As a homeowner, you know your home either needs a new roof or will soon need one. The material used can drastically change not only the look and feel of your home but also the value of your investment, as well as long-term maintenance and energy costs.
Asphalt Shingle Roofs
Asphalt shingles are one of the most common roofing materials used to date. Why, you may ask? This is because they are highly cost-efficient, easy to obtain, have a life span of 10-20 years, most companies offer warranties, and have a large color and style selection. While the asphalt shingles sound great, as with anything, there are some negatives. Asphalt shingles are more susceptible to weather damage. Due to their lightweight, asphalt shingles cannot withstand extremely high winds. They do not have any energy savings; due to the material they are made of, they do not help with insulation. Asphalt shingles are made of petroleum asphalt and mineral granules. This dark, dense material absorbs a lot of heat from the sun. Another possible negative, although it is also a positive, is that shingle is commonly used. This means your neighbor probably has it, their neighbor, and more likely than not, their cousin’s neighbor has it. While this gives you great ideas of what your new roof could look like, it doesn’t make it stand out. However, a new roof, shingle or not, will help your curb appeal. If you are looking for a cost-effective solution that can customize your home’s color and style, shingles might be the right choice.
| Pros: | Cons: |
| Cost efficient – cheapest option | · Susceptible to weather damage |
| Easy to obtain | · No energy savings |
| Somewhat Durable (10-20 yr. lifespan) | · Commonly used – not unique |
| · Easy to work with – easy to replace an area if needed. | |
| · Warranties | |
| · Large color and style selection |
Metal Roofs
Metal roofs are climbing up the totem pole, and they are climbing fast, but for how long? It is true that trends come and go. Are metal roofs a trend, or are they here to stay? What are the upsides and downsides of metal roofs? Some upsides include high longevity, low maintenance, and popularity, and they offer possible energy savings. Metal roofs have a life span of 50-80 years. One of the reasons for this is because they are low maintenance. These roofs can withstand extreme weather, such as winds of up to 140mph, so it is safe to say they are sturdy. Metal roofs are a viable option if you are looking to save on your energy bill. Asphalt shingles trap solar heat, increasing the work demand of your AC unit. Metal roofs, on the other hand, reflect the sun so your AC unit can take a break from working so hard. Metal roofs are not as standard as your average shingle, with that, this roof will boost the look, feel, and value of your home in a positive way. Metal roofs sound like an amazing option, but what are the downsides? These roofs have a higher cost compared to your average shingle. This is due to the material used and the difficulty of installation. If you have a larger budget, want to save on energy bills, and like a different look than your average shingle, metal roofs could be the right choice.
| Pros: | Cons: |
| High longevity (50-80 yr. life span) | · Higher cost |
| Low maintenance | · Difficult installation |
| · Popular (for now) | |
| · Some possible energy savings |
Clay Tile Roofs
Clay tile Roofs are often chosen for their unique style, but there are some benefits and drawbacks to using these clay tiles. Some benefits include durability, energy efficiency, pest resistance, and curb appeal. Clay tiles can withstand extreme weather threats, such as high winds up to 150 mph. This allows their lifespan to be between 50 and 100 years, sometimes longer. Clay tiles can help regulate your home’s temperatures regardless of weather climate. With tiles, you can use a cement filler to seal any gaps between the tiles, making them virtually impenetrable by pests and resistant to rot.
Along with these benefits, clay tiles add to your curb value; they are often associated with Mediterranean and Spanish architecture. However, there are many other styles available. Clay tiles have many benefits, but like everything else, they have some drawbacks. Some of these include higher cost, weight, limited accessibility, and, during installation, the tiles are brittle. The cost of clay tiles can reach up to four times the price of asphalt shingles due to the cost of material, the delicacy needed during installation, and the possibility of extra expenses to reinforce your home to handle the weight of this roofing material. The weight of clay tiles can reach up to 700-900 pounds per roofing square (100 square feet). Clay tiles, during installation, are brittle, causing them to have a higher chance of breaking if not handled correctly; with that can come the cost of needing to purchase extra material. Once installed, like any roof, clay tile needs some maintenance, and walking on the tile, if not careful, can cause the tile to crack, chip, or shift. However, if you have a larger budget and are looking to invest in a roof that will likely outlive you, clay tile roofs may be the correct choice.
| Pros: | Cons |
| Durable (50-100+ yr. life span) | · Higher cost |
| Energy efficient | · Heavier – about 10 lbs. per sq. ft. |
| Pest resistant | Limited accessibility· Brittle |
| · Curb appeal |
Now that you know the pros and cons of the three major roofing materials, investing in a new roof can be difficult. Our experts at ROC Roofing are here to help you decide which roof is right for you. We are happy to provide free inspections and estimates. We would love to do business with you whether you want metal, shingle, or tile.