Texas Homeowner Roof Styles & Options
Roofing is one of the most important investments you can make. Improper, aged or substandard roofing can lead to a host of other more expensive problems. If you are selling your property, a well-chosen roof can yield up to 75 PERCENT of a return on your investment.
The question is, what roofing to pick? …There are so many roofing choices on the market.
This page was written to inform you about a variety of roofing types for both commercial and residential buildings. We will be reviewing natural, asphalt, composite, metal and commercial roofing options. Armed with basic knowledge of what is available, you will be ready to narrow your search for the perfect roof (and contractor).
The Natural Roofing Choices
The most beautiful, long-lasting, and costly roofing choices on the market are naturally derived. Most other roofing options work toward imitating the following natural options:
• Wood shingles
Wood shingles can be comprised of many kinds of wood. However, hard woods such as redwood or cedar tend to have longer lifetimes. A quality hardwood roof can last up to 50 years. Many of the municipalities in South Texas have outlawed the use of wood shingles due to fire hazard. Even if you currently have wood shingles installed on your roof, check with your city government offices to see if you will be able to proceed with a new installation.
• Slate Shingles
If you are considering an American-made product, slate is an excellent option. It is quarried in the Northeastern United States and easily lasts up to 50 years. It has become popular for its earthy, yet refined, appearance. Slate is the most expensive roofing option on the market; however, the value it can add to your home, its durability, and longevity make it more cost-efficient in the long run.
• Tile Roofing
Tile shingles are a throwback to old Spanish architecture. They are generally comprised of whatever natural materials are in the immediate area. Thus, you can find slate, clay or any such variety of tiles on the market. With the exception of copper, tile is the most durable natural roofing option available, having a lifespan of up to 80 years.
• Rubber Roofing
Rubber roofing can be quite beautiful. It is the least expensive of natural roofing choices, and it is environmentally friendly. Rubber roofing is made from recycled tires, slate dust, and saw dust. With a lifespan of 75 years or longer, it rivals tile in longevity. Generally, rubber roofing comes with a 30-year guarantee, meaning it should need no shingle replacement for that timeframe. It is also common for rubber roofing to carry a lifetime warranty.
The Low-Cost, High-Quality Choices
Cost, durability and functionality can play a major role in your roofing choice. While the look of high-end natural roofing styles are nice, you need to be prepared for initial cost and upkeep. However, if you wish to have the look without the fuss, you might consider one of the following roofing choices:
• Asphalt Roofing
Asphalt roofing shingles are a widely used and trusted option. They are fairly inexpensive and have a clean, uniform appearance. Asphalt roofing is composed entirely of glass fiber mats that are saturated with asphalt and covered in granules. They tend to be lightweight and relatively durable.
• Architectural or Laminated Roofing
Architectural roofing is an asphalt type roofing ideal for homeowners, and commercial property owners, who would like one of the highest quality faux roofing options available. In the roofing world, they are where function meets style. Startling three-dimensional designs place architectural roofing in the realm of functional art.
Practical manufacturing processes have birthed varieties that resist mold and algae growth, insulate and deflect light. Be it the look of wood, tile or slate, architectural roofing has a host of varieties that can meet your needs at a practical cost. It is worth noting that architectural roofing shingles and traditional asphalt share many qualities in common— perhaps the largest variance is that traditional asphalt shingles lack the extreme visual impact of their high-tech counterpart.
• Composite Roofing
Composite roofing is comprised from recycled rubber, plastic or a combination of the two. Composites are far more durable than asphalt-based shingles. Warranties on composites can reach up to 50 years.
Composite roofing is stunning and cost efficient. Once installed, it is also virtually indistinguishable from the real thing. There is a huge market for composites, as such, the options range from LEED recognized brands, to ‘class A’ fire-resistant composites with a ‘class 4’ impact resistance rating.
• Metal Roofing
Metal roofing is a broad term that covers the styles and materials one can choose from when outfitting your roof with metal. We have come a long way with metal roofing design; there are various styles of metal roofing now available:
– Vertical Panels or Standing Seam
– Metal Shake
– Metal Tile
– Metal Shingle/Slate
Metal roofing can be found in a relatively diverse number of metals. There are older options— well known from childhood stories, like tin— and newer options such as aluminum and lead. However the two most commonly used on commercial and residential properties are copper and steel.
• Copper Roofing
Copper roofing is one of the oldest and most beautiful roofing options available. While the initial cost is considerable, the lifetime cost of copper roofing makes it far less expensive than almost every other roofing option. Copper roofs are literally known to last centuries with proper care. It’s highly resistant to the elements and never needs to be painted or finished. Copper roofing also improves with age, as the shiny warm color of new copper weathers out into a rich bronze as time passes. Copper is a relatively easy material to work with, so if your property has unique roofing angles, domes, turrets or gables, do not shy away. Beauty, practicality, durability and traditional luxury, embodied, are copper roofing.
• Steel
Steel roofing options can be broken down into 3 main categories:
1) Corrugated galvanized steel is little more than raw wrought iron steel coated with zinc. It is generally used in corrugated sheets and is one of the most common metal roofing types available.
2) Stainless steel is often chosen for its aesthetics. However, it serves a more functional purpose since it is best suited for harsher climates. It is most commonly available in seam profiles, but shingles are another, more decorative option.
3) Stone-coated steel was originally designed in World War II for use in reconstructing damaged buildings and increasing their safety.
It has a beautiful ceramic appearance and is created by using an emulsion coating of zinc and aluminum bound stone granules coated with an acrylic gel overlay. The coating is virtually impossible to remove and is extremely durable.
Metal roofs are making a major comeback because they are considered environmentally friendly. Most metal roofing carries a ‘class A’ fire rating and ‘class 4’ impact rating. Another bonus is they have an extremely long lifespan, and, depending on the metal, require little upkeep. The choice of a metal roof for your home or business is an excellent investment & can stylistically differentiate your property from the pack.