Want Longevity? Choose These Roofing Materials!

When you're looking for a new roof, you're going to see a lot of different types of roofing materials. We are going to break down what roofing materials give you optimal longevity so you aren't replacing roof before it's time to do so.

25-year guarantee, 30-year warranty... slate, asphalt, metal... so many roofing choices! A home is a lifetime purchase. When it comes to choosing a roof, homeowners are bombarded by choices.

It isn't just looks and style. There is your budget to consider. Durability and longevity, too.

Not all roofing materials are the same. Most come with a 25 to 30-year guarantee. But you see cracking, curling and discoloration within a few years.

Some homeowners end up replacing roofs in as little as 8 - 10 years. If you are looking for the best and longest lasting roofing materials, read on to learn more.

Roofing Materials For Looks and Durability

With so many options available on the market choosing roofing material might be a challenging process. You probably have a choice of tiles, asphalt shingles, composites, or metal.

There is a wide range of materials available to homeowners in Texas. Choosing the right ones depends on your budget, needs, roof pitch, and personal preferences. In no particular order, here are some of the most popular materials for Dallas-area homes.

Slate Tiles

Slate is one of the very oldest types of roofing materials. It is one of the most durable options. It's estimated lifespan is 100-150 years.

Slate colors are traditionally dark grays and similar hues but can come in a wide array of colors. If you are budget-conscious, be aware that slate is one of the most expensive options. Many structures must be strengthened to bear the weight of the slate.

Careful installation is required for slate, but the result is well worth it. Slate has certainly withstood the test of time, as there is an 800-year-old roof in Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire still in great shape!

Metal Roofing Materials

Metal roofing materials are by far the most popular choice for temperature control in Texas. Metal is weatherproof, non-porous and it has a high resistance to adverse weather conditions. It is perfect for unexpected Dallas thunderstorms and high winds.

Whether your metal roof is steel panels, aluminum or copper, all-metal options are extremely durable. No worries about pests penetrating the metal or picking it apart to nest. Metal roofs are fireproof and are not susceptible to burning embers.

Metal panels can come in a very wide range of profiles and colors. Modern advances in insulation provide sound dampening and thermal resistance. Metal roofs last 40-70 years.

Metal is somewhat more expensive than some other materials, but they are an attractive and long-lasting option.

Concrete Tiles

Fireproof concrete tiles are a popular choice in brushfire-prone areas. The tiles can imitate many different materials. They are paintable, dyeable and resistant to heat transfer.

Tiles made of concrete can be made to imitate expensive slate or terracotta. The heavy tiles are well suited to hot or cold climates. They also possess sound-dampening qualities.

Concrete tiles are great insulators and noticeably less noisy than a metal roof in the rain. Your concrete tile roof should last 35-50 years.

Clay Terracotta Tiles

Terracotta is a popular type of roofing for Spanish and Mediterranean-style houses. Terracotta has been used in construction for centuries all around the world. These tiles only come in earthy tones but they are extremely durable.

You can expect a well-maintained terracotta roof to last 50 years or more. Many church roofs made of terracotta tiles have lasted a century or more. Damaged tiles are easy to replace.

Like concrete and slate, terracotta tiles are rigid. The characteristic shape of terracotta tiles allows generous air circulation underneath the tiles. This promotes cooling.

The tiles are traditional in Texas and Mexico to shield homes from the sun and maintain cool interiors. They also provide the characteristic look of many Dallas neighborhoods.

Asphalt Shingles

Asphalt or composite shingle is the most popular roofing material in the US. In fact, Asphalt shingles have many advantages such as a wide range of colors, easy installation and cost-effective.

The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association estimates that 4 out of 5 roofs are covered in asphalt shingles. Asphalt is recyclable, lightweight and can fit into many neighborhoods.

The lifespan of an asphalt roof ranges from 10 to 25 years. Poor installation and maintenance can result is a roof lasting many years less than that.

Wood Shake and Shingles

Wood shingles and shakes usually come from red cedar, Alaskan yellow cedar or Eastern white cedar. These woods are naturally rot resistant and are not prone to insect destruction. Correctly installed, they are storm resistant.

Most of these woods are plantation-grown and renewable. Wood roofs have natural insulating properties. The roofs can last 20 to 40 years with proper maintenance.

Shingles and shakes are differentiated by surface texture. Shakes are hewn from the log and have a rough texture. Shingles are sawn and have a smoother face.

Wood roofs start a beautiful yellow, red or brown color and slowly age to silver. An annual treatment with oil ensures a long life.

Alternative Roofs

Green roofs area new phenomenon. Usually, a waterproof membrane is placed on the roof before sod, growing medium or other materials are laid. A drip irrigation or mist system is common.

A green roof keeps the temperature cool while avoiding the urban island effect and removing CO2 from the air. Unfortunately, they are very heavy and difficult to place on existing buildings. A green roof is estimated to have a 10-year lifecycle.

Solar tile is another alternative that is gaining in popularity. These roofs promise power generation from sunshine. Tesla pioneered the manufacture of solar tile, but there are already new entrants to the market.

Choosing the Right Roofing Materials

Choosing roof materials is dependent on the climate. Living in Texas means exposures to heat, wind, storms and occasionally brushfires. The most durable roofing materials may be unsuitable for the climate.

The right roofing choice isn't an easy task, especially with so many good alternatives. Get it right and you won't have to make choices again for 50 or more years!

Before making any decisions, consider climate, repairs and maintenance, and budget. Request samples from different suppliers. Keep in mind that choosing the cheapest materials available may not be the best option.

It's important to think long-term and choose wisely. Read more here to learn more or contact us for a quote!