There are many different types of roofing materials. When it is time to install a new roof there are some considerations that need to be considered. Today’s roofing material choices are more energy efficient and tend to be labeled with an Energy Star rating with information about recycled content. Key factors that make a roofing material popular are the life span of the material, the cost, and the level of sustainability. All of these factors will help you choose the right roofing material when considering how to improve the value of your home.
Asphalt Shingles
The use of asphalt shingles is one of the most popular roofing choices. Asphalt tends to cost less and offers a more affordable alternative for roof installation and repairs. It is also fairly easy to install and has a great amount of resiliency. They tend to be less insulated and have a shorter life span, however. Asphalt shingles come in a variety of colors and options that help them last longer.
Wood Shingles
Wood shakes and shingles come in many different types of wood such as cedar, southern pine, and redwood. Cedar tends to be the most costly. A machine cuts wood shingles, and wood shakes are cut by hand and tend to look rougher. This type of shingle has no rating at all or a Class C fire rating. Before you choose this type of shingle make sure you view your local building codes. There are Class A wood shingles available that are treated to be fire-resistant.
Metal Roofing
Metal roofing is one of the most popular roofing types. They afford homes cooler temperatures while giving the exterior contemporary style. Metal such as aluminum, stainless steel, and copper tend to have a high percentage of recycled material. This type of roofing material offers a much lighter green footprint and tends to give high insulation solar reflectance, as well as being very durable. A metal roof tends to last twice as long as asphalt or wood. Metal roofing weights less than other roofing materials and can be manufactured to look like wood shakes, slate, tile and shingles. A lot of homes are replacing existing roofs with metal roofs that are affordable and resistant to adverse weather.
