Types of Roofing Materials Overview

As the primary form of protection on every home, selecting roofing materials should be made with utmost care. Thanks to technological advancements, what was once a selection only between clay or concrete tiles, roofing materials now come in a variety of materials.

To ascertain the perfect kind of roofing materials to use on your home, getting the expertise of roofers is the best option. However, if you want to get a preliminary idea before selecting a choice, here are the different types of roofing materials available in stores.

Asphalt Shingles

In the United States, more than half of single-family homes use asphalt shingles for their roofing. However, current data have seen an increase in the number of families switching to metal shingles, but it would still take a long time before asphalt shingles would totally be replaced.

Asphalt usage is famous because they are affordable and energy-efficient. Most of the materials are said to survive for over 30 years in areas where the climate is not rapidly changing.

For that reason, American families have continued to patronize this kind of asphalt shingles. It consists of two types; one is the fiberglass mesh, and the other is the organic shingles made with a combination of paper and granules.

Roof Tiles

Roof tiles have been around since ancient times, but it is with the constant improvements that have made it survive until today’s modern times and make it one of the palpable alternatives to asphalt shingles.

The materials of roof tiles vary according to your preferences. Those that are made traditionally with clay are naturally stronger and more durable such that it is perfect for houses that are prone to calamities.

On the other hand, concrete tiles are effortless to work with. However, it does not change the fact that it is also durable despite being lightweight. As such, like asphalt shingles, concrete roof tiles are best used for houses without changing climates.

Roof tiles are generally coated with a waterproof coating to prevent deterioration.

Vinyl Slate Tiles

When it comes to luxury types, the vinyl slate tiles come into mind as its usage is primarily with castles of old European structures. However, it is still more affordable today than it was before.

Vinyl slate tiles are the premium option if you do not plan on changing your roof tiles forever. In addition to their luxurious and aesthetic look, they are supposed to last a lifetime, which makes the slightly high price worth it.

However, the vinyl slate tiles are hefty, which makes it one of the most challenging materials for roofers to work with. So, you could say that both the vinyl slate tiles and the labor it costs to repair them would be costly. That is why most professionals recommend that if you choose this roofing material, you would want to stick with it forever.

Solar Tiles

The 20th century has seen the preference for an eco-friendly and sustainable means of consuming energy. For this reason, you can see corporate buildings installing solar tiles. These solar tiles serve as both a roofing material for the construction and an electricity provider by consuming and converting the light energy that comes from the sun.

There are several other subtypes of roofing materials, such as built-up roofing, stone-coated steel, and green roofs. It is always important to consider what your priorities are, whether it is for protection against the weather, a colder room climate, or a luxurious looking house. Nonetheless, there are hundreds of options that you can choose from, and you could always inquire with a professional roofing contractor.