People who live in a building are not aware of how many different things someone living in a house has to pay attention to. And one of the primary parts of the house that is not a concern in the building is the roof. We will not exaggerate if we say that the roof is perhaps the most important part of the whole house, because it protects us from all external factors. If you have decided that it is time to change the roof or you are just building a house and you need to install it for the first time, you will surely be surprised when you realize how many different types and materials there are.
And what you need to do is get to know those materials as well as possible. Because replacing a roof should not only mean replacing the old with the new, but it should bring you an additional improvement over the old one you are replacing. So we will help you choose the right one by giving you tips for choosing the right roofing material. Some of the materials have been the same for hundreds of years and have hardly changed at all, but there are also many new ones on the market, so your choice will depend on many factors.
Table of Contents
1. Consider the weather conditions in the area where you live
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As we have already said, the roof is what protects you from all external factors and therefore it should be the best possible barrier between you and the weather. People often make mistakes and always use the same material, they just replace it with new one, because the current one is already worn out. In some cases, this is a good choice, but other factors need to be considered and not just spontaneously choose the same.
For example, weather conditions in your area may have changed due to climate changes. Well then maybe you need a different roofing material. In any case, it is important to consider how much sun, snow and rain there is in your area, as these are the three factors that have the greatest impact on the roof. Some materials are better able to withstand cold weather, while others are made for places where it is warm and sunny almost all year round. Just as it is logical that a man living in Spain and one living in Sweden do not have the same need when it comes to clothes and cars, the same is true with the roof. So let that be the first thing you will consider once you start searching for the best option.
2. The slope of the roof should not be neglected
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Slope is certainly one of the deciding factors, because the slope can affect the fact that a certain type of roofing material is not suitable. Each material has a certain type of slope on which it works best. For example, wood behaves best on steep slopes and the like. On the other hand, wood is by no means a good choice for flat roofs. We will also explain to you why. Because it is flat, water will accumulate, so a seamless material is necessary for good water insulation. Then artificial materials, such as polyurethane foam, are usually used. Most of today’s materials are made so that they can be mounted on any type of roof slope, but this should still be checked with experts before you start. Height and width of the roof is used to measure the slope, so it is divided into different categories such as “run” then “pitch” and many others.
3. Thinking about costs
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Replacing the roof is not a small investment at all, but it can certainly be affordable and it can be too expensive, it is up to you. That is why it is necessary to strike the right balance between your needs and the price. As for the money you will pay for the labor of the people who will install it, it is mostly always similar, regardless of the material. What will affect labor charges is the complexity of the roof, the height, the tilt and other things that make the job difficult, but the material is not influencing labor costs much. But that is why material prices range from a little over 100 dollars per square feet for asphalt shingles, for example, to over a thousand dollars per square feet for a copper roof. It is certainly not necessary to give tens of thousands of dollars unless you have some specific requirements, so analyze your needs well and decide which option is the most cost-effective. You can find more about different types and prices at oahu-roofing.com
4. Appearance
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You may not be aware of this, but the appearance of the roof greatly affects the overall appearance of the house. So it would be good to choose a material that will fit with the architectural look of your house. The color, texture, and type are very different and you have to fit them so that your house looks nice and not to look like everything was done without any plan. Even if you have a house that is old and the style of construction is from another time, this is not a problem, because today a tile is produced that looks like it is old, just to fit well with such houses. So you can find different imitations that will look very nice. Don’t rush at making this choice, because you can make your home look the way you want it to and everyone will be thrilled so it would be a shame to choose something that is not a good fit.
5. Durability
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And lastly, don’t forget to inquire about the durability of the chosen material. Changing the roof is certainly not a job you want to do every few years, so more durable, better for you. Also, check the warranty.
Conclusion:
Lastly, you can also consider whether that roofing material is fire resistant. There are different classes when it comes to fire resistance, and the classes vary from A to C. While some materials, such as wood, have no rating because, logically, they are not fire-resistant. This is not a problem if you live somewhere where there is no fire, but if fire is an environmental hazard in your area, then you should avoid wood and the like.
