Roofing 101
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Roofing 101
Welcome to the education section of our website!
The purpose of this section is to educate our customers about roofing options and materials. If you have any questions or if you would like to schedule a FREE ESTIMATE, then give us a call at (951) 781-9999.
Roofing Material Options
Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt shingles are the most common type of roof materials used, and for good reason. They are very affordable, come in a variety of colors, are durable, adapt well to almost any type of climate, and hold up for a lengthy period. While asphalt shingles are slightly more expensive than composite shingles, which are made of a combination of materials, they are well worth the extra investment.
Wood Shingles
More commonly referred to as wood shakes, these shingles look great and work well to help keep your house energy-efficient by providing more insulation for the attic than most other types of roofing materials. In addition, they are available in a wide variety of colors, sizes, textures, and widths. There will never be two wood shingles roofs that are exactly the same. A downside to wood shingles can be the large amount of maintenance required, including cleaning, sealing, rot inspections, and shingle replacement. This type of roof is also susceptible to mold, mildew, insect burrowing, and rot.
Slate Tile Shingles
These are a popular type of roofing material that is used in older homes. Slate offers superior protection against fire damage, they are impervious to insects and rot, and they have a long life span. Some of the drawbacks include their heaviness — some roofs may need additional repairs to support the additional weight of the tiles — there are a limited number of colors (thanks to mother nature), and you can break tiles by walking on them. However, slate tiles do still offer a unique and very popular look for your building, so if you can afford the upgrades to your roof along with the cost of the materials and installation, you should considering installing this type of roofing material.
Clay Shingles
Clay shingles are popular in hotter climates, especially in the southwestern United States, including Southern California, Arizona, and New Mexico. These are complex clay tiles that provide incomparable protection for your home’s roof. These tiles are impervious to insects, rot, mold, fire, and even time. With one of the longest life spans of any other types of tiles you’ll see on a roof, clay tiles can stand the test of time. Like everything else, there are some disadvantages to this type of roofing material. For starters, it’s heavy, so you will most likely need additional roof supports for existing structures. Additionally, they can be damaged easily. In many cases, tiles will break if you walk on them, making roof-bound jobs very difficult. Clay tiles are also very expensive.
Metal
Sheet metal has been a popular roofing material for ages. It’s energy-efficient, helping to reflect heat to keep the home cool. It’s durable too, being able to withstand almost anything it can be hit with. Sheet metal is also made from a large amount of recycled goods and can last for a very long time. With the ups come the downs, and appropriate insulation will be needed in colder environments. While it does help to reflect heat, cold weather can easily freeze a metal roof. Metal roofs are also very expensive, costing more than almost every other type of roofing material since installation is best left to a professional.
Each type of roofing material comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. If you’re trying to determine which type of roofing material best suits your needs, our team at VK Roofing in Riverside can help! Get in touch with us to schedule an estimate today.