The Different Types of Roofing Materials

The different types of roofing materials available reflect the evolution of architectural styles, technological development and changing homeowners needs. The roof, together with the front of the home, is the first thing people see when walking or driving past. 

When choosing roofing materials, homeowners regard durability, cost, maintainability and appearance as deciding factors. We discuss some of the different types of roofing materials available in the market today.  

Metal Roofing 

Metal roofing is a good choice where heavy snowfall or wildfires are prevalent, as snow and rain easily slide off a metal roof. Metal roofing is also fire, insect, mold and rot resistant but can be noisy during extreme weather. They can look like slate roofs, tile roofs or corrugated metal roofs.

The types of metal roofing include:

• Standing seam metal
• Metal tile
• Metal slate
• Steel
• Corrugated metal
• Copper
• Aluminum
• Tin
• Zinc

The installation of metal roofing requires specialized skills, and not all roofing contractors include metal roofing as part of their service. Bob Harvey Roofing services include residential and commercial metal roofing.   

Average lifespan: 30 – 50 years.

Wood Shingles and Shakes 

Wood shingles and shakes are a great choice if you want a natural, rustic look for your home. They are made from redwood, red cedar, pine or cypress wood and can be treated for fire, insect and rot-resistance.

Wondering what the difference between wood shingles and shakes are? Shingles are thin, wedge-shaped pieces of wood with a smooth texture, produced through precise sawing on both sides. Shakes are thicker wedge-shaped pieces of wood with a rougher finish on one side. It is split right from the log then reshaped.   

Average lifespan: 20 – 60 years.

Asphalt Shingles 

According to CertainTeed,  an asphalt roofing shingles manufacturer, it is the most used residential roofing product on the market. Asphalt shingles also have a one-hundred-year proven track record in North America. They are widely available, durable, fire-resistant and require low maintenance. 

Manufactured to resemble tile, wood, cedar shakes or slate, asphalt shingles are also available in multiple colors. With the improvement of engineering technology, existing asphalt shingles are enhanced to create performance shingles. These shingles are solar reflective and fire, wind, hail and algae resistant. There are three types of asphalt shingles. 

• Strip/three-tab roofing shingles: This shingle is the most comment type on the market and has a very flat appearance, like slate. 

• Dimensional/architectural/laminate roofing shingles: This shingle is thicker than strip shingles and looks rich, with a multi-dimensional appearance.

• Premium/Luxury roofing shingles: This is the highest-quality laminated shingle available. It offers the most realistic look of old-world shake and quarried slate roofing.

Average lifespan: 15 – 40 years. 

Concrete Tile 

Concrete tiles are manufactured with a sand-concrete mix and designed to resemble rolled clay tiles and wood shakes, to name but a few. It is available in various colors, textures and decorative coatings. As a heavy roofing material, concrete tiles are practical for areas with high winds.

Average lifespan: up to 50 years.

Bob Harvey Roofing is a professional roofing contractor in Northern Utah and has been in business for more than thirty years. Licensed and fully insured, Bob Harvey and his team install asphalt shingles and metal roofing for residential and commercial properties. Do you want professional advice on the different types of roofing materials? Contact Bob Harvey Roofing today.