Roofing Medium Options - A Buyer's Guide
Having your home re-roofed is a major undertaking and expense, so it's crucial that you make the right choice in roofing materials. There's certainly plenty of choice; here's a buyer's guide give you an idea of what's out there.
Asphalt shingles
Asphalt shingles are a popular traditional roofing medium. They're made from paper fibre mat or fibreglass impregnated with asphalt and given a mineral granule coating. Their construction makes them cold, moisture and wind resistant. Asphalt shingles can be used on roofs with a low to medium slope.
Metal
Metal roofing is more expensive than asphalt but it lasts longer and offers greater wind resistance. Metal roofing materials include steel, copper, zinc alloy or aluminium and come in sheet or shingle form. Metal roofing offers good resistance to both fire and wind and is suitable for both steep and low sloping roofs.
Clay tile
Although brittle, clay tiles have the advantages of being weather-durable and fire resistant. Clay tiles are made from natural, kiln-fired clay. This process is time-consuming and labour-intensive which makes the medium rather expensive. Clay tiles are suitable for use on moderate to steeper sloping roofs.
Concrete tile
Concrete roof tiles are cheaper than clay and are made from a mixture of sand and cement. They're a versatile and durable choice of material that can be made to look like slate, clay or wood. Concrete tiles offer good fire resistance, but only moderate resistance to wind damage. They can be used on moderately or steeply sloping roofs, but roof framing reinforcement may be required to support their weight.
Slate
Natural slate is quite an expensive roofing material and it can be brittle, although it is resistant to fire and wind damage. Slate is suitable for steeply sloping roofs only and requires a reinforced roofing structure due to its weight. If you opt for a slate roof, you'll need to hire a specialist roofing contractor to install it, which could add to the overall cost.
Wood shingles
Wood shingles give a lovely natural look to a property, but they have low fire resistance properties unless they have been specially treated. They are suitable for use on moderate to steeply sloping roofs without the need for additional reinforcement.
Even when treated, wood shingles have a relatively short lifespan and will require periodic replacement.
There are a number of different options to choose from when it comes to selecting a new roofing material. Your choice will be influenced by the style of your home and your own personal aesthetic preference. Have a chat with a roofing contractor like A.C.R. Roofing Pty Ltd for more advice and information on which options would be best for your property and budget.
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