5 Best Roofing Options For Your Home By John Burton Posted on August 21, 2018 Share on Facebook Share on Twitter The roof that you have on your home is responsible for keeping the elements from damaging your foundation as well as the items within the interior. Therefore, the type of roofing that your roofer installs is extremely important. With so many roofing material options available, it maybe be difficult to decide on the one that will best meet your needs. Below are the 5 best roofing options available and their respective advantages. 1. Metal Metal roofs consist of sheets or tiles kept in place with clips or rivets. Common metal types used are zinc, copper, and steel. The use of metal roofs has skyrocketed over the past few decades. This is mainly because of the longevity of them, lasting up to 100 years with most installation companies offering 50-year warranties. Metal roofs can allow you to save on energy bills in the summer as it reflects sunlight away from the structure. While they may cost more up front for installation, metal roofs are cost effective in the long run as they rarely need repair or maintenance. 2. Slate Slate roofs consist of heavy stone cut into pieces from natural stone. The pieces of slate are usually fastened to a roof with either nails or clips. Like metal, slate roofs are appealing because they last a long time. In many parts of the world some slate roofs that have been installed over 100 years ago still remain intact. The slate used does not absorb water at all, making them waterproof and allowing homeowners to avoid issues involving moisture. These types of roofs are known for their stunning natural beauty, however like metal up front costs can be more due to their longevity and ease of maintenance. 3. Asphalt Asphalt shingles are made of a mixture of slate, quartz, brick, and stone gandules. Roofs made of asphalt shingles have been the most popular by far among homeowners since the early 1900s. Roofs with asphalt shingles installed are popular because they are more economical than other types. Because the installation process is easier they can be installed by homeowners to save costs but most still choose to have professional companies install them. These types of roofs typically last between 15 and 20 years before replacement is necessary. They offer many colours and designs, allowing a homeowner to choose the type that matches the shade or motif of their house perfectly. 4. Composite Composite roofing is made of a mixture of asbestos, wood, asphalt, tar, and laminate. This type of roofing can last anywhere from 15 to 50 years depending on what is used to manufacture them with warranties typically covering materials and installation from 15 to 20 years. Composite is strong than asphalt and as such is not prone to cracking, peeling or warping. It is also more resistant ultraviolet (UV) rays and like asphalt is available in many different colours and designs. In fact, composite roofing can be manufactured to look like more expensive roofing options such as clay or slate. 5. Wood shake Wood shake roofs consist of shingles manufactured from split logs of cedar, pine or redwood. The shingles are installed in a way that they overlap each other, allowing for impressive waterproofing capabilities. Wooden shakes are usually treated with fire retardant chemicals, offering a homeowner increased protection. These types of shingles are usually thicker which also offer protection against elements that would cause damage to the interior of the home. A wood shake roof will typically last 30 to 40 years and may require more maintenance when compared to other types of roof materials due to shingles splitting and warping.
