A variety of roofing materials, each with advantages and disadvantages, might top a house.  Location is a important concern when selecting a roofing material, for example in coastal areas where hurricanes are common a sturdier material is used.  In the medical profession a popular phrase is “doctor heal thyself,” but in the world of homes it’s “owner know thy roof.”

Fiberglass asphalt shingles consist of a base of glass fibers covered with ceramic coated mineral granules .  This is an inorganic shingle with a high fire rating and often a longer warranty (and life span) than other types of shingles.  This shingle resists water and cracking.  It also tends to resist high winds, as tested by the Underwriters Laboratories.  Sounds like a winner!

Architectural shingle is an inorganic, three dimensional shingle.  It is made of multiple layers which gives it a depth and thus an appearance close to wood or slate roofing.  Disadvantages are weight and cost, both more than other shingles.

Roll roofing is less expensive than shingles.  It’s used on roofs with shallow grades, or on steeper roofs as a compliment to shingles.  Most people have seen this type of roofing, most often on industrial buildings.  It has a heavy felt base, saturated with asphalt, covered by a smooth or mineral surface.  Easy to install, this type of material will last between 10 and 20 years.

Steel panels used in place of shingles, metal roofing, are also popular.  The best steel panels are made with zinc. Like roll roofing this is more common on industrial buildings.  Durable, long lasting and resistant to fire, metal roofing is a great choice.

Wood shingles are the oldest type of shingle.  Cedar is the most common wood used for these shingles, but many consist of a variety of woods.  Wood shingles are amongst the most difficult to install.  Wood burns.  A fire-retardant coating reduces the flammability, but does not eliminate it.

In the interest of being complete, a discussion of other elements of the roof is necessary.  These are not shingles or tiles or total roof coverings, but nevertheless are elements of a roof.  Flashing consists of strips of sheet metal or roofing material  used to cover joints, to make the joints waterproof.  The boot is a flashing made to fit around the base of a vent pipe.  The boot is sometimes plastic.  A Drip Edge is an “L” shaped, weather-resistant material placed at exposed roof edges to help protect wood portions of the roof by shedding water.  Felt paper, or building paper, is a sheet with a tough, fibrous base saturated with asphalt installed under shingles. Felt paper also contributes to protecting the wood portions of the roof, particularly the frame.

A great source of information on the types of roofing material is the Internet.  Ignore this information and you could be all wet.

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When choosing the roofing material for your roof, take the roofing material’s lifespan into account because this dictatesthe overall lifespan of the roof.  And that has an impact on long term cost.

A roof’s lifespan depends on a number of factors, including roofing style, materials, and the climate in the area where the home is located. It’s wise to select roofing products that have nearly the same lifespan to avoid piece by piece repairs throughout a ten to fifteen year period.  In most cases, roofing materials last for about twenty years. This is if the roof has been maintained properly and there has been no significant damage to the roof from the weather. Some materials have a lifespan of up to 50 years while some others last only 10 years.  Here are some of the common roofing materials and their lifespans.

A properly maintained asphalt roof will last between 15 and 20 years. Asphalt roofing materials are one of the most common types of roofing materials used throughout the nation because of the low cost of the materials and the ease of repairs.

The average lifespan of fiberglass roofing is from 15 to 20 years. Little maintenance is required for fiberglass roofs, and they come in many different styles and colors to match almost any desired look. Roofs made from this material are water resistant and mold resistant.

Wooden shakes and shingles are common in the northeastern United States. These roofing materials will generally last between 15 and 20 years, and could last for as many as 30 years if the shakes and shingles are well maintained.

Slate roofing materials are some of the longest lasting roofing products on the market, with an average lifespan of 40 to 75 years.

Metal roofing lasts nearly 50 years. Metal roofs come in a variety of colors, finishes and styles, and can even resemble tiles and wooden shingles. These roofing products are nearly indestructible from weather and can be installed over the current roof.

A less well known option is rubber roofing.  It’s easy to install, easy to maintain, and long lasting.  It comes as a roll or as individual shingles.  The very first rubber roof ever installed was in Wisconsin in 1980.  It’s still doing its job after nearly 30 years.

Roofing materials come in many varieties and styles.  Pick the one that’s right for you.

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