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3 Things to Consider When Choosing the Right Roofing Material for Your Home
Your roof is your home’s first line of defence against the elements; that’s why making your home last means installing the right roofing material. Like anything in the material world, endless options are available in the market, making it challenging to pick the right one.
Whether it’s metal, polymer, clay tile and even slate roofing; the ultimate goal should be to have a long-lasting, leak-free roof that also looks good.
What You Need to Consider
When deciding, use the following factors and questions as your main guide:
• Appearance
Form is one of the many reasons people pick one type of material over the other. And indeed, when it comes to aesthetics, each type of roofing has its distinct look and touch. Go for something that reflects your home’s architectural built or exterior finish. For example, a Mediterranean type home will benefit and be greatly enhanced when paired with a Spanish tile roof as opposed to, say, wood or metal.
Questions to ask yourself:
- What is my home’s architectural style?
- What type of colour tone would look great against my existing landscape, exterior paint or home personality?
• Cost
A hot topic for many, cost and expenses are a huge factor when deciding. Costs are dependent on the type used and can range from relatively affordable to super expensive. Remember, apart from the cost per square feet of the substance, there are other expenses as well. For instance, let’s say you decide to install slate shingles for your Sydney home. You’ll need to factor in expenses for installation and additional items like lead roof flashing as well.
Questions to ask yourself:
- What other requirements would I need in terms of installation or even maintenance?
- Will the cost be worth it in the long run?
- If the end item is too expensive, is there an alternative yet similar item that’s much cheaper?
• Durability or Longevity
Factoring in longevity and durability is a wise approach when deciding on your roofing. Some homeowners end up spending a lot of money on a roof because of poor choice of materials. There are owners who opt for asphalt shingles or composition roofing because they are inexpensive. However, if this requires you to replace them after just a couple of years then you’re actually wasting money. Investing on more durable materials like slate is better. Slate is one of the sturdiest out there, some of them even last for centuries, hence heritage homes often still have good condition heritage tiles that can be used for years.
Questions to ask yourself:
- What is the most durable type of roofing material that fits my budget?
- If I settle for a cheaper alternative, would I be willing to spend again if it unexpectedly starts having problems?
- What type of warranty will I get if I settle for this type?
It’s a good idea to gather 2 or 3 types to consider. Once you have the answers to these questions and have made your decision, it’s time to do a bit of research on the pros and cons of your candidates. Taking time to consider these will help you land the best material to work with for your roofing.