WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT ROOFING MATERIALS BEFORE YOUR ROOF REPLACEMENT – FAMILY ROOFING

Posted on by David Reid

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At Family Roofing, we take great pride in our experience, expertise, quality and customer service. It is our mission to provide excellent workmanship and complete customer satisfaction from start to completion of a project. Our reputation is based on service, safety and quality, regardless of how large or small the job.

 

WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT ROOFING MATERIALS BEFORE YOUR ROOF REPLACEMENT

Updating your existing roof allows you to add value to your home and communicate your home’s look and feel.  While roof framing, preparation and proper installation are always important, the material you choose for your roof can bring the exterior of your home to the next level.

When choosing roofing materials, consider the following questions.

  • How heavy is this material and will it require special framing?
  • Is the material available in a variety of colors and styles that complement your home?
  • Does the material meet the fire codes in your local area?
  • Are there special installation and maintenance issues to consider?
  • Does this material offer good performance in extreme weather conditions that are common in your area?
  • What is the cost, life span and warranty for this product?

The answers to those questions will help you determine the best choice for your home. There are lots of options for roofing materials available and below is a rundown of some of the popular ones.

Asphalt Shingles

The most common residential roofing material used in the United States, asphalt shingles are popular because they are economical and easy to install.  These shingles can be reinforced with fiberglass or organic materials (cellulose) without changing the appearance of the shingle.

Pros: Asphalt comes in a variety of colors, is widely available and is one of the least expensive materials.

Cons: Asphalt has a shorter life span than other roofing materials, doesn’t provide the insulation other materials offer, and the quality varies.

House Styles: Asphalt shingles work with many architectural styles, especially traditional suburban styles.

Clay and Concrete Tiles

Clay and concrete tiles add texture and elegance to a roof.  Genuine flat, ribbed or scalloped clay tiles are extremely durable but also very heavy, and must be installed by a professional.  Concrete tiles are versatile and are less expensive than genuine clay, but also have a heavy weight.

Pros: Clay and concrete tiles are long-lasting and non-combustible, and concrete tiles are energy efficient.

Cons: Clay and concrete tiles are expensive, heavy and usually require additional framing.

House Styles: Clay and concrete tiles work well with Mediterranean, Mission, Southwestern and Spanish-style homes.

Slate

Offering lots of beauty and a distinctive elegant appearance, slate colors include shades of black, green, grey, red and purple.

Pros: Slate is very durable, fire-resistant and a sustainable roof that can be recycled.

Cons: Slate is expensive, heavy, and requires extra framing and professional installation. The quality can vary with imported slate.

House Styles: Slate works well with Colonial, European and French chateau homes.

Wind Warranty

Metal: Very effective against the wind. They can be dented by falling debris, but the wind will not cause much damage.

Rubber: Another solid option to deter damage from wind, rubber is quite durable.

Clay: Clay is also quite strong against wind, thanks to its heavy nature.

Cedar: Cedar can also hold its own against wind.

Asphalt: The worst material when it comes to wind damage.  As we mentioned before, this is the price you pay for choosing a cheaper option.  If you are worried about wind damage with asphalt shingles, seek out more premium quality brands.

Maintenance For Roofing Materials

Metal: Quite sturdy, so it isn’t often you’ll need to perform maintenance on a metal roof.

Asphalt: Pretty easy to maintain; just need to get on the roof every few years and fix any minor issues before they become big issues.

Rubber: Doesn’t take much maintenance.

Clay: Wind can sometimes shift some of the shingles, so you need to check on that every so often.

Cedar: Cedar needs to be cleaned quite often; otherwise, the discoloration can be common. It’s not too bad, though.

Life Expectancy

Metal: Metal roofs can last up to 50-60 years and sometimes longer.

Rubber:  Rubber roofs will last 40-50 years.

Clay: Clay can also last 50+ years.

Cedar: Cedar will last 20-25 years, depending on the climate and weather.

Asphalt: The life expectancy of an asphalt roof is about 18 years.

Roof Material Durability

Clay: Heavy and very durable.

Rubber: Also very heavy, the best hail resistance option on the market today. So, if you live in an area that gets a lot of hail, rubber is definitely recommended.

Metal: Hail, as well as falling debris, can put dents in a metal roof.

Ceda: Cedar is also susceptible to some damage from hail and debris.

Asphalt: Asphalt is very susceptible to damage.

Determining The Right Roofing Material For Your Home

At the end of the day, determining which roofing material is right for you comes down to personal preference and your budget.  There are times where certain roofing materials will provide a distinct benefit you should take advantage of, but for the most part, it boils down to what you want and what you can afford.  Determining the actual cost depends on how long you plan to be in your home.  For instance, a metal roof costs more per square foot than an asphalt roof.  However, the metal roof will long outlast the asphalt roof, ultimately making it cost less in the long run.  The upfront cost may be higher, but if you take advantage of the metal roof’s full lifespan, you’ll come out money ahead.