What to Look for in a Roof – There are many factors to consider when selecting a roof including:

How long will it last? Does it hold up during natural disasters such as wildfires or hurricanes? Is it too heavy for the existing roof framing? Does the roof have enough slope? Will the look complement the style of the house? Are the materials eco-friendly and recyclable? Is the type of roofing allowed by local building codes? And finally, how much does it cost?

What is the most affordable roof style?

Architectural and Three-Tab – Architectural asphalt shingles are individual tiles that are thicker than three-tab to create a layered, durable texture on your roof. The higher quality material and longer installation make architectural shingles more expensive.

What is the most common residential roof?

Top 6 Roofing Materials Updating your existing roof allows you to add value to your home and communicate your home’s look and feel. While roof framing, preparation and proper installation are always important, the material you choose for your roof can bring the exterior of your home to the next level.

How heavy is this material and will it require special framing? Is the material available in a variety of colors and styles that complement your home? Does the material meet the fire codes in your local area? Are there special installation and maintenance issues to consider? Does this material offer good performance in extreme weather conditions that are common in your area? What is the cost, life span and warranty for this product?

The answers to those questions will help you determine the best choice for your home. There are lots of options for roofing materials available and here is a rundown of some of the most popular ones. Getty Images; JamesBrey The most common residential roofing material used in the United States, asphalt shingles are popular because they are economical and easy to install.

These shingles can be reinforced with fiberglass or organic materials (cellulose) without changing the appearance of the shingle. Pros: Asphalt comes in a variety of colors, is widely available and is one of the least expensive materials. Cons: Asphalt has a shorter life span than other roofing materials, doesn’t provide the insulation other materials offer, and the quality varies.

House Styles: Asphalt shingles work with many architectural styles, especially traditional suburban styles. Cost and Life Span: Prices range from $70 to $120 a square and, if maintained properly, shingles will last 20 to 25 years. Getty Images; irabassi Clay and concrete tiles add texture and elegance to a roof.

Genuine flat, ribbed or scalloped clay tiles are extremely durable but also very heavy, and must be installed by a professional. Concrete tiles are versatile and are less expensive than genuine clay, but also have a heavy weight. Pros: Clay and concrete tiles are long-lasting and non-combustible, and concrete tiles are energy efficient.

Cons: Clay and concrete tiles are expensive, heavy and usually require additional framing. House Styles: Clay and concrete tiles work well with Mediterranean, Mission, Southwestern and Spanish-style homes. Cost and Life Span: Prices start around $300 to $500 a square and, if maintained properly, tiles will last around 40 to 50 years.

Metal roofs are resistant to extreme weather conditions. Available in two types, panels and shingles, metal roofs come in aluminum, copper, stainless steel and zinc. “They’re sleek, lightweight, long-lasting and recyclable, and something to consider if you’re interested in rainwater harvesting,” says architect Amy A.

Alper. Pros: Metal roofing is durable, lasts longer than asphalt or wood, and offers high solar reflectance. Cons: Metal roofing is relatively expensive. House Styles: Metal looks great on bungalows, cabins, contemporary and cottage-style homes. Cost and Life Span: Prices usually start around $100 to $300 a square, but some styles can cost $600 to $800 a square.

Metal roofing can last 40 to 75 years. Getty Images; DGLowrie Offering lots of beauty and a distinctive elegant appearance, slate colors include shades of black, green, grey, red and purple. Pros: Slate is very durable, fire-resistant and a sustainable roof that can be recycled. Cons: Slate is expensive, heavy, and requires extra framing and professional installation.

The quality can vary with imported slate. House Styles: Slate works well with Colonial, European and French chateau homes. Cost and Life Span: Prices start at about $600 a square and up. Slate can last more than 50 years and sometimes 100 years or more.

Photo courtesy of DaVinci Roofscapes The go-to roofing choice for hundreds of years, many homeowners love the look of wood shingles and shakes and how they weather to an attractive shade of gray. Wood shakes are handmade and rougher-looking than wood shingles, which are usually cut by machine. If you live in a fire-prone area, look for Class A fire-rated wood roofing products that include shingles treated with a fire-resistant coating.

Pros: Wood shingles offer a rustic look and are a natural product usually made from cedar, redwood and southern pine. Cons: Fire codes in some areas prohibit use. Wood shingles can be a concern in wet climates, and can mold, split or rot. House Styles: Shake’s rustic aesthetic pairs well with bungalow, Cape Cod, cottage, Craftsman and Tudor-style homes.

• Cost and Life Span: Prices start at around $100 to $150 a square and will last around 25 to 30 years.
• Getty Images; WichitS There are now synthetic roofing products, including rubber, plastic and polymer roofing, developed to give you the color, look and texture of natural materials like slate and wood.

These products are designed to be strong and easy to maintain. Some of these materials are fire-resistant. Make sure to check with the manufacturer and inquire about warranty information. The National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) suggests you look at full-size samples of the synthetic product and the manufacturers’ brochures.

“Look for installations that have been in place at least 10 years to see what the wear characteristics of that material are in your area,” says Bollnow. Pros: Synthetic roofing is often not as fragile, heavy or expensive as natural products. Cons: Some of these products can absorb water and the quality varies.

Newer products aren’t as time-tested as traditional materials. House Styles: Synthetic roofing products work with different architectural styles. Cost and Life Span: Prices start at about $300 a square, and are warrantied for up to 50 years. We’re sorry, there seems to be an issue playing this video. : Top 6 Roofing Materials

What type of roof is best in Arizona?

Shingle Roofing – Shingle roofing is popular because they last longer than most kinds of roofing. Contractors and architects recommend shingle roofing because of its various designs and patterns that help make the roof of your house appealing. There is no other type of roofing that has more choices than shingle roofs.

What type of roof adds the most value to a home?

Metal roof replacement – A new metal roof will increase your home value by about $28,196, according to the Remodeling report. While this is a larger increase than the asphalt roof replacement, you’ll also pay a lot more. That leaves you with an estimated return on investment of 54.8%, according to the report.

What roof shape is the most energy-efficient?

According to the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources Building Guide, flat or low-sloped roofs often demonstrate better energy efficiency because of differences in insulation. Generally, these roofs have a membrane system, which is applied on top of sheets of rigid insulation.

What roofing style is best?

Hipped Roofs – Where gable roofs have two sides that meet to form a ridge, hipped roofs have four. A hipped roof is the most stable roof style because weight is evenly distributed around its base. Additionally, its shape is more resilient against high winds and heavy rains, making it a great option for people that live in areas where severe storms are common.

What is the average lifespan on a roof of a house?

The average lifespan of a roof usually ranges between 25 to 50 years. However, a roof’s life expectancy ultimately depends on the quality, durability and type of material chosen.

How often should you replace roof in Arizona?

Shingle roof – 20-50 years (depending on the quality of the shingles) Foam flat roof – 25-35 years. Shake roof – Up to 30 years.

Does a new roof increase home insurance?

How Much Will a New Roof Lower My Home Insurance Premium? – A new roof can lower your home insurance premium anywhere between 5% to 35% depending on building materials, location, and carrier. Most homeowners can expect to see their home insurance policy premium by 20% after replacing their roof.

What is the difference between a 20 year and 30 year roof?

Are you in the market for a new roof? Do you need to figure out what roof is going to work the best for your home ? Trying to decide which roof is the best can be confusing for some, but it doesn’t have to be as difficult as one might think. Once you have an understanding of the differences between the shingles, you can make an informed decision on which way to proceed.

Most of the 25-year shingles are a 3-tab shingle that has been out for quite some time now. You might want to think twice about using these particular shingles on your home. To help you understand why, consider this. Most of the architectural shingles aren’t going to cost you that much more to install.

Plus, the 3-tab shingles are also more susceptible to wind damage and being ripped from your roof. You will find that the majority of different architectural shingle brands come in three different grades. They offer the shingles in either 30-year, 40-year or 50-year grades.

1. On average, you can expect a 30-year shingle to last around 25 years.
2. On the other hand, the 40 and 50-year shingles are going to last you around 30 years on average.
3. You have to consider how much wear and tear your shingles are taking from the elements.
4. Most of the time, manufacturers assume you are going to move out of the home before your 30 years hit.

In terms of functionality, the longer the shingles are supposed to last, the thicker they are going to be. Shingles that are expected to last 30, 40 or 50 years are going to be thicker than 20-year shingles. Those extra granules put into the shingles will provide them with more thickness to help protect your roof more.

How often should you replace a roof?

In general, this is the recommended replacement schedule based on the material used: Composition Shingles: 12-20 years. Asphalt Shingles: 15-30 years. Wood Shingles: 20-25 years.

What is the most wind resistant roof?

Metal roofing – Metal roofs might not be the most attractive choice to some homeowners, but it’s the safest, most secure option available. Living in a hurricane-prone area like Florida requires being prepared for high winds. A metal roof can weather hurricane-force winds up to 160 mph, making it the most wind-resistant solution.

What is a Class 4 roofing system?

How Do Roofing Shingles Qualify for a Class 4 Rating? – Back in the mid-1990s, after a series of catastrophic hail storms across the U.S., the roofing industry developed a test to evaluate their products’ resistance to impact. This standardized test is known as the Underwriters Laboratory 2218 (UL 2218), and is also nicknamed “the steel ball test.” Based on the results of this test, UL assigns one of four ratings to a shingle, with Class 4 being the highest possible rating.

• During this testing method, a steel ball is dropped from a specified height onto an installed roofing shingle several times.
• The shingle is then turned over and inspected for any breaks or cracks that could potentially allow water to leak through.
• To receive a Class 4 rating, a roofing shingle must withstand having a 2-inch steel ball dropped multiple times from a height of 20 feet.

For more perspective, if this same test is repeated on a 4-inch concrete paver, the force of the steel ball would crack the paver in half. While Class 4 is the highest rating for impact resistance, there are also lower ratings a shingle can receive, such as Class 3 and Class 2.