Roofing Material Selection Guide For Your Residential Roof Replacement

Posted on: 5 October 2022

No matter the type of roof you have, you will need a new one at some point in time. When the time comes to get a roof replacement, you will have to decide which roofing material to use.

If your old roof served you well up to the time of its replacement, you can rebuild it with the same roofing material. But if your roofing needs have changed, there is absolutely nothing wrong with using a different roofing material on your roof.

Consider the following factors as you weigh up the various roofing material options available for your roof replacement project.

Fire Resistance

As the cost to insure your home against fire spikes due to increased fire damage claims, using fire-retardant roofing materials will go a long way in reducing your fire coverage insurance premiums. 

When your home insurer sees that your new roof is specifically built to resist fireworks, lightning strikes, wildfires, electrical fires, and other ways it can catch fire, they may agree to reduce the cost of your home's fire coverage policy. 

While no roof is completely fireproof, those with a low fire rating certainly don't help when your house catches fire. Use materials like clay, concrete, slate, and metal for the most fire-resistant roof replacement.

Weather Resistance 

Hotter summers, colder winters, longer droughts, bigger storms, greater snowfall, you name it — as climate change worsens the intensity, frequency, and impact of severe weather worldwide, it is imperative to ensure the roof remains your home's primary defense against the inclement elements. 

When picking your roofing material, think about your local climate. The ideal roofing material should resist weather-induced damage and minimize heat gain through the roof. You should generally choose a reflective roof if you live in a hot climate, and a darker one if you reside in a cold region. 

Maintenance Requirements

All roofing materials require ongoing care and upkeep to last. However, some require more time, effort, and money to maintain than others. 

Before choosing a particular roofing material over the others, determine if you can keep up with its maintenance requirements. For example, a metal roof will require periodic recoating to protect the substrate metal from rust. While this type of maintenance can significantly increase the lifecycle cost of the roof, it also extends its life.

The roof-covering material used on a roof tremendously affects its performance, appearance, and durability. As a result, you can't afford to make the wrong choice. Contact a local roofing contractor for advice and guidance on the best roofing material for your residential roof replacement.

For more information, contact a company like Brandon J Roofing.

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