Getting a new roof may be expensive, but your home's roof is an investment in your home; it works to insulate the interior so you're comfortable and spend less on utilities and also protects the building materials under and around the roof. When you make the investment of a new roof, you might take some time to think about the materials from which you might choose. Note a few tips for choosing the best roofing material for your home.
Asphalt
Asphalt tiles have the advantage of being very inexpensive, but they also typically have a much shorter lifespan than other roofing materials. Another advantage is that you may be able to replace some missing or damaged tiles on your own, saving you the cost of simple roof repairs over the years. When you do need a new roof, however, you might consider the cost and waste of a full tear-off job. Those tiles can be recycled, but this process involves heat and melting them down, so they're not as eco-friendly as you might imagine. You might also need to search to find a roofer who will have the tiles recycled rather than tossed in a landfill.
Metal
A metal roof can have a very long lifespan so it's an investment that last for many decades. You may need to have a specialist actually install or repair a metal roof, so note that potential added expense. If you have a garage or other outbuilding with a roof, you'll want to consider if the metal can be painted or otherwise fabricated to resemble the roof of that building so the look doesn't clash, or you may want to have both buildings re-roofed at the same time.
Composite materials
A composite material for a roof usually means a type of plastic that is created to look like standard asphalt tiles but which is lighter and more durable than asphalt. For older homes with damaged or weakened frames, they can be more lightweight than asphalt and a better option. Be sure you note fire codes when choosing a composite material, as some plastics are denser and more fire resistant than others. Also, note how easy it is to find replacement roof tiles from the same composite material so you can easily have single tiles or areas repaired over time. If you're very eco-conscious, also be sure you note how easy it is to recycle certain plastic materials you might choose for your roof.
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