Your roof contributes immensely to the overall beauty and lifespan of your home. More often than not, a poor quality roof calls for constant repair and maintenance, whereas a high-quality one keeps your repair and maintenance costs at the lowest and prolongs the life of your home. For this reason, choosing the best roofing materials is extremely important when it comes to capitalizing on your return on investment.
Understandably, nowadays there is a broad array of roofing choices available, with each option having their own attributes. We recommend consulting expert roofers in Essex in order to get an outlook on the best roofing products that would fit your home’s design and budget. Whether you prefer wood, asphalt, slate, sheet metal, or any other material, it would be wise to understand how to choose the best roofing materials in Essex.
In this guide, we feature some of the popular roofing choices available and explain the advantages and shortcomings of each of these options. Continue reading below.
Table of Contents
5 Common Roofing Materials: Pros & Cons
1. Asphalt Shingles
Also known as Composition Shingles, asphalt shingles are among the most prevalent roofing materials we have today. They usually consist of either organic paper fiber mat (such as cellulose) or fiberglass backed with asphalt and mineral granules. Asphalt shingles are inexpensive and easier to install, but they are neither durable nor eco-friendly.
2.Metal Roof
Metal roofs are an excellent choice for homeowners who value durability and safety. Made of either copper, zinc or aluminum, metal is great as far as versatility and aesthetics go. As a durable and fireproof material, metal is ideal for areas that see a lot of high winds or snow, as well as those that are prone to wildfires. A metal roof will last anywhere between 30 and 60 years depending on the material. On the downside, metal roofs can be noisy during stormy weather comprising heavy rain or hail.
3.Concrete Tiles
Concrete tiles are made from natural composite materials. Even though they require significant energy to manufacture, they are durable, long-lasting and relatively maintenance-free. They also come in a variety of styles, and can even be designed to mimic other flooring options like wood shake. Despite offering a range of architectural designs, concrete tiles are heavy and the underlying roof decking and structure must be engineered to fully support the load. Also, they are more fragile than other flooring options and can only be installed by professional and experienced installers.
4. Composite Roofing (Fiber Cement/Plastic/Rubber)
Composite roofing materials are basically tiles made from plastic, rubber, or both. This roofing product may also consist of fiber cement shingles or a combination of fiberglass and portland cement. It is lighter than slate or concrete tiles, making it feasible to be installed over standard roof structures. It is also a lower-cost substitute to more expensive roofing styles like slate or more maintenance-intensive options like wood. As far as shortcomings are concerned, composite roofing is relatively new on the market and its durability, color retention capacity and long-term performance are yet to be known.
5. Slate Roofing
Slate is one of the most durable and long-lasting roofing materials made from real stone. There are numerous shades of slate to choose from, each of which adds a nice visual appeal to your home. However, slate is arguably one of the most expensive types of roofs you can choose. As a heavy roofing material, the underlying roof structure must be built and reinforced to withstand the heavyweight of slate. Slate also demands professional installation from roofing contractors who are experienced with this type of roofing.
Wrap-Up
Hopefully, our quick guide will help you choose a perfect roofing material for your new roof. As we earlier mentioned, we always recommend talking to roofing experts to get specific advice on how to choose the best roofing materials in your area. Our experienced roofers in Essex are always ready and willing to help you make a sound investment.
