Are Asphalt Shingles the Right Choice for Your Home?

Whether you're starting from scratch and building a new home or you're replacing an existing roof, choosing the best roofing materials for your home is not only an aesthetic choice; it's also one of value. But just because asphalt shingles are the cheapest and easiest roofing materials to install doesn't mean they are the best choice for your home. Use this guide to roofing materials and make the best choice for your home-and your wallet.

Asphalt Shingles

Let's start with the basics-asphalt shingles. There are two basic types of asphalt shingles available: fiberglass and organic. Organic shingles are made from an organic substrate, commonly paper or cotton. This substrate is then coated with several layers of hot asphalt. Colored granules are then added to the surface of the shingle and it is allowed to bake in a kiln to cure.

Fiberglass shingles are a little more expensive due to their substrate being made from more costly fiberglass. Fiberglass can be cooked in a furnace at higher temperatures and longer, thereby creating a longer lasting shingle.

Pros-

• · Cheap
• · Easy to install
• · Recyclable
• · Multiple design options

Cons-

• · Short lifespan
• · Intolerant to extreme heat and cold
• · Cannot be used on a low pitched roof
• · Energy Inefficient

Metal Roofing

One of my all-time favorite options for roofing materials is metal roofing. It may be more costly than asphalt shingles, but it will last for many more years than other roofing materials. In fact, some metal roofing companies offer lifetime guarantees on their metal roofing products. What's more, metal roofing comes in a huge variety of colors and styles, allowing you to get the perfect roof to match your homes architectural style. Best of all, metal roofing can be pressed into different shapes, so if you're looking for a conventional shingle look, metal roofing can be formed into shingle shapes of all styles with ease.

Clay Tiles

While the look of clay tiles certainly isn't for every home, the value of the materials certainly can make them a very attractive choice. Clay tiles have a near as long of a lifespan as metal roofing and cost close to the same price. Clay tiles are also 100 percent recyclable. Some clay tile companies offer 100 percent post-consumer recycled tiles, giving you the opportunity to make your roof as ecofriendly as possible.

Natural Materials

Natural roofing materials like thatch, wood and slate have been in use for thousands of years. While wood roofing is commonly thought of as a material that needs constant care and maintenance, the fact of the matter is they can last for decades with just basic care and repair. Slate tiles not only add the natural look and elegant feel that only stone can create, they also can last for decades with just basic maintenance and few repairs.