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When one is contemplating of renovating a home, the roof is a major concern. It is very important to know the different kinds of materials used, to understand its pros and cons, before investing hard-earned money on it. Choosing a roofing material of poor quality just because it is cheap may become expensive in time. As it is exposed to weather through the years, it may need a lot of maintenance, or worse, it may need a replacement of the whole system.

The types of roofing materials are:

1. Composite shingles – made of fiberglass and asphalt and mineral granules.
2. Wood shingles – it provides good insulation, especially in cold areas. The disadvantage: it is prone to termites and other wood parasites. It can rot and have molds.
3. Clay tiles – they don’t burn and they are termite-proof, but they are fragile. Falling twigs from nearby trees may cause them to break.
4. Slate – it is expensive but durable because it’s real stone. It can last up to 200 years.
5. Metal roof – it can be made from different kinds of metals: zinc, aluminum, copper, steel, lead. They can be painted with a roof paint of any desired color, or they can be obtained pre-painted.

Metal Roofs Vs. Shingles
Composite shingles are the least expensive kind. They are easy to install, because they can be nailed over the existing rooftop. On the other hand, initial cost in installing metal roofing is higher. A professional who specializes in metal roofing is needed. In the long run, metal roofs are more durable. Its life expectancy lasts as long as the house stands, protecting its occupants from rain, snow, and strong winds.Therefore this is the better choice, and because of this, its standard warranty is 50 years, as compared to shingles which is 15 years.

Both types of materials need little or no maintenance, but metal roof is more long lasting. It can withstand harsh weather and it is fire retardant. It has a Class A fire rating.It is energy-efficient because they can be heat-dissipaters for the building because of its insulating properties. Metal reflects heat from the sun, and therefore minimizes the heat gain. Composite shingles may decay over time with severe weather changes. Cheap varieties may shed grains within a few years.

Noise – one of the drawbacks of the metal roof. The sound of gentle rain beneath the roof may be pleasant to some, but disagreeable to others. They can however be controlled by installing sound-deadening barriers.

Lightning -  there has been no documented case of lightning striking a metal roof. High trees and other high objects are hit, but not the roof itself. For safety reasons, however, they can be grounded by a lightning protection company.

With the above mentioned advantages and disadvantages, it is now for the homeowner to weigh and decide. Whatever one may choose, it is best to leave the actual job to the professionals. We want the best protection for our families, and roof over our head is best handled by the specialist.