When it comes to replacing your roof, you have a number of options. Do you want something that will last a long time, or do you want something trendy and stylish? How much money are you prepared to spend? And what structural issues do you need to think about?

Here are 12 types of roofing materials to help you make the best decision for your home.

Rolled Roofing

Rolled roofing is one of the most cost-effective roofing materials available, making it an excellent choice for budget-conscious households. This type of roofing consists of long strips of asphalt-impregnated material topped with mineral granules. Each roll is around 100 sq ft and 3 ft wide.

Rolled roofing is a quick and easy solution to cover a sloped roof that doesn’t need much aesthetic appeal. It can be applied using the torch-down method or roofing nails. This roofing typically lasts between 5 and 8 years before needing to be replaced.

Cost: $1.50 to $2.00 per square foot

Built-Up Roofing

Flat roofs are frequently built with a style of roofing known as BUR, or “build-up roofing.” This method comprises several layers of felt impregnated with hot asphalt.

The felt is put in overlapping layers to create a two to a four-layer thick barrier. This barrier is then coated with tar-embedded crushed stone.

A well-built BUR roof can last 20 to 30 years, making it a long-lasting and sturdy alternative for many households.

Cost: $2.50 to $5 per square foot

Membrane Roofing

Membrane roofing materials such as neoprene, PVC, EPDM, and chlorinated polyethylene can be utilized on flat or low-pitch roofs. EPDM, a synthetic roofing material sometimes known as “rubber roofing,” is one of the best membranes. It is put in large sheets, comparable to rolled asphalt roofing, decreasing the number of seams through which water can permeate. An EPDM roof has a lifespan of 20-35 years when properly maintained.

Cost: $4 to $8 per square foot

Asphalt Composite Shingles

Asphalt shingles are one of North America’s most common roofing materials. They are built with a fiberglass base, mineral granules or cellulose on top, and asphalt covering on top. Composite shingles, which are produced from organic and inorganic components, are also available.

Composite shingles are great in adapting and flexing to a roof’s expansion and contraction. They typically have a warranty of 20-30 years, and fixing broken individual shingles is usually a straightforward process. Furthermore, practically every roofing company has experience installing these shingles. Depending on the quality of the shingles and the conditions, the lifespan of a roof might range from 12 to 30 years.

Cost: $1.50 to $4.50 per square foot

Standing Seam Metal Roofing

As more and more homeowners look for ways to protect their homes from natural disasters, metal roofs are becoming increasingly popular. Metal roofs are fireproof and can withstand heavy snowfall and high winds, making them an ideal choice for regions prone to wildfires or severe weather conditions.

Metal roofs also have a long lifespan, with some lasting up to 75 years, and they can be recycled when they do eventually wear out. However, installing a metal roof requires special skills that not all roofing companies possess.

When choosing a roofing material for your home, consider a metal roof for its durability and fire-resistant properties.

Cost: $10 to $16 per square foot

Metal Shingles/Shakes

Numerous roofing options are available, but metal shingles and shakes provide a distinct combination of durability and style. Metal shingles are made of stamped metal and finished with mineral granules or a high-quality baked-on coating, can be made to look like asphalt shingles, wooden shakes, or even clay or slate tiles. They are a goodchoice when asthetics is important, but you also need a durable and long-lasting roofing system.

Metal shingles and shakes have a life expectancy of 30 – 50 years, making them an excellent investment for any homeowner.

Cost: $8 to $16 or so per square foot

Wood Shingles/Shakes

Asphalt shingles are the most common type of roofing material in the United States, but that doesn’t mean they’re the best choice for every home. Wooden roofs are also very popular, especially in luxury homes. Although they are more expensive than asphalt shingles, wooden roofs have several advantages that make them worth considering.

One of the biggest advantages of wooden roofs is their aesthetic appeal. A well-crafted wooden roof can add a feeling of warmth and sophistication to a home that an asphalt roof can’t match. Wooden roofs also tend to be more durable than asphalt shingles, with some types lasting up to 60 years with proper maintenance.

However, there are also some disadvantages to wooden roofs. They are not as fire resistant as other materials, such as metal, and can also be damaged by strong winds and heavy rain or snow.

Cost: Shingles $4.50 to $9 per square foot; Shakes $6.50 to $14 per square foot

Slate Shingles

Slate roofing is an excellent choice for those who want to achieve luxury property status. Not only is slate aesthetically pleasing, but it is also one of the most durable roofing materials available – with some slate roofs lasting hundreds of years.

True slate roofing uses authentic, thin sheets of genuine stone. Because slate easily cleaves off in thin sheets, it is simple to quarry and install. However, since installing slate requires special expertise, it can be difficult to find qualified installers.

Despite the challenges involved in installation, choosing slate roofing means that you likely won’t have to replace your roof again for 75-150 years. So, while initially more expensive and time-consuming than other types of roofing, slate provides excellent long-term value.

Cost: $10 to $30 per square foot…

Metal roofs are becoming increasingly popular, both for commercial and residential properties. They offer several benefits over traditional roofing materials, including durability, low maintenance, and various styles.

I believe that understanding the basics of metal roofing can help you make the best decision for your needs. Here are some key points to consider when considering a metal roof for your home or business.

Benefits of Metal Roofing

Metal roofing has several benefits over other roofing materials, such as tiles, asphalt shingles, or concrete. While metal roofing may not be the best choice for everyone, it is worth considering for many home and building owners. Here are some of the most common reasons people decide to buy metal roofs:

Longevity

Many people choose steel roofing because it will outlive any other form of roofing material. Many customers buy steel roofs because they believe it would be the last one they have to install on their business or home. Depending on the type of metal used, most metal roofs can last more than 50 years without showing significant deterioration or corrosion.

Durability

Metal roofing is the strongest and most lasting material compared to wood, concrete, plastic, or glass. It is built to endure high winds, snow, rain, hail, UV rays, mold, mildew, algae, rats, and other animals. Metal roof materials are frequently Class A fire-rated and nonflammable, indicating the highest level of fire resistance. One of the primary reasons metal roofing is so popular is its proven durability against traditional roofing hazards.

Maintenance

A metal roof can last for decades with little to no maintenance, but it is important to inspect it regularly and clean it as needed. General maintenance would entail clearing branches, leaves, and other materials that may become entangled on the roof and in the gutters once a year and after severe storms. Dirt and stains can usually be removed with rainfall, but there are also specific methods for cleaning a metal roof. Generally, a concealed fastener roof will require less maintenance than an exposed metal roof.

Eco-Friendly

Metal roofing is one of the most environmentally friendly types of roofing available. Most metal roofing materials are recyclable, so old panels and leftover scraps from manufacturing may be recovered and utilized in future projects.

In addition, many metal roofing materials, including aluminum, are made from already-recycled metal. Nearly 95% of all aluminum roofing is made of previously recycled materials. This means that choosing metal roofing helps close the recycling loop and reduces the need for mining new metals.

Lower Cost in the Long-Term

The initial cost of a metal roof may be higher than an asphalt shingle or tile roof, but the lifespan of metal is much longer. In some cases, a metal roof lasts up to 60 years, while an asphalt shingle roof lasts only 15-20 years. This means that a metal roof will be cheaper over time than three asphalt shingle roofs.

Warranties

A metal roof comes with a variety of warranties options from various manufacturers and providers. Weathertight warranties, which cover leaks in the roofing system, and paint warranties, which cover the deterioration of the paint system over time, are the most frequent. Warranties might differ depending on your locale, panel profile selection, roofing material utilized, and coil paint system. Before making a purchase, thoroughly read the warranty terms and ask questions.

Metal Roofing Components

• Accessories: When it comes to metal roofing, there are a few extra pieces you’ll need to get the job done. In addition to the panels that make up the roof, you’ll also need clips, fasteners, underlayment, pipe boots, and sealant. Collectively, these items are known as accessories.
• Metal coils and sheets – The continuous rolls of painted and/or treated metal are called coils. All roofs made from metals start as coils that are processed and roll formed into panels for installation.
• Panels – Metal coils can be roll-formed into panels with the desired profile or ribbing structure. These panels can then be seamed together to form a metal roof.
• Profile – Different shapes can be created with metal panels by varying their profiles. These profiles also affect how panels fit and connect to each other and how they are attached to a structure.
• Rollforming machinery/equipment – Coil-forming machines shape metal coils into individual panels.
• Seam – At their point of connection, two metal panels come together, forming a seam. This seam is created using a roll former and then held together through snapping or mechanical means.

Where To Use Metal Roofing

Many misconceptions exist about what types of buildings can benefit from a steel roof. While it’s true that this material is often used on large commercial structures, there are many different applications for steel roofing. A steel roof can benefit homes, architectural buildings, and agricultural structures. Let’s discuss some of the common uses and benefits of this type of roofing to help you make a more informed decision next time you’re considering a roofing project.

Commercial Buildings

Metal roofing is becoming increasingly popular for commercial buildings due to its superior weather resistance to wind and water. In areas where hurricanes or other tropical weather is a concern, metal roofing can provide peace of mind that the roof will last and not need constant upkeep.

Common uses for metal roofing include:

• Hotels
• Schools and universities
• Hospitals
• Churches
• Military structures
• Government buildings
• Stores
• Restaurants
• Offices

Residential Projects

As homeowners increasingly realize that metal roofing will save them money, they have been gaining popularity in recent years as homeowners become aware of their long-term benefits. While some may think metal roofs are only suitable for large buildings, they can be used on smaller structures like sheds or mailboxes. In addition, metal is often used as an accent or awning on roofs made of other materials. And when it comes to Norcross, roofing has started to trend to the metal side of things.…