The roof of your custom home significantly affects how it appears, feels, and lasts as well as how much it costs. Your homeowner’s organization may have rules governing the color, style, or pitch of your roof as well as the kind of materials you are permitted to use. If not, you can educate yourself on the many products available and select the best roofing material for your home.
You have more alternatives than ever thanks to the development of roofing materials over time.
Roof Design and Material Selection Based on Requirements
Several factors determine the type of roofing material you should consider for your home.
- The architectural style of the house has an impact on how your roof is constructed. The majority of varieties have various roof lines and materials as part of the overall aesthetic.
- Homeowners associations usually recommend common roof colors and materials. Community covenants and laws may place restrictions on the use of a particular type of roofing material or the color of your home. Local building codes specify rules for fire and weather safety, as well as occasionally for energy efficiency or the use of sustainable materials.
- The façade of your house should blend in with the surrounding area, and the color of your roof should match. Some hues are also regarded to be better energy-efficient color choices.
- The roof rating takes into account the expected roof lifespan under normal wear and tear as well as the energy efficiency of the roof as measured by color, reflectance, emittance, and the sustainability of the material.
- The use of a certain type of roofing material may be determined by the local environment and climate, particularly the amount of precipitation and humidity.
- The type of roof you install on your home may also be influenced by your specific budget. Consider how long and durable your roof will endure if you have some extra cash because replacing a roof is an expensive undertaking that you may not want to do frequently.
- Before deciding on the roofing material you want to use for it, be sure it conforms to local standards AND blends well with the aesthetic and architectural style of your property.
Roofing Materials There are many different roofing material options available. The most well-liked ones are listed below, ranked from highest to lowest price.
Asphalt And Asphalt-Based Shingles
Asphalt and asphalt composite shingles are the most widely used and least expensive roofing materials. It is typically made from recycled paper that has been saturated in asphalt and covered in granules, or from a fiberglass basis that has been covered in asphalt and mineral granules. It is frequently used and available in a variety of hues. While regarded to be easy to construct and maintain, asphalt roofs can be fortified with organic materials or fiberglass to increase their longevity.
Pros:
- They are not only easily replaceable, affordable, and generally available, but also come in a range of colors.
- When painted in lighter colors, asphalt shingles can reflect light to improve a home’s energy efficiency. Certain shingles may emit light in addition to lowering energy needs.
- If you select fiberglass shingles, which are regarded to provide excellent fire protection, you can be eligible for a reduction on your homeowner’s insurance.
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.
- They are not thought of as sustainable, despite the fact that they can be recycled. 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 woods 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 homeowners 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 homes, numerous synthetic materials were created.
Pros:
- Performance testing on synthetics have yielded excellent results.
- Up to 50 years’ worth of warranties are 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:
- The 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 in correctly 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 homeowner’s 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.