What
is the right type of roofing for your home?
When it comes to home styles, it seems the
variety is almost endless. Homes can be Cape Cod, Art Deco, Bungalow,
Craftsman, Contemporary, Colonial, Dutch Colonial, Georgian Colonial, Federal
Colonial, French Provincial, Greek Revival, Italianate, Mediterranean and the
list goes on.
It is
no wonder with all of these different types of home styles, there would be a
wide variety of roofing styles as well. The basic roofing material types are
asphalt shingles, composite shingles, wood shingles, slate and metal. So what
do you choose for your home?
Style is one factor to consider, but not the
only one. Yes, you want your roof to look nice and suit the style of your home,
but, factors such as product cost, material weight, installation requirements
and lifespan of the product are also important to consider.
Here is what you need to know to make the
right decision:
Asphalt/Fiberglass Shingles- The most commonly used of all roof materials, probably because they are
the least costly and easier to install. Asphalt shingles are made from a
fiberglass medium that has been blended with asphalt and given a cover of
sand-like granules. They come in multiple thicknesses with the thicker being
covered in a laminated product. In today’s market, companies like Certainteed (http://www.certainteed.com/residential-roofing/types-asphalt-roofing-shingles/) offer a variety of asphalt shingles that meet
most desired looks. They offer Strip Shingles which are the most basic type of
shingle for single layer roofing, Dimensional Shingles which offer a
multi-layered richer appearance and possible impact resistance. The Premium Shingle which offer designs that
mimic “old-world” roofing shingles like natural slate or natural shake roofing
shingles. Because of the varieties
available, you would need to consult your roofing installer as to the lifespan
of these products.
Wood Shingles- These usually sawn or split shingles are
mostly made of cedar, redwood or southern pine. Wood shingles have been a
favorite in the housing industry for centuries and are still a great option,
however, they are forbidden in some areas due to local fire codes. These
shingles last normally around 25 years before needing to be replaced.
Slate Roof- A slate roof is among the most durable and
long lasting roofing materials. The average slate roof can last for hundreds of
years and are often reused in projects because of its high durability. Several
factors need to be considered when looking at slate roofing such as cost and
weight of the product. Slate roofs are extremely heavy so making sure that the
right company installs the roof and that your structure is solid is imperative.
However, a slate roof not only looks amazing, improves the value of your home,
but is heat retentive as well. Slate roofs look great on Chateau, French and
Colonial style homes. To see a great example of a slate roof visit this link: http://www.allriteremodeling.com/roofing.html
Composite Shingles-
This product is a great alternative to the wood shingles or real slate roofing,
as that the composite shingles are durable and fire retentive. One such
manufacturer that makes a great composite shingle is DaVinci. Their roofing
product is a good fit on a large variety of homes and offers low-maintenance,
durability, a wide range of color options and solid warranties. This is a cost
effective alternative to the slate.
Metal Roof-
These surprisingly
lightweight roofs are both durable and fire resistant, however, they do require
some specialized handling in their installation as some require soldering of
seams. Metal roofs are primarily made of
aluminum, steel, copper or copper- alloys. Products usually last 20-50 years
with most holding a 30 year paint guarantee. Things to consider when thinking
about a metal roof is the fact that they can dent and noise can be an issue. A
final consideration, in cooler climate areas, where snow falls often, the
release of snow as the seasons change , may cause an “avalanche” effect.
When choosing a home roofing
product, you are best to talk to an expert in the field. New products and
materials are always making their way into the market and a qualified Allrite contractor
can assure that you get the best possible products for your home installed
correctly.
