Having a roof over your head means having security and protection from outside elements. There are many options to choose from when you’re in the market for roofing materials. Before making a final selection, consider the following factors: regional climate, appearance, cost, longevity, and structural issues, among others.
Here’s a list of some of the best roofing materials to consider when replacing your roof.
Built-up Roofing (BUR)
A trusted option, built-up roofing or BUR, has been the go-to option for flat or low-pitched roofs. A BUR system uses multiple layers of roofing felt infused with hot asphalt. A two to four layers thick barrier is made up by overlapping the felt in layers. The next step is to mix finely crushed stone with hot tar, spread over the top, creating a lasting and impenetrable roof.
Typical installation costs $2.50 to $5 per square foot. The longevity of a properly installed BUR roof can range between 20 to 30 years.
Clay Tiles
Clay tiles work well in hot climates and are popular among house-owners in Arizona, coastal, and desert regions. They are made from Earthen clay molded into interlocking shapes and fired for hardness. Modern-day clay tiles are machine-made and available in many colors and designs.
The reddish-orange color looks naturally beautiful when left unglazed; the glazed and fired version is called ceramic roofing tiles. This is an expensive roofing material, ranging from $10 to $30 per square foot installed. The longevity of a clay tile justifies its price; with fire, wind, and impact resistance, clay tiles can last you about a century.
Metal
If you’re after a clean, modern look, metal roofing might be the option for you. You can choose to install just the metal shingles or a complete standing seam metal roofing. Your roof’s strength and durability depend upon your metal selection. Galvanized steel, copper, aluminum, zinc, and stainless steel are popular choices in metal roofing. Metal roofs make a lot of noise during rain and storms, and some of them can dent from hailstorms or other weather events. If you invest in a good quality metal, it will last you more than 50 years.
Rolled Roofing
This material is the primary choice for residential roofs with low slopes as well as outbuildings. These include shops, sheds, barns, and other structures. This kind of roofing comprises long rolls of materials infused with minerals and asphalt – with added mineral granules. The dimensions of these rolls are around 100 square feet in length and 3 feet in width. The large strips of this roofing material allow for fast and inexpensive roofing where aesthetics isn’t a necessary consideration.
With costs ranging from $1.50 to $2.50 per square foot, installed, rolled roofing is a relatively inexpensive choice. Resultantly, they last for about 10 years before requiring total replacement.
Conclusion
The choices are plentiful when considering roofing material options for your new home. With many roofing options having the ability to withstand natural phenomena for up to 50 years or more, and their ability to resist fire, wind, and weather damage, you must make a worthy choice.
Always consult a trusted roofing company for determining the best roofing material for your new home or any roof renovation project for your family home.
