Types of Roofing Materials
There are many types of roofing materials available to choose from, and each has its pros and cons. Your budget and the climate of where you live will help you narrow down which roofing material would be best for you. The four most popular roofing materials are:
Asphalt shingle roofs - Metal roofs - Slate tiles - Cedar shake roofs
What is the best type of roofing material?
There is not one specific type of roofing material made for everyone. The different types of roofing materials have benefits and also have faults. When choosing a material for your roof, consider what your budget is, what you live in, and what style you want.
Our Roanoke Cenvar office offers asphalt shingles, metal roofs, and other specialty roofing materials. We also provide a FREE ESTIMATE for your roof! Don’t hesitate to call us if you would like more information or want to schedule a free estimate.
We would love to answer all of your questions to help you decide what roof is best for you! Below is additional information that can help answer some general questions about each roofing material.
Asphalt
-Asphalt shingles are very popular because they are a lower price but for good quality material with a good lifespan. Around 75% of American houses use asphalt shingles. Cenvar Roofing uses Owens Corning shingles which are very reliable.
Asphalt shingles are easy to install, which helps with their low price point. They also come in a wide variety of colors. Choosing a color can help you give your house another personal touch.
However, shingles need to be checked regularly to catch problems early on and maintained to prevent mildew from growing.
Metal
-Metal roofs are very durable, which results in their longer lifespan. If well taken care of, you may not have to think about re-roofing your house again. Metal roofs are becoming more popular. For an extra cost, metal roofs can be painted in many different colors.
However, painted metal roofs require more upkeep, and it is recommended that they be repainted every ten years. If installed correctly, metal roofs should not need as many repairs, and they are straightforward to maintain. If they need to be repaired, it is harder to repair them in smaller sections.
The flashing also is difficult to install correctly, but it is important for this to be done accurately to prevent leaks. Rain or hail storms are louder with a metal roof because they create a loud echo when they hit the metal.
Slate
-Slate roofs are made of a natural stone that is fire-resistant and mold-resistant. They are also water-resistant and scarcely leak unless they crack. The biggest reason for a slate tile to crack is from being walked on incorrectly, which can happen during an installation or repair.
Because slate tiles aren’t installed regularly anymore, make sure your roofer is very knowledgeable about slate. Slate is also hefty and weighs up to four times more than asphalt shingles. If you are interested in getting slate shingles, the amount of weight your roof can handle will need to be examined.
However, you can now find faux slate tiles, which are lighter and cheaper than natural slate tiles but have a shorter lifespan.
Shakes
-Cedar shakes give a house excellent curb appeal and are high quality and very durable. The price of cedar shakes is just a little more than asphalt shingles, but they also last longer if taken care of. Because they are harder to install, the extra labor of installing them makes them more expensive.
They do require the most maintenance out of all material types. Cedar shakes are a natural wood that requires a protective treatment done every 1-3 years to prevent buckling, degrading, and rotting. This treatment, along with regularly cleaning your cedar shakes, will help with mold and moss resistance. Make sure you are getting the correct treatment applied to prevent damaging your cedar shakes.
Check out this helpful resource from Nationwide that talks about different types of roofing materials.
Which type of roofing materials has the best price and lifespan?
Asphalt roofs are the best-priced roofing material and are also of good quality, which is why they are the most popular. Even though their lifespan is shorter than the other types of materials, they are very cost-effective. They are also the most accessible material to install, saving money on labor costs. Asphalt shingles should last around 20 years, but if installed correctly and very well maintained, they can last over 30 years!
The lifespan of a metal roof is approximately 50-60 years, but they are 2-3 times more expensive than asphalt shingles. If used in a suitable climate and well maintained, they can last longer than 60 years. Slate tiles are one of the most expensive roofing materials on the market but come with a long lifespan lasting 75-200 years. Once you get a slate roof, you may not have to think about getting your house re-roofed again. Part of their high cost comes from the labor of installation.
Cedar shake roofs last around 30 years, but if they also are in the right weather conditions and maintained, they can last about 50 years. They cost a little more than asphalt shingles, but they can last longer.
Which roofing material is the most durable?
Even though there are more durable roofing options, asphalt shingles are an excellent choice of material for their price point. They are waterproof and, when kept in good condition, can last through many storms. Be careful not to always choose the cheapest option of shingles as they may get damaged easier in storms and not last as long. Metal roofs are known for being very durable in storms.
Insurance companies even like them because of their durability and resistance to house fires. They also need fewer repairs than shingles but can still leak. Leaks are usually a result of loose roofing screws or damaged flashing. However, metal roofs are easy to maintain and usually need to be checked around twice a year to make sure there are no potential problems.
Slate tiles are a natural stone that gives them the best lifespan and makes them relatively unaffected by storms. They are also low maintenance and are easy to take care of. Slate is waterproof, fire-resistant, and mold-resistant, which makes them the most durable option but also the most expensive.
Cedar shakes have the most maintenance because they aren’t naturally waterproof and are prone to mold and mildew. However, because of their thickness and high density, once they are treated with a protective coat, they are very durable to wind and hail storms.
Which roofing material is the most energy-efficient?
All four of these roofing materials are energy efficient and allow good air circulation in your home. If you are looking to make your roof more energy-efficient, here are four suggestions: -Choose a lighter color when picking out your roof. This will help it attract less heat and stay cooler.
Darker colored roofs absorb heat sending it inside, while lighter colored roofs reflect the heat away from the house.-Improve the insulation under your roof. This will help maintain the temperature in your home.-There is also a cool roof coating available to be added as a finishing layer to your roof. This coating helps lighten your roof to reflect the heat better and can be added at any time.
It is a great addition for homes in hotter climates because it can absorb 80% less heat than darker roofs and lower your indoor temperature by 30% on hot days.-Lastly, by improving your roof’s ventilation, the hot air can be pushed out of your attic. This will also cool down your indoor temperature. A great time to improve your roof’s energy efficiency is when you are replacing your roof.
This can also reduce your energy bills. Check out Cenvar’s roofing options next time you are in need of a roof replacement or repair we can give you more information on getting your roof to be more energy efficient!
What is the best roof for high winds and storms?
Asphalt roofs can lose their shingles or get damaged shingles in high winds. This can cause water leaks which need to be repaired as soon as possible. If they are regularly maintained, asphalt shingles are great at enduring large storms. Metal roofs can withstand storms with high winds and is a very reliable material. You will not have to worry with a metal roof about losing any shingles.
Many hailstorms will not produce hail that is large enough to affect a metal roof since they are made to take a larger impact. Slate tiles are very heavy, making them hard to get blown off in a storm. They are also waterproof. Cedar shakes are very durable in strong winds and severe storms because of their thickness. If installed and treated correctly, cedar shakes are one of the best roofing materials to withstand intense wind storms. Once any of these materials get too old, they will not last as well in storms.
So keep an eye out for when it is time to start looking into getting your roof replaced.
Which roof is best for a hot climate?
Asphalt shingles do well in the heat, especially when they are lighter in color. High heat can lead your shingles to dry out, while colder temperatures can cause your shingles to contract. This can cause them to degrade over time, giving them a shorter lifespan.
Metal roofs do not get any hotter than asphalt shingles or slate tiles but will still heat up in direct sunlight. However, they do cool off faster at night, which helps cool down the temperature in your house. You may think that metal roofs would absorb heat and get very hot, but they are actually naturally reflective. Slate roofs are unaffected by the heat and sunlight. They are also fireproof.
Their resistance to weather gives them a long lifespan. Cedar shakes are also effective in heat if they are treated right. Since cedar is a low-density wood, it is resistant to warping and shrinking in the heat. Cedar shakes are also moisture-resistant, making them harder to decay, and are naturally insect resistant.
