Roof Styles And Why Selecting The Right One Is Vital To Your Home Plan Design

The best part about building a home is the roof! It is that one thing which marks the finale to the difficult and time-consuming process of masonry. Considering how important a roof is, it is essential to fit one which is long-lasting, aesthetically pleasing, and environment friendly, but does not cost a king’s ransom.

One of the oldest roofs in America is the shake. They can transport you to a bygone age, but they also have their drawbacks. Shakes are different from shingles, which are machine sawed. Shakes are torn into thin strips by hand. The rough and rustic finish is what homeowners find attractive. Apart from being expensive and environmentally disastrous (they are made from trees which are 100 to 800 years old), they also require regular maintenance.

Another traditional but expensive roofing choice is slate shingles. Made of stones, slate roofs give homes that ‘cottage in the woods’ look. Slates are heavy and most often the rafters on which they rest will need reinforcement. But if one looks at the durability factor, they are a great investment. For the environmentally conscious homebuilder, another option exists – artificial slates made of recycled rubber. They look like the real thing, are lighter, will last a 100 years and are much easier to fit.

Tiles, whether barrel shaped or Roman, are an aesthetically pleasing roofing choice. They come in various shapes and sizes, can be easily nailed in, and are durable and weather resistant. Clay still remains the best raw material for tiles, which win hands down over wood because they are completely fire resistant. Due to their porous nature they function well in windy circumstances and are hail resistant. A recent innovation involves concrete tiles which are virtually indestructible.

Apart from the above mentioned choices, the recent trend in roofing tends towards steel, metal and aluminum. These roof types were never the first choice of homeowners in the past because they were associated with industrial use, but opinions have changed over the years.

Of the three, steel is the cheapest because of its lightweight and recyclable nature. Most often constructed from scrap, zinc coated steel does not corrode easily, shrink or crack. Over 80% of the market in metal roofing is dominated by steel. Steel roofs can last for 50 years and are available in various colors, shapes and sizes. People living in areas with heavy snowfall prefer steel because of its shedding properties and its resistance to strong winds and gales. Those living in seismically sensitive regions also choose steel because it is lightweight and completely resistant to fire.

Metal roofs are durable though more expensive than steel or concrete roofs. They can be engineered to suit the local climate of the region. They are long-lasting and share many of the qualities of steel roofs. They are relatively rust-proof since they are galvanized with zinc and aluminum and polymer coated.

Of the three, aluminum is the most energy efficient material. This translates to considerable savings in energy bills. Aluminum can be easily wrought into various shapes to resemble tiles, shingles and panels. In coastal areas aluminum roofs turn out to be a boon because they do not rust. The biggest drawback of aluminum roofing is its cost. Initial installation is more expensive than steel or other traditional roofs but over its life cycle, which could be upto 50 years, it becomes highly cost effective. In addition, aluminum is the most environment friendly. Almost 90% of it is manufactured from recycled materials and it is completely recyclable.

Tough building codes and new architectural methods are sprouting newer roofing materials. The choice is vast and difficult. At the end of the day it is personal choice and individual criteria which will determine the roof you choose. But one thing is for sure – consumers today are spoilt for choice and finding that ideal roof is not such a Herculean task!