The roof is the most important part of any home. A leaky roof can cause water damage and other problems, not to mention the constant annoyance of hearing rain on your head when you’re trying to sleep or watch TV! Luckily, there are many options for shingles that will protect your home from leaks and make it look great.
Slate shingles
Slate shingles are made from natural slate. They have beautiful, unique patterns that add a touch of elegance to any home. They are also very durable, lasting up to 130 years! However, they do not come cheap; you can expect them to cost a little more than most other options. If your home is in the country or a rural area where it rains often and there isn’t much traffic on your street, then this may be the perfect choice for you.
Asphalt shingles
Asphalt shingles are the most common type of roofing material used today. Roofs like these last anywhere from 20-50 years depending on how well cared for they are and what kind of wood and nails were used to construct the roof. Roofs made with nails that are no more than 1” long will last longer than those made with larger nails. Roofs built with high quality wood, like redwood or cedar, tend to last longer as well; however, these types of wood tend to be more expensive and may raise your overall roof repairs cost.
Wood shingles
Wood shingles are a popular choice on ranch style homes and other older architecture. Roofs like these last about 45 years, which is significantly less than the average asphalt roof’s life expectancy. However, wood shingles tend to be much cheaper than their asphalt counterparts. They also look great when maintained properly; not many people can say they don’t enjoy the weathered gray look of a roof that has been cared for!
Tile shingles
Tile shingles are the perfect option if you want to give your home a fresh new look. Roofs like these take a long time to install and will likely cost more than other options, but the unique shape of each tile makes them well worth it. Hand crafted tiles can also be very expensive, so it is usually best to go with machine made varieties for your roof.
Metal Roofing
Metal roofs are one of the most durable types out there! Roofs like this have an average life expectancy of 70 years, which is much better than asphalt! However, metal roofs do not come cheap and installation can be costly as well. They are not a good choice for older homes that cannot handle extra weight on top of their roofs.
Cedar Roofing
Cedar roofs are also some of the best out there. Roofs made with cedar last upwards of 50 years before they need to be replaced! Cedar shakes look great on homes and can add curb appeal to any house. Roofs like these are not cheap, however; you will likely have to purchase them from a specialty company. They should cost about the same as slate roofing but may end up costing more if you hire someone else for installation.
