Top Roofing Material Options for Your Home

It is a structural engineer’s job to make sure that the roof of your home is technically sound and intact. Choosing the right roofing material for your home, however, is entirely in your hands.

Structural engineers may make recommendations about the best roofing materials for protection against the elements, but the decision, ultimately, is yours.

For this reason, you need to know what the top roofing materials in the market can offer. So, before hiring professionals with proper roofing insurance coverage, you need to check out the top roofing materials available today.

Asphalt Shingles

Versatile and resistant to weather, asphalt shingles are among the most popular roofing materials in the United States today. Perfect for homes with suburban styles, asphalt shingles are made from petroleum products and are available in many colors.

A roof made of asphalt shingles offers a lot in the way of energy-efficiency since it reflects the sun’s infra-red radiation well. Asphalt shingles are also cost-effective, as they are affordable yet long-lasting. They’re easy to install, too.

Clay and Concrete Tiles

Energy-efficiency is also a strong suit of roofs made of clay and concrete tiles. They don’t decay and are also fire and insect-proof. Concrete and clay tiles have a lifespan of over 50 years and will make your house look absolutely elegant. Keep in mind, however, that clay and concrete tiles weigh more than most roofing materials, something that your structural engineer is bound to consider.

Fiber Cement

Fiber cement tiles are produced by mixing concrete, clay, and wood fiber. Compared to regular concrete tiles, fiber cement tiles are lighter. This fireproof and resilient roofing material also comes in a variety of colors and textures.

Green Roof

If you’re big on environmental-friendliness, you might want to consider a roof made up of all kinds of greenery.

A green roof is not exactly a type of roofing material, but its composition makes it the most eco-friendly roof you can have for your home. The trees and plants that make it up insulate your home incredibly well from weather that’s too hot or cold. That translates to significant energy savings for you.

Other benefits of a green roof include the way it acts as an air purifier, a rainwater buffer, and a sound barrier.

Metal Roof

A metal roof is lighter than most other roofing materials and is quite durable as it has the potential to last for up to 75 years. It is non-combustible and available in a number of colors, styles, and sizes. Metal roofing can also be recycled, making it an eco-friendly roofing material.

Recycled Rubber Shingles

It may sound odd to consider rubber as an environmentally-friendly roofing material, but the fact that it’s the recycled type makes it so. Recycled rubber shingles are water-resistant, and they make for a particularly resilient roof against the impact of hailstones and tree branches. They can be as heavy as asphalt shingles, though.

Slate Tiles

Slate tiles are thin sheets of stone that can last for a century or so. Slate is a fire-resistant and sustainable material. It’s available in a wide variety of colors and looks absolutely gorgeous, especially on homes with Colonial or European-style architecture.

Compared to other materials, slate can be pricey. It’s also heavier compared to other materials.

Wood Shingles or Shakes

A roof made of wood shingles or shakes looks great. Wood shingles are already naturally-resistant to UV rays, water, and insects, but with treatment, they become even more resilient. If you have a cabin or a cottage, wood shingles would be perfect for it.

Wood shingles or shakes are usually made from cedar, which has excellent insulating properties that will help you stay cool during the summer and warmer during the colder months of the year.

However, before you start purchasing wood shingles, make sure the city or town you live in does not have a fire code that does not allow roofs made of wood.

These are just some of your roofing material options these days. Each one of them has its set of pros and cons. To make sure you get the type of roof that’s right for you, always consider all factors. Take the climate, the look you want to achieve, and your budget into account before coming up with a final decision.

Know-How to Take Care of the Roof

After choosing the roofing materials with the help of choice roofing companies, the next step is to understand how to take care of the investment. A roof will serve you for longer when you take care of it.

No matter what kind of roofing materials you have installed, you should always ensure that the roof is dirt-free. Sometimes, bird droppings might get stuck on the tiles. Other issues are dead leaves, palm fronds, and other things that might get stuck on the roof.

Additionally, don’t let water accumulate on the roof. Make sure rainwater drains well. Also, follow the set roof maintenance guidelines, including regular inspections, especially before and after a significant storm. Attend to leaks and other issues fast to avoid further damage to the roof. The roof maintenance guidelines will depend on the roof type, environmental factors, and how well you maintain it.

It’s also crucial that you hire only the most skilled and experienced contractors to install your roof, which, after all, is one of the most essential parts of your home.