Which Roof Types Are Better?
You will want to check out these seven popular roofing choices, whether you are replacing an old roof or building a new home from the ground up.
You certainly won't find a lack of options to consider if you're in the market for a new roof. Although climate, house style and budget are important factors to take into account, new technologies and innovations have made it possible, just about anywhere, to get any look. Here are seven more popular roofing materials today.
Asphalt Shingles
Fiberglass asphalt shingles are the most popular roofing material today, economical to manufacture, relatively simple to install, and widely available. Made of a woven base mat of fiberglass, covered with a waterproof asphalt coating and topped with ceramic granules that shield the product from harmful UV rays, they are available to complement the architectural style of any home in a full range of styles and colors. The majority is guaranteed for 30 years. Cost: $200 - $400 for each installed square.
Wood Shingle Roof
Two types of wood roofing are available: shingles and shakes. For a trim, crisp appearance, wood shingles are machine cut and tapered. Wood shakes are hand-split, giving a more rustic attraction to them. Although not as practical as modern asphalt shingles, the appeal of a wood roof on a traditional or historic-style house is not denied. Cost: $400 - $900 for each installed square.
Slate Roof
For roofing, slate quarried is dense, sound rock, and is extremely tough and durable. While it is labor-intensive and expensive to install, unlike any other roofing material, a natural slate look will give character to a building. Slate roofing, available in a range of colorations, is non-combustible, waterproof and requires little or no maintenance over its long life. Cost: $600 - $1.500 per installed square.
Composite Shingles
Consider today's composite roofing if you want the appearance of slate, tile or wood shake, without the installation and maintenance costs. Companies such as CertainTeed, EcoStar and DaVinci Roofscapes, all made from poly-based products, offer superior products that are lightweight, fade-resistant, fire-proof, and guaranteed for up to 50 years. Some are so realistic that historical preservation has been approved for use! Cost: $400 - $800 for each installed square.
Clay Roof Tiles
Tile roofs, in addition to their intrinsic beauty, are extremely durable, lasting in some cases for centuries. Whether made of clay or concrete (the latter is more color-resistant), individual tiles are often molded for interlocking installation in barrel shapes. Weight will be an issue, so be sure to ask a structural engineer if a tile application will support your roof framing. Cost: $200-$800 Concrete / $500 Clay - $1,000 per installed square.
Metal Roof
There is no material more capable of protecting a structure than a durable and energy-efficient metal roof from wind, rain, hail, fire, or rot. Metal roofs have meant corrugated panels for decades, which looked like they belonged to sheds or barns. Today, to suit a wide range of architectural styles, metal roofing products are available in a variety of styles. Cost: $300 - $700 for each installed square.
Green Roofs
The creation of a green "living" roof is an investment that offers many advantages, including better insulation, reduced run-off, and extended roof life. Several layers of support vegetation are required for a green roof. To protect the roof, you will need a waterproofing membrane, and probably a root barrier and irrigation system, depending on the slope. Expense: variable.
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