Roofing Options for You to Choose From

Metal, Shingles and Glass Roofs

There are many roofing options you can choose from, and you must get a roof that works for your needs and budget. You can have a metal roof, a membranous roof or shingles made of different materials, glass, or even thatch.

When building a house or putting the finishing touches on a building, any smart contractor or builder will tell you that considering what material to use for the roof is as important as choosing what material to use for the house or building itself. The roof, after all, is the first line of defense and protection against the elements.

It should be made of materials that are strong enough to withstand harsh winds or rain, but it should also be composed of compounds that can allow the roof to expand or contract, and, in other words, adapt to changing ambient conditions. There are many different roofing options to choose from, with all of them designed to meet different needs and budgets.

Metal Roofing

Now one of the most popular roofing options, metal roofs are making a comeback. Because of their rather glaring sheen, as well as their out-of-place appearance with other building materials, metal roofs were once ignored in favor of other building and roofing materials.

However, thanks to good finishing methods, metal roofs can be allowed to blend with existing building materials. Metal roofs are also durable and lightweight, making them easier to install – and making them the roofing material of choice for builders and contractors working in areas where weather conditions are especially rough and can change drastically within days.

Sidebar: Among the roofing options discussed in this series of articles are: polyurethane foam roofing, plastic roofing, asphalt roofing shingles, standing seam roofing and EPDM roofing.

Metal roofs can be sealed and fashioned to be weather resistant, as well as rust and corrosion resistant. Although considered to be one of the most expensive roofing options, metal roofs can pay for themselves, and are considered a wise investment when installed in order to counter extreme weather conditions. Metal roofs are also recyclable and even resistant to fire. However, some homeowners prefer to use other roofing materials, since metal roofs can be noisy in rain, and can dent, causing unsightly scarring and marring.

Aluminum Roofs

There are more roofing options, in turn, for builders and contractors interested in using metal roofs. Aluminum is one of the most commonly used metal roofing materials, although steel is stronger and is also gaining popularity. Stainless steel is a very expensive metal roofing material that is resistant to corrosion. Copper shingles are also expensive and will not rust. Metal alloys are also used for roofing, and are created to be stronger and more durable; on average, metal alloy roofs are also expensive.

Shingles Et Cetera

There are still many other roofing options available for builders and homeowners who do not want to use metal roofs. Shingles are overlapping sections of any building material, including metal; shingles are laid down in sections or one by one, and are thus harder to install. Common materials for shingles include wood, such as red cedar; slate; ceramic tiles; concrete; bitumen enmeshed with fiberglass and covered with ceramic grit; and even asbestos.

Membrane Roof

Another increasingly popular roofing option involves the use of membranes, or large, continuous sheets that form a smooth surface on top of a hard base. Membrane materials include thermosetting plastic, which is composed of rubber; thermoplastic; modified bitumen, or asphalt that has been treated with heat, mixed with compounds, and placed upon a mat of fiberglass, polyester, or both.

Other membrane materials are: sprayed-in-place polyurethane foam, or a solid foam that is coated onto a roof base, and sometimes covered with gravel; Dacron or polyester; and a fiberglass mat into which Teflon has been embedded.

These are only a few modern roofing options that you can choose from. If you are planning on installing a veranda or porch, you might want to place a sunroof, or an arbor, where you can allow vines to creep to provide you with a natural roof. If you are planning to turn an extension of your home into a greenhouse, you will need special glass materials for your roof.

If you are planning on building an old-style cottage, then you might also want to try using grass or thatch for a rustic look. And if you are planning to build a log cabin, then you will need strong wood that will not only resist insects and weather, but expand and contract in response to temperature and humidity changes as well.

There are still many more roofing options that you can look at. For more information, contact your local contractor and builder, and discuss what roofing systems are best for your weather conditions, budget constraints, and building materials. With a good roof over your head, you can be sure that your house is not only stylish, it is also well protected.