Roofs are just a pitched cover for your home, right?All roofs are basically the same, so you really needn't put much thought into it, right?Wrong.
For many laypersons, it comes as a great surprise the vast array of materials and styles that are used in modern home building.
Depending on your environment, budget, and personal preferences, it can be difficult to know how to choose between options.
Obviously, you'll want to discuss alternatives with your roofing professional, but these tips should serve as a guide to understanding your choices.
Climate The climate in your area should be the most important deciding factor when choosing between options.
Certain materials withstand weather better than others.
For example, asphalt shingles are a better option than wood shakes in very wet climates.
Ultimately, you should discuss which materials are best for your climate with an experienced contractor.
Budget Of course, your budget will limit your options.
Slate and metal roofing is attractive and durable, but it's also much more expensive than traditional options such as asphalt or wood shingles.
Before you embark on a roofing project, you'll want to be sure that you can afford it.
Efficiency Modern roofs often include a number of energy efficiency features that help to reduce heat loss and subsequently energy costs.
Indeed, there are many environmentally-sound options today, though they tend to be more expensive than conventional roofing materials.
Still, the added expense of green roofs can often be recouped over the lifespan of your roof with respect to the energy efficiency they provide.
Not only are heating bills lower because of better insulation, but eco-roofs can feature solar panels which further reduce costs.
Moreover, many green roofs, such as living roofs are much more durable than traditional choices.
Material Finally, you'll want to take some time to discuss materials with your contractor.
Asphalt roofing is among the most popular in North America, but roofs today can be constructed from myriad materials including wooden shingles, slate, metal, clay and tiles.

• Asphalt roofs are affordable, durable, and they stand up well to most weather conditions.
  
• Similarly, wooden shingles are affordable, though not as durable as asphalt.
  However, cedar shingles are generally treated to prevent rot and decay, so they're more durable than other wooden varieties.
  
• Slate roofs are popular because of their aesthetic and durability, but they're also quite expensive.
  
• Metal roofing provides the durability of slate roofs at a fraction of the cost.
  These roofs make a great option for hurricane areas, but again they are more expensive than asphalt or wooden roofs.
  
• Finally, clay or tile roofing is attractive as materials are available in a wide range of colours.
  Clay or tile roofing is also a great choice for a more affordable alternative to slate.