Roofing is a serious subject for homeowners – there’s a reason having a roof over your head is such a big deal. Nowadays, there are many types of roofing materials that work under different conditions and environments, or simply for different aesthetics.
But with so many options, it can be hard to know exactly what’s best for your home. So let’s break down the most common roofing materials one-by-one so you can make you choice!
Asphalt shingles
By far the most common roofing material in America, asphalt shingles are the easy pick that fit most situations. They’re fairly easy to install, remain at an affordable price, and come in a variety of colors to fit your home’s style.
Better yet, they can be reinforced without compromising their appearance if you need a bit more resistance.
PROS
- Fairly affordable
- Easy to install
- Can be reinforced
- Visual variety
CONS
- Quality varies wildly (from manufacturers)
- Shorter life span than other roof types
- Little to no insulation
Clay and Concrete Tiles
Clay and concrete tiles are for homeowners who are looking for high durability. This type of roofing material is extremely reliable for longer periods of time, but at a cost – it will certainly cost more than asphalt shingles, and the shingles themselves are way heavier, which may require preparation to make sure your home can sustain the weight.
But clay and concrete tiles also have the benefit of being non-combustible on top of being highly resilient to wear and tear, so the extra cost is worth the investment.
PROS
- High durability
- Longer life span
- Non-combustible
CONS
- More expensive than other roofing materials
- Shingles are heavy, may require additional framing
Metal Roofing
Metal roofing has most of the same qualities of clay and concrete tiles – highly durable and a bit more expensive, but with an added benefit: they are considerably lighter.
They’re visually impressive as well. Metal roofing takes advantage of the variety of available metals like aluminum, copper, and stainless steel, meaning you won’t be let down by how they look once installed.
PROS
- Highly durable under extreme conditions
- Lightweight
- Varied material types offer visual variety
- Reflects sunlight
CONS
- More expensive than other roofing types
Slate
Slate shingles offer some of the best visual variety you can find when it comes to roofing. Available in a wide array of colors from black to red, from blue to green, you’re sure to find something bold and different to suit your needs.
This comes at a price though, both literally and figuratively: they are more expensive and also heavier than other roof types.
PROS
- Best visual variety out of the bunch
- Fire-resistant
- Fairly durable
CONS
- Fairly expensive
- Very heavy, requires proper framing
Wood Shingles or Shakes
Wood shingles are as old as time and for a good reason – being easy to come by makes them cheaper than most roofing types, and they are fairly reliable as well, although not the greatest at that.
The look of wood shingles are one of their greatest appeals,you can’t really beat the rustic look of natural wood. However, the major drawback to wood shingles is that they don’t deal well with wet climates, which makes them much more prone to housing mold. Some areas with strict fire codes actually prohibit the use of wood shingles, so be sure to consult the fire code for your area.
PROS
- Beautiful rustic look
- Fairly cheap
- Variety in wood types
CONS
- Shorter life span
- Not ideal for wet climates
- Certain fire codes prohibit their use
Want to know more? Get a free quote from one of our roofing contractors today!
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