What is the Best Roofing Material for Your Home?

Metal? Shingles? What Kind of Replacement Roof Is Right For You?

So you’ve decided it’s time for a roof replacement. You have time, you have the money or the insurance coverage, and you want to make sure you have a strong roof before the rough weather starts to hit. You even found a roofing company that you can trust with the job. There’s just one more question: what kind of replacement roof do you need?

Early on in replacement roof conversations, you’ll be introduced to some of your several options for replacement roofs. With the right roofing company to install the roof, any of them could last up to 30 years, but it can be harder to decide what roof is right for your home. Here at First Texas roofing, we offer products for these four materials: slate, tile, and composite shingles, and metal roofing material. Each type will have a different effect on your home. Here’s a comparison of the pros and cons of each to help you make your decision.

Slate

Slate is one of the most beautiful roofing options, which makes it popular for homeowners trying to increase their curb appeal. But slate is more than just a pretty tile. It’s incredibly durable and can last for over twice as long as other roofing materials. It can hold up to harsh storms and strong winds. It’s waterproof, so you won’t have to worry about roof rot and have a strong defense against leaks. It’s low maintenance and since it lasts so long, it’s one of the more environmentally friendly options.

All that quality comes at a price, however. Slate is one of the more expensive options on the market, though it can increase the value of your home when it’s time to sell. For all its durability and low maintenance, you should still tread lightly. Slate shingles are likely to break under foot, so if you’re not a professional roofer, walking across slate shingles is ill-advised. It can be a complicated installation, because of the weight and fragility of the shingles, but if you hire a roofing company who knows what they’re doing, that shouldn’t be a problem.

Tile

If your aesthetic leans more towards the Spanish or Greek styles, tile roofing could be a beautiful addition to your home. Like slate, tile has an unusually long lifespan and it’s very storm-resistant. Tile is also flame resistant, and makes for excellent insulation, which can be a big help as the cold weather starts to creep up. Tile is very desirable right now on the housing market, so a tile roof replacement is a good idea if you’re preparing your home to be sold (or just want to make your neighbors jealous). It has lightweight options and comes in a variety of colors to suit your home’s aesthetic, whatever it may be.

Compared to composite shingles or metal roofing, tile is on the pricey side. It’s comparable to slate roofing not just in longevity but in price. Tiles can also be fragile when pressure is applied, which means that installation will have to be done very carefully so as not to break any shingles.

Composite

Composite shingles are significantly less expensive and that’s what makes them such a massively popular choice throughout the United States. They come in various colors and fit into pretty much any home style. Composite shingles have also been called the “Great Pretenders”: if you can’t afford real slate shingles, composite shingles can be designed to look like slate. They have the easiest installation and repairs are easily done with these materials.

However, composite shingles likely won’t last as long as slate or tile. They’re the most vulnerable to weather damage like rot, mold, and mildew and it’s the roofing material most likely to leak. Again, however, the quality of the roof often comes down to the quality of the roofing company. With a reputable roofing company and an expert installation, a composite shingle roof can hold their own against extreme weather for years and years.

Metal

Metal roofing is the most lightweight material on the list, and it makes for the easiest installation. As it is, well, metal, it’s a trusted fire-resistant material and can last through decades of hail and wind damage. This roof requires the least maintenance, sometimes requiring no maintenance at all, and unlike slate or tile, it isn’t likely to crack under foot. It’s considered to be the most energy efficient roof material, reflecting the rays of the sun rather than absorbing them. It comes in a variety of styles and colors.

The biggest disadvantage of metal roofing is generally considered to be the noise. The pitter patter of rain on the roof can sound more like pounding from inside the home, so before making the choice to buy a metal roof, ask yourself if that’s a sound that you’ll be able to tune out. Because of the slickness of its nature, metal roofs don’t need rain gutters, but snow that slides off the roof can be potentially dangerous for passerbys. If this is a concern, you can always have your roofing company install snow guards to keep snow from sliding.

Whatever material you choose for your home, First Texas Roofing has what you need for an efficient, expert installation. We have over 15 years of experience serving Keller, Texas, and the surrounding areas. We can guarantee fair prices and an installation that will last for decades. Contact us today for a free estimate of your home’s perfect roof replacement.