Any serious remodelling job requires a serious amount of work. There is just no other way around it. You need to make a choice, and it needs to be a good one at the beginning. Otherwise, you will end up with something that you simply don’t want, or can’t use. And trust us here – it’s a nightmare to go back.
One of these projects is setting up a new roof (or a roof in general if you’re working from scratch). With this in mind, we will be focusing today on the best roofing materials that you may need for your home. However, know that these can vary greatly, not only based on your budget but also where you are located. Your needs may be different, depending on whether you’re set in Hobart, or in Adelaide. We hope the article below will help you make a choice.
First things first
Now, let’s get a couple of things out of the way. First, you need to sit down and be completely honest with your budget. We would all, of course, want the best possible roofing materials that are both beautiful and that that can last for a century. Unfortunately, not everybody can afford this, but everybody does need a roof.
Next, you need to understand just how much time and effort can you invest in this project, whether you can do it yourself. Also, know that weather is a very important factor for roofing materials. If you’re, for example, set in Sydney, you need to understand that you need to get appropriate roofing materials for your climate.
Composite asphalt
First, we have composite asphalt roof shingles. Now, this the most popular roofing options out there. Made from an organic (or fibreglass) base, coated and saturated with asphalt for durability. Then, the exposed surface has elements of slate, quartz, ceramic granules, and schist in it, which help them with handling exposure. These are relatively easy and quick to install and are pretty cheap. However, they have their issues.
Namely, the average lifespan of composite asphalt shingles is somewhere between 15 to 40 years. This depends on the quality of the materials used, and how they have been mixed. So, of course, their durability will depend on the amount of money you are willing to invest.
Clay and ceramic tiles
Clay and ceramic tiles are very strong and durable. These can be made from either terracotta clay, or ceramic ones made from fired clay. This is usually set up by having tiles installed in an overlapping manner over the roof.
Now, this strength and durability come with a price. Namely, these tiles are very heavy and they require sturdy and strong roofing frames. Furthermore, they need to be installed by experts, DIY projects are out of the question.
Barring the odd crack, these can last for a hundred years. You won’t have to worry about decay or the slow falling off. However, cracks can and do happen, most often caused by humidity. Now, humidity depends on your location, but also the time of year. So you should know that contractors during months where humidity is high, like professional roofing contractors in Sydney during late summer for example, quite often have their hands full. Keep that in mind when making your choice.
As far as pricing is concerned, it can depend on the type of tile you get. Concrete is much cheaper than Spanish ceramic tiles, for example.
Wood Shingle
Wood shingle roofs are set up by having contractors place thin, wedge-shaped pieces of wood onto your home. Most often, cedar is used, sawed directly from logs. These are difficult to install and need to be handled by professionals.
Furthermore, while these are beautiful, they are not that durable. Usually lasting around 25 to 30 years, these have another issue – fire. Namely, any location that has seasonal wildfire issues should not have homes with wooden roofs. Still, know that if you maintain them properly, and if the climate is right, you can expect these roofs to last for almost 50 years.
Slate
Slate is the most beautiful and most expensive option on this list. Unlike clay or stone roofs which are made from moulding other materials, a slate is directly chipped and hewn from quarries. It is incredibly durable and can last for more than one hundred years. There are slate roofs that, with basic maintenance, have lasted for more than three hundred years. As long as your flashings are properly installed, and that you replace broken or missing plates, you will have a roof that lasts for generations.
Conclusion
Choosing the right roofing material is no joke. So, think about your budget, and how much time and energy you can invest in this. Get an understanding of whether your house can handle a certain type of roof, and whether the climate you are surrounded by is good for the right tiles. Then, make a decision.
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