What is The Best Roofing Material for a Residential Roof?
Over the past few months (or years!) you have been putting off getting a new roof. But, if you have a roof that us cracked, tiles are missing, its curled or you have been noticing water spots on your ceiling, lets be honest this isn't something you can put off any longer, especially with winter right around the corner. If you need a new roof, you need to be aware of the different options available, pros, cons and of course prices. Consider reading below for all of that and much more. Asphalt Shingles This is one of the more common materials when it comes to home roofs in the US because they are costefficient and very easy to install, in fact you might not even need to hire a roofing contractor to install Asphalt Shingles. But if you want to make sure that your asphauly shingles are installed properly you should hire a roofing contractor in Orange County. The best thing about this type of roof is that it comes in a lot of different colors, and its the least expensive material that's going to be listed here. However, it also has a shorter life span and it doesn't offer a lot of insulation. Cost and Life Span: Prices range from $70 to $120 a square and, if maintained properly, shingles will last 20 to 25 years. Clay and Concrete Tiles This material adds a certain sense of luxury and elegance to any roof. However, its also incredibly heavy and has to be installed by a roofing contractor. Clay and concrete tiles are a plus because they are long lasting and noncombustile, as well as very energy efficient. However, they are also very expensive, heavy and will most likely require additional work such as framing. Cost and Life Span: Prices start around $300 to $500 a square and, if maintained properly, tiles will last around 40 to 50 years.
Metal Roofing
Incredibly sleek looking, lightweight and they last a really long time. This material is available in two options; panels and shingles and they come in different types of metal such as stainless steel, copper, zinc and aluminum. Its very durable and will last much longer than wood or asphalt, however, it can become quite expensive. Cost and Life Span: Prices usually start around $100 to $300 a square, but some styles can cost $600 to $800 a square. Metal roofing can last 40 to 75 years.
Slate Roofs Slate anything, offers a really beautiful look. Its quite appealing to the eyes and it could essentially, if maintained, add value to your home. The types of Slate include black, green, red and purple, its durable, fire resistant and it can also be recycled. But, on the downside its very heavy, its very expensive and it will take additional work such as framing because of how heavy it is. Cost and Life Span: Prices start at about $600 a square and up. Slate can last more than 50 years and sometimes 100 years or more. You read that right, up to 100 years! Of course most slate roofs that last this long are taken care of correctly. Wood Shingles and Shake This has been a go-to choice for many years, and a lot of people love the way that it accentuates the roof and looks appealing to the eyes. If you are worried about fires, you do have another option - you can look for Class A fire rated wood materials. This has a fire resistant coating on the wood. It offers a very rustic look, and its all natural, usually made with cedar, redwood or even southern pine. But, some fire codes may not allow you to use this material if you live in an area where fires are often present. Wood, as you probably know, also can split, rot and can easily mold. Cost and Life Span: Prices start at around $100 to $150 a square and will last around 25 to 30 years. Some questions you need to ask yourself when choosing the right materials for your roof; how heavy is the material and will you need extra framing? What colors are available? Can it be customized? How much do these materials cost in all, plus labor and installation costs? Are there any warranties? If so, what is the warranty specifically for and how long does it last?