Close Look at Top 5 Roofing Materials – Pros and Cons

Published on: 12 December 2016 Last Updated on: 19 August 2019
Roofing- Pros and Cons

There’s no dearth of options for those mulling a new roof installation. Choosing the correct roof for your home is imperative to ensure that you get full functionality and lifespan. The final decision should be taken after considering different factors such as the owner’s location, the roof’s weight, and the cost, warranty, and lifetime of the product. This blog post discusses, five popular roofing options for homeowners taking time to look at their advantages and shortcomings:

1. Asphalt shingles

Asphalt shingles are unarguably the most common roofing option for homeowners in US, all thanks to their affordable nature and ease of installation. Moreover, many roofers also follow the practice of reinforcing shingles with organic materials or fiberglass, which has a positive impact on their durability and moisture resistance.

Pros

Asphalt shingles come in different sizes, shapes, and colors. They are easily available and the most economical roofing option available on the market.

Cons

Asphalt has a short lifespan when compared to other materials, and also incapable of providing proper insulation.

Best suited house styles: Traditional sub-urban houses

Cost: The cost of installing asphalt shingles can be anywhere between $70 to $120/sq.ft. and they can last for 20-25 years with proper maintenance.

2. Clay and concrete tiles

The use of clay adds to the roof’s texture and elegance, enhancing its aesthetic appeal. Clay and concrete tiles are heavy roofing materials and should be installed by professionals to avoid accidents and damage to property.

Pros

Clay and concrete tiles are highly durable and fire-resistant. They are also known for their energy efficiency. Installing a concrete roof can, therefore, help you lower energy costs.

Cons

Both clay and concrete are heavier than other roofing materials and usually require additional framing to function smoothly. The materials are also expensive and you may have to shell out a considerable amount of money to install clay/concrete tiles.

 Best suited house styles: Mediterranean, Southwestern, and Spanish-style homes.

Cost: Prices fluctuate in the range of $300-$500/sq.ft. Concrete tiles have a lifespan of 40-50 years provided you follow maintenance schedules without fail.

3. Metal roof

Metal roofs are available in two types, panels, and shingles. Some of the common metals used by roofers who specialize in metal roofing are aluminum, copper, stainless steel, and zinc. If you’re considering a metal roof, it is advisable that you first consult your provider on the type of metal you should use after considering all the important factors.

Read also: Avoid these 4 Mistakes during Multi Family Housing Renovation

Pros

Metal roofs are highly resistant to temperature fluctuations and also offer better protection against solar radiation. They are also long-lasting and recyclable.

Cons

Installing a metal roof can be a costly decision and you may have to shell out anywhere between $100-$800/sq.ft. to install a metal roof.

Best suited house styles: bungalows, cabins, and contemporary and cottage-style homes.

Effective life: With proper maintenance, metal roofs can last anywhere between 40-75 years.

4. Slate

Opting for a slate roof is a prudent decision if you need to avail a variety of designing options. Slate roofing comes in different colors like black, green, grey, red, and purple. It lends a touch of style and elegance to your roofing.

Pros

Slate roofs are durable and equipped with fire-resistance properties. You can also recycle slate to reduce costs and save the environment.

Cons

Apart from being expensive, slate is also heavy, making any plans for a DIY approach strongly inadvisable. Moreover, the quality of the materials can vary if you plan to use imported slate.

Cost: $600/sq.ft. And above. The effective life of slate roofs can extend up to 100 years and more.

5. Wood shingles and shake

Wood shingles are handmade and available in attractive shades of gray. When opting for wood roofing make sure the material is class a certified and includes shingles with a fire-resistant coating.

Pros

The use of wood shingles lends a rough yet artistic look to your roof. The shingles are made from natural materials like cedar, and redwood and are environment-friendly.

Cons

There are high chances of the roof sustaining significant damage when exposed to moisture, high temperatures, and rainfall. Moreover, fire codes in some states may prohibit the use of these materials.

Best suited house styles: Cape Cod, cottage, Craftsman and Tudor-style homes.

Cost: $100-$150/ sq.ft. You can expect the roofing to last around 25-30 years.

The blog discusses five popular roofing choices available to homeowners. You should, however, not limit yourself to these choices. Consider exploring other options before making a final decision. Consult your contractor and ask them to share their thoughts on your choice. You must also factor-in the maintenance costs and schedules associated with each option before you.

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

View all posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related

Mattress

How to Choose a Mattress – 6 Top Tips

Your mattress: Without a doubt, it’s one of the most important things you own. Without a comfy place to rest, your body feels stiff and sore, your mood suffers, and your mind is nowhere near its best. The good news is that choosing the perfect mattress doesn’t have to be difficult and these days, there are great mattresses available for just about every budget. Ready to shop? Arm yourself with our mattress buying tips and you’ll find that it’s far easier to find a bed that’s just right. 1. Consider your sleeping position and size: Do you sleep on your back, or are you more of a side sleeper? Believe it or not, the way a mattress feels has a lot to do with your body position. For example, you’ll probably prefer a firmer mattress if you sleep on your back or your stomach. If you’re a side sleeper, something a touch softer is likely to feel better. Many manufacturers recommend different models for different sleeping positions and more than a few offer mattresses with sides customized to fit two individuals with different preferences so nobody has to compromise. Your body weight has an impact on the way your bed feels, too. In general, the heavier you are, the more likely you are to enjoy a medium-firm to a firm mattress. Slim and/or muscular individuals often find that they feel best on softer mattresses. These preferences definitely don’t apply to everyone but you might find it helpful to look a little outside your usual comfort zone. 2. Read reviews: Whether you’re planning to visit traditional furniture stores or shop for a mattress online, you’ll find that reviews can help you decide which brands and models to focus on and which ones are best to avoid. When reading reviews, keep in mind that no single mattress is ideal for every person; for example, someone who loves the feel of a firm mattress will probably give a soft one a lower rating and vice versa. The best mattress reviews contain plenty of details about everything from the quality of the materials to the way the mattress feels and performs. It’s true that reading takes some time but this is one of the best ways to create a shortlist of mattresses that are likely to meet your criteria. 3. Look for a reasonable trial period: If you’ve ever found yourself searching a traditional store for the most comfortable mattress, you know just how awkward it can feel to test different models right there and then. You’re probably wearing your shoes, you’re not in your favorite comfy PJs, you don’t have your special pillow, and the list goes on. Luckily, mattress manufacturers have come to realize that the old-fashioned method for choosing the best mattress just doesn’t work. That’s why many now offer trial periods that give you the opportunity to actually sleep on the mattress at home, let your body get used to the new sleeping surface (yes, this is a thing!) and return the mattress if it doesn’t suit you. Trial periods vary. Some are just a couple of weeks long and others are surprisingly generous; for example, a few offer one-year trial periods. 4. Consider different options: Remember when memory foam mattresses were the latest and greatest option available? They’re still very popular and if you love the way a memory foam mattress feels, then go for it! Some other choices include latex mattresses, organic mattresses, and ultra-comfy hybrid mattresses that combine the luxurious “floating” sensation of a memory foam mattress with the support and bounce associated with traditional Best innerspring mattress. There’s more: Some mattresses have to be supported by a traditional box spring, some are fine for placing on a plain platform bed, some are OK for those who prefer to have their mattress on the floor, and some are ideal for pairing with an adjustable base. Knowing how you’d like to set up your mattress isn’t something most people think about, but it’s key to shopping for the best one. 5. Look into temperature control and other unique features: In search of a little something extra? While advanced features can increase the cost significantly, you might like what you find when you look beyond standard options. Many of the newest mattresses offer unique features like special cooling fibers, cooling gels, and even covers that can be integrated with your smart home for pre-warming, better temperature control, and more. Some smart mattresses can give you insight into your sleep trends, some have built-in alarms, and some have adjustable firmness. As time passes, we’ll probably see even more unique mattresses with amazing features. 6. Recognize that a higher price doesn’t always mean higher quality: …At least if you’re shopping online! While most traditional mattress stores inflate their prices in order to cover the cost of doing business, it’s possible to get amazing mattresses online at about the same cost as a lower-grade one from a brick and mortar store. Read Also: 6 Myths Of Mattress You Must Know For Sure The Best Memory Foam Mattresses For Staying Cool This Summer

READ MOREDetails
Living Room Furniture

7 Facts About Living Room Furniture to Build the Space of Your Dreams

Your living room is a vital part of your house. It is the place you and your family or friends gather and probably spend most of your time together.  Therefore, it is important to give much thought to this part of the house by ensuring it has a great look. Are you looking to make a beautiful living room? Here are 7 facts about living room furniture from Club Furniture to help you build the space of your dreams: 1)Have Living Room Theme Furniture Do you know the kind of theme you want for your living room furniture? There are 3 ways to choose a theme. Select a modern or contemporary theme with sleek, clean lines and neutral colors. Traditional furniture will give your living room some elegance, with a more formal look. Traditional furniture is usually in vibrant, neutral colors. Lastly, you can choose casual furniture known to be comfortable and cozy. 2)Color of Furniture Choose living room furniture that best matches other aspects of your living room. Choosing colors that complement your living room colors and other decorations in the living room will set the tone and make your living room attractive. 3)Fabric Used to Make the Furniture Living room furniture comes in a wide of materials, such as wood and plastic.  When selecting your furniture, choose that which resonates well with you. Don’t forget that different materials cost different amounts of money and the materials have varied ease of cleaning them. 4)Choose Comfortable Furniture Do not compromise your comfort when choosing your living room furniture! After a long day of hustles and hustles of life, you want to retire to a place of comfort, and this means getting to a cozy sitting room that sets the ambiance for your relaxation and peace of mind. 5)Cost of The Furniture Always ensure that you are scratching where your hand reaches when buying your living room furniture. The materials used in the making of the furniture will determine their prices. Ensure that you scrutinize the material to ensure that you get standard furniture made with standard materials. 6) Durability of The Furniture Insist on high-quality living room furniture! It would be essential if you differentiated between durable and non-durable furniture. Buying durable furniture will give you long-term service, thus value for money. In contrast, non-durable furniture means that you will be back hunting for the same sooner than you expected, either because of tearing or breaking. 7)Size of Your Home Your furniture should fit well in your living while leaving adequate space to move around. You want to buy furniture according to the size of your room rather than a whole set of furniture. A living room full of furniture will appear unattractively dull, even if your furniture is beautiful. Is It Time to Buy Your Living Room Furniture? Choosing the right furniture for your living room can be difficult when you don’t know where to begin. Knowing the size of your living room will help your select furniture that suits your preference and tastes and fits well. Read Also: How to Salvage Your Furniture after a Flood What Species of Wood is Right for Your Wine Cellar Furniture? Leather Furniture is An Essential Improvement for Any Home or Office

READ MOREDetails
Color Concrete

A Simple Guide in Choosing the Right Color for Concrete

The success of any business stands on a strong foundation. The chances are that today on your way to the office, you have stepped on concrete floors and probably wondering why some have concrete color on them. Concrete is a strong foundation that also needs some pampering for it to keep holding the building and roads that stand on them. When you take a stroll and notice, some buildings have concrete showing some pigmentation. One natural concrete color that is common in the market today is the integral color concrete that is easy to use because you only add iron oxide to the concrete when simultaneously mixing in a mixing truck or by hand. Features Other still call it the concrete dye or concrete pigmentation. The infusion of the color gets inside materials to give a lasting and a fade resistant color. The ideal place to use it is on slabs that experience high levels of traffic. One notable thing about this concrete color is that you will not notice road chippings. Another good thing about this pigmentation is the background color and the power of contrasts using varying combinations Environment-Friendly Concrete colors are environment-friendly because you can mix the variety of colors and pour the pigments on any environment with a matching color. The packaging is in convenient bags that dissolve in water; therefore, no need to think about recycling. The colored concrete ensures that future chips do not explode due to abrasions or frictions from car tires. The finely ground iron oxide pigments are mixed with concrete before pouring on the ground. The blending of the available color varieties is loaded depending on the cement used on each yard. Loading Percentages In most cases, you will find the label reading 1 percent, 2 percent, 3 percent, and 4 percent. The 1 percent is what most people refer to as economy loading and is excellent for use in places that need soft colors and enough concrete color to remove the old paint. The 1 percent works well with dark and contrasting colors. The 2 percent produces strong colorations, and you can tell that what you are seeing is a color. Desirable for interior floor works and does not use any contrasting colors. The 3 and 4 percent are a solid color combination, and there is no doubt that they give a lasting impression. Not suitable for stamping because they do not have enough contrasts from their antique products. Concrete color packaging is done per yard so no need of taking your calculator because every bag you have represents a yard. When seeking to purchase concrete color, make sure you know how to estimate a yard that you can use to calculate the number of bags you need in relation to the yard estimation. It is important to note that the type of sealers affects color composition. Sealers that can dissolve will enhance and make the color darker and will closely match the color inside the package. The extraction of concrete color comes from the natural and synthetic metal oxides with no fillers or extenders. You can select a color of choice by combining bags to get a specific color mix. Read Also: 5 Factors To Consider In Choosing The Right Floor Colors 4 Tips For A Successful Home Renovation

READ MOREDetails