Frequently Asked Questions about Roofing Materials
1. What are the pros and cons of metal or steel roofing?
Like all other roofing materials, metal roofing has its own advantages and disadvantages; here is a list of the pros and cons of metal roofing:
Pros
- Flexible, can be made to resemble other roofing materials
- Durable
- Almost maintenance-free
- Fire retardant
- Energy efficient
- Lightweight
- Recyclable
- Can be installed over existing roofs
Cons:
- Complex, needs to be installed by professionals
- Can be quite costly to install
- More expensive than most other roofing materials
- Its life span can be quite short in salt laden atmospheres
- Can be noisy when it rains or there is hail
- Easily damaged by flying debris and hail
2. What are common types of roofing?
Roofs are one of the most visible parts of the house. They also take a battering from the sun over time. There are different types of roof and the most common types of roofing materials used are:
- Asphalt shingles – the most popular roofing used in America today. They can be reinforced with either fibreglass or organic shingles with the former being more popular.
- Wood shingles or shakes – They are usually made out from cedar.
- Tile – it is a durable roofing material but can get quite expensive.
- Metal – Several types are available like the flat locked copper. Metal roofing can be broken down into two groups, the architectural and the structural.
3. What are the pros and cons of slate roofing?
Made from shingle like thin slices of rocks, the slate roofing is a beautiful roofing material found in glamorous homes. They offer great benefits as well as some setbacks. Here are their pros and cons.
Pros:
- Long lifetime
- Fire retardant
- Not much maintenance needed
- Doesn’t rot
- Wide variety of selections in terms of size and colors
- Very natural looking
- Can be laid out in a variety of patterns
Cons:
- Costly compared with other roofing materials
- Heavy
- Complicated roofing maintenance
- Needs extra support resulting to more costs
4. What are the pros and cons of tile roofing?
Tile roofing is now available in two different types, Clay tiles and Concrete tiles. Both of them has their own pros and cons. Here is a listing of their pros and cons.
Clay Tile
Pros:
- Looks great for modern looking homes and provides a clean look.
- Has long life term
- Doesn’t require much maintenance
- Cant be damaged by insects
- Doesn’t rot
- Comes in a variety of colors and styles
- Is fire retardant
Cons:
- It is fragile and breaks easily – cant be walked on
- Very heavy
- Needs extra roof support
- Can get faded in time
- Installation is quite difficult
Concrete Tile
Pros:
- Very durable
- Not much maintenance needed
- Long lifespan
- Fire retardant
- Doesn’t rot
- Can mimic a variety of roofing materials
- Heavy weight
Cons:
- Costly compared to other roofing
- Experiences curling breaking and changing of color
