Are you planning to invest in a new roof this season? Make sure to choose the roofing material that best suits your home’s look and specific needs. After all, the type of material you use for your replacement system can affect its longevity and performance. There are plenty of roofing systems available in the market, so it pays to take the time to weigh each option’s pros and cons. Here are six of the most popular and longest-lasting ones:
Asphalt Shingle Roofing
This roofing material graces more than 70% of homes across the country. Asphalt shingles have always been a popular option – with good reason. They are lightweight, which makes them quick and easy to install. Because asphalt shingles don’t require an additional support structure to hold them up, they are more cost-effective than heavier materials like slate and tile. Asphalt shingles are one of the most basic roofing systems available today. Most roofing contractors will have the necessary training and experience required to work on them.
What Is It Made Of?
Shingles are made of either a fiberglass or organic mat covered in asphalt and coated with mineral granules, such as slate, quartz, stone, and ceramic. This roofing material is available in standard three-tab, which is lighter than other options; and architectural or laminated, which is thicker and more highly defined.
How About Its Performance?
With proper installation and maintenance, this roofing system can offer 30 years of weather protection and performance. Asphalt shingles may have a shorter lifespan than other roofing materials, but they more than makeup for it with their cost efficiency and versatility. There are even shingles that use cooling technology to promote increased energy savings, which is a big plus.
YOUR SHINGLE CHOICE. Asphalt shingles are an excellent choice for those looking for great weather performance and good looks at a reasonable price.
How Does It Look?
Asphalt shingles are extremely versatile. They come in a wide selection of colors, thicknesses and textures, allowing for many design possibilities. There are even asphalt shingles that can emulate the premium look and feel of genuine wood shakes and slate. These are especially handy when you’re aiming to maintain your home’s architectural or historical accuracy. If you want your shingle roofing to have a more definitive look, choose architectural shingles instead of three-tab ones.
Synthetic Roofing
This roofing option isn’t just for commercial buildings anymore. Synthetic systems are now gaining traction among many homeowners because of their durability and maintenance-free performance.
What Is It Made Of?
Synthetic roofs may come in built-up, TPO and modified bitumen. Take note that this option works best when your existing roof structure is low-slope.
How About Its Performance?
Unlike natural materials, this roofing choice isn’t as fragile, heavy or costly. Synthetic roofs can reflect heat, allowing for a more pleasant indoor temperature while improving your home’s energy efficiency
How Does It Look?
Most synthetic roofs offer a clean, smooth surface. Some have also been developed to provide the look, color, and texture of other natural materials. If you have a Contemporary-Modern home, you might want to consider synthetic roofing to better match your home’s clean and simple lines.
Metal Roofing
Sleeker, more attractive designs and technological advancements have made it possible for metal roofing to rise from its humble, corrugated beginnings to become one of the most popular roofing options available today. Here’s a quick rundown of its features and benefits:
What Is It Made Of?
Metal roofing is available in aluminum, steel, and copper. The go-to choice for residential roofs is aluminum, which is lightweight and rust-resistant – just make sure it’s painted or coated. Steel, however, is heavier and stronger than aluminum. It also comes in a range of protective coatings that help resist rust and corrosion. For a more premium option, consider copper. It doesn’t rust, peel or scratch; plus, it weathers naturally to a lovely patina over time. The only downside to copper roofing is its high cost.
How About Its Performance?
Because of its durability, metal roofing can last up to 50 years. It effectively sheds rain and snow and stands up to impact damage – all the while offering good resistance against high winds. This excellent option has inherent reflective properties that reduce radiant heat transfer, helping keep your home cooler and more comfortable. That’s why metal roofing is often found in regions that typically have a predominantly hot climate.
STEEL NO. 1. You might want to invest in metal roofing if you live in an area prone to hot, moist weather and torrential rains.
How Does It Look?
Metal roofing may prove just as versatile as asphalt shingles. It comes in vertical-seam panels, shingles, shakes, and tiles. This roofing option is a staple in Modernist and Contemporary homes, but they also look exceptional in cabins, cottages and other home styles with simple, rustic designs.
Wood Roofing
Like tile, wood roofing systems go way back. When considering this option for your replacement, however, you need to take some essentials into account. First, make sure to check with your building department if wood roofing is a safe option for your area. You should also be ready for the amount of maintenance you’ll have to deal with to keep it looking good and rot-free.
What Is It Made Of?
Wood roofing can be crafted from cedar, redwood or southern pine. It may come in shakes, which are hand-split and thicker, and have a rougher appearance; or shingles, which are cut evenly by a machine, have smoother edges and surfaces, and look more refined.
How About Its Performance?
To get the most out of your wood roofing, make sure it’s treated for fire, mold and algae resistance. It can last up to 10 years longer than asphalt shingles when properly installed and maintained. Wood roofing also offers superior insulating properties, making it an energy-efficient choice.
How Does It Look?
Wood roofing can provide your home with a charming rustic vibe because of its warmth and natural beauty. Over time, it will wear down to a beautiful silvery-gray. If you own a bungalow, Cape Cod, Cottage, Craftsman or Tudor-style home, you’ll find wood roofing an excellent choice.
Tile Roofing
This premium roofing option has been around for centuries and remains a favorite among many homeowners. Because of its weight and more complex installation method, you should turn to one of your area’s most reliable roof companies for its installation.
What Is It Made Of?
Tile roofing is available in concrete, which is lightweight but tough, while still being easy to work with. There are also traditional clay tiles that are reinforced for better strength and durability.
How About Its Performance?
Did you know there are centuries-old homes and buildings still standing today because they have tile roofing? Take a look at some of the older buildings in Spain and South America, and you’ll see tile roofs in reasonably good condition. This should give you an idea of how long-lasting this roofing material can be. Tile roofing is sturdy and non-combustible. It can stand up to any weather condition, especially against harsh sunlight, which makes it another exceptional choice in hot and arid regions. Because of its insulating properties, tile can help cool your home naturally and lower air conditioning bills.
KEEPING YOUR HOME IN S-TILE. Choose tile roofing when looking for a lovely, durable, but more premium choice.
How Does It Look?
Tile roofing can add elegance and texture to your home. It works particularly well in Spanish, Mission and Mediterranean homes. The tiles may come in scalloped, flat and ribbed styles. Red and orange are the predominant colors, but there are also other hues that can help you match your tile roofing with your home’s exterior palette.
Slate Roofing
If budget isn’t an issue and you want the ultimate replacement roof existing today, why not go for slate roofing? With this exceptional option, it will be a hundred years before your home needs another roof replacement. That’s not an exaggeration – the next ones who’ll actually have to worry about it are your descendants.
What Is It Made Of?
Slate consists of natural stone, cut and laid down thick on the roof. Because this roofing option is just as heavy, if not heavier than tile, your home will need an additional support structure. Because of this and other considerations about its installation, you need to make sure the contractor you’ve hired specializes in slate roofing.
How About Its Performance?
Slate roofing can provide centuries-worth of exceptional weather performance. It can easily handle rain, snow, wind and hail damage. As mentioned, if you want to make the most of this premium option and keep your home dry and damage-free, choose a contractor who has expertly worked on this material and knows how to perform the necessary roof repair solutions.
How Does It Look?
The timeless, natural beauty and textured appearance of slate roofing are unmatched. In fact, the slate will look even better over time. Slate can come in a variety of different colored stones – from black to brown to gray and green, which will eventually wear down and create a lovely blend of hues.
Always take into account the characteristics of the roofing material your new system will use. Plus, make sure to hire a reliable roofing contractor from your area to handle its installation.
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Author Bio:
Jesse Curry is the owner of Roofing by Curry, a premier Florida company specializing in roof repair, replacement and new construction. His greatest strengths are his creativity, drive and leadership, which he puts to good use in overcoming challenges and expanding the company’s reach. Stay updated on Jesse and Roofing by Curry by checking out the company blog.
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