Roofing materials are crucial to your home’s proper functionality. The right materials are vital for a roof’s durability, useful life, curb appeal, energy efficiency, weather element protection, and budget. Knowing the pros and cons of various roofing material types, such as asphalt shingles, wood shakes, and shingles, metal, tiles, and slate, and their sustainability can help you make informed choices.
While various roofing materials have unique benefits to cost, appearance, lifespan, and carbon footprint, selecting the right one for your home can be difficult. Here are ten factors to consider when choosing a roofing material for your house.
House design
Your roofing material choice partly depends on your home’s architectural style. For instance, metal roofing is an excellent option for standard roofing materials because they’re versatile and durable and may be manufactured to suit any design imaginable. Tiles would be ideal for antique-style houses, while asphalt shingles can suit any architectural style.
Consider finding a roofing material that blends with your home’s design and more features because it contributes to your property’s exterior appeal besides offering protection. With the help of professional, experienced roofers such as Landmark Roofing, you can pick a roofing material appropriate for your home design.
Cost
Cost is a vital factor affecting your choice of roofing materials, so you might want to buy the materials whose cost is within your budget. Ensure your roofing material costs reflect their quality. While some roofing material prices could be high and substandard, others might be cheaper but top-quality. Alternatively, inexpensive roofing materials don’t always reflect the best deals in the market. No matter your roofing materials cost, ensure they have the best value for your money. Additionally, if you’re working with a strict budget, look for roofing vendors offering discounts.
Maintenance needs
Continuous exposure to inclement elements causes your roof to deteriorate. Different roofing materials have varying maintenance needs. This means some may require simple tasks and others more complex procedures. While there are various roofing materials, none can be exempted from these environmental occurrences, which could negatively impact your roof’s health.
Select a roofing material with a manageable maintenance routine. Some roofing material maintenance costs can be higher than others, so if you’re looking to reduce your budget, roofing materials with affordable maintenance costs, but high quality would be your best bet.
Durability
People buy or build homes to use for the longest periods possible. Invest in a durable roofing material because it prevents the need for a roof renovation sooner, saving you money. Durable roofing materials can help you retain your property’s value. Choose roofing materials rated for longevity and durability.
Roofing material’s weight
Your roofing materials’ weight can impact your house’s structural impact, so choose a material that best compliments your building’s structural components. Determining your foundation’s stability ensures you don’t overburden your home and destroy it. If you have a solid foundation, go for heavy roofing materials. Lightweight roofing materials are ideal if your house’s foundation is weak. Choosing a roofing material whose weight is suitable for your building ensures your home lasts long.
Your region’s climate
Your area’s climate is a vital consideration when selecting roofing materials. Various materials respond differently upon exposure to different climatic conditions. For regions always raining, consider materials that can cope with heavy rains. Sloppy roofs are also ideal for such places as they allow the rainwater to drain quickly. Humid coastal climates may result in moss, mold, mildew, and algae growing on the roof, affecting its performance.
Choosing materials that can withstand this climate can help prevent these issues. If your area’s weather is hot, you may consider terracotta, concrete, or slate tiles. Asphalt shingles, metal, and slate would be ideal for cold climates. With the help of a reliable roofing expert, you can find a material that best suits your local weather to prevent premature roofing materials damage.
Roofing codes
Home safety is a significant concern for most homeowners. Using your local roofing codes, you can determine the roofing materials recommended for your locality. They provide guidelines for proper roof installation while considering your roof style, geographic area, and more. Failure to comply with your locality’s roofing codes, including improper roofing materials, may result in legal troubles, such as court appearances and hefty fines.
Failure to stick to proper code may result in leaks and water damage because of bad quality roofing materials. It may also result in safety issues, endangering you and your loved ones. Familiarize yourself with your area’s roofing codes and buy materials based on the recommendations.
Roofing materials availability
While you might want to get the best roofing material money can buy, it won’t be of help if your preferred roofing materials aren’t available or easily accessible. In such cases, choose a locally available roofing material. Consider moving from one roofing material vendor to another to determine the availability of these materials.
Choose common roofing materials that are easily and locally available to ensure your roofing needs and work are completed within schedule and without hassle. It also makes it easier to find repair and replacement parts. Additionally, you can check the availability of specific roofing materials by checking different seller websites.
Ease of installation
A roofing material’s installation convenience can significantly impact your choice. While some roofing materials are complex to install, others are easy. Consider buying easy-to-install building materials, especially for DIY projects. However, if you’re using professional roofing services, any roofing material would do because expert roofers are skilled and experienced in various roofing material installations. If you’re working on a strict budget and timelines, simple to install roofing materials would still be the ideal choice. This is because they’re affordable, their repairs are easier, and it’s easy to find qualified roofing contractors for them.
Energy efficiency
Your roofing material choice plays a major role in your home’s energy efficiency by making your house more or less energy efficient. Some roofing materials like asphalt shingles and metal can reflect heat away from your building. With a cooler roof, especially during summer, your HVAC system won’t have to work harder to cool your home and make it comfortable, significantly reducing your energy bills.
Endnote
With so many roofing materials in the market today, picking the right one can be challenging. Consider these factors when choosing a roofing material for your house.
