Installing a roof is never an impromptu decision and your choice of material is going to determine how well your roof lasts and offers protection. Improper installations or inadequate materials can lead to a host of problems in the long run from water leakage to damage to the shingles and mold. Here are some tips to choose the right roofing material for your house so that you can enjoy a solid, durable roof for decades to come and minimize the cost of repairs.
1. The Ideal Type For Your House
The first step to choosing a roofing material is to know the varieties that are available and the circumstances they perform best in. Certain roofing materials do work better for particular climates such as those prone to rain and hail while others perform better in warmer locations. A roofing company can help you identify the best type for your house design and the surrounding environmental conditions.
- Slate is a type of metamorphic rock that can be easily converted into tiles, slabs, or shingles and is used for various purposes around a building. Slate comes in a variety of shades and is preferred for contemporary houses where a grey or monochromatic touch is aesthetically pleasing for a roof. Slate can however be less durable than metal.
- Concrete or clay are also durable and popular choices and both have been widely used for roofing over the centuries. They come in a number of colors and they are fire-proof and help keep a house cool so ideal for a warmer climate.
- Wood roofing shingles cost quite a bit more but are very classic and gorgeous and give an outdoorsy, rustic appeal to a house. They are particularly preferred for historic renovations which include replacing Kitchen faucets and period properties that need updating but the original finish has to be preserved.
- Three-tab and architectural asphalt are a very common and durable type of roofing material that suits nearly every type of house. Asphalt can also be made to resemble a wooden finish but it costs quite a lot less than actual wooden shingles.
- Metal is a widely preferred roofing material simply because it can easily be installed and can last very well for decades with minimal maintenance. It can help homeowners save energy and require little to no investment for repairs.
2. Climate And Resultant Longevity
Always consider the environment around your home with regard to the temperature and the weather. Commercial roofers will advise roofing materials after considering the location of your home and the seasonal climatic conditions.
In rainy or snowy areas roofing materials that can handle the dampness and the weight of the snow will be chosen. Generally metal and concrete work the best as slate can crack if the plates are very thin and so can clay or asphalt. If the climate is very warm and the sunlight is a common feature year round, clay tiles, as well as concrete roofing tiles, along with good flooring can provide insulation against the heat and keep a house cool.
