A Roof Over Your Head
 

Most homeowners want a roof that is cost effective, requires little to no maintenance, and endures the test of time. Even though every 10 years most will have to be replaced or at least repaired. There are many different roofing materials that if you don’t already know about you can read about below, including the pros and cons of each.  Though many homeowners only consider the aesthetics of the material they are interviewing, each substance offers a combination of qualities that can make the decision for you.  Newer products like plastic, fiberglass and concrete are available, and some revolutionary, energy-efficient homes are even using sod to meet their roofing needs.

COMPOSITION SHINGLES are a great choice for a fresh look at an inexpensive price.

Higher-quality versions made from asphalt or fiberglass, shingles offer a more durable option and may be available with recycled content.

Pros

Composition shingles come in a large selection of types, brands and colors. They are versatile to adapt to different applications. They are relatively simple to install, and in some treatments can be nailed in place over the roof you already have.  In most cases they come with a class A fire protection guarantee and are sturdy enough to walk on without damage.

Cons

Composition singles are known to become loose and at times blow off in excessive winds.  Sun and heat can blemish the appearance and they don’t have the multi-dimensional appearance as other materials.

WOOD SHAKES offer a natural look with plenty of character and with all the variations wood, size and placement, no two wood roofs look the same.                                                

Pros

Wood helps to insulate the attic, while still allowing the rest of the house to breathe by circulating air through the small openings under the felt rows that the shingles are laid.                                     

Cons

A wood roof demands proper maintenance and repair to sustain the lifespan of other materials. Insects, rot and mold can also come to inhabit the porous material. Maintenance costs of a shake are high, and old shakes cannot be recycled. Without proper secondary treatments wood shakes rarely have a fire safety rating. Many use wipe or spray-on fire retardants which offer less protection and are only temporarily effective. Since installing a wood shake roof is more complicated than other materials always investigate your contractor’s experience.  The highest rated shakes come from cedar and differ in quality from mill to mill.

CLAY ROOFING TILE is a good choice for homes with a southwestern, Italian, or Spanish Mission design, or even for homes with a modern, clean look.

Pros

Tile is very hearty and durable; it usually lasts longer than the material that it is laid on. Tile won't rot or burn and it cannot become home to insects. It comes in a variety of colors, brands and styles and requires almost no maintenance.

Cons

Due to the weight of certain types of tile, an extra heavy support is sometimes needed.  Pay close attention to the type of tile that you are installing, some of the newer materials are only coated with color and can fade over time. Tile tends to be very and can sometimes require extra roof support.  Finally, tile is more expensive than most other materials.

SLATE ROOFS use shingle-like slates that can be arranged in a variety of different patterns.  Usually reserved as a higher-end alternative than other roofing material.                               

Pros

Much like tile, slate offers a very long lifespan, proven fire protection and is very low maintenance. There are many styles and shapes and sizes and offer a more natural color-scheme.                   

Cons                                                   

Due to the weight of this natural element, slate roofing often requires addition roof support. Though stronger than tile, walking over it while performing maintenance can be cause breakage.

CONCRETE is being used for a variety of different roofing styles.  With fiber reinforced concrete and different coatings and covers, it can be the most versatile of all compounds.                    

Pros

Concrete can be made to look much many of its opponents while possessing additional qualities.  When laid to like tile, it is as durable and protective but does not create the weight of traditional tile.  Concrete can also give you the look and feel of wood shake while maintaining much more fire protection.

Cons

Concrete is more expensive than some roofing materials, and early types of concrete roofing had problems with the material curling, breaking and changing color. Technology has improved, however, and these problems have mostly been overcome. Style and color choices are expanding, and by mixing the cement with additives, manufacturers and making lighter and lighter products.

METAL ROOFS have seen their popularity wax and wane over the past 300 years, but they seem to be coming back into style.  Standing-seam steel roofing is the most popular residential metal roofing today. But metal roofs can also be made to resemble wood shakes, clay tiles, shingles, and Victorian metal tiles. Aluminum or coated steel is formed into individual shingles or tiles, or into modular panels four feet long that mimic a row of shingles or tiles.

Pros

Metal roofs are very durable, fire retardant and essentially maintenance-free. Energy efficiency is also a positive factor because their reflective nature sends the sun rays back where they came from. Metal roofs have been credited for saving on average of 20% off heating and cooling bills and also friendly to the environment as the are 60-65% recyclable material. .

Cons

Installing some metal roofing can be a time consuming process best done by a professional, and although there it can save you money in the long run, it costs more to have install, so it is probably not a good short-term investment. 

HOT MOP is seen in commercial applications. Hot mopped asphalt roofing is sometimes applied to flat or semi-flat residential roofs that have good access and proper drainage. Asphalt's advantage is that it is less expensive than other roofing materials and holds up fairly well when properly applied.

The technique results in a roof that's not very pretty, although in residential use it is often covered with a layer of decorative stone to improve the appearance. You've no doubt noticed roofing projects that use this technique, since it requires a large kettle of melted asphalt. When being applied, the hot mixture releases extremely high levels of smelly air pollutants. In addition to being unpleasant, the hot asphalt poses a health risk to installers. Because its fumes contribute to smog, hot mopped asphalt may be restricted in some urban areas.