A roof is the most important part of your home, and it’s what keeps you dry when it rains. A leaky roof can cause major problems for your family like mold growth and water damage that could take years to repair. It’s worth considering how much a new roof will cost before there are any leaks, but if you already have a problem, don’t hesitate to find roofers lexington ky as soon as possible. Here are some common materials used on roofs today:
Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt shingles are the most common type of roof on a house. What makes it so great is that it’s very economical and easily replaced when damaged or worn out. The different grades available allow you to choose between economy and quality as well. Because asphalt is so light, it can be installed with no problems and will last for years if properly maintained.
Asphalt shingles come in many colors these days, which adds a bit of individuality to your home while adding protection against sun rays at the same time. They’re easy enough to clean with a broom or even with a hose sometimes, though you probably want them professionally cleaned occasionally to restore their beauty and keep them looking nice. While this may not be the best option if you have a deep, steep roof slope, asphalt still has its benefits.
There are some drawbacks to asphalt shingles, however. Its thin profile means that there’s not a lot of material available to protect your home from hail damage. Special roof coatings albuquerque nm can be applied in order to strengthen it against this threat, but they’re costly and don’t really do much against lightning strikes or high winds either.
Light Colored Tile
If you love the look of ceramic tile and want something on your roof that will give it a real Mediterranean feel, then light-colored tiles may be an ideal choice for you. They come in just about any color you could imagine to match your surroundings perfectly while giving your home protection from the sun.
Tile roofs are very durable and long-lasting, but they may be a bit more expensive to install and maintain than other types of roofing materials. The material is quite heavy so if you have any high or steeply sloping areas on your home, this may not be the best choice for you. It’s also subject to hail damage just like asphalt shingles, plus it can crack from temperature changes and very strong winds.
Because tile roofs are made of many individual tiles that make up a large picture as a whole, there could be some issues with weathering after time. Some tiles will naturally break off while others get worn down by wind or small rocks blowing around that hit them over time. They need to be professionally maintained at least every ten years, and damaged tiles should be replaced as soon as they’re noticed.
Slate Roofing
If you want real protection from the elements, then slate is the way to go. This type of roofing material can withstand heavy rains and strong winds without any problems. It’s also long-lasting, which means it’ll keep your home dry for many years before you need to replace it or have it professionally cleaned. Slate also comes in very attractive colors that give your home a unique look while protecting it against ultraviolet light, hail damage, and extreme heat too.
Slate may not be suitable if you live in an area with extremely high temperatures often since this could cause expansion which will require extra support to hold it in place. It’ll also be a bit tricky to install if you have uneven areas on your home, so removal will almost certainly be necessary for the process.
Slate roofs are definitely more expensive than asphalt or tile roofing grant county in materials, but they’re much longer-lasting and can withstand just about any element thrown at them. They can sometimes cost double what other types of roofing materials cost though, which is why you really need to consider this before making a purchase or hiring someone to install it for you.
Wood Shakes
Wood shakes have always been a popular choice amongst homeowners because they’re so beautiful and unique looking. They can be installed in almost any color or style you want, so they make the perfect accent for your home. Aside from that, wood is naturally very durable so it comes with some great weatherproofing abilities against sun rays, strong winds, hail damage and even fire.
Just like tile roofing materials though, the weight of these shakes may be too much for certain areas of your home so removal may be necessary to install them properly. Another factor to consider is that wood isn’t quite as long-lasting as other types of roofing material either; it will begin to break down after 13 years on average no matter what kind you use.
Wood shake roofing material is very expensive, especially if you have it installed by a professional. It’s also much heavier than other types of roofing materials which could cause problems with the structure of your home and the weight limit of your gutters as well. You’ll need to make sure that you can handle this type of maintenance on your own or hire someone to help with replacing damaged shakes before making a purchase.
