Asphalt shingles. Relatively light, inexpensive, and easy to install, asphalt shingles are the best choice for most homes. They come in sheets that are layered on a roof to give the illusion of more expensive individual tiles, such as cedar and slate, that are installed one tile at a time. You might be using an unsupported or outdated browser. For the best possible experience, use the latest version of Chrome, Firefox, Safari or Microsoft Edge to view this website.
Choose asphalt shingles because they are one of the easiest types of roofing to find, affordable, and versatile. The most durable types of roofs are slate and clay shingles, but they are more expensive than materials such as metal or wood. Functional roof alternatives, such as green roofs and solar shingles, are among the most expensive types. Replacing an old roof is one of the best and most profitable ways to invest in a home.
Choose the type of roof that best fits your home, climate, and budget, and make sure that if you're installing a new roof, you find the right roofing contractor for you. Manufacturers mix fiberglass, asphalt and mineral compounds to create a variety of colors such as gray, brown, red, green or blue. However, its color will fade over time due to sun exposure. The color and quality will look different depending on whether you choose architectural or three-tab shingles.
Architectural asphalt shingles are individual shingles that are thicker than the three tabs to create a durable layered texture on your roof. Higher quality material and longer installation make architectural shingles more expensive. However, they can last 15 to 30 years and are more weather resistant. Three-barbed asphalt shingles are thinner and cut to look like three shingles.
This allows for faster installation and creates a uniform, brick-like pattern. They are prone to high winds and generally last 7 to 15 years. These are often the most affordable roofing option. Did you know? Paris' blue-gray roofs get their color from zinc panels that were first installed in the 1830s.
Wood ceilings pair well with charming Cape Cod cottages, cozy Craftsman and Tudor style homes. They start to brown sand and silver with age. Wood roofs can last 50 years in dry climates, but should be treated in fire-prone areas, such as California. Humid climates, such as the East Coast, cut through wooden roofs more quickly due to water damage.
Select a state to start with no obligation, free quote While expensive to install and repair, clay shingles outlast almost all other types of roofs. It's common in places like Southern California and Florida because clay roofs are perfect for warm climates, can withstand winds of up to 150 miles per hour, and are incredibly fire resistant. You can choose between natural slate, quarry or synthetic alternatives, such as fiber cement slate or bituminous styles. Synthetic slate is much more affordable and has many of the same benefits.
Once you know the truth about green roofs, you could top your list. Typically one of the most affordable types of roofs, roll roofs are quite popular with homeowners and builders on a budget. All installation materials are affordable and labor is also cost effective. Ideal for roofs with a lower slope, this rolled material can be easily nailed into place.
However, you should not nail flat roofs. Doing so can cause water leaks. Rachel is a home improvement writer and content editor. In addition to being a contributing writer at Forbes, she writes for small businesses and creative agencies. She uses her home improvement expertise to give homeowners the knowledge they need to furnish and care for their homes especially when homeowners have questions such as "what is the best roof" or "why use flat roofing?". Samantha is an editor who covers all topics related to the home, including home improvements and repairs. He edited home repair and design content on websites such as The Spruce and HomeAdvisor. He has also presented videos on DIY tips and solutions for the home and has launched several home improvement review boards with licensed professionals.
Asphalt roll roof is made of large rolls of the same material used in asphalt shingles. Used for relatively flat plots, such as angled shed roofs, the roll roof is installed by placing strips along the roof in overlapping courses. Asphalt roller roofs can be expected to last 5 to 10 years at most. Getting maximum roof life is just a matter of keeping it clean of debris and quickly repairing any punctures or damage that occurs.
Asphalt roll roofing is typically installed on roofs with a relatively flat peak, so a 2,000-square-foot home will have an area very close to 2,000 square feet of roof. Composite asphalt shingles are expected to last 15 to 40 years, depending on the quality of the materials chosen. Some tile roofs can even last up to 50 years. Most tile roof manufacturers offer a range of products in different weights and different life expectancy.
Manufacturers such as Owens Corning, GAF or Certainteed come with high-end warranties that exceed half a century. Wood tile roofs are made of thin wedge-shaped pieces of natural wood, such as cedar or yellow pine, that are cut from logs. They are extremely attractive roof, but they are difficult to install and are not suitable for most DIYers. Keep in mind that increasing fire risks in some regions have led to legal restrictions on the use of wooden roofing materials.
They are not a good option anywhere where there are seasonal wildfire hazards. Wood tile roofs have an average of 25 to 30 years of longevity, although a longer lifespan is sometimes achieved in places where the roof experiences mild conditions and remains free of debris. Meticulously cared for, wooden tile roofs can last 50 years. To extend the life of a wooden tile roof, make sure to replace split and cracked shingles immediately, and keep the roof free of moss.
Wood shingles are a thicker material than wood shingles, and can be expected to withstand weather and UV rays better than wood shingles. They are not suitable for most DIY enthusiasts as they require professional installation. Like wood shingles, shaking may be restricted in regions where wildfires are a known hazard. Both materials and installation are more expensive for smoothies than for wooden shingles.
You can generally count on shakes to be about 50 percent more expensive than shingles. Clay tile roofs routinely last 100 years or longer if properly maintained. The disadvantage of tile roofs is not decomposition, as occurs with wood shakes or tiles, nor the slow shedding of mineral grains, as is the case with composite shingles. Rather, cracks are what can doom tile roofs.
This is a roof that can easily last 100 years or much longer. There are still working slate roofs that literally date back hundreds of years. To achieve this kind of longevity, immediately replace any broken slate tile you see. Make sure all flashings are properly installed and in good working order.
When the copper flicker has turned black, it's time to replace it. However, that is the only cost at which. With the exception of maintenance and repairs, which can be significant, a well-built slate roof should not need to be replaced for 100 years or more. Therefore, as high as the installation costs of a slate roof, it is quite reasonable when the cost pays for itself over many decades,.
Now that we've covered the types of roofs, let's take a look at some more specialized tire considerations, starting with the most common type of roofing. Since 1990, the Bill Ragan Roofing team has helped Nashville residents find the perfect roof for them. You might think that slate roofs would also occupy this place, but slate roofs are not suitable for some environments. If you work in the roofing industry, you may be able to differentiate between composite shingles and roofing material that mimics.
CRRC-rated Kynar 500-coated metal roofs also reflect much of the solar radiant heat during the day, so they don't heat up as much as composite tile roofs. Whether you're putting a roof on a new home or your existing roof requires a total renovation, there are many materials available. I have been planning to replace my roof with a new type of material because I noticed that the shingles on my roof are starting to crumble. The Bill Ragan Roofing team has been providing high-quality roofing services to residents of Nashville and the surrounding area since 1990.
On the other hand, a raised seam metal roof comes with a 30-year paint warranty on the Kynar 500 painted finish that protects the roof from the elements. While there are two types of metal roofing, a standing seam metal roof is recommended for residential roofs. Roser Roofing Systems offers stone-coated steel (Galvalume Steel) roofing products that come with a warranty for hail impact damage from stones up to 2.5 inches in diameter. The Bill Ragan Roofing team has been helping Nashville residents find the perfect roof for them since 1990.
I appreciated your examples of roofing materials, specifically the example of stone-faced steel roofs and their resistance to wind and snow. . .
