8 Types of Roofing You Should Consider

Many homeowners, especially in the US, prefer to use asphalt shingles for their roofing. This is because of their affordability, easy availability, and versatility. For durability, slates and clay tiles should be your first choices. However, they tend to be more expensive. Many reputable roofing contractors, like Bacon Roofing, prefer to use such durable materials. Of course, the ultimate choice of using such roofing materials lies with you, the customer. If cost is not an issue, you can go all the way; alternatives like solar shingles are on the high end, costing you way more than most roofing materials.

Ultimately, you want to choose a type of roofing in line with your budget, taste, and house and landscape design. You can choose from any one of these.

1) Metal Roofing

Despite its modern appearance, metal roofing has been in existence for nearly two centuries. The metal sheets and shingles used for roofing are as popular today as they’ve been for decades. This is because industrial processes can now create better alloys (metal mixtures), meaning more durability. They’re also cheap to produce, easy to maintain and transport, and have an excellent luster even with age. These qualities make them highly sought-after by many homeowners and roofing contractors.

Usually, you can choose between metal sheets (called “panels”) and shingles. Most come in factory colors, but you can choose a paint color that matches your taste.

2) Asphalt, Fiberglass, Composite

These are all varieties of shingles adorning most roofs in the US, owing to their affordability and ease of installation. On average, you can expect to pay between $1.50 and $5.50 for a square foot of this material. They are very reliable and durable, lasting up to 30 years after installation. An added perk is that they can be recycled.

Mixing asphalt, fiberglass, and composite give these shingles their durability. Different manufacturers may decide to play around with these ingredients, adding them in various quantities to achieve a particular effect. They tend to have a short lifespan and fade after prolonged exposure to the sun. However, their affordability and suitability for most climates make them famous.

3) Wood Roofing

Wood roofing is a natural choice if you’re constructing a cabin or something similar. However, they can be just as effective for stone-built houses. They are perfect for dry climates and can last up to 50 years if well-maintained. Such maintenance involves treating it with chemicals that make it less fire-prone. It gives excellent curb appeal, although it’s high maintenance.

4) Shakes and Shingles

Sometimes you may want a more natural look to your roofing. Shakes and shingles are ideal since they are divided into wedges to achieve a rugged appearance. They are costly, both in terms of purchase and installation. Expect to fork out about $3.5 per square foot for this material. Their installation will set you back between $7 and $13 per square foot.

 Shingles are slightly cheaper than shakes. They’re usually sawed into pieces of equal dimensions, creating clean lines in the process.

5) Clay Tiles

With a history dating back to ancient China, clay tiles continue to be popular even in modern times. Because of their durability and ability to last for about 100 years or more are pretty expensive. They cost between $10 and $18 per square foot. This roofing material comes in different styles like Spanish, Scania, and more.

There’s a reason this type of roofing material is expensive; it outlasts almost all other types of roofing materials. It is ideal for hot climates because of its incredible heat and fire resistance and its ability to withstand powerful winds.

6) Slate Roofing

Slate is similar to clay tiles in several aspects. For example, both are very durable, providing good roofing on a building for nearly 100 years. Slate is also costly to purchase, going for between $9 and $20 per square foot. It is also resistant to weather elements like hail and gales, can withstand extreme heat, and is fireproof.

They come in several varieties, like quarried slate, synthetic slate made from cement and fibers, or natural ones. People usually prefer synthetic slate over the natural type because it is equally durable and cheaper.

7) Green Roofing

Green roofing isn’t just a thing for environmental nuts. You can derive several benefits from this kind of roofing. In addition to the natural beauty that it’ll bestow upon your roof, green roofing effectively combats rainwater runoff and wards off excessive heat. With more benefits comes higher costs. A square foot of green roofing costs between $10 and $25. Even though it requires extra care, you’ll be getting an environmentally-friendly addition to your house.

8) Solar Shingles

Solar paneling isn’t just for electric power harnessing; it can provide friendly roofing for your house. However, you’ll need building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) specialists for their installation and maintenance. With a cost of between $21 and $25 per square foot, it is an expensive roofing choice compared to most other options. However, this can pay off if you ever intend to sell your house. Solar shingles can increase your home’s value by $15 000.