Roofs come in many different styles, shapes, and materials. At this point in time, asphalt shingles are easily the most popular kind of roof. Asphalt shingles are the black and gray speckled shingles that feel like sticky sandpaper. It’s very likely those are the shingles you have on your house. There are a lot of advantages to these, but there are some pretty pronounced disadvantages for yourself and for the environment. If you’re looking for an alternative, cedar shake is pretty popular. Metal roofs are also available; they’re more popular in rural areas than anywhere else, but they have some advantages as well. It can be hard to choose. What do roofing contractors have to know about the different kinds of roofs?
Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt shingles are most notable because they are inexpensive and widely available. If you are trying to save money on your roof installation, you should go with asphalt shingles. They’re so inexpensive that contractors tend to put them on the roof and then cut them down to the size needed. They just discard the unused shingles. Those shingles, a petroleum product, tend to build up in landfills. Every discarded or unused shingle represents more fossil fuels being extracted from the ground and more fossil fuels being burned. Asphalt shingles are inexpensive, but they’re maybe not the best for the environment. These are the way to go if price is your number one concern.
Cedar Shake
Cedar is another very popular choice. Cedar is an attractive reddish color when you first apply it to a roof. After a couple years of weathering, it tends to turn a grayish color that’s actually pretty attractive. Cedar is a great choice since it is a renewable resource and not a fossil fuel. More cedar trees can always be grown. However, cedar costs a little bit more than asphalt shingles and requires more upkeep or replacement. Cedar might be the best choice if you’re concerned about using fossil fuels or if you want that classic cedar look for your roof.
Metal Roofs
While most people think of tin roofs on rainy days, metal roofs are for more than just carports and country homes. They are some of the most popular homes because they are incredibly durable, long lasting, and trustworthy. Roofing contractors have been finding that more and more people are turning to metal roofs because they don’t want to replace their roof every decade or two. There are some metal roofs on homes in Europe that have lasted over one hundred years. Metal is also fireproof and heat resistant. It’s more expensive than asphalt shingles but you don’t have to replace it very often. If your primary concern is durability and longevity, a metal roof is going to be your best bet.
