Roofing Material Basics of the 5 Most Popular Types

1. Roofing Material Basics of the 5 Most Popular Types There are a lot of components that go into your roof to make it work as a single cohesive unit. First, you've got the sheathing materials that hold the trusses together and give you something to fasten the roofing materials. You've got the felt paper that serves as an extra layer of protection against water that might try to make its way into the sheathing. Finally, you've got the vents that help circulate air to make sure the entire roof can breathe. These components are crucial, but nothing gives the roof its personality, quite like the different materials used on the surface. Asphalt, metal, tile, etc., not only give the roof its main aesthetics, they provide the durability and longevity factor that serves as the true value of the roof. The roofing materials used to go a long way in defining the character of the whole house. When finding the perfect roofing material for your home (or business), it generally comes down to three factors: · Looks · Durability · Cost You might include energy efficiency as the fourth major category, becoming a huge concern for many conscious homeowners. Being Roofing Contractor since 1993 in Arizona, we know what type of roofing material is suitable according to the place. The most popular roofing materials and their characteristics in each category include:

2. Asphalt Shingles Not too long ago, there was a time when asphalt shingles covered 8 out of every 10 homes in North America. Those numbers may be waning a bit as people look for greener roofing alternatives, but it's easy to see why asphalt shingles are still the leading roofing material in the industry. The biggest advantage of installing asphalt shingles is cost. Installing asphalt shingles costs 3X less than metal, and the labor involved is minimal. However, there are some drawbacks to virtually every roofing material. Asphalt isn't very energy efficient as the tar used in manufacturing heats up and absorbs the sun's rays. Asphalt doesn't wear very well either and is more than a 15-year roof. Finally, the bland style of asphalt shingles and their common denominator don't do anything for your ROI when you sell the home. Still, many homeowners think you can't beat asphalt. Metal (Corrugated and Standing Seam) The number of metal roofs being installed has quadrupled in the past decade-plus, cutting into the former dominance of asphalt. It's not hard to see why the roofing material has become so popular. Arguably the biggest benefit of a metal roof is its durability. Installing metal will cost you 3X as much as asphalt, but it will last 3X as long (at least). Metal roofs don't wear either – the surface may oxidize, and the paint may flake, but for the most part, the durability in year 40 is going to be very similar to year one. Painted metal roofs also have a solar reflectance that bounces UV rays instead of absorbing them – saving you up to 40% a year on energy bills compared to other materials. Even the styles of metal

3. roofs are improving. Your house no longer needs to look like an old barn because most manufacturers offer shingles made of metal for that traditional style. The only real downfall of metal is that it is slippery and thus limit access to your roof. Fiber Cement Largely the new kid on the block when it comes to roofing, fiber cement is most commonly used as a siding material with little to no drawbacks. The material (cement and sand mixture) emulates the looks and texture of wood but is impervious to water, insects, etc. In addition, it has a 50+ year life span and is priced very similarly to metal and wood shake roofing. Wood Shakes There's a reason why metal and fiber cement roofing materials are being manufactured to emulate the looks and feel of wood – because it is the most desirable style with deep grains and rich texture. It makes sense then that if you want a true authentic wood-looking roof, cedar shakes would be the route to take. Obviously, wood will be one of the most sustainable roofing materials in the industry, and it does have very good thermal properties. Unfortunately, the costs (similar to metal and fiber cement) don't line up with the life span (similar to asphalt shingles). Tiles (Clay, Concrete, Slate) There's probably no better ROI in the roofing industry than slate tiles, for starters. It is a 100+ year roofing material equivalent to marble flooring in terms of luxury. Unfortunately, it's also very hard to find an experienced installer, and the cost is going to be 20X other roofing materials.

4. Clay and concrete are the most popular forms of tile material, especially for Spanish and Italian-style homes. Tiles are beautiful, but there is a slippery slope for their durability. Tiles can easily withstand even the most extreme weather to last 40,50, or 60+ years, but they can shatter like a piece of glass when walked upon. Therefore, when deciding between concrete and clay, the biggest comparison is durable (clay) or affordable (concrete). Another thing to consider is that clay, concrete, and slate are the heaviest roofing materials in the industry, so they require structural support to the roof trusses to accommodate the weight, thus adding to the labor costs. When it comes to roofing materials, it's now good to know you shouldn't just flip through a book and find a style you like – consider a few other factors as well. If you live in Arizona and need any roofing help, Integrity Roofing is here to help you with all types of roofing problems. You can contact us through the form http://integrityroofingaz.com/contact-us/ or can call us directly at (602) 548-3770.