What Type of Roofing Material Should You Choose for Your Home?

Posted by EdmontonRealEstate .ca on Monday, October 29th, 2018 at 7:48am.

Best Residential Roofing MaterialMany new homeowners are surprised when they discover that there's a lot of variation in the type of roofing materials that are available to be used on homes. They vary by material, in appearance, in price and in functionality. The type of roofing material that a homeowner chooses for their home depends on their budget, the appearance of their home, what's available in the area and how long they want their roof to last. Knowing the differences can help homeowners make their choice.

Asphalt Shingles

Asphalt shingles are one of the most common types of roofing material. Shingles are durable, attractive, affordable, and they come in different colours to match different types of homes. They're known to last up to about thirty years, which is actually not very long in the world of roofing. Many other types of roofs will last longer, but they'll also cost a lot more. A typical asphalt roof installation will cost about $5,000. This budget-friendly roofing product is a favorite among homeowners who want an affordable roof that will last for many years.

In addition to the budget-friendly nature of shingles, homeowners also appreciate that it's easy to find a contractor who can properly make repairs. Other, rarer types of roofing may be harder to maintain because homeowners must find contractors who have experience with that type of roofing. Asphalt is so common that nearly all roofers have experience and knowledge of working with the materials.

Metal

Metal roofs come in many different colours and can be patterned in different ways, and may even be manufactured to look like other materials, if the homeowner chooses. Metal roofs get a bad reputation because they're known for being loud when rain falls on the house. A properly insulated metal roof should not be much louder than a normal roof, but homeowners who are concerned can always opt for extra insulation to make the roof even quieter.

Metal lasts for over half a century if it's properly installed, and it costs around $10,000 to get a metal roof installed on the home. This material has another attractive quality that many homeowners appreciate: it is often made of recycled content, and can be recycled when it is no longer in use. This environmentally-friendly quality may be contributing to the rise in popularity of this material. Since metal roofs last so long and are durable in the Canadian winters, home sellers may have an edge on other home sellers with another type of roof.

Slate

Slate is one of the oldest roofing materials used in the world. It's known for its durability, beauty and variation in colour. Some slate tiles are gray, others are green, red or blue. Except in areas where slate is easily quarried, this product costs about twice as much as a metal roof, and may even cost more. The benefits, however, are undeniable: slate can last for over a hundred years. Some slate roofs on historic buildings are actually centuries old.

Slate is heavy, so homeowners who want to install slate on their home must first ensure that the roof is capable of withstanding the weight of the roof. In an existing structure, this could mean retrofitting. In a structure that is not yet built, the home can be built with the ability to support additional weight.

Work With a Contractor

Highlands home buyers and sellers who aren't sure what type of roofing material is best for their roof can find out by working with a reputable and knowledgeable contractor. It's important to explore the different materials by touching samples, talking to contractors and getting bids. A good contractor can help a homeowner to decide which type of roofing fits in their budget and will work well with the home that they own.

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