Material & Design: Your Guide to the Different Types of Roofs

Building a home? Looking to make updates to your existing home? If so, you’re probably trying to decide on a roofing material. After all, there are all types of roof materials out there. It can be a little difficult to decide between them. The good thing is that we can help. So, without further ado, here’s your guide to the different types of roofs.

Asphalt Shingles

Simple, traditional, and extremely popular, asphalt shingles are the standard of residential roofing. Shingle roofs last between 20 and 30 years and can withstand the effects of both water and sunlight. Note, though, that they’re exceedingly lightweight, and can be ripped off of homes by high winds and physical trauma.

Aesthetically, they’re basic. This isn’t to say that they look bad (they’re available in a few different styles and colors). It’s just that everyone uses them, and so — as Ragsdale Roofing and Innovations LLC can attest — they tend to blend in with the crowd.

Cedar Shakes

If you’re looking for something a little more “out there,” you could opt for cedar shakes. These are essentially just wood slats that are staggered on top of one another. They provide a great deal of texture to a roof and help it to stand in the crowd.

Cedar shakes are also quite durable, lasting between 40 and 50 years. Note, however, that they require a decent amount of maintenance. Plus, they tend to be more expensive than asphalt shingles.

Metal Panels

Another option to consider is metal panels. These are sleek, shiny, and modern, and can transform the look of a house. Available in a variety of colors, they match with homes of all kinds.

Metal panels are durable, low-maintenance, and easy to install, capable of lasting for over 50 years. Their only true downside is their cost, which is higher than that of both asphalt shingles and cedar shakes.

Clay Tiles

If you’ve ever been to the southwestern part of the United States, you’ve probably come across clay tiles. These orange, staggered tiles have an extremely unique look and can transform the entire atmosphere of a house.

Absurdly durable, they can thrive for over 100 years, and with little maintenance at that. Designed to withstand water, sunlight, and physical trauma, they’re on the expensive side but offer tons of bang for their buck.

Slate

Slate roofs are the most durable on the market. They’re essentially made out of stone and can thrive for as long as 150 years. As you might expect, they’re quite expensive.

They’re extremely heavy as well and can be too heavy for some homes to support. But if your home has the correct specs, a slate roof could turn it into one of the jewels of your neighborhood.

There are All Types of Roofs Out There

As you can see, there are all types of roofs for you to utilize. The key is to assess your needs and budget and choose the best type of roof for you.

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