Asphalt Shingles And The Alternatives

When looking at the exterior of your home, your roof plays a significant role. First impressions make an impact. Your roof is one of the most visible and distinguishing components of the overall appeal of the home. A well maintained dependable roof is one indicator of the overall care a home has received.

Since curb appeal is a significant interest for most homeowners, they usually choose asphalt shingles for their homes, since they are low maintenance, affordable and reliable. But, homeowners have many choices when it comes to the style, material and color for their roofing. Alternatives to asphalt shingles, like metal, concrete, slate, and shake, are becoming more popular.  

Metal roofing materials are environmentally friendly, and less expensive than other shingle alternatives, like slate. However, when comparing installation costs, metal roofing often requires intricate installation and, therefore, professional expertise. There are many considerations to take into account.

First, there is the design of your roof. Metal roofs expand and contract with varying conditions. Large expanses need extra care to maintain a durable roof structure. Movement caused by temperature fluctuations and other weather conditions can cause the roof to become noisy.

Condensation may also accumulate and cause rust,, discoloration and mold.

Next there is the material itself. Using incompatible materials, such as dissimilar metal compounds, may cause the metals to interact, resulting in corrosion and roof failure. Metal refining and production is fairly energy intensive. Most areas don’t have a local metal roofing manufacturer, so transportation of the materials and acquiring skilled contractors need s to be addressed.

Since there are a limited number of contractor training programs for metal roofing installation, homeowners need to search for professional experienced contractors. These contractors need to be trained to install and retrofit metal roofs according to local building codes and standards. The contractors also need to include elements like walkability, roofing accessories like snow jacks, and maintenance issues.

Alternative roofing materials all have their own benefits. Metal roofing is accredited with the wide variations of color and versatility, as well as energy efficiency. Concrete, slate and shakes provide a natural aesthetic to the roof. But most home owners want a roofing product the address all of their needs  Asphalt shingles do provide multiple color and style variations and they are EnergyStar compliant and reliable. However, asphalt shingles are also more affordable because of their lower installation costs, durability, and longer life-cycle. In addition, asphalt shingles are more sustainable. They are energy efficient, recyclable, heat reflective, and fire and wind resistant.

Most homeowners need the best product for their individual home. Many, many factors are included in their product choice, not just the aesthetics of the product, but also the financial commitment must be considered. Maintenance and repair costs must be considered, too.

When your home is ready for a new roof, repairs, or maintenance, you need a reliable, dependable roof repair company. You count on you roofing contractor to keep your home safe and dry. Guardian Roofing is committed to providing top-quality service, professionalism and workmanship. If you are looking for a roof repair contractor please call us today at 844-499-7822 or complete our online service request form.