A roof forms 40% of your house’s exterior. Apart from looking aesthetic, it serves the purpose of preventing rain, snow, hail, and other unwanted elements. This makes the roof an extremely crucial part of building or renovating a house. There are a lot of options you can choose when replacing or building a roof thanks to the variety of materials available.  You must consider the budget, longevity, cost, weight, and appearance apart from other factors before deciding which one of the roofing materials would be suitable for you.

Built-up Roofing

Built-up Roofing (BUR) usually costs between $2.5 to $5 per square foot and it is ideal for flat roofs or those with a low pitch where traditional shingles or slate might not work. BUR uses several layers of roofing felt applied with asphalt. Several overlapping layers of felt and asphalt create barriers between each layer to form a durable roof. It can typically last between 20 to 30 years.

Wood Shingles or Shakes

Wood shingles or shakes are definitely a to-go roofing material out there that lasts between 25 to 30 years. Wood shingles give a rustic look to the roof and as said, the roof makes up 40 percent of the exterior of your house which means wood shingles are a good choice. You can choose fire-resistant wood shingles if you live in a fire-prone region. However, wet climate, mold, rot, and splits can be a concern so decide wisely.

Slate Shingles

One of the best roofing materials you can pick is slate shingles. With at least 50 years of life span and capable of outlasting almost a century, slate shingles are one of the best quality materials to use. Slate shingles are durable, can be recycled, fire-resistant, and overall, the quality is supreme. On the flip side, slate shingles are heavy, expensive, and will need a pro roofing contractor to install them.

Asphalt Composite Shingles

It is one of the most common roofing materials. You will get a tonne of color options to choose from. These shingles are made up of a 3-tab design with fiberglass reinforced on top of asphalt or other organic materials. It lasts for 12 to 30 years, repairing or replacing it is fairly easy. Its lifespan depends on the materials used and it is cost-effective.

Metal Shingles

Albeit expensive, metal shingles are a great option for their reliability and durability as they can last between 30 to 50 years or even longer. Metal Shingles are lightweight and the homeowner can choose between aluminum, copper, steel, zinc, and other materials for their roofing. It can be customized to look like wood, asphalt, or clay tiles.

Clay Tile

Made up of earthen clay, you can either go for interlocking or rolled shapes of clay tile for your roof. Although expensive, similar to concrete tiles, clay tiles are reliable and can last 40 to 50 years if maintained well. Clay tiles can be used with varied styles of home although they often need additional framing and professional’s help such as the folks at MCM Home Exteriors can install it for you.

Concrete Tile

Excellent for regions that see a lot of high winds, concrete tile is one of the heaviest roofing materials out there. It does need additional framing. Concrete tiles are made up of concrete and you have choices between the hues and the profiles. Concrete tiles use the same techniques of installment and repairs as clay tile and can last for 50 years or more with proper maintenance.

These were the 7 best roofing materials that you can consider before deciding the one you want to install at your house. MCH Home has professionals who help you pick the right roofing material and install the roofing for you.