What is the Best Material for Roofing?

Choosing the right roof for your home isn’t an easy decision. Whether you are choosing to build your home from scratch, or you are choosing a replacement roof for the home that you already have, you need to know which roof types make sense for your home.

The variety of roof types on the market can be alarmingly broad, and while you could have your head spun by phrases such as terracotta tile, composition shingle, single-ply membrane, and standing seam metal, a reputable roofing company can help you to decide which roof is the best choice for your home. The material won’t just depend on the shape and pitch of your roof, but also the climate in which you live and your budget.

For example, rooftops that have to deal with prolonged hot weather need to be able to withstand the constant battering of extreme heat. If your roof degrades in the heat, you’re looking at cracking and breaking down over time, and this is something that you should try to avoid. Terracotta (clay) and ceramic tiles are popular choices for hot weather because of their ability to stand up against extreme heat. Some are also curved in shape, which keeps the interior of a home cool.

On the flipside, when the climate stays cool and dips below freezing for a significant portion of the year, you need to have a roof that can withstand those temperatures. Concrete tile roofs are perfect for areas of heavy snowfall, as the tiles can support the extra weight brought on by the snow. Concrete tile is costly and needs a solid truss system to hold its weight, but a tile roof can last decades, requiring only maintenance and tile replacement as individual tiles break from foot traffic and other impactful events. Rooftops made of asphalt shingles are also perfect for cooler weather, as they hold up very well in the extreme cold and are relatively inexpensive.

Perhaps the holy grail of all roofs, which does excellent under all weather conditions and can last for well over 50 years, is the metal roof. There are several options here as well, like steel tiles and exposed fastener panels, but perhaps the most durable choice which will outlive most of its occupants is the standing seam metal roof. You might also hear it referred to as vertical seam or hidden fastener metal. Essentially, it’s a roof made of continuous steel panels laid side by side and joined together by crimping and folding their adjoining seams. A “snap-lock” version is also available, which does not require crimping and simply uses friction to snap the panels together. Below the seams, the panels are attached to the roof deck with screws, but these are not visible.

In some extreme winter environments, many roofing companies will attach the valleys with visible screws to better keep out moisture from snow. This system of tightly seamed metal roofing panels makes for a virtually impenetrable roof cover that can withstand the most extreme weather conditions. Standing seam metal roofs require very little maintenance over the years and very often outlive the people who installed them. As you drive around a large city you will notice that many commercial buildings with pitched roofs use standing seam metal because of their longevity, beauty, and low maintenance.

If your roof is completely flat then neither tiles, shingles nor metal will do. For a roof with zero pitch, you need a seamless solution. Single-ply membranes provide that solution because they are rolled out onto a flat roof in 5 to 10 foot wide sections and are then glued or heat-welded together to provide a virtually seamless layer over your roof deck. They are made of various types of synthetic materials like modified bitumen (“torch down,” among others), TPO (thermoplastic polyolefin), PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and EPDM (synthetic rubber). A roofing expert with experience in flat roofs, like those found at Deschutes Roofing & Insulation, can recommend the right single-ply material for your particular needs.

To summarize, here is a synopsis of the roof material choices already discussed:

Asphalt or Composition Shingles

These are the most commonly used roofing materials for steep slope residential roofing, and they vary in quality. You have to be careful with the quality of this one as it can make the difference with how often it needs replacement. Typically in a moderate climate, they can last from between 20 to 40 years, depending on their quality and composition. In extreme environments with rough winters and hot summers, they may last as little as 15 to 30 years. The advantage to composition shingles is their economy and availability. Also, these days the manufacturers have come up with some very impressive designs and colors that will look great on any home.

Clay, Ceramic or Cement Tiles

An excellent choice for extreme cold and hot environments, tiles made of clay, ceramic or cement have excellent insulative properties. For areas with high snow loads, cement tiles can provide excellent protection. Just be sure your roof trusses are able to handle the load of both the heavy cement tiles and the snow together. Tile roofs can last decades, but they do require regular maintenance as individual tiles crack or break. It is recommended that you store plenty of extra tiles for replacement because some tile models go out of production and become nearly impossible to find when you need them.

Standing Seam Metal or Steel Panels

Metal roofs made of crimped steel panels make for some of the most durable and beautiful roofs money can buy. In the long term, they are more economical than even asphalt shingle roofs because they can easily last over 50 years with relatively little maintenance. While the standing seam variety is the most durable choice, exposed fastener panels and steel tiles are also great choices.

Single-Ply Membrane Roofing

Single-ply membrane roofing products are used on flat roofs, which means they have no pitch or incline. These are mostly used on commercial buildings but are becoming more common for residential homes as modern style flat roofs become more popular.

If you need assistance in choosing the right roofing materials, contact Deschutes Roofing & Insulation for more information at (541) 241-5720. We’ve been roofing Bend Oregon and the surrounding areas for years.