The right roofing material does a lot more than just boosting your home’s protection against the local weather. It also sets the tone for your home’s overall appearance, enhancing its curb appeal while emphasizing your unique style. Thus, when making your choice for your roof replacement project, it is important to do your due diligence by considering several factors to meet your needs and expand the life expectancy of roofing materials.
Exploring roofing material options allows you to maximize your investment. As the leading residential and commercial roofing contractor in the area, we take pride in offering four of them. These are asphalt shingles, metal, tile and wood shakes.
Found in about 80% of all homes, asphalt shingle roofing is the most popular of all roofing materials available in the market today. They either use an organic or fiberglass base that is then saturated with asphalt on both sides. The underside becomes sticky in the hot sun, keeping them in place to form a watertight seal. The exposed side, meanwhile, is coated with granules that provide a durable layer of protection from rain, wind, and the sun’s ultraviolet rays.
Asphalt shingles are the roofing material of choice because of their relatively low cost, easy installation and countless design options. Many homeowners take on DIY installations, but to ensure their durability, longevity, and weather performance, these must be installed by professional roofing contractors. This is especially true for high-quality asphalt shingles from the top industry brands.
The expected service life of asphalt shingles depends on the quality of materials chosen. Three-tab shingles, for instance, have an average lifespan of about 18 to 20 years, if maintained properly. Architectural shingles, which are much heavier and offer a more sophisticated appearance, tend to have a longer lifespan. In fact, the ones manufactured by top brands like GAF and Owens Corning come with high-end warranties of up to 50 years.
Yearly maintenance helps asphalt shingle roofs reach their average lifespan. If you have trees around your home, be sure to trim them back to prevent dead leaves and branches from accumulating on your roof. Organic debris holds moisture over time, which could affect the roof’s inner layers. When cleaning the roof, a gentle stream of water from a garden hose is enough. Using a pressure washer dislodges the shingles’ protective granules, leaving “bald spots” on the roof surface.
Metal is often the preferred material for commercial roofing projects because of its strong, solid surface. The first ones sold had an industrial aesthetic, which is one reason why many homeowners didn’t prefer the material as their replacement roof. Decades of technological advances and manufacturing innovations later, metal roofing is now available in a wide assortment of colors, designs, and textures that look great in both residential and commercial properties.
Metal roofs have other advantages apart from being durable. For one, the material can reflect solar heat and reduce significant cooling costs, making it one of the most energy-efficient building materials. It is also 100% recyclable, which means new metal sheets can be manufactured using old metal roofs. Plus, it stands as a pillar of home safety because it doesn’t catch fire or spark. This makes the material the perfect choice in areas prone to thunderstorms and wildfires.
Perhaps the most important benefit when it comes to metal roofing is its longevity. Standing seam metal panels, which are the most common, have a lifespan of 30 years. Under optimal conditions and with proper maintenance, the material can last upwards of a half-century or even more. Maintenance involves checking the roof regularly to see if the fasteners and sealants are failing.
Tile, particularly the ones made of clay and concrete, is among the most beautiful and longest-lasting roofing material options available today. It is a favorite among discerning homeowners because of its attractive appearance and strong protective barrier. It tends to be more expensive than the previous two options above, it offers great long-term returns on investment in the form of increased overall property value and minimal maintenance.
As far as design goes, clay and concrete tiles are manufactured in different colors, styles, and profiles, including those that emulate wood and slate. It can also withstand fires, high winds, and hail better than asphalt shingles or metal. In fact, tile roofing boasts the lowest life cycle cost of any other roofing material, as evidenced by centuries-old tile roofs that still endure to this day.
The average lifespan of clay and concrete tiles is about 100 years or more when properly maintained. To ensure the roofing system’s longevity, each tile must be installed in overlapping layers over the underlayment and decking layers. The roof’s framing supports must be sufficient enough to hold the weight of all the tiles. Thus, the material should only be installed by skilled residential roofing contractors.
Tile pieces are susceptible to cracking, especially if the rooftop experienced unnecessary foot traffic. Avoid walking on tile roofs as much as possible, and only let the pros do maintenance work. Efflorescence could develop on terracotta clay tiles, though it can be removed using a clean, dry towel. A clear alkyd primer is used to coat the tiles and restore their sheen.
Like tile roofing, wood shake roofing has been around for centuries. The material’s aesthetic appeal and beauty make it the appropriate choice for older homes and those based upon historical styles. Unlike wood shingles that are machine-cut and tapered to achieve a crisp look, wood shakes are hand-split on one side, creating a more rustic appearance.
Wood shakes are sourced from various trees, including spruce and pine. Cedar, however, is the most popular due to its excellent durability. It tends to last longer because of the material’s natural ability to withstand strong winds, snow, heavy rain, and other inclement weather conditions. Thanks to natural preservatives present on the wood, cedar shakes can resist moisture, decay, rot, and insects.
High-quality wood shakes tend to last about as long as asphalt shingles. With proper maintenance, however, they can last 35 to 40 years. Because wood is a natural product, it is not uncommon for the roofing material to show signs of discoloration, warping, and splitting. Shake pieces with these blemishes should be replaced as soon as possible. The roof also requires periodic treatments to preserve the shakes’ appearance and at least minimize cracks and infestation of mildew and fungus.
Learn more about our options by calling any of the following numbers: (541) 241-5720 (Bend), (503) 967-9590 (Portland), (541) 246-6860 (Eugene), (503) 468-7663 (Lake Oswego), or (503) 928-8750 (Beaverton). You may also fill out our contact form to request a free estimate.
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