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What is the Best Roofing Material, Types, Pros, and Cons

Do you want to upgrade your roof material and are worried about which material is the best? The roof is an important element of the house. Everyone wants a roof that never leaks in windy or rainy situations and always looks good. So it’s all depend on roofing material. The roofing material has a big impact on roof replacement. So choosing the best one is a big decision. 

Trust me, you don’t want to have regrets or buyer’s remorse on a large expenditure like a new roof.  In this blog, we will explore the types of best roofing material and their pros and cons.

Types of Roofing Material

Here are some types of roofing material.

Asphalt

Asphalt

Asphalt shingles are one of the most popular types of roofing material, which make up almost 80% of the housing market. Until technological advancements led to the development of architectural asphalt shingles, this type of shingle dominated the residential roofing market.

Pros 

  • Good wire resistance
  • Not too expensive
  • Doesn’t weigh too much

Cons

  • Not very good for the environment or long-lasting
  • Doesn’t grow algae

Exposed Fastener Metal Roofing

Exposed Fastener Metal Roofing

An exposed fastener metal roof, which is also known as a screw down roof. It is made up of several pieces that are attached to the decking through the metal. 

The screws are left out in the open on top of the metal, and the panels are pressed against them when the metal expands and contracts.

So, the screws need to be changed about every 5 to 10 years to keep the panels from leaking and the wind from pulling them up.

Pros

  • How much does it cost
  • Choices of colour
  • Long-lasting
  • You don’t have to worry about canned goods.

Cons

  • Easy to leak
  • Maintenance is needed all the time
  • Not enough metal picks
  • It makes noise when it rains.
  • Not easy to fix

Standing Seam Metal Roof

Standing Seam Metal Roof

A standing seam metal roof system is made up of panels that are either locked together at the seams or sewn together automatically. There is a clip under each rib (seam) that holds the panels together but lets them move back and forth when the metal expands and contracts.

Pros

  • Very nice curb appeal
  • Flexibility (used to make other covering materials look better)
  • Choices of colour
  • Use Waterproof material
  • Almost no care needed
  • Can be put in place on areas with a low slope

Cons

  • Difficult to repair
  • Expensive

Slate Roofing

Slate Roofing

A slate roof is an advanced roof system that is mined in Italy. It is cut into square tiles and made of natural slate tiles and other roofing materials. 

Slate tiles are installed one at a time instead of others. These are incredibly heavy, so your home has to be built or retro-framed to carry the weight of a slate roof.

Pros

  • Durable 
  • Easy to Install

Cons

  • Difficult to Repair
  • Slow installation and tiles are fragile

Cedar Shake Roof

Cedar Shake Roof

It is also another type of roofing material that is made of natural wood. The shingles are sourced from huge cedar trees in the Northwest United States or Southwest Canada.

Cedar shake shingles are classified into three grades (types): common (most inferior), selections (80/20 split), and 100% straight grain (best quality). 

Pros

  • Durable and Long Lasting
  • Natural Installation
  • Weather Resistance

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Require Regular Maintenance

TPO Roofing 

TPO Roofing 

TPO roofing membrane (thermoplastic polyolefin) is a single-ply white membrane that can be used for commercial or residential roofing. The membrane is normally white, but gray and tan are occasionally available.

TPO is similar to PVC but has a shorter lifespan and is usually less expensive. 

Pros 

  • Energy Efficient 
  • Low Maintenance
  • Reduce Risk of Fading

Cons

  • Not perfect for high temperatures
  • Quality and Thickness Variations

Conclusion

When you want a new look for your roof, it’s very important to select the best roofing material. Just keep in mind that there are different materials available, but these are the most common in residential roofing. At this point, you should have a solid idea of which one is best for you. However, while changing your roof, you should consider more than just the roofing material.
If you are unable to select the roofing material and do not know how to install it, consider Ricks Main Roofing’s professional installation services to make your task easy. Don’t delay and contact our insured, experienced roofers in Norwalk, Connecticut.