This “icing on the cake” is more than a simple finish and it can make all the difference. Selecting the right roofing material is crucial to your home and even your lifestyle. Based on people’s choices, here are the hottest materials for the year we are in.
Tesla Roof
It is only appropriate to start the article with the hottest upcoming trend. Having realized that solar panels are not an attractive feature, people at Tesla came up with an idea of incorporating them into the roof. As of December last year, they have started manufacturing glass tiles, some of which will take over the role of the panels. An average roof will have about 35% of active tiles and 65% of inactive tiles, meaning they do not collect solar energy. Currently, they come in two styles, with additional two announced for this year. It is estimated that the price per square foot will be some $21.85. This is an excellent green solution.
Asphalt Shingles
More than two-thirds of the US homes are currently using this type of roofing, so people will continue on using it in 2018. They come in two varieties based on materials they are made of. The first one is fiberglass shingles and the second one, organic shingles made of mostly recycled paper. However, the second variety was discontinued because they dry out quickly and often cause roof leaks. We are now left with the fiberglass ones which, depending on their quality, can last from 10 to 30 years. They come in a variety of colors. The price for this type of roof, with installation costs, is anywhere between $3 and $7.
Metal Roofing
Metal Roofing is the one which is slowly taking over the asphalt roofing’s share of the market. The two famous traits of this type of roofing are energy-efficiency as a positive side, and the fact that they can be annoyingly loud in rain, as a downside. Their durability makes them eco-friendly as they can last 50 to 100 years. They come in many different shapes, from the traditional sheets to tiles, shakes and shingles. While copper roofs may be the most beautiful ones, they are also the most expensive ones. Materials most commonly used are aluminum, zinc and lightweight steel. The cost for this type of roof is $5 to $13 per square meter.
Clay And Concrete Tiles
This is your traditional red-roof look which has been around for centuries. The modern tiles are lighter but reinforced so they can last longer. These tiles are recyclable, depending on their color they can be an excellent heat protection, extremely durable (50 years and more), and fire resistant. Their overall weight requires additional framing to support the roof which also makes it more expensive to install. Only Tesla seems to be more expensive than clay and concrete tiles, with the price ranging from $11 to $22.
Wooden Roof
Similarly to everything else made of wood, wooden roofs have a unique charm about them. They will instantly give your home a sense of style and warmth. They come in two forms, shingles which are machine-cut and have a uniformed appearance, and shakes which are hand –cut and thus each is unique in its form. Since it is made of a natural material, this type of roof is eco-friendly and easily recyclable. It lasts longer than asphalt shingles and has higher insulation value. Even though treated shingles have Class A fire rating, the untreated roofs are highly flammable and prohibited in areas prone to wildfires. They are also high maintenance and require constant cleaning of debris otherwise they are at risk of moss and algae. On the plus side, having to clean your roof regularly, will make your seasonal gutter cleaning a breeze. Their total price for square meter ranges from $5.50 to $9.
Slate Tiles
This refers to vinyl, natural and composite slate tiles. The natural, stone slate roof is meant to last a lifetime. An example of this is a number of European centuries-old buildings which still have their original slate roofing. The durability makes this a green building material, as well as the fact that they are easily recycled and made in a low-impact manufacturing process. Natural slates are heavier than clay tiles and need additional framing support. On the other hand, synthetic slates are lightweight but strong. They are also significantly cheaper which puts them on the lower end of the price range of $9 to $22 per square meter.
Once you choose the type of roof you think is right for the weather conditions, your pocket and the house appearance you are trying to achieve, make sure to select your contractor’s carefully. Good building materials are worthless if they are not installed properly.