Choosing the Right Roofing Material for Your Home

The average roof lasts between 30 to 50 years, so this means that many homeowners have never had to replace their roofs. Once it’s time to replace yours, what material will you choose? You may be surprised at how many options are available to you, and it may even seem overwhelming. When you work with a reputable roofing company, you will have the guidance you need to make the right decision for your home.

How to Compare Roofing Options

The first step in determining the best roofing material for your home is to consider various factors that will impact your choice. Think about your budget and your local climate, and think carefully about the amount of maintenance you are willing to perform. Your roof should be durable and able to stand up to the weather where you live, and it should also be energy efficient, to help you save on heating and cooling costs. It pays to research roofing materials, to find the option that will work best on you.

Slate vs Tile vs Shingle vs Metal Roofs

There is a nearly endless variety of roofing materials, but here, we’ll look at the most common. After all, it’s not likely that you want a thatched roof or a living roof covered with grass. Typically, people choose between slate, shingle, tile, or metal roofs. Let’s look at the pros and cons of each.

• Shingles come in different materials. Wood shingles, typically made of cedar, are especially popular in the Northeast. There are also rubber shingles, copper shingles, and solar shingles, but when people say shingles, they usually mean asphalt shingles. Asphalt is the most popular residential roofing material in the United States, because it’s affordable, versatile, and easy to install and maintain. Available in in a wide range of colors and types, asphalt shingles last about 25 years. They hold up in just about any climate, but installing low-quality asphalt shingles can result in frequent repairs.
• Slate roofs are incredibly durable and are naturally beautiful. Being made of stone, they are tough enough to stand up to high winds, high temperatures, and moisture, and they can last up to 100 years. However, they are also incredibly heavy and difficult to install. Slate shingles are a good option if you plan to live in the house forever, but they are also one of the more expensive types of roofing, costing two or three times as much as asphalt shingles.
• Roofing tiles are often made of clay or concrete. They definite curb appeal, and come in a variety of colors and styles. Tiles are particularly popular in hot climates, because they hold up well in extreme heat. In fact, they hold up well in general, and can last 100 years or more. Like slate, they are heavy and difficult to install, as well as expensive. Concrete is less expensive than clay, but they’re both more expensive than other types of roofing, and are not good for roofs with a severe slant, because of their weight.
• Metal roofs are long lasting and hold up well in harsh climates. Typically made of steel, aluminum, copper, or tin, they don’t corrode, as long as they’re protected with a rust-proof coating. Metal roofing is more expensive than slate and tile and more expensive than asphalt shingles, but they save money in the long run because they are extremely energy efficient and can cut your utility costs by about 25 percent.

Breaking Down Roofing Material Costs

Asphalt is the least expensive roofing material, and slate is the most expensive, but the materials are not the only factors that determine the cost. The labor costs, the size and pitch of the roof, and the complexity of the installation are all aspects that must be considered. When you are determining the best kind of roofing material for your home, it’s a good idea to discuss your options with a roofing expert, who can advise you on energy efficiency, durability, and the roofing that’s best for your area.

For the Highest Quality Service and Best Roofing Materials in Utah, Contact Skabelund Roofing

When it’s time to choose material for a new roof, you don’t have to make the decision on your own, without expert guidance. Skabelund Roofing has been providing quality roofs and excellent customer service to the Logan and Layton, UT area for over 30 years. We strive to be the best roofers in the valley, training each new member of our team so that they master their craft and approach roofing like an art. Skabelund Roofing is a team of licensed roofers, with experience in all types of residential and commercial roofing, and we have an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. We’re proud to serve the residents of the Cache Valley, so whether you live in Layton, Nibley, South Jordan, West Jordan, Cottonwood Heights, Washington Terrace, or Logan, UT,  contact us for more information about how we can improve the look and function of your home.