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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Avoid walking on your tile roof as much as possible. When efflorescence develops, as is often the case with terracotta, wipe it off with a clean, dry towel.
Cover the tiles with a transparent alkyd primer. Replace cracked and broken tiles as soon as you see them. 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. Used for relatively flat plots, such as angled shed roofs, the roll roof is installed by placing strips along the roof in overlapping courses.
If you work in the roofing industry, you may be able to differentiate between composite shingles and roofing material that mimics. Metal is famous for its thermal conductivity, which means a metal roof will provide better insulation than most other options. Metal roofs effectively reflect the sun's rays, so they keep your home cooler in summer, a benefit in hot climates. With a roof, it rarely makes sense to buy by choosing a roofing material based solely on price, when spending a little more can give you a roof that lasts as long as you own the house.
I am glad that you have been able to make the different types of materials here; perhaps a metal roof is a good option, especially if you have said here that it is resistant to high winds and fire. Because contractors can't get materials as quickly as in the past, their roofing work may take longer than expected. These roofs don't last as long as true slate roofs, but they are less expensive and don't require the installation of a trained mason. But no matter what style of roof you have, any roofing material can last longer with proper care and maintenance.
In a cold climate, a roofer may suggest applying an ice dam protection membrane in some areas to avoid ice dams that can cause water leaks. I appreciated your examples of roofing materials, specifically the example of stone-faced steel roofs and their resistance to wind and snow. . .
