PART 1: DEFINING WHAT IS BEST

When you’re looking for a new roof, you’ll naturally want to get the best one for your home. What a lot of homeowners don’t realize, however, is that there is no one true best roofing material out there because what is “best” is relative to your needs and the climate requirements of the area you live in. Finding the best roofing material then is a matter of taking into consideration a few factors, like:

DURABILITY

Because your roof is tasked with protecting your home, you’re going to need it to be durable enough to withstand anything the elements can dish out. Using your local climate as a guide, you should go over your options to see which one will be best suited for your home, checking for performance against extreme temperature, for starters. Just because a roofing material looks tough doesn’t mean it has what you’re looking for so don’t go by appearances alone.

STYLE

One of the best things about roofing materials today is that they offer a wide range of options to address whatever preferences you might have. While exact choices available will vary from roofing material to roofing material, you can be assured that there will still be more than enough options for you to consider once you’ve zeroed in on a roofing material that you like. For best results, always choose roofing material in a style that will complement your home’s existing design and color scheme.

PART 1: DEFINING WHAT IS BEST

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

With their concerns over energy costs growing, more and more homeowners are paying attention to making their homes more energy-efficient, including energy efficiency in their considerations when choosing a new roof. As an energy-efficient roof helps a home’s HVAC system, cutting back on energy use, which can translate to savings down the line for a homeowner.

COST

Whether or not you have to work with a budget, you can’t do away with taking into consideration cost because it affects how much value for money a roofing material is able to offer you. A lot of people believe that you get what you pay for, and they are generally correct, but this doesn’t mean that the most expensive option is automatically the best one for you. Again, the best roofing material is one that will address your needs the most.

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In the next part, we’ll be discussing two of the roofing material choices available to you: asphalt shingles and slate. Head on over to Part 2 of this e-book to learn more!

PART 2: THE CLASSICS - ASPHALT SHINGLES AND SLATE

Asphalt shingles and slate are both traditional roofing materials but they are very much different when their various factors are taken into consideration. Still, they are both viable roofing options, so you should take the time to get to know them.

ASPHALT SHINGLES

Asphalt shingles have been around for more than a century now but they remain the most popular roofing material in the country today. Asphalt itself has been used for roofing much longer but having the material in shingle form made it more convenient to install, which led to the growth in use of asphalt shingles.

Durability

Unlike other roofing materials, asphalt shingles are naturally immune to rot and rust, making them ideal in places that receive a lot of moisture. Different factors can contribute to how fast they wear out but typically asphalt shingles log at least 15 years in terms of service life.

Style

Asphalt shingles come in a range of color options so there’s sure to be one that will complement your home’s existing scheme. Aside from featuring various colors though, they also come in different types that also contribute to the shingle’s overall appearance and can even be made to mimic the look of other materials.

PART 2: THE CLASSICS - ASPHALT SHINGLES AND SLATE

Energy Efficiency

To be considered a cool roofing material, which helps to reduce heat transfer into a home and aids in stabilizing indoor temperature, asphalt shingles had to feature white grains before. Thanks to modern technology, however, this is no longer the case. Certain asphalt shingle options now feature reflective coating, allowing them to bounce back heat better to cut back on heat absorbed by a home.

Cost

Asphalt shingles is one of the more affordable roofing options so it is perfect for anyone looking for savings and overall value for money.

SLATE

Widely considered to be a high-end roofing option, slate is made from natural rock, cut from metamorphic rock created when mudstone or shale is altered. It is mostly gray in color, available in a range of shades from light to dark, but can also occur in tones of brown, purple, black, red, and green. The kind of color that slate takes on is usually affected by the level of and type of iron as well as organic material present in the rock.

Durability

As it is made from natural rock, slate is incredibly sturdy, capable of withstanding any kind of abuse from the elements. It is also immune to rot and rust like asphalt shingles but can last much longer, thanks to a service life of over 100 years.

PART 2: THE CLASSICS - ASPHALT SHINGLES AND SLATE

Style

Slate can be heavy so it is usually limited to low- or medium-slope roofs. It also takes on a more traditional appearance so it is best installed over homes with more traditional architectural styles. Available colors will also vary because manufacturers will be limited by where they source their slate.

Energy Efficiency

Slate is considered a cool roofing material so it is a great option to consider when looking to boost energy efficiency in the home. But aside from helping reduce energy consumption, the roofing material is also a green choice because it is naturally occurring and requires very little processing to make.

Cost

Slate is a premium material so it also costs a premium. However, given the level of durability and long lifespan of the material, it offers one of the best value for money you’ll find in the market.

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In the last part of this e-book, we’ll be taking a look at metal and wood roofing, two of the classic roofing materials available to homeowners today. Head on over to Part 3 to learn more!

PART 3: THE FAVORITES - METAL AND WOOD ROOFS

Metal and wood roofing have been around for centuries, but these two materials remain popular among new homeowners and remodelers alike. What makes them such timeless favorites in roofing?

METAL

There are different kinds of metal roofs but some of the most popular options include stainless steel and aluminum.

Durability

Metal roofs are tough, lasting for several decades in various climates when properly maintained. The material is naturally vulnerable to moisture exposure but this is not a problem because metal roofs are typically galvanized and use protective coating.

Style

Metal roofs come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from corrugated and smooth panels to tiles, and can be formed to mimic other roofing materials, so you have a range of options available to you. You can also have them painted, allowing you to use whatever color you want to suit your preferences.

PART 3: THE FAVORITES - METAL AND WOOD ROOFS

Energy Efficiency

While metal heats up faster than other materials, it also sheds off heat quickly., keeping heat transfer to your home to a minimum. Metal roofs also naturally reflect a lot of the heat away from the home but solar reflectance levels can be further improved when they are painted.

Cost

Metal roofs are one of the most cost-effective options available today, combining great affordability with great quality to offer homeowners great value for their money.

WOOD

One of the first roofing materials used by man, wood is usually available as shakes or shingles. Different kinds of wood may be used as roofing but cedar and pine are the most commonly used in the U.S.

Durability

In the right climate, wood roofs can outlast asphalt shingles and even metal roofing. They will require a little bit more maintenance, however, because wood is naturally vulnerable to moisture and insect damage.

PART 3: THE FAVORITES - METAL AND WOOD ROOFS

Style

Wood shakes and shingles look absolutely amazing on traditional homes, particularly cottage-style properties, because they impart a rustic vibe like no other. They can be painted but staining is the more popular option as this allows the wood’s natural features to show, boosting the roofing material’s charm.

Energy Efficiency

Wood is a natural insulator so it does not promote heat transfer, aiding in stabilizing indoor temperatures to prevent your HVAC system from working overtime and guzzling power needlessly.

Cost

Wood roofs can be on the expensive side because overall costs will include maintenance requirements. Given what you’ll get out of getting a wood roof, however, you’ll see that it is a worthy investment.

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Asphalt shingles, slate, metal, and wood are just some of the roofing materials you can take into consideration. They offer a number of benefits, making them ideal for a wide range of homes, but if you’re not sure which one to get, don’t hesitate to give your local roofing contractor a call to get some assistance.

Spicer Bros.Construction, Inc.

32221 Beaver Run Drive,Salisbury, MD 21804

(855) 375-0840 Salisbury (410) 822-0952 Easton

(302) 703-6754 Delaware

SpicerBros.com