Roof repair and installation are just two of the services we provide here at Divine Home Remodeling. However, when it comes to installing a roof, there are so many extremely important details for you to choose from. Along the way, each one of these decisions will play a significant role in both the aesthetic value of your roof, as well as in the protective qualities of your roof. We’ve covered the topic of roof repair and installation in other articles that you can find on our blog page, ranging from roof maintenance to choosing the right roof gutters for preventing water damage. However, the most important aspect when it comes to any type of roof-remodeling project is the materials that make up the actual roof itself. There are a huge array of options when it comes to the various kinds of roofing material that are available these days.
The roofing material that sits on top of your home is extremely crucial when it comes to protecting your home from the elements. Depending on where your home is located, such as in a shady canyon or on top of a hill, there are going to be very different types of environmental conditions that can help determine what kind of roofing material is right for you. Furthermore, the type of roofing material on top of your home can play a big role in terms of the temperature regulation of your home itself. Therefore, the type of roofing material you choose can play a significant role in the overall energy efficiency of your home, which directly translates into the overall cost of your energy bills.
Additionally, if you have solar panels or are planning on installing solar panels on your roof (something we highly recommend, which you can read more about on our blog page), the type of roof material you choose can also be an important factor to consider. Again, there are so many different types of roofing materials out there. Because of how important it is to have an informed decision making process when it comes to choosing different roof materials, we have put together this guide to different roofing materials in the hopes that it will help inform your decision making process.
Each type of roofing material has various factors when it pertains to aesthetic appearance, structural integrity, the cost of the material, and how long different materials last. Read on to learn more about all the different types of roofing materials that we offer here at Divine Home Remodeling. And remember, we offer estimates on the cost of roof repair and installation completely free of charge!
Asphalt Shingles
This is the most common type of roofing material currently used throughout the country, and the one you are most likely most familiar with. Depending on the quality of the asphalt in the shingles, this material typically lasts anywhere from 13-20 years. One of the plus sides of this kind of roofing material is that when an individual shingle is damaged, it is a relatively easy fix to simply replace it with a new one. They also boast a relatively low cost per square foot, which, depending on the quality, can range from anywhere to $1.50 - $4.50.
Wooden Shingles
Wooden shingles offer an extremely pleasing aesthetic quality to any home that they sit upon. Like asphalt shingles, it is quite easy to replace individual shingles when they are damaged, and much like asphalt shingles, the cost of wooden shingles depends on the type of wood that is used. However, only certain types of wood, such as redwood or cedar wood, are useful as a roofing material. Because these are premium, high quality cuts of wood, they are more expensive than asphalt shingles, but again, it depends on the price of the wood, which is an economic factor that varies over time due to shifting environmental conditions. The longevity of this roofing material really depends on the local climate your home is in. Here in the relatively dry climate of San Diego, wooden shingles can last an extremely long time. In damp, rainy, or humid climates, they won’t last nearly as long.
Clay Tiles
Clay tiles are another type of roofing material that does extremely well in San Diego due to our mild climate, relatively low levels of rainfall, and infrequency of severe storms. They can come in a wide variety of colors, and again, like the roofing materials described above, if and when localized damage does occur, damaged tiles are really easy to replace. Clay tiles are definitely far more expensive than either wooden shingles or asphalt shingles, but when they are used in places like San Diego, they can last an extremely long time, making them a very worthy investment. Their longevity in areas like San Diego is mostly due to the fact that here we experience very warm weather, in addition to the fact that clay tiles are very resistant to decay from the salt that is in our air due to our proximity to the ocean. While the aesthetic value of clay tiles is evident to anyone who drives through San Diego and sees how common they are, their ubiquitousness is more a result of our climate than anything else. Clay tiles last an extremely long time here, with some clay tile roofs lasting over a hundred years! Rolled Roofing
This is by far the most inexpensive option when it comes to roofing materials. This type of roofing material comes in wide, rolled up strips that are very easy to install, adding to their inexpensive nature. Additionally, the material itself is very inexpensive and is made of either a felt or fiberglass mat that is imbedded with minerals or asphalt, and has mineral granules imbedded on the surface. Mineral granules imbedded on the surface help to provide grip. Due to its low aesthetic value, this roofing material is useful for flat-topped roofs that aren’t very visible from the ground, or for smaller building on your property such as a shed or workshop. This material typically needs to be replaced after about 10 years, but when you consider how easy and inexpensive it is to install, as well as the low cost of the material itself, that is actually a pretty good deal.