5 Roofing Materials to Consider for Your Home

5 roofing materials to consider

Roofing Materials for Your home rarely ranks high on the list of fun and exciting home remodeling projects. But when your home leaks, your attitude can take a sharp turn. Suddenly, the prospect of a dry, well-sealed house begins to look very attractive. A beautiful new roof can also enhance the curb appeal of your home.

There are many types of roofing materials to choose from, and a little research might lead you to consider a new type of roof rather than simply replacing the same material you have now. Choosing the right roofing material requires you to weigh appearance, longevity, cost, and structural issues.

Here are 5 roofing materials to consider when it comes time to replace your roof.

Rolled Roofing

Rolled roofing material is the mainstay of low-slope residential roofs, as well as exterior buildings such as shops and sheds and other utility structures. Rolled roofs consist of long rolls of mineral impregnated and asphalt-impregnated material covered with mineral granules. Each roll has approximately 100 square feet of ceiling and approximately 3 feet wide.

These large format strips of thin roofing material offer a fast, convenient and inexpensive way to cover a building with a sloped roof such as a workshop where appearances are not important. Rolled roofs can be applied using the torch method or roofing nails.

Rolled roofs are relatively inexpensive, costing $ 1.50 to $ 2.50 per installed square foot. Rolled roofs last, on average, about 10 years before they need to be replaced.

Built-Up Roofing (BUR)

Built-up roofing (BUR) are one of the oldest material options for flat roofs or roofs with a very low slope. BUR systems are constructed of multiple layers of hot-applied asphalt-impregnated roofing felt. The felt is applied in overlapping layers to form a barrier two to four layers thick, then a layer of finely crushed stone is embedded in hot tar over the top to create a highly durable and impenetrable roof.

BUR roofs typically cost between $ 2.50 and $ 5 per square foot, installed. Industry surveys show that a properly installed BUR roof can last 20-30 years.

Membrane Roofing

Another option for flat or very low slope roofs is a membrane roof. There are several types of membranes that can be used, including:

Neoprene (polychloroprene)
EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer)
PVC (polyvinyl chloride)
Chlorinated polyethylene and chlorosulfonated polyethylene sheets
Polymer modified bitumens
One of the best membranes is EPDM. EPDM is a synthetic roofing material often referred to as “rubber roofing”. It is similar to rolled asphalt roofs in that it is applied in large sheets that limit the number of joints where water can infiltrate.

Costs for a membrane roof range from $ 3 to $ 4 per square foot, installed. The lifespan is usually 20 to 35 years when the roof is properly maintained.

Asphalt Composite Shingles

Asphalt composite shingles are the most popular roofing material in North America. Made from a fiberglass base covered with asphalt and mineral granules, these three-tongue shingles are a good choice for most home roofing needs. They typically come with a 20 to 30 year warranty, and replacing individual shingles that are damaged is a fairly easy job. Virtually all roofing companies are familiar with installing these singles. Composite shingles excel by flexing and adapting to the movements of a roof due to expansion and contraction.

Costs range from $ 1.50 to $ 3.50 per square foot, installed. Depending on the quality of the shingles and the conditions, the useful life of the roof can vary from 12 to 30 years.

Standing Seam Metal Roofing

The most common type of metal roof is the vertical joint roof, so named because the aluminum or steel roof panels meet at raised joints that interlock to keep moisture out. Metal roofs of all kinds are becoming more popular in regions with heavy snowfall or where there is a significant danger of forest fires, as it is a completely fire-retardant roofing material.

Metal roofs last long and are fully recyclable when they finally wear out. But installation requires special skills, and not every roofing company is ready to install a standing seam metal roof.

Costs typically range from $ 6 to $ 12 per installed square foot. Metal roofs typically last 30 to 50 years, but some have been known to last 75 years.