Roofing Materials Protect Your Home

The characteristics of a roof are in direct proportion to the purpose of the building it covers and the roofing materials available. The purpose of a roof is to protect the building from the elements of weather. While taking the required purpose into consideration, different roofing materials and constructions have very different properties and should be taken into account in designing and building of a roof to suit local weather conditions and, in some cases, city requirements.

The roofing materials available to you, and how your roof will be constructed, will depend on what region you live in. If you live in an area that is prone to cyclones and hurricanes a metal roof would work best. If you live in a hot desert where rain isn’t an issue but the sun is, clay or concrete tiles would be the best choice. Slate provides an ideal material in areas with cold climates and may last 75 to 150 years. However, slate roofs are very expensive to install and, in the USA a slate roof may have the same cost as the rest of the house.

The main job of most roofs is to keep the water out. The pitch of the roof is proportional to the amount of rainfall. Areas with lower rainfall allow for a lower pitched roof, while areas of of high rainfall and/or snow have steep roofs.

Your roof choices

Shingles: Redcedar - life expectancy up to 30 years, high cost.
Slate: high cost, extremely durable, life expectancy of up to 200 years, due to heavy material the supporting structure must be very strong.
Tile: clay or concrete, high cost, life expectancy of up to 100 years, many choices of color, texture, and shapes.
Metal shakes or shingles: life expectancy of 30 years, high cost, suitable for high pitched roofs.
Concrete: low cost, life expectancy of 20 years or more.
Asphalt shingle: cheaper than slate, various life span expectancies, available in wide range of colors and shapes.

With a wide range of choices and roof styles you’re sure to find the perfect match for your home. For detailed information regarding roofing materials please read our featured articles below and contact our prescreened contractors for a consultation today.