How to Determine The Best Roofing Material For Your Home
Many factors play a role in the selection of roofing materials for the home. However, the main priority is to find a material that will hold up to the elements. With many options available today, it can be overwhelming to make this selection. What should a person know when making this choice?
Roofing Trends
Asphalt shingles remain the most popular roofing material today. Nevertheless, niche segments appear to be growing in popularity. A person might learn about tar and gravel roofing and decide that it is a better option for their home, or they may choose a metal roof. Solar roofing options have also become more popular. What benefits and drawbacks come with many popular roofing options?
Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt shingles may cost as little as $75 or hundreds of dollars per square. These shingles feature a fiberglass layer enclosed in asphalt and ceramic granules. Installing them on the home will give the structure a robust and waterproof covering. Homeowners love these shingles because they are inexpensive and easy to install. This helps keep the cost of a new roof down, and they can choose standard, three-tab shingles or upgrade to architectural or multilayered architectural styles.
Composite Roofing Shingles
If composite roofing shingles are selected, expect to pay up to $500 per square. These shingles offer the look of slate or wood without the added weight. However, they are slippery. Those who live in a climate with frequent snow will need to invest in snow guards. These guards prevent sheets of ice from sliding off the roof and harming humans or property.
Metal Roofing
Metal roofs cost more than those constructed with shingles. Steel roofs typically have the highest price tag, coming in at over $1,100 per square, although a copper roof will cost even more. These roofs also tend to be slippery, so snow guards will be needed here. However, metal reflects the sun’s rays, which helps keep the home cooler during the summer. Choose a contractor familiar with metal roofing, as it comes with different installation requirements from asphalt and composite shingles.
Concrete and Terra Cotta Roofing Tiles
Concrete roofs can run a homeowner $2,000 per square, while terra cotta roofs easily cost $4,500 per square or more. When properly coated, these roofs resist moisture, insects, fire, and more. They require little maintenance and last for decades. In addition, they reflect the sun’s rays, much like metal roofs do. However, before installing a concrete or terra cotta roof, talk with a structural engineer to ensure the home can bear the weight of these materials.
Cedar Roofing Shingles
Cedar will run a homeowner as much as $950 per square. However, this roofing material gives the home a rustic look. A homeowner may choose smooth shingles or textured shakes, although shakes are the costlier option. Nevertheless, this roofing material is energy efficient and holds up with time. Bugs won’t attack the roof because they don’t like the smell of cedar, but the roof must be treated to resist fire. Homeowners must ensure cedar roofs are permitted under local building codes and talk with their insurance provider to learn if there are additional costs for having this type of roof.
Slate Roofing Shingles
Slate is another popular option that may cost $1,500 per square. However, any roofer can’t install this material; only a specialized roofer or mason can. The labor costs associated with installing this material may be very high. Slate naturally resists fire and will last for decades or longer. Before choosing slate as the roofing material, please talk with a structural engineer to ensure the building is strong enough to bear its weight.
Other roofing materials, such as tar and gravel, are available. Talk with a roofer to determine which options are appropriate for the climate and the home. With their help, every homeowner can find a roofing material ideal for their house.
I can’t remember what we did. I think we paid extra for the weather shingles or something. They’ve held up well!
This is all great to know. I know we’ll have to do our roof at some point, and I think it’s going to be sooner rather than later.
It is so good to know the different types of roofing and their costs.
I am going to share this with my husband to decide which one to use for our roof.
I think Asphalt Shingles is still the best choices considering cost and benefit. I love that it’s easy to install and won’t really require a specialist to do so.
Thank you for sharing this post. I learned something new today.
I don’t know about roofs, but your post has helped me increase my knowledge about it. Thanks for your sharing.
This is something my husband would be knowledgeable on but this was quite an interesting and informative read, definitely learned something new.
It’s such a relief to have a clearer picture of what to consider when it’s time to replace our roof. I never knew there were so many options beyond just asphalt shingles.
It is so important to know when is the best time to replace your roof. And knowing all the opportunities is the best way to save money in the long run.
Great post! We just had our roof replaced a few years ago and to be honest I didn’t know it was so many roofing materials out there. I sooo agree it is best to talk to a roofer expert to see what is best for your roof and do some research also on your own.
We had our roof redone when we first moved in. It is good to stay on top of roof maintenance and choose something that truly suits your home.
Loving this post and we are doing a roof in the next few years for sure and are on the fence on what color and type we want. I like the architectural shingles….. they look so good!