Your roof house is perhaps the most crucial for many reasons. It protects your home from the elements, keeps it warm, and safeguards the structure of your home as well as other aspects. The roof is the thing that can increase the value of your home, therefore, a high-quality, well-maintained roof is vital. But, various roofing materials are available, making it difficult to know which to select can be challenging.
Types Of Roofing Materials
Here are the lists of common types of roofing materials used in homes with the pros and bad aspects of each.
1. SOLAR TILES
Roofs made of solar tiles are an attractive, modern roofing choice. Solar tiles can also help reduce the cost of your electricity bill as they capture solar power, which can be converted to power.
Solar tiles require a considerable time to put in and can be extremely costly. They’re also not a suitable option for homes that are located in areas that are shaded. In addition, they’re fragile in comparison to other alternatives.
2. ASPHALT SHINGLES
Asphalt shingles are among the most popular roofing materials that can be found in the majority of contemporary homes. They’re an affordable installation option that is also simple to replace and repair whenever required. You can also pick from a simple asphalt shingle to something more costly such as three-tab or architectural.
But, they aren’t the most durable options due to the way they’re designed. They last up to 30 years, based on the weather conditions they’re exposed to, such as sun and wind. However, the entire roof will be replaced when the asphalt roofing granules are gone.
3. METAL ROOFING
Metal roofing is available in wide varieties, including metal shakes and shingles standing seam metal roofing or stone coated steel. They are popular because they can withstand a beating, keep out moisture, and provide excellent UV protection.
Prices can differ for metal roofing according to your style. Furthermore, even though metal roofs are resistant to the ravages of hail and other elements such as fire and water, the damage is likely to begin to show. It can ruin the look of your house.
4. SLATE
No matter what type of roofing material you choose or shingles, there is no doubt about the appeal of slate, which is one of the most natural roofing materials for homes. It’s gorgeous, extremely sturdy, and will last for quite a long period of time.
However, the slate is hefty. This means that not all homes are sturdy enough to handle the load. It is also costly, as slate roofing requires a professional to put them up, which can be difficult to locate. Repairs are also more challenging with slate tiles as well as shingles.
5. CLAY TILES
Clay tiles are another great natural roofing option and made of clay that has been made into a mold and fired for strength. It’s a good choice for homes with hot climates. They are trendy in the southern coastal and desert areas. They also take in less water which means they need less maintenance.
However, the main drawback of using clay tiles is their cost. Although clay tiles are lighter than concrete tiles, they do contribute a significant amount of weight to the structure of a house and can create problems. Although they have a degree of durability, they are incredibly fragile and could be damaged when working on them.
6. CONCRETE TILES
Concrete is a strong alternative that can mimic various roofing materials such as slate, asphalt, and even wood roofing. Clay is also less expensive than other options and lasts up to 50 years.
However, concrete is still a heavy material and could stress the structural integrity of homes. Additionally, they require more care due to the water absorption.
7. GREEN ROOFING
Living roofs are small plants that form the roof. They are great for controlling water runoff, insulating the home, and bringing clean oxygen back into the air. But, the cost of installing or maintaining green roofing could increase quickly. In addition, it requires extensive maintenance, mainly to keep the plants healthy and in good condition.
8. ROLLED ROOFING
One of the roofing materials that you don’t see much discussion about is roll roofing. It is most famous for low-sloped roofing, is easier to set up than traditional shingles and is also the most affordable roofing option available.
But when it comes to rolled roofing there aren’t any color choices that aren’t black, although you may see gray, tan and green options. Also, it isn’t very long-lasting and can last approximately 10 years. The roll-formed roofing is not the best choice if appearance is a factor because it doesn’t look very appealing.
9. MEMBRANE ROOFING
One of the most common roofing products for houses with low or flat pitched roofs is membrane roofing. Membrane roofing is constructed chiefly using EPDM, the synthesized rubber sheet. It’s reliable, economical, and easy to repair and install.
However, roofing penetrations, such as HVAC and chimneys, can make installation a little more complicated and cost more. It’s pretty easy for a membrane roof to be punctured. Even the seams between membrane sheets could lead to leaks, which could cause serious problems.
10. BUILT-UP ROOFING (BUR)
BUR was the once most popular roofing material used for flat roofs before membrane roofing became popular. It is an excellent shield against UV rays, water and weather. It is also low-maintenance, cost-effective and straightforward to take off if it has to be repaired or replaced.
However, BUR has a slow and labor-intensive process of installation. Additionally, it is prone to release harmful fumes during building, and identifying leaks in the event of need isn’t easy.
11. WOOD ROOFING
The wood roofing system is among the most well-known kinds of roofing materials. It’s a gorgeous rustic choice which is also extremely sturdy and offers energy efficiency.
But, it is expensive to install and order and comes with maintenance expenses. Maintenance of wood roofing can be time-consuming and labor intensive, and, with no care required, the roof could be severely damaged and unusable.
12. SYNTHETIC COMPOSITE SHINGLES
Synthetic Composite roofing is a low-weight and affordable alternative that offers incredible durability. Synthetic roofs have the highest quality of fire and impact ratings.
Unlike other roofing materials, synthetic roofing is readily accessible and can be found in various gorgeous styles, including cement shakes and slate. The reason that synthetic roofing is the most suitable choice is that it’s virtually maintenance-free and long-lasting.
13. Stone Coated Steel
Mainly designed for moist areas with windy conditions in which wildfires are constantly occurring, the stone-coated steel roofs look like a traditional shingle. They are made up of 26 or 4-gauge steel sheets rolled with a rust-proof coating. They are finished with a dense layer of stone, which adheres to the roof’s surface and beautifies the entire roof.
Pick a product that meets your needs
The primary function of your roofing is to protect your home and you from various elements. However, different kinds of roofing materials come with distinct advantages and drawbacks.
Naturally, you’ll want to select a roof that offers the highest level of protection without compromising your home’s aesthetic. Also, you don’t want to shell out a lot of money for the roof, particularly when the roofing material needs a lot of repairs and maintenance. Be sure to carefully consider the various roofing materials before making a final decision.
Contact Alpha Builders today for more details on stylish, long-lasting roofing solutions for a new roof construction or roof repair in Singapore.