The material you choose to construct your roof out of is no small matter. Modern roofing materials give you a wide range of options for the look of your roof, how long it will last, and how much it will cost you. With so many things to consider, it can be difficult to figure out where to begin. Our Colorado Springs roofers want to help. On this blog, we take a look at six of the most common roofing options available to both home and commercial property owners and discuss the pros and cons of each type.
Asphalt Shingles
Made primarily of tar or rubber blasted with small granules of rock or sand, these are primarily a residential roofing material that are known for their aesthetic flexibility and low cost. However, they suffer in other areas as a result.
- Pros: Lots of color options to get the look you want, affordable, easy to install
- Cons: Shorter lifespan, prone to leaking, require more constant care and repair over the life of the roof
Cedar Shingles & Shakes
Also primarily a residential roofing material, these give you a classic look with better durability than asphalt shingles. They’re also entirely renewable, as they’re constructed of natural materials.
- Pros: environmentally friendly, relatively inexpensive, looks great in natural or rustic environments
- Cons: Still relatively short lifespan, prone to leaking, not a lot of design or aesthetic flexibility
Slate Roofing
A beautiful look and exceptional durability are the name of the game with this residential roofing material. But the quality comes at an immense cost, as this is by far the most expensive common roofing material.
- Pros: Stunning beauty in a wide range of colors, incredible lifespan (75+ years!), limited care or maintenance
- Cons: The most expensive type of roofing ($100 per square foot or more)
Tile Roofing
Tiles come in either clay or concrete, and provide nearly the same durability as a slate roof, at a lower cost. These tiles can also come curved or flat and in a wider variety of colors for added flexibility.
- Pros: Great durability (50-70 year lifespan), low maintenance, flexible design, lots of colors
- Cons: Expensive ($30+/sq. ft. for concrete, $80+ for clay)
Synthetic Roofing
There are numerous synthetic roofing options for commercial buildings that vary in durability, aesthetic, cost, and even environmental friendliness. Many synthetic options are constructed from recycled materials. For residential roofs, synthetic materials can be made to match nearly any other style at a lower price but with nearly-equal durability.
- Pros: Made from recycled materials, durable, can be made to match nearly any style for a fraction of the cost
- Cons: Can be difficult to install (depending on the material), finding a perfect match can be tricky, often not widely available
Metal Roofing
Metal roofs are almost exclusively for commercial owners, but some options do exist for residential buildings as well. As you can imagine, these roofs are extremely durable, energy-efficient, and affordable, but have their own costs.
- Pros: Flexible design options, can be recycled, energy efficient (keep heat from the sun out well), durable (50+ year lifespan)
- Cons: Not widely available, noisy (transfer more noise from rain or hail into the building, have a much higher cost to install than other materials
Want to learn more about the roofing options available to you? Call Divine Roofing, Inc. now to speak with one of our roofing experts. When you trust your roof construction or replacement to our experienced Colorado Springs roofers, we will provide you with exceptional quality workmanship from our fully-licensed and highly-trained craftsman. If you’re worried about the cost, we offer competitive pricing on all of our services along with flexible financing options so you can protect your home without going broke.
Call Divine Roofing, Inc. today at (719) 497-1005 and request an estimate or schedule a roof inspection service.