There are many different types of roofing materials. So where do you start? Let's take a look at 3 different types of roofing materials used in residential roofing and what the positives and negatives are for each:
Asphalt Shingles
Considered the most common type of material used in residential roofing, the asphalt shingle is versatile, comes with a Class A fire rating, easy to install and cost-effective. Another characteristic of the asphalt shingle is it's design variety and the many colors they come in. The shingle is produced to simulate architectural styles and offer affordable alternatives to other types of materials such as slate or wood shake. This doesn't mean that you are getting a cheap roofing system either. Asphalt shingles have come a long way in recent years. Manufacturers are always upping their game to compete with other asphalt shingle manufacturers. One, Owens Corning for example, has designed a shingle called their Duration shingle which has their patented SureNail strip that provides outstanding grip and exceptional wind resistance. Here is a link to check them out! https://www.owenscorning.com/roofing/surenail. A big plus for asphalt shingles is their cost effectiveness due to their high manufacturing rate. Compared to metal roofing, which can be 3 times as much, asphalt shingles can last from 15 - 30 years depending on the type of asphalt shingle. As with any material, asphalt can fluctuate in price when petroleum prices go up in the summer time so keep an eye on this when looking to replace your roof.
Negatives Of Asphalt Shingles
There are some negatives to asphalt shingles as well, some some of which are that shingles are a softer material in comparison to say slate, tile or metal and can be damaged more easily. Especially on hot days when asphalt is soft and just walking on the roof can cause shingles to scuff and damage the surface of the shingle. Shingles are also susceptible to fading. The granules, which are the protective layer on top of the asphalt base, are painted and UV from the sun which eventually have it's way and cause the paint to fade. This is a problem for future repairs as any new shingle repair will generally be darker than the existing roof but will fade over time as well. Our suggestion is to stick with a popular color as any designer color with a lot of color variations may go out of style and out of stock!
Another negative of asphalt shingles is that they can be easily damaged by hail. Some of the thicker shingles are rated higher for hail resistance and there are even some that are produced to withstand larger hailstones, but all asphalt shingles can and will be damaged by hail if your home happens to be in a high storm prone area. Newly installed shingles are soft and can be damaged easily should a hail storm take place. Older shingles, 15+ years can be brittle and also be easily damaged. It's good to note that the size, density and angle at which hail strikes your roof, all play a large factor in whether or not it will cause damage. Some things to look for around the home are dents on metal surfaces such as gutters, metal roofing or contents around the yard. If these items are damaged, it is likely that there are damages to the roof as well. So take this into consideration when choosing a roofing material.
Overall A Great Performing Roofing Product
Proper installation and ventilation are the two key factors when installing an asphalt shingle. Having those will ensure that your asphalt shingle will last you for years to come.
Metal Roofing
The next common type of roofing system is metal roofing. There are several different types and styles of metal roofing. Also different types of metal used. Let's take a look at a couple of different types of metal roofing:
1. Aluminum
Aluminum roofing is lightweight, durable and corrosion resistant. It is a great option for any metal roofing system including standing seam, slate profiles, shake, shingle and comes pre finished. Aluminum roofing is usually manufactured from a large percentage of recycled material. Typically aluminum cans. The disadvantages of aluminum is that it is more expensive than steel and much less hail resistant.
2. Galvalume & Galvanized
Galvalume is similar to galvanization, but it also adds aluminum and silicon to the zinc. It is a carbon steel sheet coated with aluminum-zinc alloy by a hot dip process. The silicon is included in the coating of the alloy to provide good coating adhesion to the steel substrate when the metal is roll formed, drawn or bent during fabrication. Galvalume metal roofing offers exceptional corrosion resistance and outlasts a galvanized coating of comparable thicknesses. Galvalume metal is considered to be a preferred material for roofing. Galvanized coated metal is typically used in more industrial applications. You should also consider the location of the structure as being close to the ocean can cause the galvanized coated metal to show signs of corrosion faster than the Galvalume. Up to 9 times faster!
The Negatives Of Metal Roofing
Price and difficulty of installation. Prices can vary for all types of metal roofing. The metal type and profile can change the price significantly due to the cost of the metal and the installation methods. For example, an exposed fastener Galvalume panel with be significantly less than a standing seam hidden fastener panel due to the additional trim and labor involved with the standing seam panel.
Metal roofing can cost at least 3 times as much as asphalt shingles but also can last 3 times as long. Metal roofing will also withstand much larger hail depending on the thickness of the metal. So if you are looking for a longer lasting solution, metal roofing might be the perfect choice.
Tile
Tile is a roofing material that has stood the test of time. It's durability is beyond comparison like no other roofing material.
Designed For Long Term Performance
Tile provides the longest track record of performance compared to other types of roofing materials. Tile has higher weight and strength allowing it to meet the rigorous demands for all of the climatic regions. To maintain their long lasting attributes, the weight of the tile is important because it provides enduring protection without developing problems like other roofing materials. For example, overtime, asphalt shingles can develop blisters due to high heat causing the shingles to break down at a faster rate than normal. Tile can, however, experience color softening after extended periods to the elements as it is a natural product. This occurs to a much lesser degree with tile than with most other roofing materials. Tile also has superior hail resistance and will take a much larger hailstone to damage the tile. It is also impervious to rot and insect damage and will never decay.
Economical
Due to the long lifespan, 50-100 years or even more, tile is considered one of the most cost effective choices for roofing materials with some manufacturers offering warranties from 50 years to the life of the structure. In fact, many structures today with clay tile roofs have remained intact and functional for centuries.
Negatives Of Tile Roofing
High cost. Tile roofing can cost up to 3-4 times as much as asphalt roofing. Also, tile has a much higher difficulty level of installation vs asphalt roofing driving up the cost. Tile roofing requires a professional contractor with extensive knowledge and experience with installing this type of roofing system. And finally, tile is heavy! Where an asphalt roof may weight around 225-325 pounds per square(100SFT), tile can weight as much as 850 pounds per square. This will require consulting with an engineer to determine if the structure can handle that much weight which will add to the cost.
In Conclusion
As you can see there are many choices in roofing materials and each material has its positives and negatives. While one material may cost more, it is important to note that the roof of a structure is one of the most important components and careful consideration of what type of material should be used. It is important to consult with a professional roofing contractor that can help determine which type of material will work best in your situation.
Comments