Understanding the Various Types of Roofing Materials

These days, many people are opting for luxury roofing for their homes. These roofs often look great and they add value to the home as well. Colonial shingles are one popular option as they can add a rustic feel to a home. Round asphalt shingles are another option that has been gaining steam. Rather than the traditional square cut, these shingles are, as you’ve likely guessed, round.

When it comes to residential roofing, standard asphalt shingles are still the mainstay. These shingles are typically affordable and durable. Of course, if you want your roof to last a long time, you’ll need to make sure that you work with a high-quality professional roofing company that doesn’t cut corners. Whether you opt for a black roof shingle or a luxury shingle roofing option, it needs to be installed with care and skill.

Ultimately, the roof is one of the most important parts of any building. Whether you’re getting a commercial or residential roofing solution, you’ll want to make sure you make the right choice. It’s smart to pay attention to local weather conditions and the like. Some roofs perform better in certain environments than others. Not sure what to select? It’s smart to talk with roofing contractors to source their opinions.



When people are feeling grateful for what they have in life they might utter the phrase, “As long as I have a roof over my head…” The roof is one of the most important parts of any building. They play a vital role in protecting the building from weather damage. Since they are so important to our standards of living, we want to make sure that we take good care of them. Hiring quality roofing services for installation and repair work is a great example of TLC. It is important to learn about the various types of roofing materials first.

Commercial vs Residential Roofing

Not all roofs are the same. Depending on the types of buildings, they have some different purposes and require different maintenance and repair work. There are various types of roofing materials that are unique to each type of roof. It is important to understand these differences so that you can be better equipped to take care of them.

Roofs related to businesses and other buildings you might find in your downtown city area are part of commercial roofing. They usually have a flat-top design. For commercial roofs, the design is rather irrelevant. The function is a much larger priority. These buildings are so tall, that the top of the roof is mostly obstructed from view. These roofs need to have more strength so that they can hold all of the structures and machines that are up there. Air conditioning units, communication machines, and electrical units are all stored on a commercial roof.

Asphalt roofing is one of the various types of roofing materials that commercial roofs are made from. These roofs need a strong material like this to hold the machinery safely. Metal is also a popular choice for a commercial roof. Since metal can rust, metal roofs should be protected with several protective layers. Some advantages of a metal roof include its durability and fire-resistant qualities. Due to its durability, it is more sustainable and good for the environment.

Due to the flat top design, you need to pay closer attention to the maintenance of commercial roofs. While rain and snow can slide right off a sloped roof, it can collect and pool on the flat surface of this roof. Business owners should find a quality roof cleaning service and schedule frequent appointments for a deep clean.

However, residential roofing is much different in both design and functionality. Since they are viewable, the design is a much bigger factor than it is for commercial roofs. Maintenance of the roof is not as intensive as a commercial roof since water does not pool on top. However, these roofs also endure wear and tear over the years. Afterward, the tiles will have to be replaced.

There are several different methods for tile replacement. To save costs, you can utilize the stacking tile method. Labor costs represent a significant portion of the budget. When you replace the tiles entirely, the crew will spend time removing the old ones. By just stacking the new tiles on top, they can cut down considerably on time. This can also work out to be an advantage for the roofing crew as well. The less time they spend on your roof, the more appointments they can make with other clients. It turns into a win-win situation overall.

There are many plus points for getting your roof tiles replaced or stacked. It will help with your homeowner’s insurance rate. The insurance company itself might request that you have your roof serviced. An unstable roof is susceptible to leakage. When a roof leaks, the water damage can be disastrous. Mold and mildew can develop. This presents several health risks for you and your family. These health risks could be even more heightened if someone has a respiratory ailment, such as asthma. Repairing a leaky roof is a costly job that could be prevented with proper due diligence.

Asphalt shingles remain the most popular among the various types of roofing materials. These shingles are noted for their strength and durability. Clay shingles are also among the most popular materials as well. Clay material roofs are noted for their long-lasting nature. They are also more environmentally friendly. Clay roofs, as well as concrete and slate materials, are known for their long-lasting nature. Manufacturers will even offer warranties as long as fifty years for their customers. They are built to last and require little maintenance. Leaking is very rare among tile roofs. They also come in many different colors and can match well with any type of home style. While tile roofs can be on the expensive side, the many distinct advantages make them a plus.

Single Ply Roofing

Single-ply roofing is one of the various types of roofing materials and is commonly used on low slope roofs. They use wide width sheeting and use fewer seams than an asphalt roof. Unlike asphalt roofs, single ply roofing does not require torches, making installation a much safer practice. The detailing accessories are prefabricated so that the installation process can run much more smoothly.

There are four basic system assemblies used in the single-ply roofing process. These are ballasted, mechanically attached, fully adhered, and metal retrofit. The ballasted roof system has a relatively easy installation. They are most often used in the construction of larger retail stores and warehouses. The membrane of the roof is usually held in place by stones or pavers. The ballast protects the membrane from the weather. The mechanically attached system is the most popular choice among commercial roofing and is considered an upgrade over the ballasted system. It is lightweight and maintenance is relatively simple. The roofs are held in place using plates and fasteners.

Fully adhered is the next system used in single-ply roofing. The fully adhered system is notable for its stability and the uplift protection it provides. This system is most popular among buildings in high elevations and in areas where high wind is a common occurrence. They use adhesives such as water and asphalt-based, bonding adhesive, and others. The last single-ply roofing system is the metal retrofit system. The benefits of this method include the savings you will incur. Removal can be costly so in the metal retrofit system, the roof is completely encapsulated over the old roof. The flutes are filled, the metal deck is covered in insulation and the membrane is installed at the top. This system will help you save money on your energy bill and it also prevents outside noise from bothering the people inside the building. If you are in the market for a commercial roofing installation, you should consider any of these methods while reviewing the various types of roofing materials.

Choosing the Right Roofing Company

When you require some roof repairs or installation, there are several important decisions that you will need to make. Conducting pertinent research is vital to finding any contractor. Recommendations from trusted friends, family, and colleagues is a great place to start. You might rely on these suggestions when finding the right electrician, plumber, or general contractor. The right roofer should be no different. If you value the opinion of these important people in your life, they hopefully will not steer you wrong. You can also visit a consumer review website to gauge the reputation of the company.

Reputation is an important factor in most people’s evaluation. If there’s a roofing company that has been around thirty or forty years, then you can surmise that they “must be doing something right.” Companies with poor business sense and/or shoddy work, no matter what industry they’re in, will likely not last long.

It is ok to feel a little picky with this decision. This is your home or business and you want to make sure that the work is well done. If you live in a small town you might not have much of a variety to choose from. The town may only have one roofing company. You might even find someone who is a combination “roofer, mechanic, plumber, etc.” This “jack of all trades” handyperson may not be the most reliable since they have so much on their plate. Consider going outside of the area to choose a roofer. There might be some high-quality roofers a few towns over. There can be some issues with this choice, however. Contractors generally include travel costs in your bill. The farther they have to travel, the higher rate will be. If you live too far away from their home site, they might outright refuse your request.

During this evaluation period, you should also visit the company website and ask them some questions to get a better sense of their methods. You can ask them about the various types of roofing materials that are available. These people are experts and most likely know a lot more than you when it comes to roofing. They can advise on which materials are best suited for your roof. They can also inform you about their methodology and practices. When the roofers come to work on your property, it is important to treat them with respect. Safety is the number one priority. Any experienced roofer should have their safety measures in place. You can help them out by providing them with cold water throughout the day. Roofers often work in the sweltering heat and hydration is a literal lifesaver. They should appreciate the gesture.

If you are looking for ways to save on this roof replacement or repair, talk with the company and they could help you. They could suggest the shingle stacking method to cut down on labor costs. The various types of roofing materials come at vastly different prices. The roofer can tell you which materials are more affordable. You should not, however, sacrifice quality for the cheapest material. If they have to be constantly replaced or repaired, then it will wind up costing you more. You can also save money by scheduling during the “off” periods of the year. Since roofing is an outdoor job, the spring and summer months are the busy times for them. During the fall and winter months, they are less busy, and they could offer some discounts. As long as there are no snowstorms, they should be able to work on your roof.

Roof Ventilation

Ventilation is also an important component in having a quality roof. If a roof is properly ventilated, it can extend its life over twenty years. Ventilation systems allow cooler air in and hotter air to flow outwards. When a home is not properly ventilated it will harm your roof. During the hotter months, the increased temperatures can affect the heated air. Overloaded air conditioners can ruin shingles and cause them to fall. This will lead to possible leaks. In the colder months, the heated air will mix with the vapors. This will eventually lead to mold and mildew. This can affect your roofing studs.

You can consult with the roofing company on the various basics of how to ventilate the roof and prevent these issues from arising. The repair work used to rectify these problems can be rather costly. By utilizing common sense and preventative measures, you will nip the problem in the bud. Intake and exhaust vents will help to properly ventilate your home or business. Intake vents help to reduce attic heat effectively. They can also prevent ice dams from forming on the various types of roofing materials. Soffit and fascia vents are two examples of vents. Exhaust vents are placed at the top of the roof. They provide an exit for hot air, heat, and moisture that is in the attic. All of these ventilation practices will help extend the life of the roof and save you money.

There are several important items to consider when choosing the right methods for roof repairs. The various types of roofing materials are a large part of it. You can consult with whatever company you hire and ask for their recommendations. Your home or your business help make you, you. It is important to take pride in them. By following some of these tips, you will leave a lasting impression.