How to choose the best roofing material for your home?
Nowadays there are so many types and styles of roofing materials that trying to choose the proper one for your roof can be a really tough work.
Before taking any decision, you have to take into consideration how long you want that roof to last, if you want it to complement the design of the house, the price or if you prefer eco-friendly and natural products.
Have a look at this list of the most popular roofing products. Which material is the best choice for you?
Wood shingles
They are commonly made of cedar, but can also be made of other rot resistant woods, such as redwood. Wood gives a natural look but it has a short lifespan and requires periodic maintenance.
Plastic polymer
These durable synthetic roofing shingles can be recycled when replaced. They have low maintenance.
Clay tiles
Made from natural clay fired in a kiln, they are made from natural materials but require significant energy to be made. They may be long lasting and low maintenance but brittle and can break.
Concrete tiles
They are less expensive than clay tiles and can last a long time. They are made from natural materials but require significant energy to manufacture.
Metal
It can be made by steel, aluminum, copper or zinc. Metal can be recycled when replaced, but requires significant energy to manufacture. Its durability depends on the material.
Asphalt Composition Shingles
They are usually made of either organic paper fiber mat or fiberglass impregnated with asphalt and coated with mineral granules. It is not expensive but it is neither very durable nor eco-friendly.
Roofing felt
Normally use for flat roofing, this material is lightweight and provides an inexpensive way to waterproof a roof. On the contrary roofing felts are vulnerable to damage and usually they have a short lifespan.
Natural slate
Slate is one of the oldest roofing materials. The value of natural slate lies in its impermeability, durability and versatility.
A good quality slate roofing is very durable and will out-perform better than other roofing materials. Besides, roofing slates are fireproof, immune to insects, fungus and any kind of microorganisms. It is the most long-lasting natural building material ever.
A poor quality roof needs constant repair and maintenance, but when good quality slate is used, not only the cost of re-roofing can be effectively discounted, but the repair and maintenance expenses during its lifetime are extremely low.
On the other hand, natural slate appearance is one of its strongest attributes. Its natural color, texture and grain, when applied to a pitched roof deliver a clean, sculptured and strikingly beautiful appearance.
The reliability and beauty of the products make it the ideal solution for architectural purposes, no matter the style or trend, because they adapt to any architectural design.
