Which Roofing Material Is Best For You?

When it comes to replacing your roofing, it can be overwhelming, there are so many options out there and it is difficult to know what options are best. This article is here to help you choose what kind of material is best for you and your home. We will go over the pros and cons of a few common types of roofing including asphalt, metal, slate, clay and wood.

Asphalt

Asphalt shingles are great, these are really easy to install and they are also cheap to purchase too, this makes them a great option for people on a budget. Not only are they a great affordable option but they will also last you for many years too, on average these tiles can last 15 – 50 years depending on how well you look after them. One disadvantage is they aren’t the kind of roofing you can just leave and not think about since they require maintenance which includes checking there is no debris or moss or making sure that no tiles have become loose. Unfortunately, another downside to these tiles is that they are not very environmentally friendly as they produce a large amount of waste. Despite these things, they are a great option that comes in various colours and styles so will fit your home no matter what you are looking for.

Metal

Metal roofs are so diverse, with materials such as aluminium, copper and lead but on a whole, metal roofs are strong and long-lasting. On average, these roofs can last anywhere between 20-50 years and sometimes even more! Another benefit of metal roofs is that they are fire-resistant, this is a really important factor to ensure your home is as safe as possible in case of the event of a fire. However, despite these amazing things, there are some downsides, the first one being the cost. When compared to asphalt metal roofing can be more expensive especially when you go for a more pricey metal like lead for example. As well as this some metals may end up denting easily if there were heavy hair showers or if anything hit it.

Slate

Slate roofing is extremely durable lasting up to 100 years meaning that you will never have to replace it in your life if you choose this option. Since these roofs last so long it actually means they are a more eco-friendly option. This is because in 100 years you will only go through 1 load of slate tiles whereas you may have to go through 4 or more lots of another kind of tile. This decreases waste a lot making them a better option for the environment. However, with the amazing longevity comes a much larger price. These tiles are not a cheap option, this is not only because of the cost of the material but also the installation cost too. A lot of companies don’t have the skillset to install these tiles so it is important you find a reliable company that can do it for you.

Clay

Like slate, this material is extremely durable lasting up to 100 years. They are able to withstand all kinds of weather including high winds and hail, since they protect the home so well, they can actually increase the price of a house. As well as this, they are extremely low maintenance and if anything was to go wrong the tiles can be easily replaced individually unlike a lot of other tiles like slate for example. However, this long-lasting and easy to look after material also isn’t cheap; they can be around 2 or 3 times the price of asphalt shingles. As well as this they can be quite brittle, despite them being able to withstand all kinds of weather, if something was to fall on them, like a fallen tree limb, for example, then they may need replacing.

Wood

One of the many benefits of wood roofing is that it is one of the more affordable options, despite being cheaper it is still highly resistant to all weather conditions and is able to hold itself during heavy impacts, unlike clay. The life expectancy of wood roofing is around 20-30 years, although this isn’t as long as slate or clay this is still quite a long time. The downside to these tiles is that they require quite a bit of maintenance, without this care rotting can occur and insects may start living in there too. As well as this, these tiles are not very safe in the event of a fire as the wood will help fuel the fire instead of helping to contain it.

Contact Our Team

If you are thinking about getting some new roofing materials for your home, our team are specialists and would be happy to help you out with any questions that you may have. Please feel free to get in touch with us today through our online contact form or call us on 0116 2760 201.