The purpose of a roof is to protect the building from the elements of nature. The individual attributes and features of a roof are in direct proportion to the function of the building it covers and the roofing materials available. While taking the required purpose into consideration, different roofing materials and constructions have very different properties and should be taken into consideration when designing and building a roof to suit the local weather conditions and in some cases, city requirements.
The roofing materials available to you and how your roof will be constructed will depend on what region you live in. If you live in an area that is prone to cyclones and hurricanes a metal roof would work best. If you live in a hot desert where rain isn’t an issue but the sun is, clay or concrete tiles would be the best choice. Slate provides an ideal material in areas with cold climates and may last 75 to 150 years. However, slate roofs are very expensive to install and in the United States a slate roof may have the same cost as the rest of the house.
The main purpose of most roofs is to keep water out. The pitch of the roof is proportional to the amount of rainfall. Areas with lower rainfall are typically going to have a lower pitched roof; where as areas with high amounts of rainfall or snow will have steeper roofs.
With a broad range of choices and roof styles you are sure to find your ideal match for your home. At Cornerstone Nation Construction, we will give you an overview of the most common types of roofing material, hopefully assisting you in choosing your roof covering that is accurate for all of your tastes, climate needs, and budget.
This is the most commonly used and least expensive roof covering material. Asphalt roofing materials consist of either a rag fiber or a fiberglass mat penetrated with asphalt and covered with colored mineral granules. A wide variety of designs, weights, colors and sizes are available.
Asphalt roofs show their age when the mineral granules wear off, reveal the black asphalt and the corners and edges of the shingles begin to curl and crack. This is an indication that the asphalt composition has begun to dry out and lose its weather-proof seal. When only a few shingles show the above type of wear, the simple and less costly replacement of worn out shingles may be all that is needed. If one out of every five to ten shingles shows this wear and aging, it may be time to re-roof.
Shake/Wood Roofs
Shingles made of cedar, cypress or red wood are highly rot-resistant and may last 30 to 35 years if properly installed and maintained. The best wood roofing materials are pressure-treated with wood preservatives. When considering home safety, it is wise to note that wood shingles and shakes are more highly combustible than the other roofing materials available. If a wood shingle is your choice, look for one treated with fire-retardant chemicals.
As wood shingles and shakes age they may shrink and form gaps between each shingle. They may also become brittle and offer less protection from the elements. As is the case with asphalt shingles, if only a few wooden shingles show this wear and tear, replace the individual shingles.
Metal Roofs
Metal roofs are highly resistant to damage from the elements and may frequently last 40 years or more. They are highly fire resistant and require little maintenance. Small damaged areas can be repaired with patches of similar metal. The materials used in a metal roof may include copper, tin, steel, aluminum, lead or an alloy combination of one or more of these metals. Suitable for high pitched roofs.
Tile, Slate and Composite Roofs
Roofs made of slate or tiles composed of either clay or concrete are perhaps the longest lasting available. They frequently survive anywhere from 50 to 200 years, and normally require little or no maintenance. In addition these materials are extremely fire resistant. When one of these roofs does need replacement, however, the cost can be very high.
Tiles offer comparable benefits to slate but come in a more decorative and cosmetically-pleasing variety of colors, textures, shapes and sizes. Tiles can be glazed or unglazed. Slate typically comes in only black, grey or dark red.
