Which Roofing Materials Are Best?

by Debbie Goldberg 11/19/2017

The roof of a home is one of the primary concerns of real estate transactions for both buyers and sellers. An aging roof can affect the value of your home. Often, if your roof is over 20 years old, it’s wise to have it repaired or replaced. The material that is chosen for the roof is just as important as the way that the roof is constructed. A new roof may even make your home look more updated and more attractive.

Types Of Roofing Materials

When you are deciding on certain roofing materials, you’ll need to consider some things:

The color of the material
The weight of the material
Will the material stand up to severe weather conditions?
How much does it cost?

Asphalt Shingles

This is the most popular type of roofing material. These shingles can be reinforced without the appearance changing. It does come in many different colors and is the least expensive type of roofing material ranging between $70 and $120 per square. The downside to asphalt is that it doesn’t have a very long lifespan compared to other kinds of roofing materials, lasting somewhere between 20 and 25 years. It also isn’t a very insulating type of material, which is a downside for home construction.

Slate

Slate is a beautiful material that can be used for roofing. It appears with many different shades including shades of green, gray and red. Slate is a very sturdy material. It’s even fire resistant. The problem is that it’s very heavy and requires special installation. The good news is that your investment is well worth it. Slate roofing can last between 50 and 100 years or longer!

Wood Shingles

Wood shingles are a sought after roofing material. They weather well, turning to shades of gray, which is attractive for some homebuyers. One obvious problem with wood roofing is that it’s a fire hazard. Wood shingles are treated with a fire-resistant coating. Fire codes could prevent you from being able to install this type of roof in your area. In wetter climates, wood shingles can mold or rot away. Wood shingles cost about $100 to $150 per square. The lifespan of wood shingles is somewhere between 25 and 30 years.

Other Roofing Options

There’s many synthetic roofing products that are available. These include rubber, plastic and polymer. A roof can be made so that you end up with the color and the look that you want. You can have a synthetic roof made to look like slate, making it more affordable. These synthetic materials can even be fire resistant. Synthetic roofing materials aren’t as expensive as their alternatives, making them more attractive for home construction. This type of roof also can be much more durable. The problem with roofs like these is that they can absorb water and their quality varies. This could cause obvious problems in the future once this roof is installed. The price of synthetic roofing varies but these roofs can last up to 50 years.

Roofing

Building

Construction

About the Author

Debbie Goldberg

I'm a full time Realtor with over 30 years of experience yet young enough to embrace today's ever-changing scope of marketing and technology. Having grown up in Connecticut and moved many times (too many to count!) I can empathize with today's buyers and sellers. Strictly maintaining ethical standards and being a fierce advocate on behalf of my clients are things I take very seriously. As a buyer, you can expect me to listen to and evaluate your real estate wants and needs. I can assist in explaining relevant forms, agreements, and closing procedures. I will guide you through the process of finding the right home, negotiating your offer, adhering to all contract dates and terms as well as final walk through and closing procedures. As a seller, I will listen to and evaluate your goals, needs, and timing in order to properly price your home to get the maximum exposure needed to attract the right buyers. In addition to negotiating on your behalf, I will make sure we communicate throughout the entire process as we navigate the contract terms, finance and inspection contingencies, as well as all closing procedures. I was born in Japan, grew up in Hamden and lived in New York, Ohio and Southern California before settling down in New Haven county to raise two kids, two dogs and a cat. I'm passionate about good food and love to bake. Some of my free time has been spent volunteering at Temple Beth Sholom, a synagogue where my family has been members for over 40 years. I also spend time at Tower One/Tower East, an assisted living center in New Haven where my mother-in-law now resides. 30 years of helping buyers and sellers achieve their goals has given me the peace of mind to know that what I do everyday matters. If you are thinking of buying or selling please keep me in mind.