Roofing and Building Center

Different Types of Roofing Materials

Posted on December 4, 2009 by Samuel Cheeseman

Available Options

In the modern world of construction there are many different types of roofing materials currently available for both private homes and also commercial and industrial properties. These range from the most basic products which are no more than leaves and plants to modern options such as forms of rubber roofing material which are produced using state of the art technology and also much more traditional types of flat roofing material such as coal tar. The main purpose of a roof is to protect a property from the rain, wind and other elements. As a general rule the pitch of the roof will increase with the typical levels of rainfall in the area where the building is located. This is due to the fact that a steeper pitch will direct water away from the roof more effectively. The roofing material should be chosen with this in mind as each type is generally better suited to roofs pitched at different angles.

Traditional Materials

Some of the more primitive roofing material is still widely used in less economically developed countries around the world. These include banana leaves, bamboo, wheat, straw and sea grass. Many of these materials are surprisingly resilient when installed correctly and can have extraordinarily long lifetimes. Sea grass is said to last well over half a century in some areas. When using these materials to construct a roof the thatching technique is used. Layers are placed on top of each other in a way that diverts water away from the interior of the roof. Although thatching has largely been replaced by more modern techniques in the western world some examples are still seen in rural areas. A limited number of new thatch roofs are still constructed each year usually by a property owner who is choosing thatch for its aesthetic appeal.

Shingles

Shingles are a very common roof material and are often used for residential properties. Shingles are typically separate roofing sheets installed so that they overlap each other. They are produced from many materials including wood, slate, metal, ceramics, concrete and asphalt. Shingles can be very long lasting depending on what they are made from. Ceramic tiles can last a century or more while slate shingles can last twice as long. Slate roofing can still be found in many areas although the market for slate roof material is now small compared to what it was. The cost is just too high in relation to modern roofing material despite its durability. Slate and ceramic tiles represent some of the most expensive varieties of roofing shingles.

Asphalt shingles are a very popular choice for residential property owners and are now often produced from fibreglass. They are cheap and lightweight while still offering lifetimes of up to 50 years. Shingles can be replaced relatively easily when they are no longer proving to be effective. This can be carried out by installing new shingles over the top of the old ones or swapping old for new. The latter is generally recommended as it gives the opportunity to inspect the interiors of the roof for any water damage before installing the new materials. Asphalt products are also very common flat roof materials.

Plastic, Rubber & Metal

Roofing sheets are also produced from membrane which allows them to be joined to form one large continuous sheet. Rubbers such as EPDM or plastics including PVC are often used. These materials bare some resemblance to those used in the production of Rubber Flooring. Modified bitumen asphalt combined with modifiers such as APP or SBS is another common modern option. These products are commonly used as flat roofing materials along with many other less frequently used membranes.

Metal roofing materials have been popular for many years on commercial or industrial properties and are becoming more common in residential buildings. They are generally lightweight and cheap materials that will last a lifetime. The metal used is often galvanised steel that may or may not be corrugated to increase its strength. Steel treated with a substance such as zinc so it will resist corrosion is also popular and can last much longer than the galvanized metal. Metal roofing material is becoming increasingly popular and is usually a sound long term investment due to its all round high quality and the lack of maintenance needed in relation to other products. Metal roof materials are also non combustible which helps towards their excellent safety ratings.

The Right Choice

The roof materials used on a particular property will depend on many factors including the location, weather conditions, the usage of the building and the budget allocated for the installation. It is important to thoroughly research the different options available to you and compare the costs of both initial construction and likely maintenance requirements for the lifetime of the roof. It is generally a good idea to begin research on the types of materials that are already commonly used in the area where your property is located You should be cautious about selecting materials that do not seem to be in use already by other property owners in the area.

Related posts:

1. Choosing your Roofing Material – Tiles
2. Advantages of Asphalt Roofing Shingles
3. Types of Corrugated Roofing Sheets
4. Thatching and Primitive Roofing Materials
5. Using Plastic Roofing Sheets