What Kind of Roof should I get?

Installation and repairs around the house are a nightmare when it comes to the expenses associated with them. Therefore, to minimize such costs, the foundation of crucial structures like the house roof should be strong to begin with. When considering the ideal system for roof construction, various factors need to be considered. This mainly pertains to the different materials of roof available in the market.

Factors to Consider

Overtime, roofs may give way to small crevices and cracks leading to water drainage and leakage. Other times, roofs need to be resistant to adverse conditions like strong wind, hail, heavy rainfall, and high-risk earthquake events. The ideal material required needs to account for an ease of installment in the case of repairs through its lifecycle. This is also true when a system of solar panels is required, or water-heating pipes are to be embedded in the roof structure.

Lastly, with all its versatility and durability aside, the roof should be visually appealing as well. Depending on how you would like the exterior of the house to feel, the material used can make the roof look more natural. It goes without saying, higher quality roof is associated with higher maintenance and installation charges.

Types of Roof

The most common, well-rounded option for roof installation is composite asphalt. It is comprised of fiberglass between layers of asphalt on the outside and the bottom layer with ceramic, quartz or slated coated on it. Their lifetime can be expected to be around 40 years! It boosts strong resistance to UV light radiation and is waterproof.

Standing-seam or metal roofs are a more expensive option costing any amount from $10 to $20 per square foot depending on the metal chosen. These range from the lighter breed of steel or aluminum to the more attractive zinc and copper costing more. Though metal roofs require snow guards and can be noisy during rainy season, their durability is excellent. Their lifespan pits them at 70 years range. They are especially excellent in areas prone to wildfire and severe typhoons. In this sense, they are a good alternative to wood-based roofs, though the latter gives a more natural look.

Lastly, the roof type sure to give you a value of money is the slate category. Its installation requires skilled experts just like for metal base roofs, so it is not at all DIY-friendly. You are looking at a range onwards from $20 to $80 depending on the caliber of slate used. The best ones can stand tough through 100 years. It’s cheaper alternative, faux slate can prove to be more economic. However, this one is more slippery in terms of snowy climate and can develop cracks.

What kind of roof should I get?

In all fairness it must be said that choosing the ideal roof depends on your budget, surrounding climatic and geographic conditions, and the look you want to exhibit. Slate remains the most durable and hardy, while wooden or attractive alloys of metal may seem more attractive. Lastly, if you entrust the roof installation task to yourself, choosing a DIY-friendly one like asphalt is recommended.