Picking the right roofing material is a vitally important decision affecting the long-term durability, energy efficiency, and appearance of your home. The ideal pick will keep your property safe from the most severe weather, cut your energy bills, and give your house "tablet for the neighborhood" charm. The roof over your head is about the most essential part of your home's structure, and you don't want to have to deal with repairs to it or any of the parts that abut it (think of it as the no-fun zone) when you've got a good 20 years' worth of roofing warranty to work with. Factors to consider in picking a roofing material include the local climate; the pick's compatibility with your home's architectural style; and the material's weight, which has a huge impact on energy costs, the roof's slope, and whether the roof is framed or has trusses (structures built to support the roof).
When it comes to picking roofing materials, durability matters most. If you want a no-fuss roof, pick the material that requires the least maintenance and has superb lifespan ratings. Metal roofing and slate tiles can last for many decades with proper vigilance. Asphalt shingles, however, are rated for about 20 years, although roofers around here see many that have failed around the 17-year mark. I once had an architect tell me that a roof is an environmental statement. This is true in at least a couple of ways. One is that some roof materials are much friendlier to the environment than others—good roofs are made of materials that can be recycled.
When it comes to roofing materials, several choices are available on the market, including asphalt shingles, wood shakes, and tiles made of clay, slate, or concrete. According to the experts, the most critical factor in determining a roof's lifespan is the material from which it is made. Local conditions and the roof's shape and pitch may influence a roofing system's durability, but such elements have less impact than the choice of material, which on average is associated with about 50% of the variance in roof lifespan. Asphalt shingles are the most popular roofing material in the U.S., and they are indeed relatively inexpensive and long-lasting, having a good balance of cost-effectiveness. Wood shingles and shakes can also last a long time but require more maintenance. Clay or concrete tiles, as well as slate roofs, are virtually indestructible, but they aren't cheap. Metal roofing is tough and typically requires little maintenance, but its upfront cost can be high. Choices do need to be made. And after balancing all of weathertightness, fire resistance, roof structure, roofing system cost, and aesthetic appeal, asphalt shingles usually end up being the most sensible choice.
