What Is the Best Roof Replacement Material for 2021?

If you’re considering tackling some much-needed home improvement projects in the new year, there’s no better place to start than with a roof replacement! A home’s roof insulates interior spaces, keeping in heating and cooling while keeping out heat, humidity, and cold drafts. A roof also helps support a structure, dispersing its weight across the roof span, reducing the risk of interior cracks and other damage.

A roof replacement can even increase property values, while an old, damaged roof can often lower your home’s value. Updated roofing materials also enhance curb appeal! With all these reasons why you might invest in a new roof, your next step is to determine the best roofing material for your home. Check out some pros and cons of popular choices and then discuss these with a roofing contractor near you as needed.

Asphalt Shingles, Still the Most Popular Choice for Roof Replacement

Asphalt shingles are a popular choice for roof replacement, as shingles are still one of the most affordable options. Shingles are also easy to install, so a homeowner can often replace a few missing shingles themselves over the years.

Today’s shingle manufacturers have also improved their designs, making shingles more energy-efficient than ever before. You might also find more color options than you expected, from shades of red, gray, slate, moss green, and even yellow tones! No matter your home’s exterior color, there is a shingle color to match.

The downside of shingles is that they are one of the least durable roof material choices. Most asphalt shingles last about 20 years before needing replacing, and shingles might be the most likely roofing material to blow away or otherwise suffer storm damage.

Clay and Slate Roof Replacement Tile, for Beauty and Charm

Clay and slate roof tiles offer lots of durabilities, as both typically last anywhere from 30 to 50 years if not even longer! Dense clay and slate also provide excellent insulation for interior spaces, and both materials are not likely to blow away in storms or suffer damage in heavy rains and high winds.

Clay and slate tiles also offer a very charming aesthetic not easily matched by other roofing materials. As no two pieces of slate are exactly alike, slate roofing provides lots of visual appeal, while curved clay tiles offer a classic Mediterranean look you’re sure to love.

The downside of clay and slate is that they’re both at the high end of roof material costs, and rarely will a homeowner have the tools and know-how needed to replace a damaged or missing tile. Slate tiles are also quite heavy, so a home might need added structural support to hold its weight. As clay tiles are often associated with Mediterranean style homes, they also might not be an appropriate choice for modern or craftsman style exteriors.

Upgrade to Metal Roofing, for Durability and Style

Metal roofing is one of the most durable on the market today, with some metal panels resisting wind gusts up to 140 MPH. Some metal roofs might also last up to 70 years or even longer; investing in a new metal roof can mean never having to face another roof replacement for as long as you own your home!

Metal is also a very environmentally friendly material, as it’s easy to recycle metal and use it in other projects without necessarily having to heat it, which means little to no fumes or emissions created for its recycling process. Powder coating, similar to painting, also means that you can find a metal roof in just about any color or shade you prefer!

There are a few downsides to metal, one being its price. However, as said, investing in metal now can mean few if any roof repair and replacement costs over the years, so even with its higher installation cost, metal roofing is an excellent long-term financial investment. Metal tile installation also takes certain training and the right tools, so a homeowner will typically need to invest in the cost of a roofing contractor for repairs rather than tackling them on their own.

Plastic and Fiber Cement, for Affordability

Plastic and fiber cement roofing materials are lightweight and very affordable. Fiber cement is made from a mixture of sand, silica, cement, and cellulose or paper, all of which are easily harvested without environmental damage. Plastic and fiber cement roofing tiles can be made with recycled or reclaimed materials, so they’re both very eco-friendly.

The downside of plastic and fiber cement is that they’re not as durable as other roofing materials, often lasting some 20 to 25 years. If you’re curious about plastic, fiber cement, or any other roof replacement material for 2021, contact a roofing contractor near you for more information.