The roof is one of the essential parts of your home’s structure. It protects you from the elements and keeps your investment safe and secure. A homeowner can choose from several roofing materials when they’re designing their dream house. Each material has its advantages and disadvantages, but will ensure that you have a place with great curbside appeal reflecting your personality.
If you’re having difficulty deciding which roofing materials to use, there are reputable roof contractors in Rockford IL that could help you out tremendously. You can coordinate with them regarding your plans, and they can assist you in sourcing and building your roof.
Here are several roofing styles you can consider to complete your design.
Shingles
If you’re looking for a low-maintenance and highly affordable roofing style, you may consider composite shingles. They’re versatile and easy to find and install, and they’re also recyclable. However, they do tend to fade due to sunlight exposure and may have a short lifespan compared to other materials. You may also choose between architectural or three-tab shingles to make your roof look outstanding.
Metal sheets or shingles
Metal shingles or sheets are some of the more popular roofing materials today. They’re relatively low maintenance, durable and lightweight. Homeowners can also choose from a variety of colors to suit their needs. However, the materials need specialized labor to repair and install, and if they’re improperly installed, they may develop ripples that affect the aesthetic of your roof.
Clay tiles
If you’re looking for a material that is durable, low-maintenance, and has excellent curbside appeal, you may consider using clay tiles. They come in terracotta, gray, brown, or red colors and can withstand different weather conditions for a long time. They’re natural and fire-resistant, but you may need to shore up your structural support because of their collective weight. In addition, they’re more expensive than composite and metal shingles and sheets, and they also require specialized labor to install correctly.
Shale tiles
If you don’t want clay tiles, you can consider shale tiles. They’re impact and fire-resistant, and they are also low-maintenance. These materials regularly last from 50 years to 200 years and come in blue, gray, brown, red, and green colors. You can choose a natural slate, which may be heavier, or a composite slate that appears the same but doesn’t weigh as much.
Green roofing
Another alternative roofing material that you can consider is green roofing. They cover your house with living plants, which help regulate the house’s temperature and reduce water runoff. However, if you choose green roofs, you’ll need to shore up the roofing support structure, schedule periodic gardening maintenance services, and may even require highly specialized, ergo expensive, labor to install. Nonetheless, your house would look way different in the neighborhood, and you will express support for the environment.
Final takeaways
There are several roofing materials that a homeowner can choose from to ensure that their houses remain safe and have a good curbside appeal. Regardless of the material they choose, there are various advantages and disadvantages that they have to factor in if they want to protect their investment.
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