Choosing The Best Roof For Your Home

Roofing materials come in a wide variety of types and materials. If you are roofing your new home for the first time, or replacing the roof on your existing home, there are several important issues to consider. Use the information in this article to help you make the right choice of roofing material for your home.



Asphalt shingles are the most commonly used roofing material, although they are less popular than in previous years. The shingles typically have an expected life ranging from 15 to 25 years, and the more you spend the longer your roof will last. Asphalt shingles are relatively easy to install, and many times the replacement roof can be installed without removing the existing roof. There is a limit to this practice though, and installing a new roof over two layers of shingles is not recommended.



Wood shingles have been used for many years, and they were the most common type of shingle before asphalt shingles became available. Usually, wood shingles are made of cedar because this type of wood is resistant to moisture. One big disadvantage of using wood shingles on your home is the fire hazard it creates. Since cedar contains a lot of resin, it only takes a small spark to set it on fire and it burns very fast so extinguishing it is very difficult.



Tile and cement shingles are becoming more popular due to their long life and fire resistance. Most of these shingles are formed to resemble either wood shingles or adobe shingles common on hacienda type homes. One drawback for cement shingles is the amount of weight they exert on the supporting roof structure. A lightweight version of the tile is available, but the lighter tiles are more susceptible to breakage.



Slate roofing has been around for literally thousands of years, and some ancient European buildings still have their original slate roofs intact. While the slate tiles are very durable, they are also very weighty and a strong underlying roof structure is necessary.



Metal roofing is enjoying great popularity for modern homes. Part of the reason is the varied designs available, as well as the fact that metal roofs are very durable and often last as long as the buildings they protect. Originally, metal roofing material was found mostly on outbuildings such as barns and garages, but modern metal roofing materials are made to resemble many types of shingles and tiles. Metal roofing material is more expensive than asphalt shingles, but does not cost as much as slate and cement tiles. Many modern home builders are now offering metal roofing as an option for their custom homes. Considering the long life of a metal roof, the cost versus durability factor makes the choice easy for new homeowners.



If you are considering a new roof for your existing home, or deciding on one for a new home, there are many choices of roofing materials, styles and colors. Use the information in this article to help you choose the best roofing material for your home.