New Home Builders Raleigh, NC
Types of Roofing - Shingles, Shakes, Metal and More
How to Keep Costs Down and Appearances Up for Your New Home
Considering buying or building a new home? The types of materials used in building your new home can make a major difference in appeal, versatility, maintanence, and cost. Here are some of the basics:
Asphalt Shingles - Types of Roofing in New Homes
Asphalt shingles are the most common kind of roofing used today. This roofing material is durable and affordable. Asphalt shingles come in different thicknesses, and have different "year" rankings. Most common are 20 year, 30 year, 40 year, or 50 year shingles.
Many builders use 20 year shingles, but others do not see the initial cost savings or green impact as a worthwhile prospect, and install 30 year shingles.
The initial savings on materials is very low, compared to the cost of replacing all the roofing, materials and labor, 33% sooner. Not only that, the longer-lasting shingles are a greener choice, because there is less waste produced over time.
Least common is 50 year shingles, which tend to cost three to four times as much as a typical 20 year shingle.
There are two basic types of asphalt shingles - three tab and architectural or dimensional. A dimensional shingle has a lot of color variation, and looks more like a hand-applied individual shingle than a strip shingle.
Cedar Shakes - Types of Roofing in New Homes
Cedar shakes are visually appealing, long lasting, and low maintenance, but also pricey, depending on location. They are also prohibited in some areas due to fire hazard.
Green builders should purchase only Certified cedar shingles, as noted by the Forest Stewardship Council.
Cedar roofs can cost two to three times the cost of a 50 year asphalt roof.
Clay Tile Shingles - Types of Roofing in New Homes
Clay tile shingles were common at one point in warmer climates like Florida and California.
A clay tile roof can be overlapping or interlocking, and has a lot of fireproof and durability qualities. They don't absorb the sun's heat as much as other types of roofing. However, a tile roof is not as suitable for a climate in the frost zone - they are prone to breaking, and water damage can also occur. Clay tile has also become more expensive.
Concrete Roofing Tiles - Types of Roofing in New Homes
Concrete is very flexible, that is, before it dries! A concrete roofing tile can be shaped to look like late, wood, or clay. They last a long time and are good at reducing heat build up. They do require specialized application, and are more expensive than shingles, but can be another option for a different look.
Slate Roof Tiles - Types of Roofing in New Homes
Slate is a natural stone product, which must be mined and shaped into shingles. They are often seen in black, gray, red, purple, and green colors. Slate has a lifespan of 100 or more years with proper application - however, cost for a slate roof can be 10 to 12 times that of a 20 year asphalt roof.
Metal Roofs - Types of Roofing in New Homes
Standing seam metal roofs are most commonly seen as accents for porches or overhangs in a home that is otherwise traditionally roofed with asphalt shingles.
Metal roofing is more expensive than asphalt, and because it is not as commonly used, labor costs can be higher as well.
However, metal roofs are low maintenance, durable, and highly resistant to fire. Metal roofs can be a great green building option - most metal roofs have at least some recycled material, and aluminum roofs can be 100% recycled.
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