For most of us the roof on our house is an afterthought until it starts to leak. In reality, your roof is your homes single most important defense when it comes to protecting it from the elements. When it’s time to replace your roof, choosing a roofing material that will serve you best can not only complement your house but take it to new heights.
Here’s a quick guide to help you choose a roofing material that fits your house’s style and your budget.
Shingles
Asphalt shingles, or composition roofing, is the most common roofing material used on houses. It’s lowest in cost and easiest to install.
- Cellulose or fiberglass mats coated with asphalt and granules
- Available in many colors
- Lightweight with a flat profile
- Lasts 15-20 years; the heavier the shingle, the longer it will last
- Algae-resistant granules available for warm, humid climates
- Petroleum based product thats not eco-friendly. Can be recycled, though often taken to landfills
- Cost: Inexpensive to moderate
Wood
Wood shingles and shakes are made from cedar, redwood, and southern pine. Some local codes prohibit wood because it’s flammable.
- Wood’s natural character blends with the landscape
- Shingles are flat and machine sawn on both sides
- Shakes are thick and may be hand split
- Requires a roof with at least 4:12 slope to shed water
- Lasts 15 to 25 years; apply preservative and fungicide every two to five years
- Eco-friendly; made from natural materials
- Cost: Moderate
Metal
Metal shingles are long lasting, lightweight, and fire-resistant, but they conduct heat and can be noisy.
- Made of aluminum, steel, or copper
- Come in standing seam, corrugated, or faux-shake styles
- Can last 30 to 50 years;color coatings guaranteed against fading for 25 years
- Eco-friendly; may be made from recycled materials and can be recycled when replaced
- Aluminum won’t rust, but lower grades can dent
- Cost: Moderate (steel) to expensive (copper)
Slate
Historic and older homes are often roofed with this natural quarried stone. Characteristics:
- Available in different colors and grades, depending on origin
- Considered virtually indestructible
- Eco-friendly; made from natural materials
- Requires specialized skills and expertise to install
- Can weigh 700 to 2,000 pounds per square; usually requires reinforced roof framing
- Lasts 75+ years; only maintenance is replacing broken tiles
- Cost: Very expensive
Concrete Tile
Concrete tiles imitate clay and slate in appearance and durability; can also look like wood shakes. Characteristics:
- Can be molded to interlock so they’re easy to install
- Roof framing may need to be reinforced to handle the weight
- Somewhat eco-friendly; made from natural materials but requires significant energy to manufacture
- Lighter-weight types available
- Can last 50+ years
- Some products come with limited lifetime warranties transferable to new owners
- Only maintenance is checking for loose or cracked tiles
- Cost: Moderate
Rubber Composite
Also known as synthetic slate, rubber composite shingles are molded from a blend of plastic and rubber bonded molecularly. Characteristics:
- Convincing texture, like slate, with color through the material
- Eco-Friendly: Some are made from recycled materials. Can be recycled when replaced
- Lightweight yet strong and flexible
- Limited supplier network
- Fifty-year limited warranties are typical
- Only maintenance is checking for damaged shingles
- Cost: Moderate
When its time to replace your roof, there are a lot of material options to consider. With our roofing experts advice, you will be able to make a decision based on the pros and cons of each roofing material type as well as availability and cost.
The Chuba Company has installed more than 700 roofs using our dedicated and experienced crew of professional roofers. We also hold an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and are GAF Master Elite certified contractors, a distinction held by only 3% of all roofing contractors. And in addition to any manufacturer warranty, The Chuba Company gives a Lifetime Workmanship Guarantee on all projects.
