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. While expensive to install and repair, clay shingles last longer than 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 as. 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. 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 an 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. 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. Asphalt shingles will last between 15 and 30 years.
They are by far the most popular roofing material due to their cost-effectiveness. This roofing material should last between 30 and 50 years. Wood shingles are usually made of fire-resistant woods, such as cedar or redwood. When it comes to energy efficiency, wood is a natural insulator, wood shingles are naturally about twice as efficient as asphalt shingles.
And because they're 100% natural, asphalt shingles are one of the most sustainable roofing materials on the market. Metal roofing materials will last between 30 and 50 years. Made of steel, copper, zinc alloy, or aluminum, metal roofs are slightly more expensive than their asphalt and wood counterparts. That said, they are significantly more durable.
Not only are most metal roofs created from recycled materials, but many are also 100% recyclable. A slate roof can last 75 to 150 years. One of the oldest roofing materials, slate is also one of the most expensive. Slate is one of the most expensive materials because it will last the better part of a century, and if the roof is well built, more than 150 years.
Because of this, slate is an incredibly sustainable roofing material. Roofing waste (specifically asphalt shingle waste) accounts for 3% of all waste in landfills. This is because homeowners have to replace most roofing materials every 30 to 50 years. A roof that could last three times longer than its competition is much better for the environment.
Here is your Complete Guide to Buying a Roof to learn everything there is to know about buying a new roof. That's the period during which most manufacturers will pay the original roof owner in full to replace defective shingles under the basic warranty. With a roof, it rarely makes sense to choose 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. This is only possible if the roof was installed correctly, so an experienced specialist is more important than a quality metal roof.
In addition, while we calculate the energy efficiency of most roofing materials in terms of the amount of energy they save, solar glass actually generates its own energy. This analysis will give you an idea of the comparative lifespan of these different types of roofs, as well as their average costs and lifetime value. Composite (also known as synthetic) roof shingles are made from recycled materials, such as rubber and plastic. If you're interested in how much you'll have to budget for based on the type of roofing material you choose, see The Average Cost of Tearing and Replacing Your Roof.
Flat roofs are usually placed in a category of their own, but can be combined with the metal roof option to increase the durability of your home. Green roofs (or living roofs) cover your home with vegetation such as grasses or native wildflowers that support pollinators. A cedar roof is a premium roof system made of natural wood materials (cedar) and is one of the most aesthetically pleasing roofing materials on the market. .
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