There are many types of roofing materials to choose from, and a little bit of investigation might lead you to consider a new type of roofing rather than simply replacing the same material you now have. Choosing the right roofing material requires that you weigh appearance, longevity, cost, and structural issues.

Here is a list of different types of roofs recommended by the best roofing contractors in Houston:

 

Clay & Concrete roofing

Clay and concrete roofing tiles might look the same to the casual observer, but they’re actually two very different roofing materials with different benefits. 

Clay roof tiles are made by baking molded clay. The density of these tiles is determined by how long the tiles are heated, and at what temperature. Tiles can range in color, coming in shades of white, yellow, orange, and even brown. However, the most common color of clay tile you can find is Terra-cotta.

While clay tile has a history thousands of years long, concrete tile did not appear until the 20th century. Concrete tile is made of sand, cement, and water. To create their shape, the tiles are molded under heat and pressure. Concrete tiles can be finished in a wide array of colors. Concrete tiles come in a variety of shapes and colors and are usually meant to mimic the appearance of other materials. They can look like slate, clay tiles, wood shake, and even asphalt shingles.

Concrete tiles are not as tough as clay tiles, but they do better than most roofing materials in terms of service lifespan, with a concrete tile roof lasting for roughly 50 years. They are made with Portland cement, limestone, sand and water, and share many of the qualities of standard concrete.

On many occasions, the cost can prove to be the decisive factor. Clay tiles are generally 20-25% more expensive to purchase than their concrete counterparts, due mostly to the manufacturing process. If possible, you should give consideration to the long-term effects of your purchasing decision and weigh up the pros and cons of price vs value.

Synthetic Roofing

A synthetic roof, also known as a composite roof, is a roof made up of many compressed materials in the form of tiles or shingles. The tiles or shingles, depending on the manufacturer, are made up of different materials that are mixed and compressed. Many manufacturers use rubbers and polymers to create their shingles, while others used recycled products.

Synthetic slate roofing looks like authentic slate roofing, except it’s composed of plastic and rubber materials. Manufacturers of synthetic slate roofing offer a wide variety of styles that fit nearly any house, from contemporary to French Colonial

With synthetic roofing you can have the look of expensive slate or clay tiles at a fraction of the cost. Most people report that synthetic materials are indistinguishable from traditional materials at the curb’s distance.

Synthetic composite shingles are high quality, thanks to the fact that they are a blend of several materials. They are recognized largely for their durability and will provide a high return on your investment. Unlike other roofing shingles, which last an average of 15 to 20 years, some composite shingles even come with a lifetime guarantee.

Metal Roofing

A metal roof is simply a roofing system made using metal pieces, tiles, or panels. A metal roof is a part of the roofing envelope which is the physical separator between the inside and outside of the building and is designed to provide resistance to air, water, heat and sound.

Longer life span, improved energy efficiency and a reduced environmental impact are just a few of the key benefits homeowners consider when choosing a metal roof.

Residential metal roofing is one of the fastest growing segments of home improvement – more than quadrupling its market share over the past decade. The benefits offered by today’s metal roofs allow homeowners to upgrade their homes with products of lasting value.

Prices usually start around $100 to $300 a square, but some styles can cost $600 to $800 a square. Metal roofing can last 40 to 75 years.

Slate roofing

Slate roof tiles are made of metamorphic rocks which are derived from sedimentary rock of volcanic ash and clay. The mineral composition of slate will determine the color and weathering properties.

Slate roofing tile has a long and storied history, and is generally known as one of the highest quality, longest lasting roofing materials on the market. On the other hand, the high cost, difficult installation, and relative fragility of slate roofing tile means it’s not ideal for everybody.

Slate is strong and has very good weather resistance as well as low water absorption, meaning that it withstands freezing temperatures well. However, the initial cost of slate shingles can be higher than other types of roof covering, as can repairs and maintenance. Slate roofs are also relatively heavy.

Slate is an expensive product and you can count on it being two or three times more expensive than a standard architectural shingle roof. The price can range from 15 to 16 dollars a square foot installed. The price of a slate roof will also vary depending on the size of the home and the roof pitch.

Asphalt Shingles

Asphalt shingles are not made of asphalt all the way through. Rather, they consist of either a fiberglass or felt paper base coated with a waterproof later of asphalt and topped with ceramic granules. Since its development in the 1980s, the fiberglass base has been the more popular product. It is lighter and less expensive but still lends considerable strength to the roof, as well as additional fire protection.

Today asphalt shingles cover 70 to 80 percent of the roofs in the United States. It has now spread to different parts of the world. The asphalt roof shingles are very attractive, versatile and provide high fire and wind resistance. The shingles cost is economical which makes it relatively inexpensive in terms of aesthetics and the durability it provides to the building.

There’s a good reason behind the popularity of asphalt shingle roofs: price. The material is also fairly durable and available in styles that complement almost any home. If you need a roof that will last between 15 and 30 years, asphalt shingles may be the option for you.

Rolled roofing 

If you are unhappy with the cost and complexity of re-roofing one of your structures with conventional shingle-type roofing materials, there may be a solution. Rolled roofing is one of the easiest and cheapest roofing materials you can purchase. Plus, it is one of few types of roofs that most homeowners can install on a do-it-yourself basis

Rolled roofing is designed for use on roofs that are low-sloped, so check to make sure your roof is adaptable to it for installation. The pitch of the roof and the vertical and horizontal will determine whether the roof is designed to handle the process.

Rolled is the most budget-friendly roofing material. Its price is lower than composite shingles.

Wood Shingles and Shake

Wood shake refers to wood roofing material that is created by splitting thin rectangles from a wooden log. There are two types of wood roofing materials – wood shake and wood shingles.  Wood shingles are sawn on both sides and are thinner at the butt end when compared to a shake. Wood shakes are typically sawn on one side and hand split on the other side, making them thicker than wood shingles. Both are wedge shaped and are affixed individually to an underdeck

Wood shingles are machine-cut and tapered for a trim, crisp appearance. By contrast, wood shakes look more rustic, as they are hand-split on one side. Each has its own specific installation requirements, but generally speaking, wood roofing is more difficult to install than some other common roof types.

In terms of price, shakes are generally more expensive than shingles. That is because they are thicker so more material is used, and they are more challenging to install for a roofing contractor.

 

If you need roof repair, residential roofing, commercial roofing, roof leak repair, roof maintenance, or an inspection, contact us if you’re looking for a roofing contractor in Houston.

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