Have You Ever Wondered What Are The Best Roofing Materials?
With so many kinds or roofing materials at your disposal, it’s easy for analysis paralysis to kick in.
Today, Elite Remodeling Services will explore some of the best roofing materials and also take a glance at how long these different types of roofs are likely to last here in Northeastern Florida.
We’ll get straight down to business now so you can simplify your job of finding the best roofing system for your needs.
10 Different Roofing Materials
In no particular order, here is a brief breakdown of the most common kind of roofing materials on the market…
1) Slate Roofing
The most durable of roofing materials, slate roofs can easily last a century.
Fireproof and almost immune to the rigors of even the harshest climates, slate is one of the oldest kinds of roofing materials and also among the priciest.
Energy-efficient and eco-friendly into the bargain, a great slate roof properly installed makes a fantastic investment.
2) Asphalt Shingles
By some distance the most popular roofing option, asphalt shingles are cost-effective and last a reasonable length of time.
You should not be driven purely by the bottom line with shingle as cheap, shoddy shingle will end up letting you down.
Place a premium on the hail rating of your chosen options.
When it comes time to replace your shingle roof, look for a recycling center to avoid this petroleum-based roof festering in a landfill.
3) Wooden Shingles
Fire-resistant woods like redwood and cedar make great roof shingles.
Strangely, although wooden shingles can end up lasting longer than the asphalt alternative, they are not as rugged and durable. Thee weak point of a wooden shingle roof is cracking so check for that all-important hail rating.
This aside, wooden shingles is a sustainable, affordable and energy-efficient roofing system that also looks great.
4) Asphalt Roll Roof
This is absolutely not a suitable roofing material for your home.
Asphalt has its place for roofing your shed or workshop but steer clear of it for the main house due to its poor lifespan and vulnerability.
5) Composite Shingle Roofing
At the lower end of lifespan, a composite shingle roof can seem a disappointment.
That said, the low cost and cheap installation more than makes up for this.
Be sure never to jet wash composite shingle roofs and make certain to get rid of any moss as soon as you detect it cropping up.
6) Clay Tiles
Clay or Spanish tile roofing is resistant to decay and whether damage but sadly prone to cracking. Elite Remodeling Services’ roofers see a lot of 75+ year old Spanish tile roofs that are in pretty bad shape as you can imagine!
Keep foot traffic to a minimum and take prompt action to replace any cracked or chipped tiles.
7) Metal Roofing
Of all the different types of roofs, the functionality and durability of metal roofing systems have brought it once more to the fore whether for residential or commercial roofing.
If you want this kind of roof installed, it pays to look for a specialist contractor, as it’s not a seamless job to get it up and running.
Check up regularly for any issues with sealants and for any warped or traveling panels.
Properly installed and cared for, a metal roof should keep going for as long as the house it sits on.
8) Flat Roof
Fiberglass flat roofing was once entirely the preserve of utilitarian commercial builds but it’s now a common option at home, too.
Flat roofs are relatively simple to install and a breeze to maintain and they’re a great way to make the most out of your roof space if you fancy a BBQ on high.
9) Plastic Polymer
Built to last a half-century or more, plastic polymer is among the most hard wearing kinds of roofing material.
Designed to stave off rogue weather and to save money on energy bills, plastic polymer roofs keep your house cooler in the summer and warmer in winter thanks to the way they reflect energy.
10) Solar Glass
If you fancy a Tesla car but can’t quite justify the expense, a Tesla solar glass roof might be the next best thing.
Built to withstand plenty of punishment, extremely sustainable and built not just to save energy but also to generate it, solar glass roofs are very much a roofing solution of the future that’s now on the market thanks to the pioneering Tesla.
How Long Do Different Types of Roof Last?
We’ll round out by highlighting the expected lifespan of each type of roofing material given normal conditions so you can compare the best roofing system in terms of longevity.
- Slate Roofing: 100-150 years
- Asphalt Shingles: 15-30 years
- Wooden Shingles: 30-50 years
- Asphalt Roll Roof: 5-10 years
- Composite Shingle Roofing: 15-50 years
- Clay Tiles: 100 years
- Metal Roofing: 20-50 years
- Flat Roof: 30 years
- Plastic Polymer: 50 years
- Solar Glass: 80-100 years
If you are someone you know would like more information on any of the roofing materials we discussed, give us a call at ! Elite Remodeling Services offers free roof inspections and estimates for all homeowners in Northeastern Florida!
