Table Of Contents
When choosing the right roof material for your building, there are a plethora of options to choose from. Each type of roofing material has its own characteristics that could be beneficial depending on where you live and what your needs are.
In Australia, there are some common types of roofing materials that many homeowners and businesses utilise. In this article, we will be bringing a few of them to your attention. Let's have a look at each type of roof material and the advantages they provide.
Types Of Roofing Materials
Clay tiles
Clay roofing tiles are incredibly durable and have been around for centuries. This roofing material is lightweight and fire-resistant and can last roughly 50 years with proper maintenance. Clay tiles come in various colours, shapes, and sizes, allowing you to choose the option that will fit your aesthetic.
Additionally, they provide excellent insulation against heat loss during colder months. The downside is that clay tiles tend to be more costly than other types of roofing materials.
Asphalt shingles
Asphalt shingles are a type of roof covering made from individual overlapping elements. The shingles are usually flat and rectangular, but they can also come in different shapes and sizes.
Asphalt shingles are typically composed of an organic or fibreglass base covered with asphalt containing mineral fillers, which helps them resist water damage. The top surface of the shingle is embedded with ceramic granules to protect it from UV light exposure and help maintain the roof's colour over time.
Metal roof
Metal roofing is an excellent option if you're looking for a low-maintenance and long-lasting roofing material. Metal roofs are fire-resistant and could last anywhere from 40-70 years with minimal maintenance required.
They come in various colours, styles, and textures, allowing you to customise your home's look. Metal roofs also reflect solar radiation, which helps keep your home cool during summer.
Slate roofing
Slate roofing is another popular roofing material for homeowners looking for a long-lasting solution for their home's roofing needs. This roofing material is made from natural stone, making it highly durable and able to withstand harsh weather conditions without deteriorating over time as quickly as its roofing counterparts.
Slate roofing also requires little maintenance, but tends to be more expensive than other options due to its durability factor.
Concrete roofing
Concrete roofs are one of the more affordable options available for roofing materials. They offer good protection against extreme weather conditions like hail or heavy winds, thanks to their strength and durability.
Concrete is also fireproof, making it ideal for those who reside in areas prone to wildfires or other extreme weather conditions that could cause fires in homes or nearby buildings. Concrete tiles are not as long-lasting as clay tiles; however, they could still provide decent protection depending on how well you maintain them over time.
Factors Choosing The Ideal Roofing Material
Durability
The most crucial factor to consider when selecting a roofing material is its durability. You will want an option that is strong enough to stand up to whatever weather conditions you expect in your area. For instance, if you live in an area with frequent hurricanes or other severe storms, you should opt for a material that can handle significant winds and rain without suffering damage.
Similarly, if you live in an area with extreme heat or cold temperatures, you should choose an option that can withstand those temperatures without cracking or becoming brittle. Overall, consider both short-term and long-term durability when deciding.
Cost
Cost is another major factor when selecting a roofing material for your building. Different types of materials have different price points, so make sure that you do your research and look for an option that fits within your budget.
Additionally, be sure to factor in additional costs, such as installation fees and maintenance expenses, over time, as this will affect the total cost of installing a particular type of roofing material over its lifetime.
Weight
Another vital consideration when choosing a roofing material is its weight. Heavier roofing materials tend to last longer; however, they require more support from underlying structures such as trusses and joists. On the other hand, lighter materials need less support; however, they might not last as long overall.
Make sure that whatever type of material you choose can be supported by your current structure or plan accordingly if additional structural support will be needed before installation begins.
Appearance
Your choice of roofing material should also reflect the aesthetic look that you're going for with your building's design scheme. Different types of materials come in different colours and textures. Consequently, find one that fits the overall look you're trying to achieve with new construction or during a remodel project.
Additionally, some materials require more maintenance than others to keep their original appearance over time, so look into any potential extra work involved before settling on a particular product choice.
Fire resistance properties
Fire resistance is another important factor when selecting a roofing material for your home. This is mainly because some products are naturally more fire-resistant than others due to their composition or treatment processes utilised during manufacturing.
This could be especially important if you live in an area prone to wildfires or want added peace of mind knowing that your roof offers some degree of protection against fire damage should anything ever happen on your property in this regard.
Look into each product's ratings on fire resistance before making any final decisions about what type of material would best suit your needs here.
What To Look Out For When Hiring A Roofing Service
Your house roof is an integral part of its structure and can be expensive to repair if not done correctly. You must hire a reliable and experienced roofing service to guarantee that your roofing material of choice is installed expertly. Here are some vital things to consider before hiring a roofing company to ensure you get the best possible service for your money.
Experience
When searching for a roofing service, looking at their experience level is essential. You want to ensure they have worked on roofs similar to yours and that they know what they're doing. An experienced roofer should also be able to provide references from previous customers from whom you could get firsthand accounts of their workmanship.
Insurance/licensing
Another important factor when selecting a roofing service is whether or not they are licensed and insured. Make sure that the contractor has the necessary licensing in your area and insurance coverage in case of an accident on the job site. This will ensure that both you and the contractor are protected if something goes wrong during the project.
Estimate breakdowns
When getting estimates from different companies, make sure that each one includes an itemised list of what has been included in their services. This should also include any additional charges that might apply. A reputable company should be able to provide you with an estimate that clearly outlines all of these details so there won't be any surprises later on down the line.
Reputation
The next thing to consider when choosing a roofer is their reputation in the industry. Undertake some research on their website or social media accounts to get an idea of what other people have said about their services.
You could also ask around your neighbourhood or friends and family who might have used their services before. Word-of-mouth is often one of the best ways to learn about any company's reputation.
Get Expert Advice On Roofing Materials
This article has examined the various roofing materials available today for roofing. It's advisable to seek professional guidance when deciding on the best roofing material for a new home or a roof replacement project. Contact a professional roofing company near you immediately for all your roofing supplies.
