Every homeowner is aware of a durable, well-made roof. It is a considerable portion of the investment you’ll make in your home. If you want to make your investment worth it, you’d want to install the right roofing material for your home. The right roofing material can ensure that your home and everything in it stays protected from extreme weather.
Choosing a roofing material involves considering many factors, from your budget to the roof’s longevity, strength, and style. This is why asphalt shingles are commonly used in residential homes. Asphalt shingles are the most popular type of roofing in the U.S. It’s affordable, installs quickly, long-lasting, and does its job well.
However, having the same roofing material as 75% of homes in the U.S. makes for a dull house exterior design. Besides providing protection, roofing materials can contribute to creating a beautiful home exterior.
We all want our homes to look the best they can, both inside and out. It’s why a lot of homeowners spend a lot of time working on the décor. Updating your existing roof allows you to bring your home exterior to a new level.
The market offers a wide variety of options beyond asphalt shingles that will not only protect your home but also reflect your own personal style. Here are some roofing materials that can spice things up in your home exterior to make it less ordinary and more unique.
Synthetic tiles
Traditional materials like slate, shakes, and shingles are timeless classics adored for their attractive appearance and adding character to structures. However, roofs like natural slate tiles can be too expensive to purchase and install. This cumbersome material will require a specialized process to install and require expert roofers, which will drive up the installation cost.
Synthetic roof tiles are a cost-effective replica of these materials. These tiles are constructed from recycled rubber and plastic-based materials. Still, they look nearly identical to the materials they are meant to emulate. You would have a hard time distinguishing this engineered material from its natural counterparts. They also come in different colors to fit your preferences.
Synthetic tiles are quite lightweight, making them a viable option for houses that cannot support the natural slate’s heavyweight. Since they are made from recycled materials, these tiles are more environmentally friendly and better-constructed.
Rubber Roofing
Initially, rubber roofing or Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM) was solely used as a commercial building material. However, this roofing material found its way into the residential market as flat roofs became prevalent with the recent popularity of contemporary home styles.
Not many roofing materials are compatible with flat roofs. Most of them don’t work properly on a low slope without a lot of customization. Rubber roofs are one of the options for flat roofs. It’s become a popular choice for flat roofs thanks to its low cost, easy installation process, long lifespan, and ability to withstand extreme weather conditions.
This roofing material is made up of recycled tires, slate dust, and sawdust. It typically comes in rolls installed in long, overlapping sheets on flat roofs. However, it is also available in shingles that have an appearance like slate tiles. Rubber roof shingles offer a variety of different colors, shapes, and styles that can perfectly complement your home and create an impact on your curb appeal.
Wood Shingles
For centuries, wood has been primarily used for roofing. It was highly coveted for its durability and abundance. People discovered other materials that are more ideal for roofing that wood roofing generally fell out of favor as time passed.
Wood is susceptible to mold, pest infestation, damage, and rot. This means that you will have to be more vigilant on their maintenance more than other materials. Many local building codes also forbid wood shingles as an option as they tend to be a major fire hazard.
Despite this, wood roofing never really went out of style. Many homeowners continue to favor the uniqueness and charm of a traditional wooden roof. Wood roofs offer beautiful color, aesthetic appeal, and an attractive fragrance, contributing to creating a rustic cabin feel. Over time, its bright warm color will age, creating a gorgeous, time-worn patina.
Wood roofs are a durable option that can last for up to 30 years before needing serious maintenance. This is also an eco-friendly roof since they can be recycled once they reach the end of their lifecycle. You don’t even have to worry about the fire risks as there are wood shingles treated with a fire-resistant coating.
Metal
Metal has risen in popularity as a roofing material for homeowners, as industrialist and contemporary styles become ever more common. Metal roofs are durable, distinctive, low maintenance, and last for a long time. Its qualities line up with what many homeowners look for.
Besides those qualities, metal roofs have also become more and more popular because of their flame-resistance, eco-friendliness, and energy efficiency. However, with all these perks comes a higher price point, which can vary from metal to metal.
When it comes to appearance, metal roofs have a bad rep for their bright shiny colors and metallic look. However, metal roofs no longer have the barnyard image we’ve come to know. They now sport many colors, matte finishes, and profiles that are compatible with home exteriors. It can even appear to resemble any roofing product, from tile to asphalt shingles or cedar shakes.
Solar Shingles
Most people are familiar with solar panels. They are large, visible planks that are often installed on rooftops to collect UV rays and turn them into electricity. However, it can be a big, bulky, and off-putting appearance. If you’re interested in exploring sustainable energy, solar panels aren’t your only option.
Solar shingles are a great option as a sustainable energy source. They look and perform like conventional shingles but store UV rays and create electricity like solar panels. Unlike panels, solar shingles tend to have a sleeker design that tends to blend in easily with the house design. This tends to be more preferred by homeowners rather than the bulky and somewhat unattractive traditional solar panels.
No matter the material you choose, you should hire a professional roofer like Fahey Roofing so you can enjoy your new roof for years to come.
Fahey Roofing Contractors has the experienced and skilled contractors you need to help you with any necessary roof repairs and roof replacement. We serve various areas in West Virginia and Ohio. Visit our website today at www.faheyroofingcontractors.com or contact us at (304) 826-1323 for West Virginia or (740) 523-0380 for Ohio to learn more.