If you are thinking of purchasing a new roof, there are various types of materials that you never knew existed. This article will help you become acquainted with multiple options and the features you need to consider when comparing one another. We will also point you to more detailed pieces of information about various roofing materials.
Materials like copper, wood shakes, and slate has remained unchanged for many years. But a lot of other roofing materials have joined them over the years, from the popular asphalt-fiberglass to newer products made from plastic composites, concrete, and cement.
A lot of these materials have been developed over the past couple of years that focus on easy installation, sustainability, lower cost, durability, and other features property owners want. Every one of these materials has its own drawbacks and benefits. The trick is to check out all options and pinpoints the right material that suits your needs.
To learn more about this topic, check out online sites and forum sites related to home improvement.
What do people need to consider?
It is pretty easy to fall into the idea of just replacing the existing roof with the newer version. Though it usually makes sense since people know that the current roofing worked adequately until recently, they may be missing a significant opportunity to upgrade the functionality and look of their property’s roof. They need to consider the following:
Roof slope
The surface’s slope is a consideration that may help eliminate some possibilities, especially if it is too low. The slope is the number of inches it rises for every one foot or twelve inches of the horizontal run. For instance, a roof with a four in a twelve-inch slope rises four inches for every twelve inches of the flat run.
Another way of expressing slopes is through a pitch or using a fraction. Based on the span (width) and rise (height), the pitch is rising over the span. For instance, if the house is 38 feet wide and the gable dome has a one-foot overhang on all sides, its span is 40 feet. From the eaves to its peak, it is ten feet high – that will be its rise. Think of it as 10/40 and reduce it to 1/4. The dome will have a 1/4 pitch.
A lot of tiles, shingles, as well as slate-like materials, are approved for dome use with a four in twelve or a steeper slope. Flat- or low-pitched domes need to be topped with materials that do not have seams, like built-up gravel-and-tar or sprayed polyurethane foam composite. If they are not, they will leak when the water stays on the surface.
Weather barrier
Since the property’s roof is its main barrier between homeowners and mother nature, it is imperative to choose materials that will reliably shelter their property. It needs to shed snow and rain, endure the sun, and hold up strong wind for a lot of years. Depending on the orientation and shape of the property’s dome, as well as the climate of the area, some materials will do their job a lot better compared to others.
Appearance
Since the property’s top covering is usually apparent from the outside, the material’s appearance will dramatically affect the house’s look. The texture, type, and color of the material need to be compatible with the property’s outside style and finish. Be true to the property’s architectural style. Do not put Spanish tiles on Colonial-style homes, metal roofing on a Spanish-style home, or wood shingles on a modern-style property.
In other words, make sure to choose a material that is consistent with the home’s design vernacular. It does not mean that people cannot stray from the property’s original stuff. Fiber-cement shingles can look like slate or wood. Concrete and metal can look like wood or tile. Some of these things are a lot better compared to others at imitation, so homeowners need to make sure to check what these products look like on actual home coverings, not just on photographs.
Color tones might also be a concern from homeowners. Light-toned domes reflect more heat compared to dark ones. If a person lives in a place with a hot climate, make sure to consider light tone materials. Conversely, if a person is living where heat inside the house can be a significant benefit, consider dark tones.
For more information about shingles, check out https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roof_shingle for more details.
Cost
The cost of new roofing can range from very affordable to pretty expensive. Asphalt-fiberglass shingles are a more popular material because they are the least expensive among all choices, both to purchase and to install. Excluding labor cost, asphalt-fiberglass shingles cost around $125 per square for at least 100 square feet of domes.
Wood shingles can cost around $500 per square. Property owners can spend more or less $1,000 per square of copper ones. Usually, labor charges are almost equal to the price of the material used. The height, steepness, and complexity of the roof can affect the labor cost.
Durability and longevity
If homeowners intend to stay in the property for many years, they need to be aware that the cost of materials can play a significant role in its durability. For inexpensive stuff like composition roofing, they might only spend at least half the pricier product’s cost. But if the expensive product can last more than twice as long compared to the cheaper ones, they are not saving money in the process since they may need to replace it again in the future.
Because installation is a disruptive and expensive job, it is usually worth it to pay more on expensive products that have durability and longevity on their side, especially if the homeowners intend to stay in the house for more than five years. Always check their warranty, and know the coverage they offer. Pay close attention to details, especially the things that could void its warranty.
Installation problems
The roofing medium’s weight always concerns a lot of property owners, because the structural framing of a dome is only designed to carry a specific amount of weight. If they choose a medium that, if combined with substructures, will exceed the limit, they will need to strengthen the framing. Doing this process will take a lot of time, adds to the mess and hassle, it will increase the cost significantly. Slate, masonry, and tile mediums are usually heavy – some even weigh at least 1,000 pounds per square.
That is why homeowners need to make sure that they check the specifications, as well as their dome’s structure if they are considering using one of these. The weight can also affect how it is installed. Lightweight mediums are a lot easier to load and handle during installation. Some mediums like composites and asphalt shingles can usually be installed directly over the top of the current roof.
Fire ratings
Fire resistance of these mediums, as well as the sheathing beneath it, are rated by UL or Underwriter’s Laboratories. These ratings run From Class C to Class A. Some of these roofing materials, like untreated wood shingles, do not qualify for a rating. Class A ratings indicate that it is most effective against severe fire exposure. Class B items will not catch fire under medium exposure. Class C roofing can only handle minor exposure. Unrated mediums should not be used in areas that are considered fire as an environmental hazard.
