A new roof is a major investment, one that might last a few decades or even longer and is important to replace when it's showing wear and tear. With knowledge of these roofing materials, homeowners can make an educated decision about the roofing that is right for their homes.

Roofing Factors to Consider

Buying a new roof demands careful thought, since the cost could be a relatively high proportion of the home's value. However, the expense is only one aspect of the choice in roofing materials. The components of a roof depend on the weight, average lifespan, and the makeup of the roofing material. As such, before homeowners make a selection about the roofing type they would like to buy, they should keep these factors in mind:

• condition of the existing roof
• weight of the new material in relation to the current roof
• budget to pay for a new roof
• how long they plan to live in the home

Talking to a professional roofing expert may help to resolve the best material, based on these concerns for your Blaine home.

Asphalt or Composite

Asphalt roofing is a highly common roofing material, known for its general hardiness and relatively inexpensive cost to purchase and maintain. Installation of asphalt roofing can be fairly quick and easy, often placed right over the old roof. Asphalt shingles are made of a fiberglass mat covered in asphalt granules. Asphalt is weather resistant, and replacing individual shingles does not require a ton of expertise. However, partly due to its lower cost, asphalt roofing usually needs to be completely replaced within about 10-15 years.

Tile

Tiles made of concrete or fired clay come from a Spanish architectural style, which means that they are also sometimes called “Spanish roofing.” Tile is often used because it is fire-resistant, elegant in appearance, and can last for many decades. Due to its makeup, tile may be a more expensive choice than asphalt. The individual tiles, like asphalt shingles, are fairly simple to replace. These tiles are prone to breakage, so homeowners performing roof maintenance of a tile roof must be careful in how they tread. Tile can be very heavy, and it may require additional support in the roof structure to hold the weight.

Metal

The use of metal roofing is increasing in popularity for residential properties, since it can last as long as tile roofing (or longer), but may weigh a lot less. Metal roofing is often installed in panels, not small individual pieces, which may make repair or replacement more complicated. Yet, roofing made of metal does not break or wear nearly as easily, and can be quick to install by an expert. Metal roofing, somewhat depending on the metal used, may cost significantly more than other roofing materials.

Slate

Many homeowners love the look and longevity of slate roofing, making it one of the most popular roofing types for centuries. Slate has a stellar appearance, is made entirely of natural stone, and could last even longer than the house itself. It is completely fire-resistant, making it a solid choice for fire-prone areas. However, slate roofing is also extremely heavy, difficult to install, complicated to replace, expensive, and breaks easily. People who choose slate should be willing to shoulder the burden that slate presents, in exchange for its beauty.

Deciding on a roofing material calls for a homeowner to consider all the options that their budget and their home can afford. By making a choice among these popular roofing materials, homeowners can invest their money into a roof that suits their intentions for their homes.