to consider when making the decision about installing a new roof on your house, but we have outlined the most popular materials to use.
The important thing to remember here is that these options will allow you to tailor your choice based on what factors are most important to you, be it budget, longevity, style or a combination of all three. If you have any questions when it comes to roofing, call us at (207) 786-8737!