When you build a home, there are a seemingly endless number of decisions that need to be made. Selecting a type of roof should be a simple one, thanks to advice from our Longwood roofer.
Meeting with your contractor to make decisions on your home build can be exciting. Making all the design decisions makes your home feel personalized because everything is just how you like it. One decision you’ll need to make is what type of roof will be the perfect finish to your home.
Or, maybe you need a new roof on an older home, and you want to explore your options. How do you know what type of roof is best for your home? Advantage Roofing’s Longwood roofer breaks it down.
Should I Have An Asphalt Shingle Roof?
Asphalt shingles are a very popular choice of roofing materials. Nearly 90% of homes in the U.S. have asphalt shingles. This roofing material is durable, affordable, and easy for a Longwood roofer to install. Did you know that asphalt shingles can last up to 30 years and can be recycled to make pavement?
Manufacturers can mix asphalt with fiberglass and mineral composite to create a variety of colors like brown, green, gray, or blue. The downside of this type of roofing material is that the color will fade over time with exposure to the sun. They also aren’t as long-lasting as some of their roofing material counterparts, as you’ll see below.
Pros: inexpensive, readily available
Cons: color fades, not as long-lasting as other materials
Can I Use Tile Shingles On My Roof?
Although they’re not as popular in the U.S., clay tile roofs are extremely popular worldwide and date back about 5,000 years. Tile shingles are more expensive than asphalt, but they can last up to 100 years.
You will see more tile roofs in warmer climates like California and right here in Florida because clay roofing is incredibly fire-resistant and can withstand winds of up to 150 miles per hour.
Pros: beautiful and long-lasting
Cons: expensive to install and repair
What Are The Pros And Cons Of A Metal Roof?
Metal roofing has increased in popularity lately with the recent farmhouse trend. Metal roofs are a popular choice because the materials are affordable and easy to transport. Made of aluminum, zinc, copper, or steel, metal roofing comes in shingles or sheets/panels and is available in a variety of colors.
Metal roofs age beautifully and can last up to 80 years, so they are a good choice if this material matches your home design. Our Longwood roofer recommends adding sound-absorbing material to the roof to minimize noise from rain and wind.
Pros: affordable, long-lasting, available in a variety of colors, lightweight, recyclable
Cons: can be noisy, can warp with improper installation
Can I Have a Flat Roof On My Home?
Although flat roofs are typically thought of for commercial buildings, if you look around, you’ll see that they are quite popular on residential homes as well. A flat roof makes a great living space above a garage or on a rooftop.
Flat roofs have been around for centuries, especially in dry, arid climates where water runoff was not an issue. With the advent of waterproof materials and engineering a slight angled grade to allow for drainage, this type of roof increased in popularity worldwide.
In the U.S., flat roof design was all the rage with the mid-century modern architecture of the 1950s. And it’s back. Architects love flat roofs because of their unique style and because it bucks the norm of pitched roof design. Architect Duo Dickinson writes,
“In all of the new century’s cultural and professional changes, the flat roof may become more appealing than ever. Where once radicals gloried in rejecting the pandering banality of the pitched roof in favor of the “clean” box, now safely traditional Modernists hold onto the flat roof as validation of their professional credibility. To other architects at least.”
Pros: structural integrity, adds living space above a garage or build-out, cost-effective, heat-resistant
Cons: can leak if not properly installed and maintained
So Which Roof Is Best For My Home?
When thinking about what type of roof to have installed on your home, take into consideration your budget and your climate. Asphalt is popular, affordable, and easy to install. Tile is beautiful but costly. Metal is stylish but can be noisy. Flat roofs make an architectural statement. The decision comes down to your personal preference.
The good news is that the Longwood roofers at Advantage Roofing are skilled in installing and repairing all of these types of roofs. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and free estimate.