2020-07-01
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There are many types of roofing materials—some of which are brand new—with a range of plusses and negatives. Some materials are environmentally friendly and some are long lasting or low maintenance.
Some materials, though much more expensive, require less maintenace and have a longer life expectancy than others. An asphalt composition roof might last just 20 years whereas a metal roof might last more than 50.
These are demerits and merits of some roofing materials listed above:
1) Composition Shingles
Merits:
At a very affordable price, these roofs are offered in a variety of colors and styles. Composition shingles made from asphalt and fiberglass are of a high quality and very durable. They are easy to install compared with other roofing types, require little maintenance and usually have Class A fire protection.
Demerits:
These types of roofs do not perform well in high winds, and under certain conditions there is a chance that they might blow off. The materials also scar easily if hot, which damages the appearance and durability of the roofood.
2) Wood Shakes
Merits:
Available in a variety of colors, widths, thicknesses, cuts of wood, etc. – these roofs allow for flexibility in style. Wood helps to insulate your attic, which allows air to circulate easily.
Demerits:
Wood shakes are unrated by fire safety codes and often require wipe or spray-on fire retardants, which are usually less effective in fire resistance than other roofing materials. These roofs require much maintenance and repair due to
damage from mold, rot and insects. Old shakes are not recyclable and have a more complicated installation process than other roofing types.
3) Clay Tile
Merits:
Provides a unique look, especially for homes with a Spanish, Italian or South-Western look. A wide variety of colors and styles are available. Tiles are long-lasting, don’t rot or burn and cannot be damaged by insects. This roofing material requires little maintenance.
Demerits:
Tiles are heavy, which can cause a roof to require extra support. Also, if color is only added to the surface of the tiles, it can fade over time. Tiles are fragile, which makes it more difficult to repair the roof or walk on it to repair gutters or fireplaces. Clay tiles are one of the most expensive roofing materials, and installation can be quite complicated.
4) Concrete Tile
Merits:
This roof type is very durable and is available in a variety of colors and styles. Most concrete roofing is long-lasting and requires little maintenance. Tiles are resistant to rot and insect damage and provide good fire protection. Concrete tile can be made to mimic other types of roofing.
Demerits:
This roofing style is on the expensive side and because it is relatively new on the market, there are still problems with breaking and color changing that must be resolved.
5) Metal
Merits:
Regaining its popularity, metal roofs are now most popular in standing-seam steel (Standing-seam steel describes the upturned edge of one metal panel that connects it to adjacent sections, creating distinctive vertical lines and a historical look). These roofs can also be created to mimic other roofing types such as wood shakes, clay tiles, shingles, etc. Metal roofs are durable, fire retardant and require very little maintenance. Metal roofs are energy efficient and consist of many recyclable materials. They are light weight, which means they can be installed over existing roofs.
Demerits:
Installation of metal roofs can be difficult and the cost is higher than most other roofing types. The life-long cost of the roof should be considered to determine if the initial cost is worth it.
6) Hot Mop
Merits:
This roofing is most used in commercial buildings or flat homes with good drainage. Made of asphalt, it is less expensive than other roofing types and is very durable. Although the result is not as aesthetically pleasing as other materials, it can be covered with a layer of stone to achieve a more desirable look.
Demerits:
The installation of asphalt can be harmful to the environment and the installers. Some urban areas do not allow hot mop roofs because its fumes contribute to smog and release extremely high levels of air pollutants
7) Modified Bitumen membrane system
Merits:
APP Modified Bitumen Roofing Systems are available in a variety of thicknesses in smooth and granule surfaces. Reinforced with a tough, non-woven polyester mat, APP membranes deliver superior rooftop performance for flat roof Systems with good drainage both new and re-roof over lay hot mop roofs applications. APP membranes may be installed by heat welding or with cold-applied adhesives.
Demerits:
Fire danger from heat welding high maintenance for smooth surfaces a UV coating must be install every 3 to 5 years for the full life expectancy flat or roof with less 4 in 12 pitch and installation is complicated.
8) Self-adhesive roofing membrane and underlayment
Merits:
Self-stick products cause less harm to the roof deck than regular underlayment because they're less susceptible to corrosion. In addition, they aren't installed with nails or screws so they don't weaken the deck or transfer heat to the interior that can make the air conditioning system less efficient. And there are no holes that could allow moisture to seep in or SBS-based self-adhesive roofing membrane that offers high reflectivity and emissive properties with the use of a premium white surface.
Demerits:
peel-and-stick products may be three to five times more expensive
The Properties of The Different roofing Materials
Settling on a roofing material can be considerably simpler if you understand the variations in the qualities of commercially ready roofing materials. Each type of roofing material has both pros and cons, but having less advantages does not render a particular material less effective in providing protection for your home. At times, efficiency is measured by how the characteristics of a particular roofing material fit your roofing needs based on climate, architectural design, and other things.
Slate
Recognized for its resilience, slate is one of the most long-lasting roofing materials as it can stay undamaged up to 200 years with correct care. While it is constructed from fine-grained and homogeneous metamorphic rock, it remains lighter than concrete tiles and weightier than sheet steel. Then again, due to its foliated nature, it can readily break when stepped on with force. Cracked slate must be replaced instantly to stop leak troubles that might soon after affect the underlayment.
Ceramic Tile
Even though solid like slate, ceramic tile is lighter and less resilient. It can keep on being intact only for about 100 years under consistent care. This roofing material may be arranged over the underlayment using imbrex and tegula or monk and nun, a style of roofing assembly where tiles are overlapping one another.
Metal Shake
Like ceramic, metal may also be formed into shakes or shingles, and the pieces may be installed overlapping one another. Based on the type and thickness of the metal applied, metal shakes could be lighter than ceramic tiles and remain more hard-wearing, especially with adequate coating. When compared to metal roofing that comes in big corrugated panels, metal shakes come in smaller parts.
Membrane
A number of homes in Memphis are built with membrane roofs. This roofing type applied by roofing contractors Memphis TN suggests is made from synthetic rubber, thermoplastic, or modified bitumen. It could be applied immediately on the underlayment as the main roofing material, or as a supplementary covering. The surface of membrane roofing may cause antimicrobial benefits, rendering its surface hygienic and the water streaming all over it useful for recycling.
Metal Panels
After its discovery, metal has been used as a major material in buildings due to its sturdiness. In roofing, metal also shows exceptional traits besides strength, including being lightweight and having permanence since it can keep on being intact for up to 200 years if not left uncoated. A roofing contractor Memphis TN can give endorses metal panels over metal shakes for easier assembly.
Conclusion
§ Composition shingles are an inexpensive option for your home in the short term. The need to re-roof over time can make this an expensive option over time.
§ Clay tile looks beautiful and can provide your home with a traditional and classic appearance, but the initial expense and fragility of this product can make this choice more expensive than just the initial investment. The heavy weight of this material adds some concern of structural safety in the event of an earthquake or fire.
§ Wood shingle and shake will give your home a natural appearance. In some areas wood is no longer allowed due to the danger of wildfires spreading among neighborhoods. With the product being produced today out of second growth wood, it is more susceptible to becoming brittle and shrinking then the wood shingles and shakes of years ago.
§ Metal roofing can provide your home with the look of any other common roofing material. The initial expense of installing this product on your home is quickly realized as a solid investment, as this product eliminates the need for future re-roofing and maintenance. And, modern metal roofing systems retain their appearance and color for decades.
§ Aluminum Metal roofing is an environmentally sound choice, since it reduces the homeowners’ environmental footprint. This is due to the fact that aluminum roofing is made from recycled products, and can be totally recycled again and again, causing no further environmental waste. Landfills are therefore spared the huge waste that comes with the disposal of temporary roofing materials.
§ Slate is commonly chosen for its appearance. Tile is often chosen for the ability to provide homes with a southwestern, Italian or Spanish Mission look, and slate is often seen on more upscale homes. They are natural substances that won’t burn or be as affected by the elements or insects as would organic material. However, they are extremely heavy and cause significant stress on your home’s structure. This puts your home at risk in the event of seismic activity or weakness caused by fire. Installing clay tile or slate on an average home can be very expensive due to the complicated nature of the installation and the cost of the material itself.
§ Asphalt composition shingle roofing material can be easily damaged by high winds, causing the shingles to blow off. High heat, heavy rains and other weather factors can cause curling, cracking and streaking of the shingles, which deteriorates your roof’s appearance and effectiveness. An average home with composition shingles will have to be re-roofed many times over its lifetime, creating waste that will need to be disposed of in the environment.
