Choosing a suitable material for your home can be cumbersome, considering the plethora of options available. It means that you have to sit down and think about the various aspects of each of these materials before deciding on a particular one. Still, at the outset, there are a few primary considerations that will affect your decision.
The climate of the locality
The roof is the part of your house that takes the maximum strain from the forces of nature. The present erratic climatic conditions add to the problem. If your house is a very damp and humid locality, the materials like wood shakes won’t suit you. If the weather is windy and often affected by rogue hurricanes and storms, you would do better in choosing a material that can resist wind. So, you should choose a roofing material after careful consideration of the average climatic condition of your place.
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Financial considerations
Your financial status has a prominent relevance to your choices. You would like to choose a material that is durable and at the same time cost-effective if you are running on a limited budget.
Availability of the material
All materials are not available in your local market. If you are to look for it in another place, the transport charges will offset your budget. So, it is better to choose from your locally available materials.
The architecture of your home
While you can use any roofing material for any architectural style, it is a fact that certain materials suit a particular architectural style better. If you have an aesthetic temperament, you would like your house to look stylish. When you choose the correct material, it increases the style quotient of the building. It enhances the curb appeal of your home.
Frequency of maintenance
When you select the roofing material, you have to consider the possible frequency of its maintenance it may need. Some materials need frequent maintenance to keep their life expectancy intact. On the other hand, some roofing materials allow you to install your roof and forget about its maintenance for a long time. Even if some of these materials cost you a high upfront expense, in the long run, they will be profitable. You can have a peaceful sleep in your house in such cases.
Installation requirements
If the roofing material you choose is heavy, you will need an extra robust roof frame. It will cost extra dollars. Besides, you will have to look for expert workers, which may delay the installation. So it is crucial to choose lightweight materials if possible. We may now look into the pros and cons of some of the popular roofing materials. It will help you to make an informed decision.
Asphalt
Asphalt is, by far, the most popular roofing material in Clearwater, FL. The main reason is that most homeowners will be able to afford it. It is easy to install, and it is fire-resistant. Asphalt will not need extra strengthening of the roof structure. Most roofers are experts in installing an asphalt shingle roof.
The downside of asphalt shingles is that strong winds affect them easily and blow them away. Hail storms and rain storms affect them adversely. Persisting dampness is also detrimental to asphalt shingle roofs.
Wood shakes
Wood shakes give your house a classic rustic look. It gives your house demur elegance. Woof shakes are not very heavy and will not need an extra sturdy frame. Installation is also easy and is more durable than asphalt. Also, it is energy efficient.
However, it is easily affected by fire and water. It will need regular maintenance and regular fortifying with algal and fungal repellant washes. It is more expensive than asphalt.
Tiles
Tiles are of different materials. It can be clay, terracotta, or concrete. All of them are fire and water-resistant. They are more durable than asphalt and wood. They need almost no maintenance.
The disadvantage of tiles is that they are heavy and will need robust frames that are expensive. The clay and terracotta tiles are breakable and will be affected by flying debris. So they are not suitable for the homes in the places in the hurricane belt.
Slate
A slate roof is prestigious in a sense. It is elegant and declares the homeowner’s superior financial status. A slate roof is considered to be life-long because its longevity often exceeds that of its owner. It will need little to zero maintenance. Slate is fire and water-resistant. It is also energy efficient. all the same, it is heavy, and you will have to spend extra money on a sturdy roof structure. Installation of a slate roof requires workmen of the top class, and so expenses run high.
Metal
Metal roof is fast becoming popular. Metal is available in a wide range of colors. It can be shaped and colored to resemble any kind of roofing material. It is durable and needs little maintenance. The fire and water-resisting quality of metal add to its appeal to the homeowners. It is lightweight, and an ordinary roof frame suits it. It is energy efficient.
The biggest disadvantage is that a metal roof can be a real nuisance during the rains because of the noise. It is also more expensive than asphalt. All the same, whichever material you are selecting, you have to ensure that you get a sufficiently experienced team to install your roof without issues. A properly ventilated roof goes a long way in maintaining your peace of mind.
