If you’re building your dream home, or remodeling an older house you need to ‘cap’ it. Roofing is probably one of the costlier aspects of home ownership and requires some research and thought. Skyline Designs Roofing & Restoration outlines different roofing materials for your consideration below.
Concrete or Clay Tile Roof
Tile roofs are a popular trend. In fact, concrete and clay tile seem to be the go-to for developers. Tile is very durable, but heavy. Some reroofing projects with older or untested structures could not safely use tile because of its weight; after all you are essentially putting concrete or fried dirt on your building. Tile is ideal for climates like Texas in which infrequent rains dump large amounts of water in a short time, since many styles are excellent at shedding rainfall from cloudbursts. Clay and concrete tile roofs have also been known to withstand hail, high winds and even fire. Tile roofs can last up to 100 years but most manufacturers offer a 50 year warranty.
Asphalt Roof Shingles
Asphalt is the traditional standard. Asphalt shingle reinforced with fiberglass has been a traditional mainstay for decades and one of the early replacements for wooden split shingles. Relatively inexpensive, it is durable and usually warranted for 15 to 20 years. These products generally mimic the old-world slate roofing. An economical material most sales being to developers creating budget housing or repair of an existing roof, also referred to as strip roofing because the shingle shape is in strips up to 30” wide. Single layered but inexpensive as roofing materials go. These tiles are impregnated with minerals that resemble small gravel particles on close inspection.
Laminate Roofing Shingles
Laminate roofing is made in multiple layers usually two to three depending on quality. Fiberglass impregnated with asphalt, these types of shingles add a dimensional aspect, mimic wood shingles and are more of a durable product than strip roofing. Some triple laminate products offset the upper layer against the darker lower layer creating a shadow affect. These are the premium fiberglass/asphalt shingles and have warranties of 30 years to life.
Rubber Roofing
Rubber is a relatively new material for roofing products. They use recycled materials and are colored and molded to resemble the older style cedar, shake, tile or slate roof. A fraction of the cost and weight of tile or slate, rubber roofs are made of recycled tires, plastic bags, plastic pipe like PVC and other recyclable materials. Rubber products that resemble wooden shakes and cedar have sawdust incorporated into the material, while the slate like products have quarry dust in them. Warranted from 50 years to lifetime, rubber is a very practical roofing material. Rubber roofing in hail prone areas do not break nor do they dent. Because of the recyclable material content rubber roofing would be a “greener” material and much lighter, something to consider in quake prone areas.
Standing Seam & Other Metal Roofing
Metal roofs are the most resilient roofing material in existence. It comes in various varieties and styles. Standing seam are the ones with long strips with the raised over lapping seams. But there are other varieties; some are stamped to mimic slate, cedar or shake. Others are tile but otherwise resemble standing seam. Some are coated in minerals. Metal sheds water rapidly in the rain avoiding overloading the roof trusses. Extend from 50 years to lifetime warranties are not uncommon. Metal shingles are attractive and metal can be die-stamped with various wood or slate patterns and from even a short distance look authentic. Generally, the material is steel with various coatings, some baked on, they don’t break when the AC guy is checking out your cooling unit. In the southwestern United States and other high temperature environments metal is good because it reflects heat if light color is used. Dark heat absorbing roofs for winter climates and light reflecting roofs for the sun belt.
Roof Installation, Replacement & More in Conroe, Pasadena, The Woodlands, Pearland, Sugar Land & Houston, TX
There many choices to choose. A little research and consulting with a roofing expert can help you decide the best overhead protection for your loved ones and property. Call Skyline Designs Roofing & Restoration to schedule a free roofing consultation today!
