The roof of your house plays a vital role in ensuring the safety of your family and belongings by giving protection from the elements and intrusions. Your choice of roofing material will have a significant impact on the security and functionality of your home. However, selecting the ideal roofing material can be tough since there are many options. A quick look at some of the most important factors you need to take into account when selecting a roofing material:
Design of the House
The architectural design of your house will influence your choice of roofing material to a certain degree. While asphalt shingles go well with almost all kinds of home designs, they come into their own on the roof of an antique-style house. If you have a dark roof, your house will look good when painted red, yellow, or green. You can even paint your house white for a classic appearance. If your home is painted brown, tan, or cream, choosing a brown roof will enhance its appeal.
Restoration or Replacement
If you are restoring your roof, you will need to restrict your choice of roofing material to what already exists to prevent a mismatch. Even if you are replacing your roof, you must take into account the composition of the underlying roof structure and the roof pitch, according to Benchmark Roofing and Restoration. You will also need to make it blend well with the rest of the structure while retaining its functionality. It is only with a new structure, you have the complete flexibility of selecting s roof material of your choice.
The Climate
The climatic condition of the place is one of the most important considerations for choosing the roofing material. You will want a roofing material that can easily handle the prevailing environmental conditions. For example, if you live in a hot climate, you will be better off with a roof made from slate, terracotta, or concrete. According to the Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy, a cool roof will reduce your energy bills. If you live in a humid place with more rain, you will need materials that resist the growth of mold, mildew, algae, moss, etc. They not only look unsightly but also affect the performance of the roof.
Weight
The structural integrity of your house is important. You need to factor in the impact of the roof’s weight in a replacement project to ensure you do not compromise the structural integrity. It is especially important in an old house that may have already become a little weak. You must be extra careful not to use a heavy material in an aging building and also take care to strip the existing roof off.
Conclusion
You will also need to factor in the material cost in your purchase decision. It is not enough to look at only the upfront cost of the material because other aspects like its energy efficiency, longevity, cost of maintenance, and resilience play an important role in the overall cost of the roof. While it is always good to be knowledgeable about different roofing materials, you should always consult a professional roofing company about your choice.