Which Roofing Material Should I Choose For My Custom Home

Your custom home’s roof has a big impact on how it looks, feels, and lasts, as well as how much it costs. The color, style, or pitch of your roof, as well as the kind of materials you are allowed to use, may be governed by your homeowner’s association. If not, you can become knowledgeable about the different materials on the market and choose the best roofing material for your house.

With the advancement of roofing materials throughout the years, you now have more options than ever.

Choosing a Roof Design and Material Based on Specifications

The kind of roofing material you should think about for your home depends on a variety of criteria.

• The design of your roof is influenced by the house’s architectural style. As part of the overall appearance, the majority of types have different roof lines and materials.
• Ordinary roof colors and materials are frequently prescribed by homeowners groups. Your usage of a certain kind of roofing material or restriction on the color may be imposed by community covenants and regulations. There are criteria for fire and weather safety in local building regulations, and occasionally there are also requirements for energy efficiency or the use of sustainable materials.
• Your home’s exterior and the neighborhood should blend together with the color of your roof. Also thought to be more energy-efficient colors are several hues.
• The roof rating incorporates the anticipated lifespan of the roof under typical wear and tear, as well as its energy efficiency via color, reflectance, emittance, and material sustainability.
• Using a certain type of roofing material may be influenced by the local climate and environment, especially rainfall and humidity.
• What kind of roof you choose to place on your house may also depend on your particular budget. If you have a little extra money to spare, think about how long and durable your roof will last because replacing a roof is an expensive proposition that you might not want to make frequently.

Be sure it complies with local regulations AND harmonizes well with the aesthetic and architectural style of your property before deciding on the roofing material you want to use for it.

Materials Used for Roofing

Options for roofing materials are numerous and diverse. This is a list of the most popular ones, arranged according to the rising price.

Shingles made of asphalt and asphalt

The most popular and least-priced roofing materials are asphalt and asphalt composite shingles. The most common materials used to create it are recycled paper saturated in asphalt and covered with granules, or a fiberglass base covered in asphalt and mineral granules. It comes in many different colors and is commonly utilized. Asphalt roofs can be strengthened with organic materials or fiberglass to boost their longevity while being thought of as being simple to install and maintain.

Pros:

• In addition to being readily available, inexpensive, and come in a variety of colors, they are also simple to replace.
• Asphalt shingles can reflect light to increase a home’s energy efficiency when they are painted in lighter hues. In addition to reducing energy requirements, some shingles may also emanate light.
• A discount on your homeowners’ insurance may be available if you choose fiberglass shingles, which are thought to give great fire protection.

Cons:

• As far as roofing materials go, asphalt shingles don’t last very long; they usually last 20 to 25 years, but if they’re constructed inexpensively, they could last as little as 10.
• Its quality varies greatly, and they offer little to no insulating properties by itself.
• Although they can be recycled, they are not regarded as sustainable. This stuff is typically thrown in the trash.

Shakes and Wood Shingles

Your roof will seem natural thanks to wood shakes and shingles. In contrast to shakes, which are hand-cut from wood blocks and have a more rustic appearance, shingles are machine-cut and have smooth surfaces and crisp edges.

Pros:

• Redwood, cedar, cypress, and pressure-treated pine are among the many kinds of wood that are offered.
• Shakes and shingles made of wood have a lifespan of five to ten years longer than asphalt shingles.
• Treated wood shingles have a Class A fire rating, which could result in you receiving a discount on your insurance.
• In addition to being recyclable, many wood shakes and shingles are created from trees that have fallen during storms.

Cons:

• The Class C fire rating of non-treated wood shingles means that if left untreated, the cost of your home’s insurance may increase.
• Wood shakes and shingles may not be allowed in places where flames occur frequently.
• Untreated, this kind of roofing material requires frequent cleaning to stop the growth of moss or algae, making it a high-maintenance material. Staining is also common as a result of environmental interactions between wood oils and oils.

Concrete Roof Tiles 

Lightweight concrete is used to construct concrete roof tiles, which gives them a rough surface but makes installation simple. In order to increase strength without increasing weight, some concrete mixes include fibers of wood or clay.

Pros:

• More than 50 years can pass between replacements of concrete tiles.
• Fire and insects won’t harm them.
• The shapes, textures, and colors of concrete tiles are varied, and they are also recyclable.
• The energy efficiency of your home is improved with light-colored tiling.

Cons:

• Even if the tiles are lighter than the majority of concrete, you still need additional structure to support them because they are heavier than the majority of roofing materials.
• It may destroy tiles if someone walks on your roof, making roof repair challenging.

Metal with Stone Coating and Metal

Corrugated tin, which you might recall from old photos, is a thing of the past for metal roofing. Metal roofs of the present are in high demand due to their endurance and are constructed of zinc, steel, copper, and aluminum. In addition to new variations on the corrugated style, metal roofs can be completed in any color, design, or texture you can think of. Even more realistic clay tiles, asphalt shingles, or wood shakes can be achieved by having them stone-coated.

Pros:

• the importance of resilience. Metal is regarded as a roofing material with a 50–100 year lifespan and is normally covered by a 30–50 year warranty.
• Numerous can withstand a Class A fire, saving you money on your homeowner’s insurance and preventing the spread of fire to your roof.
• Both the roof itself and the majority of metal roof components are manufactured from recycled metals.
• In cold weather, ice dams are avoided because of the speedy water and snow runoff from metal roofs.
• Many materials for residential metal roofs satisfy the most exacting construction regulations.

Cons:

• When compared to wood and asphalt, metal roofing is more expensive, copper especially. The long life and durability, however, make up for the price.
• Repairs are more expensive for this material than for many other roofing materials since it can dent when struck by a heavy object.
• For firemen trying to put out a home fire using water, a metal roof might make it challenging to penetrate the roof.

Synthetic Tiles

Rubber, asphalt, clay, and plastic can all be used to make synthetic roofing. It frequently has a wood or slate-like appearance. For flat and low-sloped roofs, which may be present on some of your bespoke home, numerous synthetic materials were created.

Pros:

• Performance testing on synthetics have yielded excellent results.
• Up to 50 years’ worth of warranties is common.
• The greatest energy star rating of any roof material is given to at least one kind, thermoplastic single-ply, which is used on flat or low-pitched roofs.

Cons:

• The durability and lifespan of synthetics haven’t been studied in great detail.
• You need to conduct a lot of study before choosing a synthetic because they are still relatively new.
• Most synthetic materials are used for flat or low-pitched roofs, which may not be permitted by your homeowner’s association.
• The majority of subcontractors lack experience installing synthetic roofing materials, thus your builder will need to educate both themselves and their sub on how to assure appropriate installation.

Stone Tile

Your unique home’s use of slate tiles gives it a European feel. Older than a thousand years, European buildings have had slate tile roofs.

Pros:

• Slate lends your bespoke home an opulent, European appeal.
• Slate is enduring, recyclable, and requires relatively little upkeep.

Cons:

• A slate that is natural weighs a lot. 1,500 pounds per 100 square feet is what we’re talking about. For support, you will need to pay for additional framing.
• Slate that has been put incorrectly will quickly create moisture issues.
• Repairing a roof is made more difficult by a slate that fractures when people walk on it.

Clay Tile

Spanish or Mediterranean-inspired architecture frequently uses clay tile. For increased strength and durability, it has been enhanced and fortified over time. Frequently, the waterproofing substance is applied to the glaze or coating of the tiles.

Pros:

• A minimum of 50 years can be counted on clay.
• Pests cannot burn through clay tiles.
• These can be recycled after use.

Cons:

• Because of its weight, clay, like slate, requires greater framing support.
• Similar to the slate tile, it is frequently the priciest roofing material choice.
• Roof repairs may be difficult since tiles are brittle.

With your custom home, you have a variety of options for roofing material. The material that best complements the architectural style of your house and whether your homeowners’ association has any roofing restrictions or regulations should be your top priorities when choosing a roofing material, however, there are many other considerations that can also influence your decision. For assistance in deciding on the best roofing material for your custom house, be sure to turn to your reliable custom builder and architect.