Types of roofing materials

It’s essential to keep your home protected from the outside world. Rain, hail, heat, sleet, snow… all sorts of outdoor occurrences can negatively affect your living space. Hence, the importance of having a well-structured, sturdy roof. Every home has a roof, but what types of roofing materials can you choose from and which will best protect your Allen, TX home?

 

Wood Shingles

A wood shingle roof can look really nice atop a house. The material adds a certain character to a home that a traditional asphalt shingle roof does not. Your wood shingle roof will truly stand out amidst surrounding asphalt roofs.

However, the issue with wood shingles is their vulnerability to rain or general moisture. Wood is an organic material; therefore, it will decay and allow moss growth if not properly treated. These problems can arise during a rainy Texas spring.

Of the types of roofing materials, wood shingles require the most attention, especially after lengthy periods of rain. The commonly shaded areas of your roof are most susceptible to decay. Routinely treating the material should guarantee strong standing for at least 30 years.

 

How is a wood shake roof different?

Wood shakes are formed by splitting rather than sawing. Splitting allows each shake to follow the grain and maintains a certain thickness to a plank that wood shingles do not have. The pattern and thickness work together to better protect against deterioration from moisture.

As for appearance, wood shakes are bolder than wood shingles because they are thicker. Therefore, if you are going for bold, go with wood shakes; if you are going for sleek, go with wood shingles.

Regardless of the wood form, your top material options are cedar, redwood and cypress. Cedar is strongest against weather, while redwood is often appreciated as the most visually appealing wood material. Because redwood frequents the Pacific coast, there is less supply for Texas homes; thus, it will typically be more expensive than alternative options.

No matter what form your wooden roof takes, or what material is used, you must monitor and treat your roof. If you do, its lifetime will range from 30 to 40 years.

 

Metal

You can find metal roofs in both shingle form and panel form. Each carries the same qualities, but you can figure them separately for appearance preferences. Shingle form will of course give your Allen, TX home a more traditional look; though, panels offer a unique look.

A metal roof will last for a long time, in optimal cases, up to 75 years. At the very least, the roofing material should last 40 years. Its durability will show in pricing, but, compared to asphalt and wood shingles, you’re essentially paying for the periods of two roofs.

The downsides of metal roofing: noise and dents. Metal is a naturally loud material, so heavy rain can result in an annoying, consistent noise throughout a home. There’s a good chance you will become accustom to it, but at least be aware. Fortunately, added sheathing and soundproof insulation are legitimate options to deafening the sound.

Metal can also dent. Texas storms like to bring hail with them, so be prepared to repair a shingle or panel if a major hail storm rolls through. Your metal roof should be able to withstand significant hail damage. While dents may occur, you won’t have to replace your entire roof like you would a hail damaged asphalt roof. Reason being, metal is extremely difficult to penetrate.

 

Slate

Slate is the crème de la crème of the types of roofing materials. It makes for a long-lasting, visually-wonderful roof. Due to its many great qualities, slate is the most expensive roofing material. You will have to pay a hefty sum for both the material and installation. We’re talking $600 or so per square foot!

Though, if you can afford it, you will have yourself a home protector for the next 100 years. It’s unlikely you will be living in the same home for that long, but the good news is slate will give your home a significant increase in resale value if sold.

Slate is impervious to mold and mildew. Heat is not a threat to it, nor is hail. In a way, you could say slate is the perfect material for a roof, for function and for appearance.

The most popular shades of slate are gray, green, red and purple. Each color has a subtle fade that makes the slate look earthy and inviting. As long as you hire a professional crew to install the material, you will benefit from slate’s flawless function and appeal.

Roofing manufacturing techniques are so advanced these days that you can even purchase materials that are meant to impersonate slate. It may sound like a knock off (and it is, to some extent); however, the appeal remains consistent, and the function only suffers slightly. Obviously, the main draw to a faux slate is the discounted price.

 

Asphalt

Best 4 Roofing Materials In Texas- Summit Roof Service Inc.Asphalt shingles are the most commonly used roofing material. Reason being, they are inexpensive, versatile and reliable. An asphalt roof’s lifespan is 20 to 25 years; however, it requires practically no maintenance and it can withstand the combination of heavy winds, rain and hail as well as most types of roofing materials.

Asphalt shingles also come in many different colors, such as black, gray, blue, brown, and red. You can easily find an asphalt shingle that will match well with the outline of your house.

Regarding quality, asphalt shingles are customarily made for Texas weather. That is why the majority of Allen, TX homes are covered with asphalt shingles.

Their combination of affordability, quality and appearance often make them the default roofing material among Texas homeowners. While asphalt shingles are not at the top of their class in any category, their middle class standing makes them a worthy buy.

 

In Summary

  • Slate is the most expensive of the types of roofing materials. It also lasts the longest and, by most accounts, looks the nicest.
  • Metal roofs are next on the list regarding durability. Metal is very difficult to damage; it is however an acquired taste for most homeowners.
  • Wood Shake roofs will last 30-40 years. They may slightly edge the life time of a wood shingle roof due to their composition.
  • Wood shingles offer a very natural appeal to a home. They add character and are a great option as long as you treat against moss and algae growth.
  • Asphalt is the traditional option. The material is affordable, durable (20-30 year), and versatile.

 

There is one more material to discuss…

There is one more roofing material to discuss; however, it’s not too common in North Texas.

Clay or Concrete tiles can last for 50 to 100 years. It’s very important, however, that you hire a qualified roofing contractor to install clay tiles. That should go without saying for every roof installation, but clay is categorized with slate in terms of installation difficulty.

Clay tiles are very heavy and very particular. To ensure they stay in place and carry out the ideal insulation, a professional roofing company needs to work its magic. The professionals will determine whether your roof can handle the weight of clay tiles. The material is not to be placed on top of the old roofing material; a clay roof needs to be installed from scratch.

They last so long because they’re fireproof, impervious to precipitation, and adaptive to varying temperatures. Really, the only thing that can damage a clay/concrete roof is a heavy impact, such as a falling tree. The material is strong enough to resist hail; though, if hail is persistent enough, it can cause individual tiles to crack, and a clay tile is not as easy to repair as other materials like asphalt and wood.

You’ll find clay to be quite versatile. It is also a roofing material that adds great character to a home. Your clay/concrete roof will stand out for a long time!

 

Summit Roof Service Inc.

For any of the types of roofing materials we mentioned, Summit Roof Service Inc. is your top source. Our experts are prepared to install any type of roof, whether it be a new roof or a roof replacement. We are also experts in roof repair. Contact Summit Roof today at (972) 715-1655! We aim to give your home the protection it needs.

To learn more about our services and products, please visit https://summitroof.com. You can also visit our blog for all sorts of helpful roofing tips.