A Quick Guide To Common Residential Roofing Materials
Picking out roofing material for your home can be quite the challenge, especially if you do not know much about the different materials out there. That's why it helps to have a quick overview of some common residential roofing materials so that you can help narrow down your selection.
Asphalt Shingles
The most common type of roofing material you'll see on residential homes is asphalt shingles. This is due to the material being relatively inexpensive and easy to have installed on your home. It works with practically any type of home's existing architectural style and will last long enough where you don't have to worry about replacement for 15 to 40 years. This may be longer than you plan to live in the home.
Metal
Metal comes in many forms, but the advantages are all pretty similar if you use stainless steel, aluminum, or copper. Metal provides excellent insulation by reflecting the heat from the sun. This results in your home feeling cooler in the summer and using your air conditioner much less. Metal material is also incredibly durable, with it also being a much lighter material that is easy to install. You'll find that it resists wear and tear from the weather much better than other materials.
Wood Shakes
Homeowners tend to pick wood shakes because of its natural beauty, even if it requires more maintenance over the years to seal the wood and prevent it from rotting. Having a wood roof also gives your home a poor fire rating, which may not be viewed favorably by your insurance provider. That said, the material can potentially last longer than asphalt shingles if cared for properly.
Clay Tiles
Clay tiles tend to be a bit heavy, so they may not work for every existing home. However, the benefits that it provides can be massive. Not only do they last for 100 years, but the design helps insulate your home by preventing heat transfer. Clay tiles are made with sustainable materials as well, making it an environmentally-friendly choice for your home.
Fiber Cement
While the look of fiber cement roofing material is not that great, it has a lot of advantages in terms of being fireproof and having increased durability. This is due to the material being made of a composite of wood fiber, clay, and concrete, all while still being lightweight and able to be used on many existing residential roofs. The material is also easy to recycle when it is time to replace your roof sometime in the future.