After deciding to replace your Houston roof, you must choose the type of material you want. Your Houston roofing company should be certified with major shingle companies, so you can be assured of a quality installation and materials. Most top-notch firms will even offer an increased labor warranty if they are certified for installing specific types of roof coverings.
Here are your choices for roofing materials.
- Asphalt or composition shingles are the most popular residential roofing material in the U.S. They have a fiberglass mat sandwiched between two layers of asphalt. Tiny stones embedded in the surface protect the shingles from the sun’s UV rays. They are reasonably inexpensive and commonly installed by all Houston residential roofers. They are fire and wind resistant. They last for approximately 20 years and should be cleaned occasionally to remove moss and other debris.
- Wood shingles or shakes are traditional and beautiful, but wood is not as popular due to fire concerns unless they have been treated with a fire retardant. Shakes are thicker and have a rougher split surface than shingles, which are thinner and flatter. They perform well in dry climates, and some shakes have a 50-year warranty. Thicker shakes can even repel hail. Unless they are treated, they are not fire resistant. They should be cleaned regularly to remove lichens and moss.
- Metal has traditionally been found on farms or commercial buildings. However, it is now the fastest-growing residential roofing material. It is available in standing-seam panels and tiles. Panels are 20 feet long and 16 inches wide so that they reach from the ridge of the building to the gutter. Metal tiles look like wood shingles or shakes. Metal is long lasting and usually comes with a lifetime warranty. It resists fire, rain and heavy hail. Installation is easy, and required maintenance is light. Metal roofs are more expensive than other coverings, and they should be periodically cleaned to remove trapped leaves.
- Clay tiles are frequently used in Spanish-style homes. They can mimic the appearance of wooden shingles or shakes, but some can look like slate. They have lifetime warranties and do not burn. They are heavy, so your home must be able to withstand the extra weight.
- Ceramic tiles come in many styles and colors. They cost about the same as other tiles and will withstand wind and rain. They require little maintenance. Glazed ceramic tiles do not burn and will repel water nicely. They tend to break if heavy objects fall on them.
- Slate is more common in the eastern U.S. It repels water quickly and works best on steep roofs. Slate lasts for decades, does not burn and sheds ice and snow well. However, it is expensive, heavy and requires more skill to install than most coverings.
- Single-ply roofing systems are tough, flexible sheets of versatile synthetic polymer with a consistent quality. They are used on cool roofs to reflect the sun’s rays. They are lightweight and simple to install. However, they can be punctured and have a relatively short lifespan.
Give Paramount Roofing a call to discuss your roofing needs. We will inspect your roof and give you a free estimate.