The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Roofing Materials
Advantages of Asphalt Shingle Roofs
- Asphalt 3-tab shingles are one of the most affordable roofing materials. The average cost of asphalt shingle roofing is $1.50 to $5.50 per square foot. Architectural asphalt shingles are also an option at a much higher price point $22 to 28 per square foot.
- Asphalt shingles are affordable to install. They can be applied directly over old shingles, providing the roof deck is in good condition.
- Asphalt shingles are considered Class A fire resistant withstanding a fire burning for up to two hours. If you live in a fire-prone area, discuss roofing options with your contractor as many other roofing types may be superior to asphalt.
- These shingles are readily available at most home improvement stores.
Disadvantages of Asphalt Shingle Roofs
- Asphalt shingles have the shortest life span of the roofing materials mentioned in this post. An asphalt shingle roof should last 15 to 30 years, but other roofing materials can last 50 years or more.
- Asphalt shingles are vulnerable to strong winds, heat, and storm damage.
- While asphalt shingles are recyclable and often used in pavement they are not considered environmentally friendly. Producing these shingles creates a lot of greenhouse gas emissions.
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Advantages of Wood Roofs
Disadvantages of Wood Roofs
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The Best Color Combinations For Your Roof And Siding
Matching your siding with your roof is important to boost your curb appeal and ensure your colors dont clash. But choosing the right colors can also be a tough decision to make, especially since it is hard to turn back once you start. Depending on the color of your siding, there are some suggested colors for your roof shingles that you should consider. Here are some of our favorite combinations from Sherwin Williams, to make it a little easier for you.
If your house is red, you should consider a darker hue roof color. Your shingles should be black or include shades of black, dark gray, dark brown, and dark green.
If your house is white, solid, and primary colors are your best bet. Depending on the style of your home and roof you can have everything from green to blue to red or black and gray roofs can look really nice with a white house. Adding some pops of color on the doors or shutters can help tie it all together.
One of the more common color combinations youll see in homes today is gray hue siding with a darker hue roof. If your siding is gray, consider a black, dark green, dark blue, darker gray, or even white roof.
In recent years, more people have been shifting towards blue siding for a more robust, unique look. A dark blue hue for your siding is beautiful and light accents really make it pop. So if your siding is blue, grays and whites can be your best color combo but a black or brown roof will also look very nice.
Top 6 Roofing Materials
From wood shake to asphalt shingles, roofing material is an important consideration that contributes to the overall look and style of your home.
Updating your existing roof allows you to add value to your home and communicate your home’s look and feel. While roof framing, preparation and proper installation are always important, the material you choose for your roof can bring the exterior of your home to the next level.
“It’s really an opportunity to upgrade your home in terms of look, style and color,” says Tom Bollnow, senior director of technical services for the National Roofing Contractors Association .
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Did You Decide Which Type Of Roofing Material Is Right For You
Now you know the 3 questions you need to ask yourself when deciding which of the different types of roofing materials is right for you. But after reading this, are you still struggling to find the right type of roofing material for your replacement?
If so, we have a guide that has all the advantages and disadvantages of the roofing materials above. But thats not all the guide gives you.
It also gives you the cost, how to find a great roofing contractor, how to pay for a new roof, and much more. Learn everything you need to know about your upcoming roof replacement by getting The Complete Guide to Purchasing a Roof now.
Since 1990, the team at Bill Ragan Roofing has helped the residents of Nashville find the perfect roof for them. We provide an experience rare in the roofing industry thats based on education, customer service, and high-quality workmanship.
Heres your Complete Guide to Purchasing a Roof to learn everything theres to know about buying a new roof.
Wood Shingle Or Shakes
Wood roofs are very attractive, but they are also quite expensive and have limitations. They are not particularly long-lived, and they are a poor choice in areas that get lots of moisture or where wildfires are a danger. Still, they are among the most attractive of all roofing materials, which makes them a popular choice for luxury homes.
Although both are made from natural wood, usually cedar or redwood, there is a difference between wood shakes and shingles. Shingles are typically thin, wedge-shaped slabs of wood that are produced by precise sawing. Shakes are produced by splitting wood and they are thicker wedges with a rougher texture.
Shingles typically cost about $4.50 to $9 per square foot, installed shakes are more expensive, with average costs of $6.50 to $14 per square foot, installed. Longevity depends very much on circumstances and maintenance. In relatively dry climates a wood shingle or shake roof can last 60 years in damp conditions, you may only get 20-30 years from the roof.
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What Roof Pitch Is
Pitch describes the angle, slope, or slant of your roof.
Roof pitch designations are comprised of two numbers indicating a ratio. The ratio can be shown by a division slash separating the numbers, such as 2/12 or 7/12. Or, a colon can replace the slash, as in 2:12 or 7:12. Either way, the notation designates a ratio between two measurements of the roofa numerator and denominator.
- Numerator: The numerator, or first number, refers to the vertical measurement of the roof.
- Denominator: The denominator, or second number, denotes the horizontal measurement of the roof. To make things a bit easier, for roofing purposes the denominator is always 12. Even though basic mathematics tells us that 12/12 can be reduced to 1/1, this is not done with a roof pitch. The denominator remains 12.
For example: A roof with a vertical measurement anywhere along its slope of 2 feet and a horizontal measurement of 4 feet has a 2:4 pitch. To adjust for roofing purposes, you would multiply the second number by three. The first number must be multiplied by three, too. The roof pitch, then, is 6:12.
Pros Of Cellulose Loose
No health concerns – Made up of paper and sometimes recycled newspaper, cellulose insulation is environmentally friendly and does not pose any health concerns.
More durable – Unlike fiberglass, cellulose does not degrade or lose its R-value over time in extreme temperatures, making it a better option for colder climates.
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The Best Roof Shingle Colors For Your Home
For the sake of consistency, we will use the common asphalt shingle as the roofing shingle material. To bring a more dynamic look to your home, using a darker colored shingle can make a huge difference and bring beautiful contrast. Some colors that are not simple gray include light greens and blues and neutrals like beige or off-white. Also, shingles with alternating and blended colors are huge as they give more dimension and texture to your roof.
The top trending roof shingle colors for 2021 include:
- Light and soft greens
- Light and pale blues
- Beige and off-white
- Taupe and light brown hues
Get Started Planning Your New Roof Today
5Estimates.com can help you find a contractor who will help you choose the best roofing shingles for your home. We can help you receive quotes from reputable local contractors easily.
Our platform is passionate about helping homeowners. We do our absolute best to find the right company at the right price for your unique needs. For instance, our local contractors can answer any of your questions, from Whats the best color for roof shingles? to Which roofing material brand offers the best value?
Bookmark 5Estimates.com and visit every time you need an expert contractor. After answering a few quick questions, you can sit back and relax and have the right contractors come to you.
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Common Roof Pitch Angles Used By Builders
There is four most common roof pitch often used by builders. They can be found in a lot of types of houses. They are flat roof pitch, low-slope roof pitch, medium-slope roof pitch, and steep-slope roof pitch. Every single one of them is going to be explained here. You will have to read them before deciding which type to use on the house.
- Flat Roof Pitch
Flat roof pitch is also known as minimum roof pitch as the steep part of the roof is very minimum. Even though the name of this roof pitch has flat in it, the surface is not totally flat. There is still an angle to allow water to drain. The pitch is around 1:12. This is the type of roof you will find on a backyard shed.
- Low-Slope Roof Pitch
Low-slope is often built on houses or buildings where the roof is intended to get walked on a lot of time. The pitch is around 2:12 to 4:12. When using this type of roof, pitch, water, or snow wont run-off easily, and this has to be frequently checked for leaks and cracks.
- Medium-Slope Roof Pitch
This is the most common roof pitch. The pitch is around 6:12 to 9:12. Snow and water run-off is easy on this one, and it is still capable of being walked on pretty effortlessly. This is why most houses are using this pitch.
- Steep-Slope Roof Pitch
The steepest pitch is this one. It is above 9:12. Water run-off wont be any problem, but walking on the roof will be a hard thing to do here.
What Are Asphalt Shingles And How Are They Made
Though you may think that asphalt shingles are made up entirely of asphalt, they’re actually made from a variety of raw materials. Every manufacturer will have a unique blend of these materials. Most asphalt shingles are made from limestone that has been crushed into a very fine powder. This powder is then mixed with the asphalt to create a filled coating.
Next, huge mats of fiberglass are fed into a coater where the filled coating is applied. The filled coating is heated to nearly 400 degrees Fahrenheit and added to both the top and bottom of the fiberglass mat. This is what creates the base of the shingle.
To give a shingle its color, texture, and protective coating, granules are added. Granules are made from mined rock that has been crushed. A layer of sand is added to the base of the shingle, which is then fed into a press to embed the granules. To protect against wind and hail damage, the sheet is covered with a strip of sealant. Finally, the mats are cut into individual shingles, bundled, and sent to roofing companies.
Asphalt shingles are available in two primary forms:
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The Top 5 Types Of Roofing Materials
There are plenty of roofing materials to choose from for your new roof. However, there are 5 that we see homeowners from all over the country gravitate towards, especially in the Nashville area.
Below youre going to learn a little about the types of roofing materials before moving on to figure out which one is right for you.
What Are The Top Rated Roofing Shingles
In some cases, top-rated does not equal the best. So before we take a look at the top-rated, lets remind you of a roofing checklist to help you decide.
Now that you know how to choose the best shingle for you lets take a look at the top-rated roofing shingle.
Using an Instron machine, which tests and determines how the strength and quality of a roof perform over time. And by simulating extreme weather conditions, and testing the thickest part of every shingle a consumer report has established these top-rated roofing shingles:
Also Check: How Often Does The Roof Need To Be Replaced
Roofing Types And Life Expectancy
Asphalt 3-tab shingles have held the title of the most popular roofing material for decades. This durable material consists of an asphalt/fiberglass base shingle covered with protective granules to add extra durability as well as color. They are popular with homeowners due to their affordability and ease of installation. The most common types of asphalt shingles last approximately 20 years. Higher-quality shingles are available that can last up to 50 years.
Architectural shingles are similar to asphalt shingles as they are composed of the same materials, and are also recyclable. An extra tab or layer is added during manufacture to provide both increased durability as well as aesthetic appeal. The average life span of an architectural shingle roof is 30 years.
Wooden shingles or shakes have been used for centuries and are still popular today. This durable roofing material is often manufactured using hardwoods or composite wood materials. In moderate climate zones, wooden shingles and shakes can last approximately 30 years.
Slate, concrete, and clay roofing tilesaccording to the National Association of Home Buildersare the most durable roofing materials, with life expectancies of 100 years or more.
Types Of Roofs For Houses
What are the best types of roofs for houses? If you are currently scouting for roofing materials and shapes, youll come across ones youll really like. Most often than not, we judge roofs based on their appearances first. Then we explore their specific benefits.
But without a proper guide and advice from an expert, choosing from the types of roof materials and shapes can be intimidating. For that reason, weve prepared this useful post. Read this before you start your roofing project.
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How Long Do The Different Roofs Last
Asphalt Roll Roof: Lifespan: 5 to 10 years
Composite Shingle Roof: Lifespan: 15 to 50 years
Wood Shake Shingle Roof: Lifespan: 25+ years
Standing Seam Metal/Steel Roof: Lifespan: 30 to 50 years
Wood Shake Shingle Roof: Lifespan: 35-40 years
Clay Tile Roof: Lifespan: 50+ years
Slate Roof: Lifespan: 50+ years
Concrete: Lifespan: 50+ years
Roof replacement can be a costly and inconvenient endeavor, but with our roof cleaning pressure washing services, you can potentially extend the life of your roof and help maintain its aesthetic appeal. Call us today at 781-447-0022 or fill in the form here for a free estimate.
Choosing The Best Roofing Type For Your Home
To choose the best roofing type for your home, youll have to compare various roofing styles and materials. Moreover, youll also have to consider:
- Budget: Your financial muscle goes a long way when it comes to determining your roofing style and type.
- Climate: Different roofing styles and materials perform better in different climatic conditions.
- Wind: If your area is prone to strong winds and hurricanes, youll have to consult a professional roofing contractor in your region. They will help you choose the best type of roof suited for these conditions.
- Temperatures: Slate roofs and Metal roofs do extremely well in extremely low temperatures and heavy snowfall, while fiberglass asphalt roofs excel across all kinds of temperatures.
- Roof structure: Composite, asphalt, and metal roofs dont weigh much, making them suitable for almost any kind of roof. Conversely, clay tiles, and slate and are heavy.
- Design: When choosing a roof, consider selecting a design that blends with your homes style and blends with neighborhood designs.
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Roofing Materials At A Glance
Most roof materials have a recommended pitch range for which they are most appropriate. The rules can occasionally be broken, but generally, you should not exceed the low range of the recommendation.
For example, wood and slate shingles might work for roofs steeper than the top recommendation of 12/12, but you should not install them below the 4/12 lower range.
- Built-Up : .25/12 to 3/12
- Torch-down roofing: .25/12 to 3/12
- Rubber membrane: .25/12 to 3/12
- Standing-seam metal: 1/12 to 19/12
- Clay or cement tiles: 2.5/12 to 19/12
- Asphalt shingles: 4/12 to 20/12
- Wood and slate shingles: 5/12 to 12/12
What Is The Best Type Of Roof & Cost Of Material This Year
A home should tell your story, and installing the best roof on your house will definitely give your home the accordance it deserves.
I know we all want good roofs, but we are not sure of the style or material to choose. High-quality roofs will offer a protective barrier to your home, improve your homes insulation, and even increase the overall value of your home.
Knowing your roofing options will help you find an effective and affordable way to cover your house. Nowadays, we have several roofing materials and types to choose from. But then, what are the cons and pros of each, and how viable are they and what is the best type of roof?
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