Choosing The Best Roofing for Your Home
Every homeowner must choose wisely the kind of roofing that he or she wants to install. After all, what you select will determine the kind of protection your home receives, the overall appearance of the house, the duration of the roof, as well as the kind of roofing maintenance services you will need.
All kinds of roofs have advantages and disadvantages, so choosing the best roofing materials for your home is something that should be done carefully and thoughtfully.
But how can you identify the right one for your home? Below are a few tips to get you started.
Know what roofing options you have
When shopping for a roof, you must select from a broad variety of choices. Each of these materials has different benefits, disadvantages, properties and applications. Which means, you cannot just use any material on your roof. To help your course, you should examine each material carefully to identify what will work best for you. The most common choices include Slate, Concrete Tiles, Clay Tiles, Plastic Polymer, Metal, Asphalt Composition Shingles, and Wood Shakes.
Or, try consulting with a reputable roofing company that can provide expert guidance based on your specific requirements and preferences. They will have in-depth knowledge of various roofing materials and can help you make an informed decision by considering factors such as durability, cost, energy efficiency, and aesthetics.
Asphalt Shingles
They are the most widely used because they are affordable, eco-friendly, relatively durable, easy to fit, and resistant to wind and fire. Furthermore, they can work on both steeped and relatively flat roofs.
Wood
For centuries, roofs made of redwood, southern pine, and cedar shingles have been a popular choice for homeowners because they are eco-friendly, versatile, and have a beautiful natural look. Just like shingles, wood is also a suitable choice for moderately and steep sloped roofs. It nevertheless has weak fire resistance, although treating the wood with a fire retardant can counter that.
Metal
Due to their remarkable qualities, roofs comprising of steel, copper, lead, zinc alloy, and aluminum are still an attractive option despite being expensive. Metal lasts incredibly long, and it is eco-friendly, lightweight, wind and fire resistant, and ideal for both steep and low-lying roofs.
Tiles
The clay and cement tiles are the common roof tile versions available in the market. Both varieties are ideal for use on moderate to steep sloped roofs. Moreover, they are eco-friendly and resistant to both wind and fire. The clay tiles, however, are pricier than the cement type.
Slate
Slate is arguably the most durable and oldest roofing material available. They are meant for a steeply sloped roof and are highly resistant to both fire and the wind. Notable concerns about slate roofs, however, is that they are extremely costly and require special skills to install.
Plastic Polymer
These are synthetic shingles identical to the wood shakes. They are eco-friendly, durable and require low maintenance. Furthermore, they are powerful wind and fire resistors, affordable and ideal for moderate to steep sloped roofs.
Once you know the various roofing options at your disposal, considering the following variables can help you determine the perfect solution for you.
Your house style
House roof are not all the same. Some are flat, while others are moderately or steeped sloped. Furthermore, they have different framing structures. When searching for a roof, therefore, you should go for one that is suitable for the kind of house you have.
Eco-friendliness
Going green is not merely a fad, but something that every homeowner should contemplate. Be considerate of Mother Nature and shop for a roof that is environmentally friendly or recyclable.
Durability
One of the primary roles of the roof is to offer protection against elements like fire, wind, and storms. Hence, make sure that you select a roofing type that is durable and sturdy enough to withstand such elements.
Compliance with local building codes
When shopping for roofing or any other building materials, it is critical that you only use what the local building codes recommend. For instance, if you are staying in an area that is prone to wildfires, the authorities might prohibit the use of wood shakes roofing.
Cost
Bearing in mind that there are many roofing options in the market, it is important to settle for the one that offers the maximum benefits and is affordable to you. Moreover, instead of going for the cheapest solution available, consider the total acquisition, installation, and maintenance cost.
