The roof is one of the most significant fixtures in any building. It serves as protection from the elements and provides insulation. Roofs typically last between 15 to 20 years, depending on factors like climate, roof type, and maintenance levels.
This means that you will have to replace your roof at some point. Roof replacements are expensive as they require lots of materials and professional installation.
It’s essential to ensure that your new installation will last longer. Here are some roofing materials and ideas to make a durable roof.
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Concrete Roofing
Current advancements in the building industry have resulted in the production of long-lasting concrete roofing. Concrete tiles are now sturdier and lighter, making them perfect for roofing without adding extra load to the building structure.
They are affordable and come in different designs and colors, which can fit different house designs. Concrete tiles are also more resistant to wear and tear, require minimal maintenance, and are pocket-friendly.
Since their installation is simple, the installation cost is significantly lower than other roofing types. They are also a good option for reducing your carbon footprint as they’re made of eco-friendly material and are energy efficient. Some companies provide up to 50 years of warranty on concrete tiles.
Slate Roofing
Slate is one of the oldest roofing materials available and is still popular today. It’s considered a premium roofing material because of its benefits. It is naturally occurring, making it suitable for the environment, and it can be reused, generating little waste.
Slate also looks stunning and would make any building stand out with its timeless look. It’s naturally strong and resistant to wear and tear, and coupled with proper maintenance, the slate roof can serve up to a century.
They are also low maintenance due to their high resistance. Given how strong the slate is, it offers adequate protection against rough weather with ease. It is also fire- and pest-resistant, which makes it the ideal roof for areas prone to wildfires or with animals and pests.
Metal Roofing
Metal roofs are making a comeback and with good reason. While the initial costs, like purchasing and installation, may seem steeper than other types, metal roofs easily outlive their counterparts. Metal roofs can be expected to last anywhere from 35 to 70 years.
They are less susceptible to weather conditions and are low maintenance. They are also one of the most eco-friendly roofing materials because they are made of recycled materials, can be recycled, and are energy efficient.
Installing metal roofs can also be cheaper in some cases where you’re permitted to install them over an existing roof like shingles. This lowers the labor costs as there’s no demolition and offers more protection and insulation for your property.
A metal roof can also attract benefits like home energy credits, tax benefits, and discounts from your homeowners’ insurance policy. There are plenty of roof financing options for homeowners on a budget that can help make it possible to finance your installation. Metal roofs are versatile and are available in various designs and colors, making them perfect for almost any architectural design.
Shingle Roofs
Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt shingle roofs are one of the most common and affordable roofing options. They also offer great aesthetic value and are good for traditional-style homes, which are popular. Their simple installation process makes them less costly than other complex roofing styles.
Since they are individually installed, repairs can be quite affordable since only the damaged ones need replacement. They are resistant to rusting and corrosion and can serve up to 20 years with proper maintenance.
Fiberglass Shingles
Fiberglass shingle roofing is a great roofing choice for flat roof designs. Its strength lies in its waterproofing abilities since it’s laminated. Fiberglass roofs are durable and have a simple installation process which is also safe.
They also have a long lifespan and require little to no maintenance. These roofs are also not affected by UV rays. In case of any need for repairs, you can install another layer on top of the existing one.
Composite Shingles
Composite shingles are a composition of asphalt, fiberglass, recycled material, plastic, and other materials. They are designed to be durable, affordable, and highly resistant to the elements. They are popular for their versatility and can complement almost any design.
They are resistant to warping, peeling, and splitting, making them able to serve up to 30 years or longer. Composite shingles are eco-friendly since they are made of recycled material and can also be recycled, reducing waste generation.
Solar Shingles
Solar shingles are also a great roof replacement choice. They are technically regular shingles but with small solar panels installed on them. Solar shingles generate green energy, which is good for the environment and will help reduce your electricity bill.
They are more popular than solar panels, due to their safety and lack of intrusive installation. They are also easy to install and attract tax and other financial benefits. Due to their size, replacing solar shingles is very cost-effective, since you only need to replace the damaged ones.
Clay Tiles
Clay tile roofs offer long lifespans of anywhere from 50 to 100 years. These roofs are almost indestructible and survive the elements with ease. They are fire resistant, making them a safe roofing option and impervious to pest damage.
Since they allow free movement of air, they are energy efficient. These tiles also look good and are available in numerous styles; therefore easy to use.
Green Roofing
Installing a green roof simply entails adding vegetation to your roof. While green roofing isn’t technically a roofing material since the plants are added to an existing roof, it is worth considering, given how beneficial it is.
Green roofs are available in two forms, extensive and intensive, based on the number of plants added. Intensive green roofs support about 140 pounds of vegetation per square foot, while extensive support only about 25 pounds per square foot.
Green roofs can help prolong the lifespan of your roof as they act as a protective shield. They protect your roofing material from UV and are great for reducing noise pollution. They are also fire-resistant and good for the environment since the plants generate oxygen.
They also utilize waste material and are biodegradable, thereby reducing landfills. Green roofs are energy efficient and a great way of reducing the heat that buildings conduct since they cover these surfaces. A green roof can attract extra benefits like LEED certification and credits and other tax benefits.
Roofs can take up to 50% of the structure of a building. They also hold a significant value of up to approximately 25%. It is imperative to be careful with the type of roofing you select for a replacement project.
Take the time to research the type of roof that best suits your needs. This should be based on your budget, climate, and maintenance requirements, and ensure that professionals install it.
You can also consider other ways of extending your roof’s lifespan to get the most out of your expenditure. With the right planning and expertise, your roof replacement should last long enough to recoup your investment.
