Benefits and Drawbacks of Different Roofing Materials
Your home is often your largest investment, and protecting that investment starts at the peak of your roofline. When you need to have a roof replaced, there are often a number of different options that you can consider, including shingles, metal, tiles, shakes, slate, composite (commercial), or green roofs. Some of these options are great for our area while others do not.
These different options seem mind-boggling at times, but when you understand the benefits and drawbacks of each type, you’ll have a much better idea of exactly which option is the best for your particular situation.
In this article, we’ll cover several popular roofing material options like asphalt, metal, wood and shake, and what Buffalo residents should consider about each when planning a new roof installation.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Different Roofing Materials
1. Asphalt Shingles
Benefits:
As the top roofing material in the United States, asphalt shingles are well known for their versatility. They offer economic affordability, a wide range of appearances and colors, suitability for most climates, and ease of installation and repair. These are some of the reasons why most homes are capped with quality asphalt shingles.
Drawbacks:
Those reasons provide a wide range of advantages, but what about the drawbacks of this type of roofing material? Asphalt shingles are also more susceptible to damage from weather, such as cracking or curling in extreme temperatures. They’re not the most earth-friendly, as many of the compounds can’t be recycled, and they also have a shorter lifespan of typically between 15 to 30 years.
2. Metal Roofing
Benefits:
Metal roofing is another popular option, especially for homeowners who expect to remain in their home for many more years. This type of roofing material is very durable, with a long lifespan, often lasting fifty years or more. It’s resistant to extreme weather, including rain, snow, and wind, and it’s also very energy-efficient and lightweight while being environmentally-friendly and completely recyclable.
Drawbacks:
However, for all the great reasons to go with metal roofing, it also has its drawbacks. Though it lasts a very long time, it has a high cost at the beginning, more than many homeowners are willing to tolerate. Without sufficient insulation or soundproofing, it can be noisy in hail or heavy rain, and it can dent, depending on the material used, with heavier gauges of metal being less likely to dent and lasting much longer.
3. Wood Shingles and Shakes
Benefits:
When you want a wonderful, natural home with a solid nod towards the environment, wood shakes and shingles are a great option to consider. They provide a unique aesthetic that works very well with a range of architectural styles, provides additional insulation for your home, and can be environmentally friendly if sourced properly. These advantages make wood shakes very popular in a number of areas in the country.
Drawbacks:
However, for the benefits, there are also some pretty serious drawbacks to consider. Because this type of roofing is natural wood, they can be prone to damage from insects, mold, and rot in humid climates. They often have higher maintenance needs and expenses to handle regular cleaning and re-sealing. Higher-quality wood can be more expensive, and unless you decide to go with a fire-resistant treatment, it can pose a fire risk to your home and family.
4. Slate Roofing
Benefits:
There’s a big reason why slates are the luxury roofing of choice for historic buildings! As one of the most durable roofing materials, slates can last over a century. They’re naturally fire-resistant and easy to maintain, while providing a beautiful, elegant finish for your home and increasing its value. Slate is also environmentally friendly, because it’s a natural material that can be recycled for other purposes, making it a great option for your green home.
Drawbacks:
Sounds wonderful, right? Unfortunately, as with all of our other roofing types, there are also drawbacks. Slates are also very expensive in terms of materials and installation labor. They make for a very heavy roofing system, requiring additional levels of structural support if your roof was not designed for it. They require specialized skills for repair if they are damaged, and they can have limited availability and higher transportation costs due to the weight.
As you can see, there are benefits and drawbacks to almost any type of roofing material in the western New York area. Finding the right roofing material option for your Buffalo home takes careful thought and planning, including consideration of aesthetics, replacement costs, ongoing expenses, and similar areas of concern.
Whether you know the exact type of roofing material you want for your roofing project or need help from a roofing professional to determine the perfect fit, the experienced professionals at AVA Roofing in Buffalo offer quality roofing material options for local homeowners and are here to help. Why not take a minute to reach out today and schedule your consultation with our friendly team?
