Built to Last: What Type of Roof Material is Best for Your Property?

If you’re like many people, building a home is the biggest investment you’ll make in your life. It’s important to make the right decision about this investment.

A roof is expected to last for decades, so you should ensure you’re getting the best roof material. Nobody enjoys having to pay for roof repair, but even a single hole is enough to call for the attention of a roofing expert.

So what is the best roof material for your home? Read on to learn about the various roof materials available on the construction market today.

Built-Up Roofing

It is a popular roofing option for flat or low slope roofs. It’s commonly used for large commercial buildings. Built-up roofing is made of multiple layers of materials that are pressed together.

These materials include asphalt coated organic pane, fiberglass, several layers of coal or cotton fabric, a layer of bitumen(lap cement, coal, asphalt) and surfacing component that is made of asphalt, gravel mineral or coatings.

When coated with paint, it reduces the effects of UV radiation. If you live in an area with a hot climate, this is an ideal option for you.

Standing Seam Roof

It’s called standing seam roof since steel or aluminum panels intersect in raised seams to keep moisture out. It’s a common type of roofing and popular in areas with heavy snowfall. It’s also fireproof making it ideal for in regions with notable risk of wildfires.

Standing seam roof is long lasting and fully recyclable once worn out. Its installation requires a high level of skill, but the return on investment is quite impressive.

Clay Tile

This roofing is made from earthen clays. The clay is molded into interlocking or rolled shapes and fired for toughness. It’s often left unpolished, with a distinctive reddish-orange color. When glazed and firmed, they become ceramic roofing tiles.

Clay tile is the best roof type for you especially if you live in hot and humid climates. This is why these roofs are common in desert or Southern Coastal regions. It has a high cost of installation.

Concrete Tile

It is similar to clay tiles. Similar advantages and similar installation techniques.

In fact, you can use concrete tiles as an alternative to clay tile. It has a variety of profiles from where you can choose from, some even resemble clay tiles.

If you live in an area prone to high winds, concrete tile is ideal for you. This is because it’s a heavy roofing material. The decorative coating used on its finishing gives concrete tile some aesthetic value.

Rolled Roofing

It’s ideal for low slope residential houses as well as commercial buildings. It’s made up long rolls of asphalt-permeated material saturated with mineral granules.

This roofing material offers a fast and affordable way to cover a low slope roof where aesthetic value isn’t a priority. 

Membrane Roofing

It’s a type of roofing system for tanks and buildings. You can use this roofing for nearly flat or flat roofs to prevent leakage and ensure no water pools form on the roof. The water pools on the roof cause corrosion. Membrane roof is made from modified bitumen or PVC.

One of the common membranes roofing product is EPDM (rubber roofing). It’s applied in large sheets limiting the number of seams that water can infiltrate.

Wood Roofing

Machine cut wood such as redwood, pressure-treated pine, redwood, and cedar make beautiful shingled roofing material.

Wood shingles produce uniform appearance since they are machine cut. There is also wood shakes that is used together with shingles to complete the roofing. The shakes are hand-cut.

This explains their rustic appearance. They are more expensive than shingles. Shingles cost less per square foot compared to shakes.

You may want to consider this kind of roof for its natural beauty. They last for many years but may get fewer years in damp conditions. It’s a poor choice in regions prone to wildfires.

Still, it remains the best choice for you if you looking for something luxurious.

Metal Roofing

Metal roofs remain a popular roof material among homeowners despite these myths. Metal roofs are long-lasting and withstand punishment from different weather elements.

Metal a lightweight material that is easy to install.

Slate Shingles

It is considered one of the best roof material. If you looking for long-lasting roofing material, look no further. There are slate roofs, two centuries old that is still functioning.

This tells you that this is an authentic roofing material. Since slate cleaves off in thin sheets, it becomes easy to quarry. This is why it’s ideal for roofing.

You will have to find a very specialized skill to install this roofing material. The problem is, such qualified installers are hard to find. If properly installed, you have a century guarantee.

Asphalt Shingles

This is considered as one of the most economical roofing materials. Asphalt shingles come in a variety of different textures and colors and blend well with almost any type of exterior.

It is made of either fiberglass or paper fiber mat. They are not as durable as many of today’s roofing options. It’s moderate and easy to install. It’s good for high wind regions. It isn’t so eco-friendly since it’s a petroleum-based product.

Eco-Friendly Green Roof

This is a unique type of roof that is made up of living plant materials and moss. It’s often called a living roof because it absorbs rainwater, breaths oxygen, and provides thermal insulation.

You don’t require specialized skill to create a green roof.

Just make sure you install a layer of membrane to allow drainage. The work is involving and the cost varies widely. If you’re willing to make an environmental statement, this is definitely a roof you may consider.

Choose a Roof Material That Best Suits Your Home and Needs

With so many roof materials to choose from, not all will work best for you.

Besides the overall cost of installation, you need to consider other factors such as the local weather and the level of upkeep needed. These are factors that you can’t afford to overlook when selecting a roof material for your needs.

Aside from the roofers that will build your roof, you will need the help of other construction professionals to build your home.

Check out our article to find out what 5 professionals you may need for your home construction.