When homeowners opt to have a new roof installed, they often find themselves overwhelmed by the numerous options available. However, fear not! We’ve done the research for you and compiled eight roofing types to install on your home. Once you’re armed with this helpful guide, your choice will be a lot easier and simpler, no matter what type of roofing solar energy you need.
1. Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt shingles are the most common roofing types to install on your home. Asphalt shingles, also called asphalt tiles, are made of thin pieces of natural or synthetic asphalt material, often colored by pigments to improve durability and appearance. They typically have a layered design for increased durability and life span. The shingles are cemented or nailed down to form a smooth body that covers the rafters, ridge cap plate, hips, and valleys. Roofs made from asphalt shingles stay cooler than roofs with other materials because the material is more heat reflective than a wood shake or tile.
Asphalt shingles, one of the roofing types to install on your home, offer a low-maintenance, good-looking roof as long as they are properly installed. A roofing contractor installs asphalt shingles in pairs with a layer of tar paper under the top pieces to protect them from drips. When reroofing, a waterproofing system is required to keep water off the shingles and out of the attic.
The tar paper gives an added seal which helps prevent air leakage and protects against moisture intrusion into the attic space. The shingles are then fastened to the roof deck using nails or staples. Do the job with less risk of injury using a pneumatic nailer instead of a handgun. Collars are placed along the edges to hide exposed nails. A hip is put on each ridge end to keep water from running down the walls. Cracked shingles come in various colors, including black, brown, grey, and red.
2. Metal Roofing
The cost-effectiveness of metal roofing is nothing to scoff at, and for all the obvious reasons, it’s an increasingly popular choice for homeowners nationwide. Metal roofs are more durable than many other types, offer superior wind resistance, and never need to be replaced by fire. Their simple design allows them to be installed quickly compared to other roofing materials requiring specialized crews and equipment.
One of the other major benefits of metal roofing as one of the roofing types to install on your home is that it self-cleans simply by releasing rainwater. The only way to clean a metal roof is to hose it off, and with all the added benefits that metal roofing offers, why wouldn’t you?
Metal has been the standard building material for many years because it is strong, durable, and lightweight. For many reasons, residential roofing businesses consider metal roofing a top priority. First, the metal is easy to work with and install, making it perfect for various contractors. It is customizable in virtually any color, which opens up the possibilities for homeowners who want something bright and bold that stands out from the crowd. The durability of aluminum allows homeowners and roofing contractors to feel confident that their investment is wise.
3. Wood Roofing
Many people decide to install a wood roof instead of a more conventional one. This choice has many benefits, but there are also some concerns that homeowners should consider before building a wood-roofed home.
One of the main benefits of wood shingles and shakes is how long they last. Most homeowners will find their wood roof looks as good as new within 10-15 years. The other benefits include the fact that you can use virtually any type of wood for your roof. Wooden roofs can also be a great way to tie your house into its surrounding environment. These options are an excellent alternative for those who want to use environmentally-friendly materials when constructing or replacing a home but don’t necessarily want to sacrifice the style and aesthetic of their house.
One of the biggest drawbacks of wood as a roofing material is that it requires a lot of maintenance. If the roof leaks and is made of wood, it will likely rot from underneath. As a result, you’ll have to replace parts or, in some cases, rebuild the entire house because of rusted supports. Wood shakes, and shingles have to be replaced every few decades. Quality roofers would recommend the strongest wood for roofing to reduce these drawbacks.
4. Clay Roofing
Clay roofing is an old style used for years in mountain homes and by international travelers. Clay is a very old and environmentally friendly material that can be used as an eco-friendly roofing material. It has two main benefits. Firstly, it is a very low-cost material that is easy to produce. Secondly, it’s usable in many different forms and coatings to suit different climates and needs.
Clay roofs are made from clay that has lime added to it. Clay is often used because of its wide variety of colors, patterns, and textures that make it versatile. Clay is a natural material that needs to be heated before being pressed into a roof tile. This heating process turns the clay into a soft material that can be molded into any shape or size. Because of this, clay has been a popular and timeless roofing material worldwide.
Clay roofs can be mixed with many different materials to give the desired result. These materials include stone, sand, gravel, cement, and recycled slate. When these materials are combined, they will produce a very solid and sturdy roof tile that is resistant to any type of weather or environment.
One disadvantage to clay roofs is that they are prone to cracks and breakage because of their naturally brittle quality. Another disadvantage is that clay roofs are only effective when they are tiled. They will not last very long if they are not added to a frame. Local roofers ensure that the clay is properly secured to the frame and will help protect against extreme weather conditions.
5. Slate Roofing
A slate roof is a roofing structure made of individual pieces, or shingles, of natural stone called slate. Slate is often used to cover residential structures such as houses and apartment buildings and is one of the best roofing types to install on your home.
During roofing installation, slate is laid out in courses, with each course overlapping the underlying one by about a third so that only the lower edge touches the upper surface of the course below. The design makes it one of the best roofing types to install on your home.
Natural slate comes in various grades and shades (colors). Slate roof shingles are usually ‘split’ as part of the processing to obtain flat pieces. The resulting imperfect nature of the slate leads to slightly visible lines across the surface of a slate roof, particularly if it is not aligned carefully. Occasionally special colors are obtained by dyes. Other treatments include rustproofing and protective coatings.
The characteristics of the slate lead it to be categorized into three basic forms: hard, medium, and soft. Hard slate is durable, dense, and resistant to water. It is usually grey, although sometimes found in various browns. Hard slate is used for roofs and flooring. Medium slate is less dense and durable than hard but offers significant water resistance. This type of slate tends to have a green or blue/grey tint, and its use as a roofing material has fallen out of favor in many places because the soft slate is prone to damage from harsh weather.
6. Green Roofing
A green roof is an ecological habitat often referred to as the world’s largest rooftop garden. It is typically made up of plants, soil, and other organic materials, creating living architecture that traps moisture in the air. Green roofing has become a common technique due to its aesthetics. It also contributes to stormwater management and improves the environment.
Green roofs reduce the intensity of storms, absorb and hold rainwater, reduce heat transfer into buildings, provide beauty and increase property value. The benefits are typically derived from improved air quality and increased biodiversity through plant growth. Other benefits are reduced maintenance costs and a reduction in cooling costs. The latter is a common benefit derived from green roofs in warmer climates where cooling is a cost to building owners.
Green roofs require regular maintenance and care. If you have a green roof, consider hiring a roof maintenance service to ensure it is always in good condition. Many green roofing systems are also available on the market, adaptable for various building types and site conditions.
7. Solar Shingles
The rooftop of your house is where the sun’s most powerful rays are made most useful for heating and cooling your home. Therefore, it’s important to get it right when deciding which type of roofing to install. Your choice may come down to solar shingles, one of the best roofing types to install on your home.
Solar shingles are solar photovoltaic roof tiles that can either be incorporated into a roof’s existing material or work as a new roof on top of an existing roof. They’re made from glass, and several options are available for what you can do with the space underneath the shingles. Solar panel shingles are becoming more cost-effective than ever, providing great value to homeowners around the globe.
These cheaper solar panels, ideal for roof replacements, have become much more accessible worldwide, and big companies have made these shingles increasingly popular among homeowners. The major benefit of these roofing types to install on your home is their affordability and durability. These shingles are not only more cost-effective than other solar panel types, but they’re also easier to install. Solar panels installed on the roof require paid professionals and higher upfront costs, making solar shingles a great choice for homeowners who want to reduce their electricity costs.
8. Rolled Roofing
People are often interested in ensuring that the homes they are building will be safe for their families. One of the most important and cost-effective ways to make this happen is by hiring roll roofers to assist with roofing types to install on your home. They will put together structures that have been reinforced and help protect your home from any natural disaster. They also ensure that your home is safe and sound when it’s raining or snowing.
Roll roofing is becoming more and more popular over the last few years. They are a solution that has been around for centuries, but very few people are aware of how they work. It’s a great alternative to traditional roofs that require roofs with shingles or tiles. People are discovering this because it is one of the most cost-effective ways to create a home that fits their needs.
The rolling roof, one of the common roofing types to install on your home, commonly comes in horizontal and vertical designs. The horizontal design is very commonly used in the Northern United States. The vertical roll roof is commonly used in places with no strong winds. It’s a great way to keep heavy snow and rain from damaging your roof.
The idea behind the roll roof is very simple and doesn’t require much explanation. The rolling roof covers the entire house structure, and there isn’t any need for extra items to create a barrier between your home and outside elements: water, rain, snow, etc. It uses rolls of material reinforced with steel bars for extra support, and it also looks amazing once you get it installed on the roof. What’s even more fantastic is that it is a great alternative to putting on a traditional roof. It is extremely cost-effective and is removable from one house to another. These factors make it an excellent investment, especially if you want something that will last you several years.
There are many types of homes, but all need a roof to be safe from adverse weather conditions. Each type of roof is unique and has its special feature. That’s why it is so important to choose the best roofing that will be able to protect your house from the elements while at the same time ensuring that everything else looks amazing on top of your home.