When it comes to choosing a new roof for a new building or replacing an old one, you have several options available, including metal, cedar shake roofing, flat roofing, and asphalt shingles. These vary in price, appearance, and benefits they offer the property. Depending on where you live and your environment, some roof options may be better than others. Below are the pros and cons of each roofing material option to determine which works best for your property.
1. Metal
One of the largest growing trends in the roofing industry is metal roof installation, as it is a great option for all house types and commercial buildings. Tin and aluminum are the most common metal types of these roofs and can be customized in various colors. Homeowners are looking at choosing these roofs because they are easy to install and have a long-term lifespan for the roof. Some popular roofing colors include the classic metal tin color, black, blue, green, and red. They appeal to homes looking for a more rustic aesthetic for their home.
Metal roofing supplies include copper, aluminum, zinc, steel, and tin. Copper roofs are not as customizable as colors but have an extensive life span because they have a low melting pressure point. Copper roofs are great for areas that get a lot of snow, as they allow the snow to melt and slide down the roof easily, reducing the pressure on the roof. Copper is also ideal for dry climates since it can manage the heat from the sun and wildfires, reducing damage to a home that may fall victim.
Another metal that can withstand the same types of climes is aluminum. It is durable and has a long life expectancy, like copper. The drawback, however, is aluminum’s tendency to dent easily. Depending on where those dents fail, they could start to collect pools of water if they are not found and corrected, causing unwanted pressure on the roof.
Zinc roofs are some of the more expensive metal roof installation options. The good news is that despite its cost, the lifespan of zinc is one of the best on the market. When properly installed, they can last upwards of 80 years. They can fight off different weather types and are resistant to weather and insect damage. You can choose between zinc panels or shingles, a great option. They are meant to accommodate different roof sizes, but the shingles are easier to lay.
Steel and tin roofs are similar, but the steel is much heavier than the tin. There is also a higher cost of installation. If you are having difficulties choosing between these two metal types, a professional roofing company has the ability to show you what works best for your home based on their experience. Cost and longevity are why the tin metal roof installation is one of the most popular options in the last few years.
Steel and tin roofs are similar, but the steel is much heavier than the tin. There is also a higher cost of installation. If you are having difficulties choosing between these two metal types, a professional roofing company has the ability to show you what works best for your home based on their experience. Cost and longevity are why the tin metal roof installation is one of the most popular options in the last few years.
Some people enjoy the sounds that come from steel and tin roofs. They are known to make sounds with the wind and rain, so if that is something that you enjoy, then you should have these options on your list of true contenders for a roof. They do have less maintenance than more traditional options, and have the ability to withstand the wind damage that asphalt shingles and less strong metals do with bad winds. Areas that suffer from hurricanes or tornados find these to be great options for their homes.
2. Cedar Shake
If you are looking for a unique prospect of a roof, then cedar shake roofing may be one of the options to consider. Keep in mind that the beauty of this roof is unmatched, and it gives such a high quality of curb appeal to your home. Cedar is one of the world’s strongest and most resistant woods, which is why it is used in some cases. Cedar is resistant to mold and insects and can withstand certain weather elements for several decades.
It is important to install it for roof preservation properly. If the cedar is properly installed, you could face extreme water damage that will cause extensive damage to the structure of your home. You will also have to repair it sooner than expected, cutting its lifespan in half and paying for a new roof when you shouldn’t have had to.
You must check with your local roofing service company to see if anyone can install or even recommend this roof type. Cedar shake roofing can be expensive to start with because these shingles are not readily available. They have to be ordered and then you may have to find a specialized company willing to do the installation. Also, your environment may not be the right type for this wood roof. Even if the cedar is resistant to some weather conditions, constant exposure to water may not be the best option. Cedar will absorb the moisture, but too much at one time could be damaging. There is also no warranty available on this roof type, so if it is damaged, then you are out of money.
Also, your environment may not be the right type for this wood roof. Even if the cedar is resistant to some weather conditions, constant exposure to water may not be the best option. Cedar will absorb the moisture, but too much at one time could be damaging. There is also no warranty available on this roof type, so if it is damaged, then you are out of money.
3. Flat
With all the talk of being energy-efficient worldwide, the desire for a flat roof surface is rising. Local residential roofers in areas that are drier are finding the demand to be heavy for the flat roof service on homes and buildings in the area. Traditionally, the flat roof was considered detrimental because it held water and snow, causing extensive damage and causing the roof to cave under pressure. However, these new designs on homes show the benefits to a flat roof for a home.
The cost and construction of a flat roof is one of the cheapest in the roofing industry. They are able to help reorganize the space on a home and allow it to be used for multiple purposes. In modern home designs, these flat roof options are being repurposed for things like rooftop gardens and patio areas so that homeowners can have their own private outdoor space in areas where traditional yards are not an option.
The cost of a new roof from a flat roof service is that it is relatively cheap to build and requires minimal materials. Most other roofs are big projects that need a large upfront cost due to materials, but flat roofs are smaller projects. You can also take advantage of letting the air in your home ventilate with a flat roof. These roofs do not allow hot air to become trapped and create that barrier for mold that traditional roofs create in attics. Flat roofs allow the air the ability to continue moving upward, keeping the airflow regular through your home.
It is important to note that flat roofs need weather maintenance on the property, and some repairs and maintenance are required to keep a build-up of moisture out of the home. There are some cons, such as areas with a lot of water will suffer from moisture damage and water being held in these areas. Even with proper drainage, there are still spaces where water and snow can collect on a flat roof, which can be dangerous to the home. Residential roofing contractors will help you determine if a flat roof is right for your home.
4. Asphalt Shingles
If you are looking for a traditional new roof, most residential roofing contractors can provide you with asphalt shingles. For many years, asphalt shingles have been the preferred roofing material, especially in areas with a mild climate and temperatures can get very warm. The labor cost of these shingles are fair, since most roofers learn this type of roof first in the profession. You can get asphalt shingles in one of the three types: luxury, dimensional, and 3-tab. Homes that have a complex roof system work best with shingles because they can mold to the design of the home.
Another benefit of asphalt shingles is that they are easy to repair and cost-effective. You can have them patched if you catch where some have been lost in time, and save yourself lots of money in damages over time. They can last several decades before needing to be replaced completely.
Asphalt shingles have some drawbacks, such as poor installation in just one area can cause unseen roof damage to your home. If you are missing a few shingles in an area, you will have to go up to the roof and inspect the area to find it or find the leak later in your home. The maintenance on an asphalt shingle roof can be more extensive than other options.
It is also important to note that asphalt shingles are not an environmentally friendly roofing material, and do not biodegrade in the way that other materials will naturally for the environment. They also do not manage the heating and cooling of your home as well as other types of roofing material, so that is also a drawback.
Things to Keep in Mind
Before you decide on which of these roofing material options is right for your home, you must first consider your budget. You may be interested in a zinc or steel roof, but you may not have the funds to cover the cost of this installation. Narrow down your options first by determining what it is you can afford, including parts and labor for your home.
The next step in securing the right roofing material is to determine what are true options for your area. For example, if you live in an area with a wet climate, a flat roof is out of the question for you. You need to know what are realistic options by reaching out to residential roofing contractors. They understand the area and what the different roofing options are for homes and buildings in your area.
Once you know what your true options are for securing a roof, it is important that you check out the durability of the roofing material. What you want to do is avoid a ton of maintenance over the next few years, and choose something that will stand up to the weather and elements of the area. Some roofs are more noisy than others, so that is something to also keep in mind. There is only so much you can do with metal roof options to cut back on the noise. If that is something that you really have a hard time with, then you may need to avoid them when making a decision.
Make the Choice That Is Right for You
All these different types of roofing material have their pros and cons. Depending on where you live and your building type, some roofing materials may be better than others for your property. Some properties can benefit from different options, and you just have to choose the one that fits your desired building appearance and budget to get a new roof.
