What Are the Five Most Common Types of Roof?
Replacing a roof is a big endeavor. It costs more than most home repairs, and it causes disruption to the house while it’s being replaced. But it’s critical to replace a roof, especially in Richmond, VA, where the elements can wreak havoc on roofs. So when it comes time to replace a roof, what are your options? What are the most common types of roof, and how do you know which one is right for you?
Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt Shingles are the number one most common type of roof in Richmond, VA, and it’s for good reason. Shingles are sturdy, they resist the weather well. But perhaps the biggest reason for shingle roofs is that shingles are the least expensive roofing option, and they’re one of the easiest to install. The fact that they’re inexpensive is good for the Richmond, VA, homeowner’s wallet, and the fact that they’re easy to install means that the whole process can be done quickly–often in a single day.A shingle roof will withstand most weather, and it’s relatively easy to repair should a shingle come loose in a windstorm. Shingle roofs will last, on average, between 15 to 25 years before the roof needs to be replaced. All of these things make asphalt shingle roofs one of the best and most common roofs in Richmond.
Metal
A metal roof is not nearly as common a type of roof as a shingle roof, but it definitely has advantages that a shingle roof doesn’t. Metal roofs are made to withstand virtually any weather, and they’re especially good at keeping out leaks. While a windstorm can lift a few shingles away and expose the underlayment to water damage, it would take hurricane-force winds to damage a metal roof, so unless that’s the case, leaking won’t be a problem.Of course, a metal roof will be more expensive as it requires different equipment, is harder to install, and the metal itself is simply a more expensive material than shingles. But the good news is that the projected lifespan of a metal roof is anywhere from 30 to 70 years depending on the type of metal and the installation method. So you’re paying more initially, but you’ll be saving a lot in the long run.(Metal roofs are also a great selling point if you’re ever looking to sell your home, because the homebuyer will know they won’t have to shell out money for a new roof a few years down the line.)
Tile
Tile roofs are not nearly as common a type of roof in Richmond, VA, as they might be in states like Florida, or the American Southwest. But tile roofs are still available, and there are many reasons why a tile roof might just be the thing you’re looking for. The biggest reason to get a tile roof, of course, is to match the architectural style of the rest of the house and neighborhood. Tile has a distinctive look and some houses will look great with tile and others won’t. But if your house is one that will look great with tile, then replace a roof with tile will be a great benefit.Tile is more expensive than shingles, but less expensive than metal. It can also be repaired almost as easily as shingles can, because if there’s damage you simply swap out the broken–or missing–tile and replace it with a new one. You don’t need to worry about sun damage discoloration of the tile as they’re made to absorb sun.A tile roof will last 20 to 40 years, so it’s a good investment.
Wood Shakes
Some houses, particularly older historical buildings, will have wood shakes as their roofing material. This is fairly uncommon, but can be managed with relative ease. A wood shake is similar to a shingle in that they’re placed one on top of the other, like scales, going up the roof and therefore keep the water running down to the gutters. Wood shakes can also be replaced easily. The main downside to shakes is that they take longer to install than any of the types of roof that we’ve mentioned so far and can therefore be expensive. Not because the shakes themselves are expensive, but because the labor cost is greater. Wood shakes will last about as long as traditional shingles: 15 to 25 years.
Slate
Finally, slate roofs are a hardy and special type of roofing. Heavy, they require that the roof be built to take the weight of this material, but slate is very attractive and many of the nicest homes have slate roofs as a sort of architectural fashion statement. Slate is the most expensive type of roof that we’ve discussed, as it’s expensive to get and hard to install. But it will last a long time–anywhere from 30 to 50 years.
