If you've never had to replace a roof, or haven't had to do it in a while, you'll be surprised by the wide variety of materials available today.
Each has its own benefits and drawbacks so before you settle on one, take the time to compare them and see what is best for your situation.
Different Types Of Roofing Materials The material you choose will impact the cost of the roof, how well it holds up to the elements, how easy it is to make repairs and how long it will last before it needs to be replaced.
In some cases, the material you choose will have a greater or lesser impact on the environment than other choices and can affect the heating and cooling costs of your home.
We'll take a look at some of the most popular materials on the market today: Asphalt Shingles, Slate, Metal and Wood.
Asphalt Shingles Asphalt or composition shingles are popular with homeowners.
They are among the lowest cost and lowest maintenance of the materials available, come in a wide variety of colors and styles and are recyclable.
Qualified roofing contractors will have many styles and varieties of asphalt shingles to share with you and will be able to explain the differences between each type and find one that fits your needs and meets your budget.
These shingles are made of rag fiber or fiberglass, blended with asphalt and then covered with mineral granules to give them their color and texture.
They are among the simplest of materials to install and are useful in a wide variety of applications.
Sometimes, they can be nailed over an existing roof.
The main drawback to asphalt shingles is their limited lifespan when compared with other types.
They also have a fairly commonplace look and can blow off in heavy winds.
Slate Slate is an all-natural, beautiful material that has been in use for thousands of years.
It is extremely versatile, strong and rot-resistant and is highly resistant to fire.
Slate roofs almost always increase a home's value and looks and are extremely energy efficient, low maintenance and long lasting - up to 200 years if well cared for.
For all of its benefits, slate is expensive.
Since it is made of rock, slate is also heavy.
Sometimes roofing companies need to add in extra support to ensure the roof can handle the weight of the slate tiles.
It's also fragile and can break easily, especially if ice forms on it.
Regular inspections and maintenance are needed to ensure optimum performance.
Metal Metals roofs are enjoying a resurgence in popularity.
Many historic homes and monuments have metal roofs using materials such as cooper, lead or zinc.
More modern metal roofing uses steel and a few roofing contractors still work with copper.
Metal roofs can be made to resemble wood shakes, tiles or shingles.
Metal is a durable, fire retardant and low-maintenance roofing choice.
These roofs help keep homes cooler in summer by reflecting heat and blocking heat transfer to the attic.
They are light-weight and thin enough to be installed over an existing roof.
Installation can be tricky so you want to find roofing companies with experience with metal installation to ensure it is installed correctly.
If you can, you will enjoy a truly unique and historic roofing material.
Wood Shingles Wood is another all-natural alternative.
It is less expensive and less heavy than some of the stone materials and it is easy to repair.
As an all-natural product, there is a lot of variation in wood shingles, which means your home will look unique and the shakes themselves will vary from one to another.
Wood is energy-efficient, helping to insulate and ventilate the attic.
They are a popular choice among owners of historic homes.
Maintenance is a consideration with wood shingles, however.
Wood can rot, harbor mold or attract insects, which makes routine inspections critical to the protection of the roof.
They are harder to install than asphalt shingle and if the roofing contractors aren't familiar with the installation process, the end result can look bad.
Consulting experienced roofing companies can help you decide which material is right for your home, your needs and your budget.
Each has its own benefits and drawbacks so before you settle on one, take the time to compare them and see what is best for your situation.
Different Types Of Roofing Materials The material you choose will impact the cost of the roof, how well it holds up to the elements, how easy it is to make repairs and how long it will last before it needs to be replaced.
In some cases, the material you choose will have a greater or lesser impact on the environment than other choices and can affect the heating and cooling costs of your home.
We'll take a look at some of the most popular materials on the market today: Asphalt Shingles, Slate, Metal and Wood.
Asphalt Shingles Asphalt or composition shingles are popular with homeowners.
They are among the lowest cost and lowest maintenance of the materials available, come in a wide variety of colors and styles and are recyclable.
Qualified roofing contractors will have many styles and varieties of asphalt shingles to share with you and will be able to explain the differences between each type and find one that fits your needs and meets your budget.
These shingles are made of rag fiber or fiberglass, blended with asphalt and then covered with mineral granules to give them their color and texture.
They are among the simplest of materials to install and are useful in a wide variety of applications.
Sometimes, they can be nailed over an existing roof.
The main drawback to asphalt shingles is their limited lifespan when compared with other types.
They also have a fairly commonplace look and can blow off in heavy winds.
Slate Slate is an all-natural, beautiful material that has been in use for thousands of years.
It is extremely versatile, strong and rot-resistant and is highly resistant to fire.
Slate roofs almost always increase a home's value and looks and are extremely energy efficient, low maintenance and long lasting - up to 200 years if well cared for.
For all of its benefits, slate is expensive.
Since it is made of rock, slate is also heavy.
Sometimes roofing companies need to add in extra support to ensure the roof can handle the weight of the slate tiles.
It's also fragile and can break easily, especially if ice forms on it.
Regular inspections and maintenance are needed to ensure optimum performance.
Metal Metals roofs are enjoying a resurgence in popularity.
Many historic homes and monuments have metal roofs using materials such as cooper, lead or zinc.
More modern metal roofing uses steel and a few roofing contractors still work with copper.
Metal roofs can be made to resemble wood shakes, tiles or shingles.
Metal is a durable, fire retardant and low-maintenance roofing choice.
These roofs help keep homes cooler in summer by reflecting heat and blocking heat transfer to the attic.
They are light-weight and thin enough to be installed over an existing roof.
Installation can be tricky so you want to find roofing companies with experience with metal installation to ensure it is installed correctly.
If you can, you will enjoy a truly unique and historic roofing material.
Wood Shingles Wood is another all-natural alternative.
It is less expensive and less heavy than some of the stone materials and it is easy to repair.
As an all-natural product, there is a lot of variation in wood shingles, which means your home will look unique and the shakes themselves will vary from one to another.
Wood is energy-efficient, helping to insulate and ventilate the attic.
They are a popular choice among owners of historic homes.
Maintenance is a consideration with wood shingles, however.
Wood can rot, harbor mold or attract insects, which makes routine inspections critical to the protection of the roof.
They are harder to install than asphalt shingle and if the roofing contractors aren't familiar with the installation process, the end result can look bad.
Consulting experienced roofing companies can help you decide which material is right for your home, your needs and your budget.
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