Is your roof due for replacement? What kind of roofing is right for your home? Roofing materials are varied in their durability, longevity, appearance, and cost. Whether you’re replacing your roof as a part of a larger home improvement project, or if you’re just replacing your roof to keep up with your home maintenance, choosing the right replacement can help you get started with this project.
Asphalt Shingles
Longevity: 20 to 30 years
Asphalt shingles are by far the most popular roofing material choice around the country. Why? They’re affordable, durable, relatively long-lasting, attractive and many contractor businesses know how to install, repair or replace shingles.
Asphalt shingles are available in a variety of colors including blue, gray, brown, red, green, white and black. Asphalt granules protect the shingle underneath from exposure to UV rays. You’ll be able to tell when your asphalt shingles need to be replaced because the granules will start to fall off and fill your gutters and downspouts.
Metal Roofing
Longevity: 40 to 70 years
Metal roofing has become popular in recent years because it’s durable and exceptionally long-lasting. It’s more costly than other types of roofing, but that cost can be worthwhile: once the roof is in place, you won’t have to replace it again for a long time.
When installing a metal roof, it’s important to work with a contractor that has experience successfully installing residential metal roofing. Metal roofing can come in virtually any color, and is relatively easy to keep clean because debris rolls right off.
One more thing that homeowners love about metal roofing: it’s eco-friendly. Often, metal is made from recycled material. When it’s no longer useful, it can be recycled again.
Clay Tile
Longevity: 100 years
Clay tile may be heavy, but it’s also durable! In the right environment and with the right installation processes, clay tile can provide beauty, durability, and a really long-lasting roof.
Clay tile is heavier than many other roofing materials, so if your home had a different type of roofing material before clay tile, your contractor may need to check your home to ensure that it’s built to carry the weight of such tiles. If your home needs to be retrofitted, your contractor will let you know.
Clay tile also has the benefit of being fireproof, and it has a distinct look that can make your home stand out. Clay comes in many colors, so talk to your contractor to find out whether clay tile is right for your home.
Slate
Longevity: 75 to 200 years
Slate is a traditional tile material that can be found on historic buildings. Although expensive and heavy in weight, slate has exceptional durability. The right kind of slate, properly installed and maintained, will last up to 2 centuries. It’s also distinctive in appearance, lending a sense of luxury to your home. Like clay, slate is fireproof.
Need an Update to Your Home? Call Diamond Hill Builders
Diamond Hill Builders is an award-winning building and contractor service for homeowners in Exeter, NH. Contact us today to find out more about starting your home upgrade or home improvement project.
