4 Considerations for Choosing the Right Roofing for Your Home

If you're renovating your house or if your home just needs a new roof, you might want to give your home a new look and choose a different type of roofing material. On the other hand, you may just want to compare different types of roofs so you get the best value for the money you spend. Here are four things to consider that may help with your decision.

1. You Want to Leave Your Original Roof Intact

If your home has a single layer of roofing material and you want to save money and have a new roof put over the old one, then you have to consider weight. Asphalt shingle and metal roofs are light enough that they can go over an existing asphalt shingle roof. Of course, your roofer needs to confirm that adding a new layer of roofing is suitable given the condition of your roof.

Slate, clay, and concrete tiles are much heavier and not usually suited for a second roof layer. These roofs can even be so heavy that your home might require additional structural support before adding the tiles.

2. You Want a Roof with a Long Life

Some roofing materials, such as metal, slate, and concrete, can last for several decades. If you invest in one of these roofing materials, you may never need to put a new roof on your home again. If you want to look to the future and save yourself from the expense of replacing a roof once you've retired, then a metal or tile roof might be the best option. The roof might be destroyed by a tree or bad storm, but tile and metal shouldn't wear out due to old age.

3. You Don't Have a Very Big Budget

If price is the driving factor behind your decision, asphalt shingles are probably the right choice. Shingles don't last as long as other types of roofing, but they cost less initially. The low price is one reason asphalt shingles are so popular. The basic builder's grade shingles are the most affordable, and they will protect your home from rain as long as you keep up with repairs and maintenance.

4. You Want an Attractive Roof

You can buy residential roofing that has an attractive and upscale appearance. Slate and copper are two examples, but these are also expensive roofing materials. It's possible to buy metal roofing that's less expensive yet molded to look like wood shakes or slate tiles. You can even buy steel roofing that mimics the look of copper. While these aren't exact replicas of the real thing, metal lookalike roofing can give your home a unique appearance while being affordable and needing little in the way of maintenance.

If you need new residential roofing, contact local roofing contractors. 


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