Guide To Choose The Right Kind Of Roofing For Your Home

Without a roof, you won't really have a home. The roof is fundamentally vital for several reasons. Not only does it provide essential protection from the elements, but it also protects a home's structure and more. 

Beyond the necessary function of a roof, a dilapidated roof can quickly degrade property value and even cause area value to plummet. For these reasons, investing in ongoing roof maintenance and restoration is crucial to home value and curb appeal.

But if you're building a home or need to replace your roofing, you might be wondering how to go about finding the most suitable type of roofing. There are over ten types of roofing materials, each offering different pros and cons, so it can be tricky to know which one to pick.

In this article, we've rounded up the more common types of roofing materials and the relative perks and downfalls so you can choose the best roofing for your home.

Asphalt Shingles

Asphalt shingles are arguably the most popular roofing material in most modern homes. These shingles are affordable, relatively easy to install, and reasonably easy to repair or replace when necessary. You can also choose from basic asphalt shingles to high-end three-tab or architectural asphalt shingles.

On the other hand, asphalt shingles are not the most durable roofing material on the market. While this material can last about thirty years, as soon as the granules on the material wear off, the entire roof will need to be replaced.

ThunderStruck Restorations LLC is a roofing company in Minneapolis/Saint Paul, Minnesota that offers asphalt shingle replacement and other home improvement services that will keep the roof and structure of your home intact and in good condition over the years.

Metal Roofing

Metal roofing is available in quite a wide variety, from metal shingles and shakes to standing steam and stone-coated steel roofing. This category of roofing materials is best for exceptional durability, superior UV protection, and keeping indoor moisture at bay.

The main downfall of metal roofing is the higher cost. Moreover, even though metal materials are significantly durable, the damage from hail and other forces will eventually start to show, which can degrade the appearance of your home. Nevertheless, investing in roof maintenance and repair can prevent cosmetic flaws from progressing.

Clay Tiles

Clay tiles are an excellent natural roofing solution. Clay roofing is most popular in homes located in warmer climates, such as desert and southern coastal regions. Clay tiles absorb less moisture than other materials, and they demand less maintenance as well.

However, clay tiles are also pretty expensive. Although they are lighter than concrete tiling, they are still too heavy for some types of homes.

Slate

Slate tiles and shingles are another prevalent roofing option in modern residential homes. Slate is ideally durable, aesthetically easy on the eyes, and long-lasting.

Unfortunately, slate tiles and shingles are heavy. For this reason, it's not suitable for homes that won't be able to support the heavy weight. Additionally, this roofing material is quite costly, and you will need a professional service to install, maintain, and repair slate roofing.

Concrete Tiles

Concrete roof tiles are a durable alternative that can mimic various other roofing materials, such as slate, asphalt, and even wooden shingles. Concrete is also relatively affordable and can last up to fifty years with routine maintenance.

Unfortunately, concrete is another heavy-weight material that's not suitable for all homes. Moreover, concrete requires more maintenance than other roofing materials because concrete absorbs water and moisture.

Solar Tiles

Solar tiles are a new kind of roofing solution that's gaining popularity. These innovative tiles can drastically reduce your power bill as they absorb sunlight, which is converted into electricity through the home's solar battery system.

While solar tiles are a worthwhile investment for homeowners, solar-powered systems are pretty expensive to install, and you will only start to notice savings a few years later when you have earned back the installation costs in power bill savings.

Wood Roofing

While wood roofing is one of the more natural and classic types of roofing, it remains a relatively popular option for modern homes. Wood roofing is undeniably rustic and charming. But it's also pretty durable and long-lasting.

Unfortunately, wood roofing is fairly affordable to install and maintain. However, maintaining wood roofing is labor-intensive and time-consuming.

Synthetic Composite Shingles

Synthetic composite shingles are a lightweight roofing material. It's also incredibly durable, accessible, and affordable when it comes to installation, maintenance, and repairs. You can opt for synthetic composite shingles in various styles, as this roofing material can mimic multiple designs.

Synthetic composite shingles also require minimal maintenance. That said, there aren't any relevant downfalls associated with this type of roofing.

Choose Roofing That Fits In Your Budget

Now that you know the types of roofing materials, it's wise to get a quote for each type of roofing. Beyond the purchase price per square foot, you must also gather pricing for installations and maintenance. 

Some types of roofing are affordable to buy, expensive to install, and easy to maintain, while others might be expensive to purchase and easy to install. So, it's essential to consider all the cost variations in addition to the purchase price.

Consider The Climate

While slate and metal roofing is best for homes in colder climates, asphalt shingles are also an affordable option. Clay and cement tiling is suitable for moderately cold climates. At the same time, solar tiles are a worthwhile investment if you live in warmer weather.

The Weight Of The Material

Lastly, you must consider the roofing material's weight before deciding. If your home's walls are built with durable bricks and cement, you can choose just about any roofing, regardless of the weight.

But if you live in a mobile home or one with lightweight exterior siding or veneer, you should avoid heavy materials like clay and cement and opt for lightweight options like asphalt and metal.

Finding the best roofing for your home is easier than you might think. However, if you are still unsure which material is best, you can contact roofing specialists who will recommend the best options for your budget and home.