If you’re repairing or replacing your roof soon, you might want to check out other options instead of simply going for the same material you previously had. There are plenty of materials you can go for, but each roofing option has its own advantages. Finding the best for you is an important move for the protection of your house.
Maybe you’re looking for a longer-lasting material for your family home or simply a cost-effective roofing for your rental property. Either way, there will always be that perfect option that fits your needs. Keep reading to check out 12 popular roofing materials you can consider along with their advantages.
Wooden Shingles or Shakes
Despite the subtle difference between wooden shingles and shakes, they all have the same basic benefits, such as:
- Easy to repair if damaged
- Visually pleasing
- Resistant to wind damage
- Good insulation
Usually, the best wooden roofings are made of hardwood or natural wood. A great and popular example would be cedar shingles with their superior insulation and better resistance against humidity.
But be careful, as time goes by wood can rot, crack and lose its color, so it’s important to have a good maintenance schedule set up.
Asphalt Shingles
The most popular roofing material used in the US, asphalt shingles are widely available and provide high durability. They are great at resisting moisture and, if you have an attic, it keeps condensation out of the room.
The material comes in a variety of colors and is considered one of the most affordable options today. However, there are also a few cons, such as a shorter life span and less insulation when compared to other materials.
Metal Roofing
Metal tiles are popular for their fire and weather resistance qualities, as well as their longevity. Even with low maintenance, this roofing can last from 40 to 70 years, depending on the material. Therefore, you can enjoy this investment for many years without having to replace it any time soon.
A common misconception about metal shingles is that some people say they can be loud when it rains. However, that’s not true at all. Sure they can be loud when installed in an open-frame garage without proper plywood assembly and insulation, but that’s not how it is installed in homes.
In fact, metal roofing can be quieter than other popular options, since they usually have some kind of insulating underlayment installed below them, allowing the material to absorb the sound of rain, hail, sleet, etc.
Standing Seam Metal Roofing
Since it’s a metal roofing variation, the material has similar benefits, such as the same water and fire resistance, as well as the same durability. However, standing seam metal roofing is considered more versatile, because you can get it as a full roofing on a home or as additional shingles for other roofing materials.
Steel Roofing
Steel roofing is affordable, durable, and efficient. For example, galvanized steel, one of the main types of steel available for roofing, is made of zinc, which makes the roof more corrosion-resistant.
However, one of the biggest disadvantages is the upfront cost, since installation prices are almost twice or even three times higher than other roofing materials.
Built-Up Roofing (BUR)
The BUR type of roofing is a great option if you’re interested in a flat roof replacement. It’s recommended for flat or low-pitch surfaces and offers several benefits, such as:
- Waterproofing
- Fire resistance
- Extremely low-maintenance
- Can last more than 30 years
The BUR system is also a great option for saving money and time, due to the easy adaptation to building surfaces, which means fast installation.
Clay Tile
Clay tiles are popular as roofing materials, despite their higher cost. They are long-lasting, impervious to rot and insect damage, and, as made of natural resources, also eco-friendly. However, some disadvantages that may sometimes prevent the choice of this material are the difficulty of installation and the lack of accessibility to all the roof slopes.
Concrete Tile
This is a good alternative to clay tile and offers durability and versatility, since it can be found in many different shapes and colors. An advantage of this material is its heaviness, which is good for areas with strong winds. Concrete tile is also very affordable, so it’s a popular pick among homeowners.
Composite Shingles
Usually made of recycled rubber and plastic materials, this roofing looks exactly like slate roofing or cedar shake, so it’s a very popular choice. The lightweight makes installation easier, and even though it’s not as durable as real stone, it still lasts for around 50 years.
Slate Roofing
Slate is a really favorable material for roofing. It’s durable, requires low maintenance, and increases the home value. On the other hand, the main disadvantage would be installation. Since it’s a heavy material difficult to deal with, the project requires specialized professionals, which can be hard to find depending on the location.
If you’re replacing your roof, the process is usually slow and can take a while to finish. If you’re building a new house, the project needs to be adapted, built and framed with this roofing in mind, due to the weight and the massive strain on a home’s structure.
Solar Tiles
Solar tiles are made to be more durable than most roof tiles materials and resistant to weather, especially water rain leaks. While solar shingles aren’t as efficient as standard solar panels, they are easier to maintain and integrate well with concrete and asphalt roofs in particular.
Green Roofing
Beyond offering the same basic utilities as standard roofs and the best thermal insulation than any other roof material, green roofs, in addition, have the same benefits to the environment as plants in general, such as the improvement of air quality, releasing oxygen in the ambient and absorbing carbon dioxide.
The downside is that they require extra maintenance and can increase the weight load on your home’s structure
Which of these roofing materials are you more interested in? Contact a local roofing installation company and solve all your doubts before requesting a free quote!
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