Residential roofing ideas – how to choose a roof for our home

Residential roofing is an extensive subject. We will review the pros and cons of some of the most popular roof types as well as the main characteristics of the roof materials. Whenever it comes to choosing the roof for a house the homeowner should consider several criteria – lifespan, weight, the style of the house, is the material eco-friendly and recyclable and last but not least – the price. Below you will find the pros and cons of asphalt, metal, plastic polymer, clay tile, concrete tile, slate and wood as roof materials.

Residential roofing ideas – Asphalt composition shingles

Asphalt shingles are the most popular type of residential roofing. Asphalt shingles are two types – made of organic paper fiber mat or fiberglass – and impregnated with asphalt.

Asphalt shingles are lightweight and ideal for sloped roofs. They are fire resistant and with a fairly good wind resistance.

The reason for the popularity of this type of residential roofing is the relatively low price. However asphalt roofing is not eco-friendly as the shingles are a petroleum based product.

Plastic polymer roofs gain popularity as the shingles resemble wood or slate.

They have a low maintenance and can be recycled. Modern materials have good fire and wind resistance and the moderate price has earned them a good market share.

Eco friendly residential roofing

Metal roofing is more resistant to wind and weather conditions. In the group of metal residential roofing are steel, aluminum, copper, or zinc alloy.

Depending on the type of material, the roofs can be very durable, with good resistance to fire and wind. The prices can be in the moderate section or quite high, especially when we talk about copper.

Metal roofing is offered in sheets or shingles and can be recycled which makes metal roofs eco friendly .

Clay tile have a high fire resistance and last for a very long time.

Clay tiles are made of natural clay and are a traditional roofing material. Their wind resistance, however, is lower, compared to other materials, while the relatively high price makes them a luxury.

Slate is one of the oldest roofing materials known to man. It has been in use for thousands of years and is very durable and resistant to wind and fire.

The main advantage of slate is the fact that it is made of natural rock but on the downside you can point out the fact that it is quite heavy and requires a stable supporting structure. Slate roofs are quite expensive as they require professional workers to install it.

Wood shingles and shakes are usually made of cedar. Other species with rot resistant qualities, like redwood, can be used as well. Wood roofs are eco friendly and recyclable, but with a short lifespan and very poor fire resistance. In addition, they require regular maintenance.

Concrete tiles are made from sand, water, cement and pigments. They are very durable and strong.

As an energy efficient material, concrete roof tiles are an excellent choice, they are recyclable and highly functional. The low cost is the advantage that makes the material a popular choice for residential roofing.