Roofing Material Types

When choosing a new roof for your home, a few of the key considerations include the material of the roof the color the style and the costs involved. Today there are a variety of roofing material types available. In fact, there are more and more of the roofing materials that offer an environmentally friendly choice, such as containing content that is recycled or featuring Energy Star ratings. If you can’t choose the best material for your roof on your own, hire the best roofing professional near you.

Below are the more common roofing materials used along with important information on the life-span and the costs involved.

The wood shakes and shingles are typically available in southern pine, redwood, cedar, oak along with other hard woods. The shakes have a rougher appearance and are handmade, while the shingles are cut using a machine. Because the majority of the wood shakes and shingles come with a Class C fire rating, while some even have no ratings, it is suggested to check on the building codes in your area before you decide on wood as your preferred choice. There is also the option of Class A wood shingles that feature a fire-resistant treatment that comes at an additional cost. The average costs per square for wood shakes and shingles range between $100 to $165.

Just over 75% of all the roofs in America, feature asphalt shingles on their roofs due to the resiliency, easy installation and low costs. However, this roofing material comes with a reduced lifespan and low insulation value when compared to the other types of roofing materials. The shingles are made out of petroleum products, which cannot be recycled due to the fiberglass layer added into the shingles. The traditional asphalt shingles are available in various price options, life-span options and colors. The average life-span for these roofs is between 15 to 30 years and the costs range from $50 to $150 per square.

The slate roofing materials offer a distinctive and attractive appearance. Even though this material is extremely heavy, it is also non-leaching with the longest life-span of all the roofing materials. Slate is in most cases darker in color, and not suggested for locations that experience extremely hot temperatures in the summer months. This roofing material costs between $550 to $1000 per square.

The clay tiles are heavy and will require added roof framing. However, these materials are highly durable and non-combustible. The clay tiles are mainly available in the lighter colors that match up to cool roofing standards and can easily reflect more than 50% of the solar energy from the sun. The concrete tiles provide enduring and attractive aesthetics to home designs and are highly versatile. These tiles are available in an extensive array of styles, hues, textures and shapes. The average costs of concrete and clay tiles range between $300 and $600 per square. When local sources are available the clay tiles are regarded as the greenest in the roofing options. In addition, concrete is energy-efficient and constructed out of sustainable mixtures.

The fiber-cement roofing materials are composite tiles mainly made up of wood fiber, clay and concrete. These mixtures are fireproof and durable and in most cases shaped so that they resemble shakes. The tiles are lighter than traditional concrete tiles and do not require additional roof structures. These composite tiles come in several colors and textures and are rated as highly durable. This roofing material type is not recommended for colder climates as they prone to cracking. The life-span of the fiber-cement tiles average between 20 to 30 years. This material is recyclable and non-leaching and offer a great base when it comes to water collection. The tiles work well with just about any of the architectural styles of homes.

The metal roofing materials typically include copper, tile, aluminum and steel and offer one of the coolest options when it comes to aesthetics and temperatures for modern homes. The metal roofing options come in stainless steel, aluminum and copper and in most cases, offer increased percentages of content that has been recycled. These materials offer higher insulation for solar reflectance and are also highly durable. This material in most cases lasts double the amount of time when compared to the asphalt and wood materials. The metal shingles usually simulate the traditional types of roof coverings like tile, slate, wood shingles and shakes. Over and above its longevity, the metal shingles are also lighter when compared to other materials and resistant when it comes to weather conditions that are adverse. The costs associated with this roofing material start at around $100 per square but can increase to about $600 for the coated copper and steels. The life expectancy for this roofing material is around 50 years and matches well with contemporary, cottage and bungalow homes.

Also check out the important Things To Know Prior To Replacing A Roof in the next article.