When you bought your home, it most likely had a roof on it already (and if it didn’t you almost surely got a fabulous deal). But every roof has a lifespan, and at some point, every homeowner will need to replace their home’s roof.
When it comes time to replace your home’s roof, you’ll want to make an educated choice about the best material for your home and your situation. But do you know how to make that determination? Here at Harper Siding and Roofing, we believe that an educated consumer is our best client. So, we’ve outlined 6 different types of roofing materials, and explained why each could be the right choice for you and your home.
Slate
When it comes to roofing materials, slate tiles are about as classic as a roofing material can get. Slate is durable and tough – it isn’t easily damaged in wind, rain, snow, or extreme temperatures. Slate can be costly up front, in part due to the strength of the material, but also because the installation is labor-intensive and really needs to be done right. In terms of aesthetics, slate roofs are classically beautiful, and are generally considered a wise home investment.
Asphalt
Asphalt shingles are some of the most common types of residential roofing materials. Made of small, flat asphalt panels that are attached in rows to the sub-roof, they are one of the most cost-effective roofing materials on the market. They come in a variety of colors and styles that make them a good choice for aesthetics, because you can easily find a style that matches the style of your home. However, asphalt shingles are susceptible to damage from wind and storms – it’s not uncommon to find loose shingles in your yard after a strong wind event or thunderstorm. As a result, asphalt shingles don’t last as long as some other roofing materials, but on the plus side, repairs and replacements are also easy and inexpensive.
Metal
A metal roof is a slightly less common alternative than slate or asphalt shingles, but metal roofs offer a few advantages that make them worth consideration. Metal roofs, properly installed and maintained, have a comparatively long lifespan, and are relatively low maintenance. Being metal, they can rust or sustain damage (especially due to hail), and they are notoriously noisy during rainstorms. They can also cost more to install than asphalt roofs. But, for some homeowners, this up-front investment is worth knowing they won’t have to worry about the health of their roof for decades to come.
Wood
A wood shingled roof (also known as wood shakes) is a beautiful choice for some homes. Wood shingles require more care and maintenance than some other roof types – it’s especially important to inspect a wood roof regularly, because problems that start out small in a wooden roof generally don’t stay small. Wooden shakes can be expensive to install, but they are an environmentally friendly choice, both because of the natural materials, and because they add an extra layer of excellent insulation for your home.
Rubber
Rubber roofs are an uncommon choice for residential roofing but are far more common for commercial roofs. Rubber roofs are durable and relatively invulnerable to weather conditions. However, they require specialist knowledge to install and maintain, so make sure you consult with a professional rubber roof repair and installation contractor if you’re considering this unusual choice for your home.
Solar
A relatively new choice in home roofing, solar tiles may be the roof of your future. These roofing tiles have solar panels incorporated into the tiles – these aren’t solar panels that are installed on top of your roofing material, but rather tiles that incorporate solar collecting technology directly into the roofing material. These are quite expensive to install and maintain, but they have the distinct advantage of directly contributing to lower energy bills by collecting solar energy that falls on your roof. Although this option may be prohibitively expensive for most homeowners, we expect that this type of roofing will become more popular and more cost-effective in the future.
Whatever type of roof you’re thinking of, it’s always a good idea to call your trusted, local roofing contractor for a consultation. A local roofer will know the best choice for your area and your climate and will be able to help you understand the pros and cons of all of your choices. If you’re in Cincinnati, give us a call today to learn more about the roofing materials you could choose for your home.