There is a wide variety of roofing materials available on the market today. Each material comes with its own unique characteristics both positive and negative. Whether you’re building new, investing in a new roof or completing proper care and maintenance, understanding your roof material is a must. We’ve put together this list of some of the benefits and drawbacks of some of the most common roof materials.
Hugely popular across Australia metal roofing has come a long way from old tin roofs. With a huge variety of types of metals and finishes, there is a metal roof to suit any needs, style or budget. Metal roofing is lightweight, rugged, and comes in a huge range of designs and colours.
Despite how far we’ve come metal roofing can still be louder than other materials during heavy rain and hail. Falling branches, hail or a misplaced step on a metal roof can cause serious dents that can reduce the life of the roof, create weak points and be costly to repair.
Generally made from concrete or terracotta, a tiled roof is also a very popular choice. Offering natural insulation tiles have a long lifespan and have a classic and timeless look. Tiles tend to maintain more vibrant and rich colours even after years of sun exposure and it is easy to replace a small group of damaged tiles without needing to replace or redo large portions of your roof.
Tiles are also heavy and a whole roof worth of them can put a lot of strain on the structure of your home. You may need to consult structural engineers and other specialists to ensure a tile roof is even possible for your existing structure. The very nature of tiles also means there are lots of little cracks, where mould, moss, insects and other undesirable things can gather if not sealed and maintained properly.
Slate is a premium roofing material that adds elegance and luxury to your property. Slate shingles are highly durable, all-natural, and have been known to increase the value of a property. Resistant to fire and wind there is a reason slate roofing has been around for such a long time.
Not only is slate an expensive material proper installation is a specialised and often pricey job. Slate’s distinctive look makes it stand out but it also means you can’t customise it to match your property. Like tiles, slate is also very heavy and needs a steeper roof angle than many other materials. Because of the way slate shingles are arranged it can also be difficult to remove and replace just one damaged tile, and removing and redoing large portions of the roof may be required.
The expert team at Roof Inspection Reports have an in-depth understanding of the huge variety of roofing materials on the market today. We offer independent inspections and advice to help you understand your roof and make informed decisions. With our architectural design review services, we can advise on whether the design and materials being recommended are the most suitable and economical for the purpose before you even commit to construction. Talk to a roofing expert on 0418 677 524 or contact us online.