7 Factors to Consider When Choosing Your Next Roofing Material
Choosing the right roofing material requires careful consideration because this is a long-term investment that costs a lot of money.
A good roofing material will serve you for decades without needing repair or replacement, offering you the peace of mind to concentrate on other issues.
To choose the right roofing material for your residential or commercial project, consider several factors that might impact the roof’s performance. Here are seven important factors you can start with when picking your next roofing material:
Your Home Design
Since roofs contribute significantly to a home’s external appeal, it’s important to ensure the roofing material you choose matches your home’s design. If your house leans more toward modern design, you may have to go with modern roofing materials like synthetic slate tile options, metal roofing, or asphalt shingles.
A commercial project may need a built-up roof with metals and a steeper slope than most residential homes. Some roofs come in complicated shapes and configurations that may not work well with larger materials like roofing sheets. Some materials, like asphalt shingles, are easier to install than elongated iron sheets in a complicated roof design.
Local Weather Condition
The local weather impacts the performance of the roofing material you choose. Some roofing materials might perform better in your climate than others, so you need to consider the local climate before choosing.
For predominantly warm weather, choose a roofing material with excellent heat-reflecting properties and robust insulation capabilities. This type of material can help minimize heat absorption and maintain a cooler interior temperature while also resisting wear and tear in harsh weather.
Roofing Application
Are you planning to add a new roof to a newly built home or an addition or are you planning to replace an existing roof? The type of roofing application you want to achieve determines the material to use for the process.
If adding a new roof, there are many choices to consider because you’re not limited by already existing components, you can choose and decide everything from scratch. You don’t have to worry about the roofing materials currently on the roof, the roof pitch, or any underlying roof structure composition.
For additional roofing, you’re also limited to the structure and roofing materials of the existing roof. You have to use the same material as the main house and replicate the same roofing style to achieve symmetry in curb appeal.
Energy Efficiency
How much energy bill you’ll pay every month is directly related to the roofing material you choose for your house. This is particularly true if you live in areas with harsh weather that will impact how hard your HVAC unit works to balance internal temperatures.
Materials like asphalt shingles and thick metals sufficiently reflect away sun rays from your roof, leaving your home less heated up even in hot weather. Conversely, in cold weather, metal and slate roofs can also help keep your home warmer especially when insulated. Metal panels are sleek and will let the snow slide hence minimizing the chances of ice dams accumulating on your roof and lowering your home’s temperatures.
Longevity and Durability
Even if a roofing material meets your aesthetic standards, if it’s not made for durability and longevity, it’ll be a problem for your pocket. A durable and long-lasting roof material ensures fewer maintenance calls and durable protection for the structure it covers.
Metal and concrete tiles are some of the most durable roofing materials you can choose. When properly installed, these materials can save you from frequent repairs and replacements, ensuring you save both time and money in the long run.
Weight
The roofing material’s weight is an important factor to consider for many reasons. The heavier the material, the longer it may take to install it and that means an increased labor cost. Additionally, if the material you intend to install is too heavy for your house, you might be risking a roof collapse in the future, which is detrimental to everyone’s well-being.
If you’re choosing a heavy roofing material like metal, ensure the supporting structure is strong enough to hold the weight. Work with roofing installers who offer discounts or charge fair installation costs to ensure you don’t spend excessively more than what you had budgeted.
Local Building Codes
Different states have different building codes that guide the installation of roofing. It’s best to familiarize yourself with your local building codes before choosing a roofing material to avoid fines arising from violations.
Sometimes, you have to take down the entire structure, which can be a great loss, especially considering you may not be able to use the materials elsewhere. To avoid this, check with your local legislation including municipalities and gated communities to ensure you’re free to use the material you prefer for your roofing.
Since the roof offers crucial structural and protective functions to your home, it’s important to invest your time and money in finding the right material that will last. Whether you’re building a new home, making an addition, or replacing an old roof, these factors are crucial to determining a successful choice of roofing material.
