It is essential that when selecting a roof, you consider more than just its aesthetic appeal – you have to take into consideration its capabilities to protect your house from the elements and maintain it over the years. There are various types of roofing materials available in the market, all having different advantages and drawbacks based on price and need for maintenance.
It’s just a roof? Surely there aren’t that many options when selecting a roof? You’d be surprised.
The primary function of your roof is to provide adequate protection against the sun’s UV rays, heavy rain, extreme heat or cold weather, wind and snow as well as combat moisture issues. Each type of material offers different levels of these protections. You also don’t want to spend a fortune on a roof, especially in cases where the roofing material requires lots of maintenance or could be quickly damaged due to frequent changes in weather conditions. Making sure you selecting a roof, one suitable for your needs will help save money in long run while ensuring that your home remains safe from external elements.
Selecting a Roof To Fit Your Needs
It’s just a roof? Surely there aren’t that many ways when selecting a roof? You’d be surprised.
1. Solar roof tiles
Advanced solar collectors integrate seamlessly into existing shingles, generating 13 – 63 watts of energy per tile. They’re particularly good for sunny roofs in homeowners’ associations that forbid typical solar panels. While they may help offset energy costs with solar power, they also cost more than traditional solar options.
2. Asphalt shingles
Asphalt shingles are the most common roofing materials in America because they’re effective in all environmental conditions. Quality varies widely, so ask whether your shingles pass the ASTM D3161, Class F (110 mph) or ASTM D7158, Class H (150 mph) wind tests and are rated class 3 or 4 impact rating.
3. Metal roofing
Metal roofing comes in vertical panels or shingles resembling slate, tile and shake – and can last 50 – 70 years. Metal excels at sloughing off heavy snow and rain, won’t burn and resists high winds. It is lightweight and low maintenance compared to roofs of other materials. However, metal can be noisy during rainstorms.5Learn more about the pros and cons of metal roofs.
4. Stone-coated steel
Interlocking tiles mimic slate, clay or shingles and resist damage caused by heavy rains (up to 8.8 inches per hour), winds of 120 miles per hour, uplifting, hail and freeze-thaw cycles. Consequently, they’re an economical, effective choice for wet, windy regions or areas prone to wildfires.
5. Slate roof
Slate roofing can last more than 100 years. It won’t burn, is waterproof and resists mold and fungus. Slate is effective in wet climates but is expensive, heavy and may be easily broken when stepped on.
6. Rubber slate
Rubber shingles are a durable and cost-effective roofing option that can be made in a variety of colors and styles. They can be depended on to last 15 – 30 years, and repairs are relatively easy if issues arise any earlier. Rubber insulates well too, so some homeowners may find that a rubber roof lowers their energy costs.
7. Clay and concrete tiles
Clay and concrete roof tiles can withstand damage from tornadoes, hurricanes or winds up to 125 miles per hour and even earthquakes, according to “A Summary of Experimental Studies on Seismic Performance of Concrete and Clay Roofing Tiles” by the University of Southern California for the Tile Roofing Institute. However, they may require extra support to bear their weight and they are likely to break when walked on.
8. Eco-friendly living roofs
Green roofs are covered with plants and can improve air quality, reduce water runoff and insulate homes to reduce urban heat islands. However, they need extra structural support, a vapor barrier, thermal insulation, waterproofing, drainage, water filtration, soil, compost and plants.
9. Built-up roofing
This heavy roofing consists of layers of asphalt, tar or adhesive topped with an aggregate and is the most common style for flat roofs. As you might expect for a design used on flat roofs, built-up roofing is great for waterproofing and is also fire resistant. They can last 15 to 30 years.
Keeping your home safe and secure from natural elements can become complicated quickly, especially when you are considering selecting a roof material. You want to make sure that you have the necessary protection from weather elements like sunlight, rain, snow and hail while also considering cost-effectiveness. With so many options available in roofing materials, it can be difficult to choose the right one without understanding their individual advantages and disadvantages.
Selecting a roof for your home depends on your climate, budget and the type of house you have. To see what’s best in your area, talk with a licensed roofing contractor like Independent Construction and let us show you the newer developments in roofing to get ideas on what type of roofing material is best for your house.
