The roof is the first thing that you see when you approach a building. Your structure only becomes a home when you have a roof over it. A new roof will be required to function and meet the following requirements besides providing aesthetics, covering and protection for the building and the occupants;
- Resist weather
- Prevent unauthorized access to the building
- Resist the spread of fire from one property to another
- Be able to support loads (weights)
- Provide resistance to heat loss (insulation)
- Be ventilated to protect from condensation (in most cases)
- Have adequate drainage
Deciding on a roofing material can be tough. Should I choose a metal, shingle, or tile roof? is a question we hear quite often. In comparing tile vs metal vs shingle roofs, each has its place. Aside from the obvious issues of deciding on the color, the vast variety of building materials sometimes makes picking the right solution difficult. We compared tile, metal, and shingle roofs to see which make more sense and provide more value to consumers.
LOTS OF ROOF OPTIONS FOR CONSUMERS
Nearly everyone is familiar with composite shingles. However, more and more homeowners are turning to metal roofs and tile to top off their structural design. In the tile vs metal vs shingle equation, you have many choices when deciding on a roofing material. To help you decide which material is right for you, Build Rite LLC decided to put together a brief overview of the most common choices available to consumers. We’ll outline some of the pros and cons of each. Installing a new roof is no small task or expenditure.
ASPHALT SHINGLE ROOFS
The composite shingle is the most common residential roofing material used in the United States. There are good reasons for that. Shingles are fairly fire-resistant, inexpensive to purchase and install, and come in a variety of designs and colors. When we look at metal vs shingle roofs compared, asphalt clearly costs less.
Asphalt Shingle Pros
- Least expensive roof (short-term) to install
- Potentially requires less labor to install
- Larger pool of installers
Asphalt Shingle Cons
- Often last 15-20 years max (regardless of warranty)
- Extremely energy inefficient
- Generate lots of heat
- Typically not recycled
METAL ROOFING
Galvanized steel or galvalume metal roofing used to simply mean a standing seam or exposed fastener design. They can take the place of shingles or other roofing materials in modern homes or commercial buildings. Now, however, a metal roof can be aluminum, steel, or copper. They can even look like shingles—the designs are nearly endless.
Metal Roof Pros
- Typically last 50 years or more if properly installed and maintained
- Galvalume resists corrosion
- Aluminum suitable for coastal environments
- Copper provides an incredibly distinctive look
- Can buy metal roofs that look like shakes or shingles
- Economical over the long-term
- More energy efficient (greater UV reflectivity)
Metal Roof Cons
- More expensive up-front costs for both material and installation
- Requires more specialized installation (less DIY-friendly)
- Can show “oil-canning” due to inherent characteristics or poor handling
CLAY TILE ROOFS
Clay tiles are generally more expansive than concrete knockoff tiles, but they typically offer more durability and better color retention over the long-haul. As a material, clay is not subject to discoloration from weathering while concrete is subject to fading over time. Clay has been around a long, long time and is built to last… just ask any archeologist.
The advantages of Clay Roof Tiles
- Clay, in roofing terms, is a better material compared to others such as concrete, and it offers a better build quality overall as it’s stronger and more durable. These factors give clay roof tiles a longer lifespan.
- Clay roof tiles can endure harsher weather for longer than concrete roof tiles – an important consideration in light of changing weather patterns due to climate change.
- Clay tiles have been in production for over 150 years, meaning there are many current and legacy brands and ranges of tiles, as well as a wide selection of colour/finishes from each manufacturer.
- Unlike concrete tiles or slates, clay tiles can give your roof character as every clay tile is unique, and they allow you to have a characterful, rustic looking roof and unlike concrete tiles and/or slates, the appearance of clay tiles improves as they age and weather.
The disadvantages of Clay Roof Tiles
- For all of its qualities, the clay material is heavier then other materials. This can limit what building or structure type these can be laid on. The last thing anyone needs is their building integrity to be at risk and have to strip and re-lay roof tiles, therefore its wise to double check that the structure of your roof can bear the weight of clay roof tiles.
- Clay tiles require a bit more care when fixing compared to their concrete counterparts. As these tiles are not uniform, fixing the tiles can sometimes be more challenging, and as a consequence more time and care should be taken, just to make sure they are secured on your roof.
- Clay roof tiles are slightly more expensive than other roof tile materials. However this is a reflection that the material itself is of a better quality and will last longer then concrete tiles, and of the way in which they are manufactured. This is why you would usually see hand-made clay tiles as the most expensive of the three types.
- There is no denying that clay tiles will cost more then standard concrete tiles, but they will look more aeshetically pleasing and will offer you all the other benefits, such as a longer service life.
From reading the above, you should have a clear idea of whatever roofing is right for your project. Let Build Rite LLC help you build the roof of your dreams and the part of your building that will keep everything and everyone inside safe and sheltered.