When designing or renovating a home, one of the most important factors to consider is your roof which has two jobs, protecting everything below it and adding value to your home.

You’ll typically have six roof replacement materials to choose from, each having a different effect on the functionality, insulation properties, aesthetics, and longevity of your roof.

At GreenPoint Roofing in Longmont, we can help you make the best choice for your home, your budget and your family! We provide expert roofing services on all residential and commercial projects.

Considerations for Roof Replacement Materials

When weighing the pros and cons of your options for roof replacement materials, it’s important to talk over the following factors with your GreenPoint Roofing expert:

• Climate Suitability – Will this kind of home roofing material protect you from specific local weather conditions such as high temperatures, heavy rainfall, snow, hail, and the wind?

• Cost – Calculate the square footage of your roof and the total cost before saying yes to a new roof. Does it fit your budget? Will the cost pay itself back over time?

• Weight – Does this roofing material require additional framing for support and a professional installation?

• Fire Safety – If your area has restrictions on roofing materials, does it meet the fire code specifications?

• Aesthetics – Does the appearance of the material fit with the style of your home and is it available in the color or design you are looking for?

Asphalt Shingles

Asphalt shingles are the most popular of the roof replacement materials and for a good reason. They are widely available, inexpensive, and easy to install. If you are looking for a fast and affordable option, asphalt shingles offer an excellent solution. Asphalt shingles are the most common on the market and are usually available in a few different colors. You can often find asphalt shingles on traditional suburban style homes, but they can work well with many different architectural styles.

Some disadvantages of asphalt shingles include their limited lifespan of around 20 years, variations in quality, and weak insulation properties. It is possible to have your shingles reinforced with fiberglass or cellulose without altering their appearance. For homes in freezing climates, it may be worth investing in additional insulation when using asphalt shingles. To avoid having to make these modifications and incur extra costs, you could consider choosing a different, harder-wearing roofing material.

Wood Shingles and Shake

Wood shingles, or their more rustic counterparts, hand-cut wood shakes, can certainly add character and charm to your home’s new roof in Longmont. Typically made from cedar, redwood, or pine, wood roofing materials have been used for centuries with great success. They tend to gradually weather to a grayer tone and last from 25 to 30 years

When it comes to roof replacement materials, wood is not practical for all climates. In areas with hot, dry weather, fire codes may prohibit them or require that they’re treated with a fire-resistant coating. In wet climates, wood shingles can weather quickly and are more likely to mold, rot and split over time.

Slate

Slate roofs are beautiful, sustainable and built to last. Slate is a very hard-wearing, fire-resistant material that can be used successfully in all climates. You can choose from a number of different shades of green, red, gray, and purple slate to add a personalized appearance to your home

Due to the material’s weight, a slate roof will usually require extra framing for support and professional roof installation. Slate is one of the most expensive options for roof replacement materials, around $600 per square. With a typical lifespan of 50 to 100 years, a slate roof may be worth the investment.

Clay or Concrete Tiles

Clay tiles can create a wonderfully textured appearance and work very well on Mission, Mediterranean, and Spanish style homes. Rounded terracotta tiles not only look great but they are also practical with their ability to quickly drain water. Clay tiles are long-lasting and can be found in different shapes including flat, scalloped, and ribbed. If you opt for concrete tiles, you can save some money and benefit from a higher energy efficiency rating.

Clay and concrete tiles are substantial enough to need additional framing and a professional installation, however, they’re one of the most durable roof replacement materials. The classic look of terracotta tiles comes with a high price tag. After slate, clay tiles are the second most expensive roofing material.

Synthetic Roofing Products

Synthetic roofing products have been designed to mimic the appearance of traditional wood, slate, and tiled roofs. Usually, the actual materials are made from rubber, plastic or polymer blends. This means that synthetic roofing materials are much lighter than traditional shingles and tiles. They are sturdy, easy to maintain and can be installed without additional framing. Synthetic roofing is available in a wide range of styles, colors, and textures, allowing you to choose your favorite aesthetics without having to deal with the expense, maintenance, and fragility of traditional materials.

The major disadvantage of synthetic roofing materials is the lack of information we have on their longevity. These roof replacement materials are so new that we have not had the chance to see how they endure long-term weathering, although many manufacturers offer a warranty of up to 50 years.

Before buying, it is a good idea to view a synthetic roof that has been in place for at least 10 years in your area. This will give you an idea of the rate of wear to be expected.

Metal Roofing

Metal roofing materials are available in stainless steel, copper, aluminum and zinc. This lightweight material can be installed in panels or shingles and is a good option for those living in extreme environments. Metal roofing is useful when designing an efficient home as the material offers a high solar reflectance and can be suitable for use in harvesting rainwater. Metal roofing materials will last considerably longer than asphalt or wood.

Prices on metal roofing can vary widely, from $100 to $800 a square. Some homeowners do not find the appearance of metal roofing attractive and prefer to use traditional materials, especially on homes designed with specific architecture in mind. Depending on the type of metal used, these roofs can oxidize and change color over time.

For more information on these roof replacement materials, or to schedule a free inspection and quote, simply contact GreenPoint Roofing in Longmont. We have over 20 years of experience in providing quality roof installation and repair services. You can rely on our team to offer a wide variety of options in roofing materials and designs, customized to your individual needs.