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

Building a home is your most significant investment if you’re like many people. It’s essential to make the right decision about this investment.

A roof is expected to last for decades, so you should ensure you get 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 sturdy roofs? Read on to learn about the various roof materials available on the construction market today.

Built-Up Roofing

Built-up roofing is a popular 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 a surfacing component made of asphalt, gravel, mineral, or coatings.

When coated with paint, it reduces the effects of UV radiation. This is an ideal option if you live in a hot climate.

Standing Seam Roof

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

A standing seam roof is long-lasting and fully recyclable once worn out. Its installation requires a high skill level, 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 hot and humid climates. This is why these roofs are common in desert or southern coastal regions. However, they have a high cost of installation.

Concrete Tile

It is similar to clay tiles: similar advantages and identical installation techniques.

In fact, you can use concrete tiles as an alternative to clay tiles. They have a variety of profiles, some of which even resemble clay tiles.

Concrete tile is ideal if you live in an area prone to high winds 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 and commercial buildings. It consists of 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 is a secondary concern.

Membrane Roofing

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

One common membrane 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 a uniform appearance since they are machine-cut. Wood shakes, which are hand-cut, are also used together with shingles to complete the roofing.

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. It lasts for many years but may last fewer years in damp conditions. It’s a poor choice in regions prone to wildfires.

Still, it remains the best choice if you want 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 is a lightweight material that is easy to install.

Slate Shingles

It is considered one of the best roof materials. If you are looking for a long-lasting roofing material, look no further. Two-century-old slate roofs are still functioning.

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

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

Asphalt Shingles

Asphalt shingles are considered one of the most economical roofing materials. They come in various textures and colors and blend well with almost any exterior.

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

Eco-Friendly Green Roof

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

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

Just make sure you install a layer of membrane to allow drainage. The work is involved, and the cost varies widely. If you want to make an environmental statement, consider this roof.

Choose a Roof Material That Best Suits Your Home and Needs

With so many roof materials, 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 required. You can’t afford to overlook these factors when selecting a roofing material for your needs.

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

Check out our article for five professionals you may need for your home construction.