3 Types of Materials You Can Use for your Roof

As a homeowner, your choice of roofing material will be important, because the roof is your first line of defence against the elements and intruders. Also, this is something that should remain intact for many years and it is a very costly venture. Choosing the wrong material can stick your with repair headaches during the time you should be enjoying your home. This article highlights common roofing materials and what to think about before choosing them.

1. Concrete roofing

Concrete isn't normally used for roofing because it is considered weighty. It should only be used on concrete-built structures, which are able to withstand the weight of a concrete roof. Also, it should be done carefully by a qualified contractor, or the ever-present danger of cracking, heaving or sagging can render your hard work useless.

Concrete is ideal for fire-prone areas since it doesn't catch fire easily. In addition, it is impervious to rodent and insect infestation, mould, water damage and mildew. You can either construct a concrete slab, or else use concrete tiles which are readily available in a range of colours. While the initial cost is higher, you can recover investment in a longer lifespan compared with other roofing materials.

2. Clay tiles

This is an old and common roofing choice that remains popular to date. Properly installed, clay tiles can easily last a lifetime. It has a high initial cost, but this pays for itself in durability and low maintenance. You can get clay tiles in different shapes and sizes, not just the common S-shaped tiles which make the roof look wavy.

Weight is also a factor when considering clay tiles. For existing structure, it is important to determine whether the structure can hold the weight of a heavy clay roof. You can add support, but only if this is financially feasible. New buildings can be reinforced during construction in preparation for roofing.

3. Cedar roofing

Cedar is one of the options you can use if you want a natural-looking wooden roof. There are shingle roofs and shake roofs, which are differentiated according to texture. The former creates smooth, tapered surfaces with uniform appearance, while the latter is more grainy and thicker in size.

Treated cedar is admired for being fireproof, and it is also wind-resistant. It is ideal in places with moderate rain and sunshine, because water can dissolve natural extractives in the wood and too much sun can crack the slats.

Cedar has relatively high maintenance requirements, such as treatment to prevent mould, mildew, rot, fungi and moss.


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