Different Types of Residential Roofing Materials

August 16, 2017

There are many types of roofing materials that can be used for residential homes and all come with both pros and cons of having those specific materials. We will examine three commonly used materials when it comes to roofing used for residential purposes. Those are standing seam metal roof, composition (or asphalt shingles), and concrete or clay tiles.

Standing Seam Metal Roofs

Standing seam metal roofs are become more and more popular mainly because of one reason. The durability as compared with all the other roof types is way longer on the seam metal roofs. This is because, as it is metal, it is more durable and therefore lasts longer.

However, this durability comes at a price as compared to other materials it is often much more expensive than any other material. Also, during weather conditions such as rain or hail, it can get noisy in the house with the drops hitting the metal.

Asphalt Shingles

Next, is the most common material on the list (you might have this material yourself) and that is asphalt shingles. One of the biggest reasons why shingles are the most common material is because it is so inexpensive and readily available almost anywhere. It is also easily repaired and can be quite durable in most weather conditions.

But, as it is so inexpensive the adage “you get what you pay for” really describes shingles. Their short life span (anywhere from 15-30 years) makes repairs almost always a problem for homeowners. Not to mention that during the summer hot months, shingles scar easily when hot which make repairs to the roof almost constant.

Concrete or Clay Tiles

Lastly, we have concrete or clay tiles that provide one big pro that no other material has. The big pro of the tiles is that they are non-combustible and fireproof and, in case of a fire, the tiles won’t burn up which can save lives as it won’t cave in. It is also easily maintained and extremely durable when regular maintenance is applied.

Some of the downsides to using tiles are that they can also be a bit pricey and installation and repairs can be a hassle. Not to mention that they are heavy and fragile, and this can make accidents when repairing tiles all the more common.