Whether you’re building a new home or choosing a new roof to replace your existing one, it’s important to give careful consideration to the roofing material. Many homeowners simply opt for the same roofing material they’ve always had which is, in most cases, standard asphalt shingles. While there’s certainly nothing wrong with choosing America’s most popular roofing material, you might do well to consider other alternatives. There are a few factors you’ll want to consider when selecting your roofing material.

Style

First and foremost, you want to make sure that your new roof will complement the look of your home. Nothing adds curb appeal like an attractive roof. Keep in mind that roof style is about more than just the material. Some roofing materials can be made to look like others by changing the texture and color. Metal roofing, for instance, can come in all shapes and colors and can imitate other materials. Some less common roofing materials like clay or cement tiles, and wood shakes provide your home with a very unique look. When deciding on a roofing material, your roofing contractor can help you by showing what your home might look like with different roofing materials.

Cost

Not all roofing materials cost the same. A major reason that asphalt shingles are the most popular choice is because they are an inexpensive material. If cost is your bottom line you’ll probably want to go with an asphalt shingle roof though you could spend a little more for an architectural asphalt shingle which will last a little longer and look even nicer. Other roofing materials cost considerably more but can last 2-3 times longer than asphalt shingles if not longer. When selecting a roofing material, decide how much you’re willing to spend and talk to your contractor about which roofing materials are feasible with your budget.

Weight

Finally, it’s important to remember that your home must be able to support the weight of your new roof. Most newer homes should be able to support any roofing material but some older homes may not be built to withstand the weight of a cement tile roof or a slate tile roof. If you’re considering a heavier roofing material, you’ll want your roofing contractor to inspect your roof deck first to see if it can handle the weight. In many cases, even older homes can be updated to that they can support a heavier roof.
Think about all of these factors and discuss them with your roofing contractor to decide on the roofing material that will be best for you.

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Source: therecord.com/shopping-story/5532606-how-to-choose-the-right-roofing-material/

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