Category: materials

Choosing roofing materials for your home is a process of elimination, it’s important to take into account your particular needs and environment. Slope of roof, strength of framing, and where your home is located all should be factored into the decision.

Composition Shingles

Composition shingles are typically made from asphalt or fiberglass materials; these come in a variety of colors, brands, and types. This is one of the more versatile roofs and can be easily installed and maintained, sometimes composition shingles can even be installed over an existing roof. The majority of brands on the market also offer Class A fire protection. Though the shingles are durable enough to not be damaged if someone walks over them, however if they get hot then they are easily scarred. Because composition shingles common, they are typically a low-cost investment – both in installation and materials, but are not as long lasting as metal roofs and may end up costing as much in repairs over time. They are, however, better at soundproofing outside noises.

Metal Roofing

Metal roofs may seem like a recent phenomenon, but they have actually been around for hundreds of years. Some historic
buildings, such as the Washington Monument, have metal roofs. Today the most popular form of metal roofing today is standing-seam steel roofing. In this style of roofing, the upturned edge of a metal panel connects to the adjacent panel which creates distinctive vertical lines. Metal roofing can also be made to look like clay tiles, shingles, Victorian metal tiles, or wood shakes. Aluminum roofing is also a popular form of metal roofs. Metal roofs are extremely durable, practically maintenance free, fire retardant, and, perhaps most importantly, energy efficient. The metal serves as a heat reflector and prevents the heat from entering the attic which effectively keeps the entire house cooler. It has been shown that metal roofing absorbs up to 34% less heat than composite shingles. Installation is best left to professionals as it is very complex and requires some installation experience. Metal roofs are also more expensive, not only for the roof but for the installation, this upfront cost is usually offset by the promise of a lower energy bill in the future due to the heat reflection; in some areas metal roofs may also be eligible for federal energy saver rebates. Metal roofs are lighter than a traditional composition shingle roof and tend to come with longer warranties.