Home Roof Types

by | Dec 8, 2014 | Top Stories Featured

House 17With so many roof types to choose from to protect your home, it’s no wonder you may be feeling confused on the best types. Truth is, all roofing systems have their pros and cons, and here we’ll go over them. Just because asphalt shingles are the most popular in this country, doesn’t mean there aren’t other types that are great for various climates and regions.

Asphalt

As said above, most homeowners sport asphalt shingle roofing, comprising 75 percent of all roofs in the United States, according to Bob Vila. This is due to their affordable installation costs and resiliency in all types of weather. They’re simple and quick to install, plus they can be recycled, which is good for the environment. They have the lowest life span of all the roofing types, however, providing between 20 to 25 years of service before they must be replaced.

Wood Shakes/Shingles

If you’re looking for a more natural look, wood shakes and shingles are the way to go. Whether you choose cedar, southern pine or redwood, this will all depend on the type of home you have, the climate in which you live and the availability of any given type in your area. Their life span is between 20 to 30 years, which is better than asphalt but not as good as a material such as metal. For a rustic appearance, you’ll want the rough look of shakes. Shingles, on the other hand, will give you a cleaner cut version. Either one is great for cottages, bungalows and ranches for a down-home, natural??? quaint appearance. On the con side, wood can rot over time and get infested with bugs such as carpenter ants and termites, along with mold.

Metal

A natural weather resistant roof material is metal, able to last 100 years or more with?proper maintenance. These types of roofing systems are not only durable, they’re versatile and light in weight as well. Metal is great at keeping rain, snow and other elements from threatening your home. On the flip side, metal tends to be more industrial looking ? better for barns, garages and contemporary homes ? although these days you can get them in a variety of appealing colors and patterns. Metal roofs also cost more than other types of roofing systems??sometimes significantly more than traditional shingles.

Tiles

Concrete and clay tiles represent an ideal option for those looking to go easy on the environment. They’re very energy efficient, able to keep the air cool inside the home in summer and warm in winter. Tiles are mostly used in warmer locales, though, where the light tiles reflect the sun’s rays. They have a longer life span than asphalt shingles by more than 30 years, lasting in many cases up to 50 years if you take good care of the delicate tiles. You have many colors, styles and textures to choose from, so you can even mimic other more expensive materials with concrete and clay tiles. However, you’ll pay a lot for this material and the tiles can break easily.

All of the above roofing types fall into the “steep slope roof coverings” category. There are also low slope roof membranes, which include built-up roof membranes, single-ply membranes and spray polyurethane foam-based (SPF) systems, according to the National Roofing Contractors Association.

You have many affordable roofing services at your disposal, so be sure to do your research before committing and choose a proven professional like Quick Roofing to install your roof.

This article was contributed on behalf of Quick Roofing, your number one choice when hiring a roofer in Dallas. Check out their website today and see how they can help you!

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