A roof is an important part of any building, and there are many different types to choose from. The material you choose will depend on a few factors: how much money you have, the climate in your area, and even the style you want for your home. For example, some homeowners prefer a wooden roof because they offer a more traditional aesthetic; while others may be drawn to metal roofs because of their durability, and some may even refer solar shingles because they can provide energy for use in your home. In this blog post, we will discuss 7 types of roofing materials available to homeowners and the pros and cons of each!
Asphalt Shingles
A big majority of homes in the United States employ the use of composite asphalt shingles, which is a long-lasting and low-maintenance roofing material. They are also relatively affordable, costing somewhere in the neighborhood of $1.00 to $1.20 per square foot, not including installation.
They also have an average lifespan of 20 years before they need to be replaced, but can last as long as 30 years! Another big benefit of this type of shingles is their ability to be recycled, thus reducing your environmental impact.
Metal Roofing
A metal roof is a great choice for homeowners who are seeking durability. For example, copper roofs have been shown to last up to 80 years! They also need little maintenance. While copper may not be your most affordable choice, aluminum and zinc can be less costly, without sacrificing durability. Metal roofs also come in a variety of other materials, such as steel.
You can choose from either metal shingles or sheets, or even metal panels. There are also a healthy variety of colors and styles to choose from.
A downside of this type of roofing material is the cost: they can be a bit more expensive (around $10 per square foot), meaning that homeowners might not be able to afford one without a home improvement loan or other financial help.
Wood Roofing
A wood roof is a great choice for homeowners who are seeking more of an authentic and traditional aesthetic to their home. Wood roofing shingles can last up to 30 years before needing replacement! They do, however, require some maintenance from time to time, such as for cleaning and restorations.
Pine, redwood, and cedar are common choices for wooden roofing not only because of their aesthetic appeal but also because of their insect deterring properties. Cedar, being the most popular can come in at about $6-$10 per square foot.
Major advantages attributed to this type of roofing are mostly for aesthetic reasons. Wooden roofs can be very impressive, however, they may not hold up well in very dry or very wet climates.
Clay roofing tiles
Clay roofing tiles are one of the oldest and most popular materials for shingles. Dating back to around 5000 years ago, they are a natural material made from clay that is fired into a hard tile. Clay roof tiles can be expensive at $7-$25 per square foot including install, but have been shown to last as long as 100 years or more!
The aesthetic appeal of clay tiles is hard to beat; they can come in a variety of colors, with multiple styles. They also offer the most insulation of any type of roofing material. Clay tiles are an excellent choice for people who want a beautiful, natural look while having extreme durability and longevity.
One downside to this type of shingle is that they require more upkeep than other options: periodic sealing and replacing broken or cracked tiles can get expensive over time! There’s also a high environmental impact due to the clay being fired in kilns.
Slate roofing
Slate may be a great choice for your roofing project due to its durability, and with a cost ranging from $16-$28 per square foot, it might be worth the few extra bucks. One advantage to this material is that it can last 50-200 years! It also has a plethora of aesthetic options with myriad colors available.
Another advantage to slate roofing is that is very resistant to high winds, and other serious weather conditions.
A downside to this type of roofing material is that it can be very heavy, so homeowners might need to make sure they have a solid ceiling and other structural support in place.
Greenery Roof
A green roof is a new type of roofing material that offers durability, an aesthetically pleasing appearance, and environmental benefits. Greenery roofs provide insulation by trapping air between the leaves, while also producing oxygen which helps improve indoor air quality and reduces greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere.
Another advantage to this type of roof that people may not know is that it can also reduce global warming by reducing the amount of the sun’s energy reflected back into the atmosphere, thereby reducing average global temperatures.
Greenery roofs can come with a hefty price tag since they are a new type of material. They typically cost $10-$25 per square foot which is comparable to other roofing materials. Greenery roofs can last anywhere from 30-50 years and, based on all these benefits, might just be worth the cash!
Solar shingles
Solar shingles are roof tiles that have solar panels incorporated into them. They’re made of a durable material that can last about 25 years.
Solar shingles require no maintenance, but they do cost more than other types of roofs: prices for these start at around $14-$19 per square foot.
The biggest advantage of solar shingles is that they can actually produce energy for your home! It’s nice to know that your roof is actually doing some work besides just keeping the rain off of your head.