Which Residential Roof Type Is Best For You?
As a homeowner, when you are exploring what type of roof you want to install on your home, there is a lot to consider.
Some questions we get all the time include:
Should I get asphalt roof shingles?
What about slate roofs or concrete tiles?
Slate tiles?
And how should the roof design look?
Whether you’re mulling a roof for a new home, an existing roof repair or a complete roof replacement, determining the roofing tiles and design is your first step.
Working with professional contractors is the first step toward understanding your roofing options and finding the best fit. At BOSS GENERAL SERVICES INC, we’ll walk you through the roof styles that fit your home and design a roofing system that matches your vision.
Before that, it’s a good idea to get familiar with some of the roofer vernacular you’ll encounter.
Asphalt Shingles
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The most common residential roofing material used in the United States are asphalt shingles, and for a good reason.
Asphalt shingles usually last up to 20 years or more on an average home. They are particularly useful in an area like St. Louis, where weather isn’t as radical as somewhere like Florida.
They consist of two different types of base materials – organic and fiberglass. This unique design helps them reflect sunlight away from home, helping reduce air conditioning costs during the hot summer months. They are also resistant to wind and hail damage while providing additional waterproofing support for your home.
Slate Shingles
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Slate shingles are a sophisticated and upscale type of roofing material. They are made from concrete, providing your home with resistance to rot and fire.
They are incredibly easy to maintain and have a life expectancy of 100 years.
While these are incredibly durable and give off a natural appearance, they come with their own unique set of disadvantages, too.
The weight of slate shingles and the cost associated with them means they require a high degree of expertise for installation.
Slate shingles are also susceptible to damage when you walk on them, making maintenance and gutter cleaning a pain.
Wood Shakes
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These roofing materials have been around since the colonial era for a lot of reasons. For one, they can withstand harsh weather conditions, keeping UV rays out of the home, which reduces air conditioning costs. This energy efficiency makes them highly effective in areas with lots of sunlight.
Additionally, wood shakes are incredibly eco-friendly materials. The insulation they provide will help cut down on energy costs. Not only are they made from wooded material, but they also produce a minimal impact on the quality of water runoff.
While fire-resistance is a concern, many manufacturers apply a fire-resistant coating to them for extra safety.
There are many advantages to wood shakes, but they also require expertise to install. As such, they are a bit more expensive than an asphalt shingle roof, but its durability and energy efficiency are enough for many homeowners to pull the trigger.
Metal Roofing
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Metal roofing has been a growing trend recently. The market share for metal roofs quadrupled over the past decade. Metal shingles are low maintenance, lightweight, and environmentally friendly, giving them a ton of upside.
While there is some benefit, the installation can be tricky, so it’s essential to partner with a roofing contractor who understands metal shingles very well.
Clay Tiles
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These ceramic roof tiles are generally durable. They’re resistant to fading and are fireproofed, plus quality tiles should last anywhere between 50 to 70 years.
These tiles are more commonly found in the Southwest because they fit in with homes that borrow elements of Spanish architecture.
The tiles hang in parallel rows, overlapping to keep out rainwater.
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