Your roof makes up half of what people see when looking at the curb appeal of your home. When you make the choice to replace your roof, that choice will matter for years to come. There are some roofing trends you should know about and consider when it comes to your own roof.
Roofing Materials
Materials Used in Roofing
- Asphalt- is by far the most cost-effective roofing material. It ranges from $16,500 to $27,500.
- Cedar shake– a material that has aesthetic appeal and greater energy efficiency. They can cost between $15.00 to $25.00 per square foot. For a 3,000-square-foot roof, you can expect to pay anywhere from $45,000 to $75,000.
- Metal– metal roofs can last up to 50 years. These materials often cost $18.00 to $28.00 per square foot. For a 3,000-square-foot roof, the total material cost is likely to be anywhere from $54,000 to $84,000.
- Slate Roofs- slate roofs offer the greatest longevity, with some lasting up to 200 years. That said, slate roofs are heavy, difficult to maintain, and expensive to install. They also vary. They can cost anywhere from $29.00 to $57.00 per square foot. This puts the total cost of materials for a 3,000-square-foot roof between $87,000 and $171,000.
- Synthetic shingles– are made from recycled materials, including plastic and rubber. These are ecological options. They’re durable and usually designed to look like slate or wood shake. They don’t have the extra weight. Synthetic roofs tend to be very expensive, priced between $16.00 to $27.00 per square foot. For a 3,000-square-foot roof, that’s about $48,000 to $81,000.
Most Popular Roofing Choices Today
Asphalt Shingles-
Asphalt shingles have been a popular roofing material for a long time. They’ve been around longer than all the other options listed above. They still serve as a top choice for buildings and homes today because they’re so affordable. In fact, asphalt shingles are the most common type of roof material used. Though they’re budget-friendly, there are still different price points alongside quality differences. The more money you put toward your asphalt shingles, the better quality they will be. Better quality corresponds to better lifespans. New versions of these shingles also have more of an aesthetic appeal than the old ones. They look better and last longer. We work with many different asphalt manufacturers. We do have our favorites of course. We recommend Ownes Corning and GAF for your shingle needs.
Metal-
Metal roofing has been upcoming for a while, but it’s more popular now than ever before. If you’re looking for an upgrade from asphalt roofing, metal roofing is the way to go. It has stronger fire and weather resistance than shingles. It is also much more energy efficient than shingles and has a longer lifespan. Yes, metal roofs cost more than shingle roofs, but the benefits can make it worth the investment. In the past, people have critiqued metal roofing. People have complained that metal roofs can be very loud on the inside when it storms. The visual appeal of a metal roof has also been a complaint. People have said metal roofing can look too much like a sheet of metal instead of an actual roof. Things are always improving and changing, and metal roofing is no different. These improvements allow for a more silent, more shingle-looking roof made from metal. This gives customers the best of both worlds. Our installers are adept in metal cutting. We can perform precision cuts for flashing, difficult angles, and caps. We recommend metal roofing panels with the best interlocking connectors for your roof. We may also suggest products that hide fasteners.
Ecological Options on The Rise
Energy-efficient roofs are gaining popularity at a rapid pace. This is because more and more people today strive for sustainability. “eco-friendly roofs include fewer toxic chemicals and create fewer carbon emissions, they help people minimize their overall eco-footprint.” These types of roofing have UV-reflective properties. They reflect UV rays and heat. This not only keeps your home or building cooler but also helps protects your roof from the sun. This will help prolong the lifespan of your roof. Four different types of roofs fall into the eco category.
The first are solar roofs. They use energy from the sun instead of the electrical grid. They can have either solar panels or photovoltaic shingles. The second is synthetic roofs. They’re made of recycled rubber or plastic. They can look like asphalt shingles or cedar shakes. They have Class 4 impact resistance and a class A fire rating. The third type is cool roofs. They reflect more energy than they absorb to allow buildings to stay cool. You can install these, or you can have a reflective coating painted on. Finally, the last type of eco roofing is green or garden roofs. They’re covered in plants that protect your roof from the sun. These reduce surface temperature.
COVID’s Impact on Roofing Today
COVID-19 has caused roofing material production to slow. This means materials have been harder to access. Not only that, but they’ve also become more expensive to get. This affects customers and contractors. It also has taken a toll on companies and employees. Not as many employees are in the workforce as before, so it’s harder to find reliable contractors. These things can affect the timeline of how soon you get a new roof. The best way to achieve your goal is to be flexible and begin planning as soon as possible. This goes hand in hand with finding a reliable contractor, and we want to be that reliable contractor.
In Conclusion:
Each material used in roofing has improved over time, and each will continue to improve. You have options based on your budget. The more you invest, the better your roof will be. The trends we’re seeing in roofing have been upcoming and we don’t see them going away anytime soon. In a post-COVID world, working with a good contractor is the key to getting the roof you want. We’re trained and instructed by our roofing vendors. We install their roofing products according to their very strict specifications. We’re certified to work with all roofing types and materials. We want to help you make the right choice for your roof and find something you not only need but also like. Contact us today to learn more or get a quote!
