How to Choose the Right Material for Your Roof

Does your roof need replacing? If you’re planning to replace your roof, it’s important to take some time to consider your options. There are different choices when it comes to roofing materials, and they all offer benefits and drawbacks that you should keep in mind when you make your final choice. The roofing material that’s best for you will depend largely on what weather conditions your roof is exposed to and the home or commercial building where you want to have the roof replaced.

Yes, it’s tempting to replace your roof with the same roofing material it had before. However, you might be able to improve the durability and performance of your new roof by choosing a new material for your new roof.

Roofing Materials and Slope

The slope of your roof plays a big part in what roofing materials you can use to replace it. When the slope of your roof is at least 4-in-12, you can choose between different kinds of roof tiles and shingles, whereas a roof with a slope that isn’t steep enough will need to be replaced with a seamless roofing material.

A seamless roofing material will prevent your roof from leaking if there’s ever any water buildup. As a general rule, flat roofs don’t allow water and snow to run off as easily. Flat roofs are also more prone to debris buildup. This means that a flat roof will need to be made of a material that’s more weather resistant, and it will require some maintenance to keep it in good condition for longer. However, a flat roof that’s been properly installed with high grade material shouldn’t have to be a hassle to maintain, and even flat roofs have their own set of unique benefits.

General Considerations

When choosing a roofing material, there are things other than slope that’s also worth considering before you start shopping around. Here are some things that you need to keep in mind before making a choice:

• Appearance: The appearance of your roofing material will be especially important if you have a sloped roof, as the tiles or shingles you choose will be clearly visible and it will have a direct influence on the appearance of your home. If there’s a specific color you want for your roof, you should ask about what color different materials are available in.
• Durability: It doesn’t help to choose a roofing material that looks great, but will only stay that way for a short amount of time, so durability should be something you consider before choosing a material. For the best results, you might want to talk to a roofing specialist in your area, as they should be able to offer advice catered uniquely to your roof and the weather where you live.
• Cost: The price difference between different roofing materials can be considerably large, so always ask about the price for all your different options and don’t assume that the prices will be very similar regardless of what material you choose. Keep in mind that labor costs might also be different depending on what material you choose, seeing as some materials are harder to install than others. What this means is that you should ask for full quotes of what a new roof will cost you, and you should get more than one quote from the same contractor for different roofing materials.

So, these are a few of the things you should always keep in mind when picking the best roofing material for your building.

Popular Roofing Materials

The most popular roofing materials are usually the ones that come at a lower price. Sometimes more expensive roofing materials are only worth the extra investment for their aesthetic value, but not necessarily for any other reason.

Asphalt Shingles

Asphalt shingles are definitely a good option for sloped roofs if you want to get a lot of bang for your buck. This option is cost effective and durable, but the appearance doesn’t look quite as elegant as something like wood, clay or slate. Still, a good asphalt shingle can have a very appearance and it remains a good roofing option.

However, if you choose asphalt shingles, be sure to go for the highest quality you can find. Not all asphalt shingles are the same, so ask about what options your roofing contractor would recommend and get a quote for each type.

Modern Alternatives

There are some great, reasonably low-cost alternatives to classic slate roofs these days. This can help you save some expense, and offers the added benefit of a more lightweight roof. You can look into things like plastic composites or fiber cement to get an elegant look on your roof that will be cost effective and durable.

Metal Roofing

Metal is rather expensive, but it’s a brilliant choice if you want a roof that easily allows water and snow to slide off. And while people don’t usually choose metal roofing for its appearance, a great benefit that comes with a metal roof is that you can paint it in a variety of colors depending on what paint you can find. Metal roofs are very durable and should be fire resistant if they were installed with the safety of your building in mind.

Whatever kind of roof you’re looking for, you should understand the pros and cons of each material to know what will work for your roof and budget. Do some research on what you need, and try to make your choice through carefully considering what characteristics you value most in a roofing material.