A roof protects a home from rain, snow, sun, wind, and temperature extremes. It can be constructed of various materials.

Metal roofs can last 30 to 100 years, depending on the type and local weather conditions. Regular maintenance and repairs will extend their usefulness. Click here to Learn More.

Wood is one of the oldest roofing materials and is still a common option for many homes today. However, it has lost popularity due to other possibilities becoming less expensive and more durable. Wood roofs are still beautiful and can complement a variety of home styles. They also last about 30 years and are made from a renewable resource, making them environmentally friendly. However, they do require more maintenance than other types of roofs. They also require fire-retardant treatments and are susceptible to mold, mildew and fungus. Because of their flammability, wood roofs are not recommended for areas with high wildfire risk.

When choosing a wood roofing material, it is important to consider the climate and the type of look you are after. Shakes and shingles are both popular choices for residential use. While shingles are typically machine-sawn, shakes are hand-split so that one side is along the grain. This helps them hold up to wind and rain better than shingles. They also tend to have a thicker, more rustic appearance.

Teak, another premium exotic wood, is an excellent choice for roofing. Its natural oils and resins help it resist bugs, fungus and other harmful organisms. It is also water-resistant and has a low emissivity, so it keeps the interior of your home cooler in hot weather. It is also a workable material and can be bent into curved patterns. This makes it a good choice for homeowners who want the beauty of a wood-roof but prefer a more modern and durable material.

Cedar is another aesthetically pleasing choice for a roof. It is light in color and fades to gray over time, making it an excellent choice for tropical environments. Cedar is one of the strongest and most durable woods for roofing and offers protection against both wind and rain. It is also naturally rot-, mold- and insect-resistant.

However, like any other type of roofing, wood requires regular maintenance. You will need to treat it with fire-retardant chemicals every few years. This can be costly over time, and wood roofs are also more prone to damage from wildfires.

Metal

Metal roofing is a versatile and durable option that can add beauty to a home as well as energy efficiency. It comes in a wide range of colors and is made from recycled materials. However, there are several things to consider before deciding on this type of roof.

Steel — The most popular and versatile form of metal roofing, this material is durable and long-lasting. It can withstand extreme weather conditions and cyclic freeze-thaw cycles. It can be painted or galvanized for added protection against corrosion and rust. It is also lightweight and can be used to create distinctive architectural features on homes such as skylights, dormers, and chimney flashings.

Aluminum — A light and strong metal, it is an excellent choice for coastal or humid climates due to its natural resistance to moisture and salt. However, it can rust more easily than steel, and is less durable in areas with severe weather, such as high winds or large hail. It is often painted to help conceal this flaw.

Zinc — A more environmentally friendly alternative to aluminum, zinc is 100 percent recyclable and provides natural resistance to rust, lightning, and corrosion. However, it is more prone to denting than steel and typically requires a higher-end installation due to its softer materials. Additionally, it can oxidize over time, changing color from silvery-white to a dark bronze, and may stain siding, brick, or concrete.

Other — Conclusion: Because metal roofs are a relatively new technology, some homeowners have misconceptions about their longevity and performance. Though modern metal roofs are designed to withstand decades of abuse, they can still be damaged by large hail and falling branches. Additionally, they are noisier than asphalt shingles and can be susceptible to oil canning (a wavy appearance that occurs in flat areas of panels caused by improper handling or installation). This issue can be mitigated by choosing a highly-trained installer and regularly inspecting your roof. If scratches or scuffs occur, they can usually be corrected with a touch-up paint or metal restoration product.

Slate

Slate is a gorgeous roofing material that has withstood the test of time. It has adorned some of the world’s most beautiful palaces, museums, and churches for millennia. It is also a fire-resistant roofing material that can help reduce the likelihood of a house fire and improve a home’s insurance premiums.

Slate is available in a variety of colors and shades, making it a great choice for homeowners looking to give their homes an authentic and elegant look. It is also a natural insulator, meaning that it keeps cold air out during the winter and warm air in during the summer, saving homeowners money on heating and cooling costs.

However, it is important to note that slate roofs are heavy. They can be too much for a building that was originally designed to hold a lighter shingle or wood roof, so if you’re replacing an existing shingle roof with a slate one, it is likely that your home will require some structural upgrades. This can add up to a significant amount of money to the total cost of your project, and it is something that you should definitely have an engineer look over before beginning.

Another thing to consider when choosing a slate roof is that the stones can be very fragile, and they are not recommended for people who want to try to do their own repairs or replacements. This is because if the slate is handled incorrectly, it can break or crack. This is why you should always hire a professional roofer who has experience working with this type of material.

Inexperienced roofers may not know how to distribute the slate tiles correctly, and they can also mistakenly match the color of the new slate with pre-existing shingles. These mistakes can be expensive and difficult to correct, so make sure you choose a roofer with plenty of experience with this type of roofing.

Unlike asphalt shingles, which are manufactured in large factories, slate is mined from the earth. It requires a lot of power to extract the raw materials, which must then be carefully cut and shaped to create your finished roof. As a result, slate is usually more costly than other types of roofing. However, if you choose to install a slate roof, you can expect it to last up to three times longer than a composite roof.

Clay Tiles

Clay tile roofs are an elegant option for homeowners looking to give their homes a Spanish villa style aesthetic. Traditionally, they are natural orange or red in color but can be molded into many different shapes and designs. They are durable, energy efficient and recyclable and provide a high-end, beautiful look that will increase the curb appeal and resale value of your home.

Unlike asphalt shingles that can be easily damaged by heavy rains, a well-maintained clay tile roof will last more than 100 years and can withstand extreme weather conditions. They also require less maintenance than other roofing materials such as shingle or wood shake roofs. Typically, clay tiles only need to be power washed and re-coated every 20-30 years. Clay tiles are very durable and can resist mold, mildew, moss growth and other organic material buildup that can cause rot. They are also able to withstand salty air, making them a perfect choice for homes in coastal areas.

A clay tile roof is a significant investment. The initial cost is more expensive than other roofing materials, however, they will last a lifetime and can significantly boost your home’s resale value. If you are considering a clay tile roof, be sure to have a structural engineer or roofing professional assess your home’s structure to ensure it can support the weight of the tiles.

Due to their curved design, clay tile roofs move hot air away from the house during the summer. This helps keep your home cooler and can reduce the use of your air conditioner, saving you money on your energy bill.

Like concrete roof tiles, clay roof tiles are incredibly durable and require minimal maintenance. They are extremely fire resistant and can withstand high winds. Additionally, they can withstand heavy rains and snowfall. The biggest drawback of clay roof tiles is their weight. A typical clay roof will weigh 40 percent more than a comparable concrete tile roof, which can be a challenge for some homes to support. They are also brittle and must be handled carefully, so installation must be performed by a specialist with experience in working with this type of roof.