Which Material is Best for a Roof Replacement?

Do you know the last time your roof was replaced? If you are living in an older home, chances are it has been a while. While deciding between replacing or simply repairing your roof is the first step, the next step is choosing the best roof material. Of course, if you choose to repair your roof, you will need to match the existing materials. If you are replacing your roof, however, it is worth exploring the available materials to determine which is the right one for your needs, budget and style. In this article, you will learn about the different materials available for a roof replacement, and what products WoW recommends.

Composition shingles

Composition or composition asphalt shingles are one of the most popular and widely available roofing materials. Composition shingles are comprised of a backing (like fiberglass or cellulose), asphalt and mineral granules. However, they are generally more expensive than other types of roofing materials.

Metal roofing shingles

Metal roofing shingles come in a variety of materials, including: steel, aluminum and copper. It also comes in several different forms such as sheeting and tiles. Metal roofing shingles offer a smooth texture, however, if you do not like that particular style, you can buy stone-coated steel roofing, which has the texture of asphalt roofing but the longevity and durability of metal.

Wood shingles

Wood shingles are made from cypress, redwood, pine or western red cedar. They offer a beautiful aesthetic and are an especially good choice for more steeply-pitched roofs. However, a con is its susceptibility to fire and pests. While wood roofs can be treated to be fire retardant, they are not fully fireproof and over time its fire-resistant properties decrease.  

Slate roofing

Slate roofing is made from real stone and is one of the most durable roofing materials. It stands out from the crowd and comes in many shades of slate to suit almost any home and style. A slate roof is quite heavy, so your roofing frames needs to be designed to support that. Furthermore, slate is one of the most expensive roofing materials available.

Clay or concrete roofing tile

Tile roofs that are not comprised of metal or composite are usually made from clay or concrete. They are popular due to their durability, but they are also extremely heavy, which means they are not suitable for all homes. You need to ensure your underlying roof structure is designed to withstand the heavy load of clay or concrete roofing tiles. Tile is often more expensive than other roofing materials, with clay tiles generally more expensive than concrete tiles.

Other things to know about roof replacement materials

Energy efficient materials

Energy efficiency is an important factor to consider when choosing the right roofing material for your replacement roof. Energy efficient roofing, also known as ‘cool roofing’ offers you both financial and environmental benefits. Energy efficient roofing helps reduce your home’s cooling needs by helping to deflect the sun’s energy, which in turn keeps your house cooler naturally and your energy bills lower.

Your home’s style

You should also consider the architectural style of your home when choosing the material for your replacement roof. While most homes are suited to composition asphalt shingles, certain types of homes, like historic homes, may be better suited to a different style of roofing such as tiles or slate. It is situations like these that faux roofing materials are especially ideal due to the fact they can mimic slate or wood shake roofs at a fraction of the cost and with less overall maintenance.

Are you looking at replacing your roof? Talk to WoW today for a free quote. And while you are at it, read what Cris F. from Leesburg, Virginia had to say about his experience using a WoW professional home improvement contractor.

“Thanks, WoW! I appreciate the excellent workmanship and personal attention Alberto provided on my roofing and gutter project. From my first contact to our follow up phone call, your team have been so professional and personable. The house looks great and I no longer worry about its soundness. I can sleep well now! I won't hesitate to recommend WoW to family and friends.”