When you are in the market for new materials for your roof, there are a number of factors which you have to consider. You will want to ensure the roofing materials are well within your budget, make sense for your environment and area, and are as durable as possible.
If you are collecting rainwater on your roof for the purpose of filtration or irrigation, then this is another critical factor which you will have to consider. Durable roofing material might just cost you a little bit more as compared to regular roofing material in the beginning, but in the long run, it is sure to save you a lot of money.
It will also increase the value of your home!
They are often considered to be outstanding as insulators, and they are going to be so for a very long time. This means you are not going to have to spend a lot of money replacing them every now and then. There are some materials which are also virtually free from any maintenance. Here we are going to look at some of the toughest materials when it comes to roofing.
Steel
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Materials for your roof which are made from steel are usually coated using aluminum which can act as a layer of protection as well. One of the best things when it comes to steel roofing materials is that they are usually made from recycled metals. This means you will be given the option of choosing the recycled materials which are used for making the new materials.
A steel roof will be able to absorb sunlight in a different way from other materials. This is why it is able to keep your home cooler. The cost of this type of roofing ranges from $80 to $350 a square foot. But the salient aspect here is that a metal roofing material will be able to last for as much as one-hundred years.
Aluminum
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You will be able to choose aluminum roofing materials in a number of different styles which can mimic various roofing materials such as slate. You can purchase them as bare aluminum too, and they are available in a number of different colors.
These materials are very light which means you will not have to reinforce your roof. They also reflect sunlight just like steel does which means you’ll be able to keep the inside of your home cool. You will find they are made from recycled material too.
Aluminum can be recycles as well. If you are planning on collecting rainwater, then you will need to get the aluminum coated with some baked-on resin. Aluminum roofing materials can last between fifty and one-hundred years. It does cost a decent amount though with the cheapest falling around $250 a square foot.
Clay
Terra cotta and ceramic are a couple of other names for the roofing materials which are made from clay. They can be found in a number of different sizes and shapes. Once these roofing materials get formed, they are dried with the help of a kiln which is essentially the process of baking them. They can help to increase the architectural appeal of any home and are also the best when it comes to collecting rainwater.
They are never going to discolor or fade and are quite resistant when it comes to bad weather. They are very fragile if you step on them, but apart from that, they can very easily last you as much as 75-100 years. They cost quite a bit with the cheapest being around $300 and the most expensive being as much as $1,200 a square foot. Ouch! You may have to sell your boat to buy this type of roof at the high end!
Slate
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This is a fine-grained rock which can be cut in order to make roofing tiles. They are excellent for collecting water and are clearly durable. The best part though is that they are 100 percent natural. The process of creating them doesn’t produce any toxic chemicals. They can last you around 100 to 200 years as well which is probably longer than the actual home will be there or about the same as the life of the home. That is a lot of barbecues! Transformers 80 will be out by then!
The starting cost is around $660, and they can go up to around $1,200 a square foot.
30-Year Asphalt
Here, glass is used on fiber which has been soaked with asphalt so that it acts like a waterproofing element. This is available in a number of colors and is the cheapest roofing material you can find. The material can be installed easily and can last up to 30 years. It costs between $40 and $150 a square foot.
