5 most common Roofing Materials

When it’s time to contact roofing contractors in Napa for a roof replacement, you have an opportunity to add value to your home and enhance its curb appeal. All roofing material has certain advantages and disadvantages. So, you’ll want to consider certain factors such as the color, cost, and style before making your decision. When you’re selecting a new roof for your home, there are certain questions that you may want to ask the contractor or dealer such as:

• What are the costs involved?
• What colors and styles are available?
• What is the warranty on the material?
• What type of installation and maintenance is required?
• Will it meet building and fire code requirements?

There are several different options available with roofing contractors in Napa where materials are concerned. Not only a good contractor will use the right material and do long lasting work, but they stand behind their work. The following are the 5 most common:

Wood shingles and shake – the disadvantages far outweigh the advantages with this roofing material. They’re made from cypress, red cedar, redwood, and southern pine so they require a great deal of care and maintenance. Of all the materials listed here, it has the shortest lifespan (est. 25-30 years) and is prone to mold, rot, and splitting. Plus, if you live in an area that is fire prone, this is a bad choice for roofing material.

Slate – although this is a very heavy material, it is fire resistant and is natural looking in appearance. Ease of maintenance and a lifespan of up to 100 years are its other main advantages. However, roofing contractors in Napa will tell you that slate is very costly and easy to break.

Metal roofing – this roofing material is available in aluminum, copper, and stainless steel varieties. Metal roofing is extremely durable and can last 40 to 75 years. It also provides insulation and solar reflectance. While the material is lightweight, long-lasting, and recyclable, its higher price is its primary disadvantage.

Clay and concrete tiles – if you’re looking for an extremely durable material, this is probably your best option. These tiles add value to any home, are available in lighter colors, and provide long-lasting aesthetics. The other advantage is that they are non-combustible. However, roofing contractors in Napa contend that the two disadvantages is that clay and concrete tiles are very heavy and quite costly.

Asphalt shingles – of all the roofing materials available, these are the most commonly chosen by homeowners. Not only are asphalt shingles budget-friendly, it is the easiest type of material to install. While these are the primary advantages of this material, the main disadvantage is their lack of insulation qualities.