Different Types of Roofs

Types, Materials, and Designs of Roofs

There are several options available when it comes to roof types, materials, and designs, whether you’re building a new roof on a newly constructed home or replacing an existing roof that is starting to fail. Metal roofing, tile roofing, asphalt shingles, and more are a few of the several alternatives.

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The optimal kind of roofing depends on a number of factors, such as the roof’s slope and complexity, the house’s style, the climate where you live, and the cost of various roofing alternatives. To gain an overview of the most popular roof types, materials, and designs, continue reading to discover more about these various roof kinds (with photographs).

Various Roof Material Types

Choosing the right material for a roof’s construction is crucial. The durability, longevity, and cost of installation or replacement all depend on the kind of material that is used. There are several roofing materials to choose from, and each has advantages and disadvantages of its own. The finest material for your roof will mostly rely on the local weather and environment where you reside.

Fiberglass Shingles made of asphalt and asphalt

Manufacturers have produced slate and wood-like-looking asphalt shingles.

Although most roof shingles used nowadays are referred to be asphalt fiberglass shingles, these words are used interchangeably. An additional layer of strength and tear resistance is provided by the fiberglass mat that is included into the shingle.

Because these shingles are reasonably priced, simple to install, long-lasting, and offered in an array of colors, they are the most often used roofing material for sloping roofs. Premium quality “laminated” asphalt fiberglass shingles normally come with a 50-year warranty.

Wooden Shakes and Shingles

Although wood shingles and shake roofs are more attractive, they require more upkeep than asphalt roofs.

Typically, red cedar, Alaskan yellow cedar, or Eastern white cedar are used to make wood shingles and shakes. The wood produced by these evergreens is naturally resistant to rot and insect attack, and it also has dimensional stability.

Shakes are separated from the log and have a rough, uneven texture; shingles, on the other hand, are sawed, giving them a smoother surface. This is the primary distinction between shingles and shakes. Installing a wood roof is more difficult and costly. Because of this, most people don’t install this kind of roof unless it’s for a historically significant home.

Roofing using Clay & Concrete Tile

While tile roofs are most commonly linked with Spanish-style homes, they may also be utilized with other architectural styles whether made of clay or concrete.

Roofs made of rubber

Since both clay and concrete tile roofing are masonry roofing materials with comparable installation requirements, they are sometimes combined into one category. The finished product is a roofing tile made to overlap and/or interlock with neighboring tiles, regardless of whether clay or concrete is utilized as the molding medium.

Clay and concrete tile roofs work best in warm climates with little to no precipitation; they shouldn’t be used in places with frequent, heavy downpours and frigid temperatures.

Roofs made of rubber

Flat roofs over garages and patios are frequently sealed with rubber membrane roofing. Image courtesy of EPDM Roofing Association

Rubber has been used for a long time, although rubber roofing is more recent. This is due to the fact that creating a thin rubber membrane with the strength and waterproof properties needed for roofing material has required extensive chemical study. EPDM roofing is another name for rubber roofing. EPDM stands for ethylene propylene diene monomer, a highly designed polymer that is utilized to make most rubber roofing materials. Flat or low-sloping roofs on both commercial and residential structures are the main applications for rubber roofing.

A rubber or EPDM roof that is put on a flat roof or low-slope application is sometimes referred to as a “membrane roof.” Few homes use membrane roofing, while many commercial structures do.

Plastic roofing

Some of the longest warranties in the business are offered for composite shingles.

Since the term “composite” just indicates that a variety of materials are utilized in the production process, it may be used to refer to a number of different roofing kinds. A popular form of composite roofing nowadays is imitated slate, which is created from rubber compounds and resins taken from recycled tires. While maintaining the appearance of a typical slate roof, this slate mimic delivers superior lifespan and a more affordable installation cost.

Metal Roofing

The types of metal roofing vary from shingle imitations to standing seam designs.

Metal roofing is a broad category that covers both roofing panels that are cut and formed on the construction site and roofing panels that are completed and formed in a factory. Metal roofing has been used for many years on residential, commercial, and agricultural buildings. Its inability to be used on intricate or curved roofs is its primary drawback. Many metal roofs, including corrugated roofing, may be put immediately over an old, worn-out roof without removing the existing roofing material.

Corrugated Roofing

Sheds and other garden buildings can benefit greatly from the use of corrugated metal roofing panels.

Because of its unique shape—a thin sheet with a symmetrical pattern of alternating ridges and grooves—corrugated roofing is simple to identify. The majority of corrugated roofing manufacturers provide huge shingles, although most provide sheets. Asphalt-fiberglass composites, polycarbonate, or steel can be used to make this kind of roofing. It works better for small sheds and commercial and agricultural structures than it does for homes. The ability to install corrugated roofing over an existing shingled roof without having to remove the original roofing material is a significant benefit.

Flat Roofing

Every flat roof has a natural tendency to leak, therefore if flat roofing has to be built, repaired, or changed, it’s critical to work with experienced installers.

Since many of the roofing techniques in this category are similar to those of “low-slope” roofing, they are sometimes used together. The most often used flat roofing materials on modern residential and commercial structures are thermo-polyolefin (TPO), PVC, and single-membrane systems like EPDM or rubber roofing. Flat roofs are not often covered with metal roofing, although low-slope roofs may.

High-density Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF) roofing is a technology that applies a continuous layer of foam insulation to the roof, which, when covered with a protective coating, may also function as the roof’s final surface.