As a homeowner, it’s easy to overlook the importance of a good-quality roof. However, it can be said with confidence that the roof is one of the most integral elements of a home. A roof provides protection from outdoor elements, protects indoor air quality, improves energy efficiency, enhances curb appeal, protects against pests, and much more.
Whether you are planning to replace an existing roof or add a roof to a new build, it’s important to choose the right roofing material. In this blog post, your expert team at Freeman Exteriors will highlight six of the most popular types of roofing you can choose from today.
These include asphalt, clay, wood, slate, metal, and composite shingles. Let’s get started with this guide to the best residential roofing choices.
1. Asphalt
For a long time, asphalt has been regarded as the go-to standard in residential roofing—and with good reason. Asphalt is affordable, has wide availability, and installation is easy. They can even be made to mimic the look of other roofing styles, such as tile, wood shakes, and slate, highlighting its impressive versatility at an attractive price.
Asphalt is available in different types, including 3-tab, dimensional, and luxury. Depending on the specific type used, asphalt roofs can last up to 30 years, if not more with proper care and maintenance.
While there are several benefits of asphalt roofing, there are also a number of cons you should be aware of. For example, this roofing material does require periodic maintenance, it has a low insulation value, and its lifespan isn’t as long as many other options.
2. Clay
Another incredibly popular roofing material is clay tile. This is an aesthetic roofing option that comes in a variety of different styles, including French, Spanish, Scania, and more. One of the main benefits of clay tile is that it lasts for a very long time, more than 100 years when installed in the right climate.
Other benefits of clay tile include that it is impervious to rot and insect damage, is environmentally friendly, energy-efficient, and requires little maintenance.
Given these benefits, it should be pointed out that clay tile is more expensive than some other roofing options, including asphalt. It’s also not suitable for all roof slopes and the tiles can be broken if they suffer a heavy impact (such as falling tree branches).
3. Wood
Wood roofing is incredibly charming and changes color with age (starting off sandy brown and then silvering with age), something that many homeowners appreciate. It’s not just the curb appeal that makes wood roofing so popular, however.
For one, wood shingles are affordably-priced. They also offer good wind, UV, and impact resistance, are fairly easy to install, offer energy efficiency, are lightweight, available in many style options, and have a decent life expectancy.
As with all other roofing options, it’s important to weigh up the cons. For example, wood shingles are not very fire-resistant (which should not come as a surprise). They may also rot over time and do require periodic maintenance.
If you love the unique look of wood, then wood shingles may just be the perfect choice for your home.
4. Slate
One of the most durable and long-lasting roofing materials is slate, with a potential lifespan of upward of 200 years. Certainly, slate is an aesthetically pleasing roofing option, as well as being low maintenance. Slate also helps to increase a property’s value, given that it is so sought after by prospective homebuyers.
The two main cons of slate are the cost and the weight, both of which are on the high side. However, if you are looking for a premium roofing option, it’s hard to look past slate.
5. Metal
While it’s easy to think of metal roofing as a modern choice, it has actually been around since the 1800s. They continue to be an incredibly popular choice today because of how materials like zinc and aluminum are affordable, low-maintenance, and aesthetically pleasing.
A good quality metal roof can last for up to 80 years, making them an excellent choice in terms of longevity. Metal roofing also comes in a variety of colors, perfect for homeowners with personal style preferences.
Metal roofs can be dented and they can also be noisy, which you should bear in mind when considering this roofing option.
6. Composite
Composite (synthetic) shingles are relative newcomers when it comes to roofing materials, though they have quickly become very popular. They are made from poly-based products, meaning they are fire-safe, fade-resistant, lightweight, and long-lasting.
They are able to mimic different roofing styles, including wood and slate. They do generally carry a higher price tag, so expect to pay a more premium price for this roofing material.
Six of the Most Popular Types of Roofing in 2023
The bottom line is that while there are many different types of roofing that homeowners can choose from in 2023, the above-listed options rank among the very best. In this list, there is something for homeowners who have different style preferences and budgets.
If you are looking for roof installation, roof replacement, roof repair, and roof maintenance in Danville and Champaign, IL, your premier choice is Freeman Exteriors. We are a family-owned and operated general contracting company, committed to ensuring that our clients are completely satisfied with their roofs.
If you would like to get an estimate for your upcoming roofing project, don’t hesitate to contact our professional team. Click here to send us a message or contact us at 217-355-5447.
