Choosing the Perfect Roofing Materials

Getting into a new home or having one built for you

can often mean you have a lot of decisions ahead of

you. From the color of carpet all the way up to the

type of roof you want installed, you’re thrust into a

world of home care that you may not be ready for.

The following is a brief guide on the types of roofing

materials out there to help you cover your home with

a helpful shingle. Consider the following three

common types of roofing that you’ll be able to

peruse over.

Stone or Metal?

First, Nevada limestone is a resistant mineral. It offers a great fight to weather because of two important

factors.

For one, its water absorption rate is less than 1%, meaning that water is much more likely to run off of it

rather than be absorbed into its infrastructure. For another, one of the main factors making it so

resistant to water is its lack of pores.

Pores let water in. A lower amount of pores means that shingle has an incredibly small chance of

absorbing water.

Nevada limestone makes a very good roofing

material because of its ability to resist weather.

You’ll often find it in shingles and cement.

Nevada limestone is often used in other capacities

too like flooring, vanity tops, furniture, and

blackboard chalk. It’s not limited to just use on

the tops of homes.

Metal is another common choice for house

roofing. Although it’s not the most attractive

material used in roofing, it often works just as

well.

Metal roofing is smooth and not porous, keeping the rain from ruining itself and the building beneath.

Considering that the roof is built to keep out the elements, it fulfills its purpose beautifully.

Some more good things about metal roofs are that they often come with a long-life warranty (50-years),

save in heating and cooling costs, are recyclable, often help you get insurance discounts, and contain

energy tax credit opportunities. The big con to this type of roofing is that it is more expensive than the

more affordable asphalt.

Traditional Roofing Options

Asphalt roofs are often made up of fiberglass, asphalt

body, and surface granules. They look good at first and

are cheaper to install.

They’re a great option when first getting into a home. The

only problem is that they offer very little long-term care.

They curl, split and mold, sometimes within the first year.

They are easily damaged by natural elements like wind

and hail.

In the long run, you’ll have to re-roof your home every 12 to 20 years. That’s not very long considering

you could own the home for 60.

Although it offers great savings at first, over the coming decades, it will have been worth the cost back in

the day to get a better roofing material. Consider that as you decide what kind of roofing to put on your

home next.

So those are three of your common roofing options: Nevada limestone, metal, and asphalt. Choose your

building materials according to your financial and long-term goals.

Photo Credit: Jerzy Durczak, Wally Gobetz, Robin Tell