The 10 Different Types of Roofing to Consider for Your Home

If you need a new roof soon, you’re probably curious about the different types of roofing available in today’s market. The experienced roofers offering expert roofing replacement by Terminus Construction Group in Woodstock, GA, describe each type of roofing material in the paragraphs below.

1. Asphalt Shingles

Asphalt shingles are the most popular roofing type in America. They are relatively inexpensive to produce and install, and prices range from $1.50 to $5.50 per square foot. Granules of different materials offer a variety of color options to complement any home.

The popularity of asphalt roofing shingles has increased over the last century as new technologies improved their resistance to fire, wind, hail, and rain. Additionally, most manufacturers offer extended warranties from their manufacturer-certified installers. So, if a roofer is GAF-certified, they can offer extended warranties on all GAF materials used.

3-Tab Shingles

3-tab shingles offer a uniform look and easy application of shingle strips. They are more affordable than architectural shingles and, until recently, were the most commonly installed type of shingle on most American homes. They offer a lifespan of approximately 8-15 years, depending on factors that can affect a roof, such as weather and maintenance.

Architectural Shingles

Architectural or dimensional shingles are thicker and have overtaken 3-tab shingles as the most popular roofing material. Architectural shingles offer a variety of patterns in how they are cut and arranged, giving your roof a more attractive appearance. They offer a lifespan of 20-30 years with regular maintenance and no major damage.

Luxury or Premium Shingles

Premium asphalt shingles can cost nearly double the price of architectural shingles. Luxury shingles are larger than other types of shingles and can look like slate roofing without the weight of natural slate. They offer a typical lifespan of 30 years or more with proper installation and maintenance.

2. Composite Shingles

Composite shingles offer the easy installation of asphalt shingles but offer a synthetic composite construction using recycled plastics and rubber. They can look like wood shake shingles, slate tile, or asphalt shingles.

These durable shingles allow you to get the look of many other roofing materials without the downsides of wind damage, hail damage, added weight on the roof, or UV damage shortening their lifespan. You can easily expect 40-50 years from a synthetic composite shingle roof.

3. Metal Roofing

Metal roofing is arguably the best roofing option in Georgia. The durability of metal is second to none, the metal material reflects heat away from your home better than any other material, and the lifetime can easily be 30-50 years or more. A metal roof is low maintenance and rarely needs repairs.

4. Wood Shingle or Shake

Wood shingle roofs often contain composite wood materials cut into shingle shapes, whereas manufacturers split wood shakes to create a ridged texture and a more natural look. Treated wood roofing materials can repel water and last approximately 40 years, although you will need to treat occasionally with more water repellant and fire retardant solutions.

Cedar wood shingle or shake roofing is one of the most durable of the different types of roofing for Georgia homes, although it does require more maintenance than other kinds of roofing.

5. Tile Roofing

Tile shapes include flat, curved, or S-shaped and offer a variety of colors and installation styles. Tile roofing can come in clay or concrete materials, and can easily last over 50 years, sometimes over 75 years. Whether clay or concrete, tile roofs are more resistant to wind, hail, and rain than asphalt shingles. Installing a tile roof can also boost your home value when you decide to sell.

6. Slate Roofing

Slate roofing sources natural stone tiles to build a naturally water repellant and fire retardant roof. Slate is extremely durable against hail damage and can easily last up to 75 years or more. The only major downsides are the cost and the weight.

7. Solar Roofing

Solar manufacturers now make shingles from the same material as larger solar panels. While solar shingles can install over an existing roof, you would ideally choose solar roofing for a new roof installation. Although expensive to install, the state offers solar energy buyback and tax credits to offset the costs of solar roofing.

8. EPDM Membrane for Flat Roofs

Ethylene Propylene Diene Terpolymer (EPDM) is a synthetic membrane roofing system perfect for flat roofs. It offers the best resistance to storm damage of any other single-layer flat roofing system. UV resistance and a white top coating over the black surface can reduce temperatures inside your home.

9. PVC or TPO Membrane for Flat Roofs

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) and Thermoplastic Polyolefin (TPO) roofs reflect heat with white membrane surfaces. TPO tends to have a longer lifespan and is more environmentally friendly than PVC. TPO is also generally more affordable to install.

10. Modified Bitumen for Flat Roofs

Modified bitumen roofs include layers of UV protection, water resistance, insulation, and structural support. They will easily last 20 years with little to no maintenance and can last much longer with proper care.

Call Terminus Construction Group for Roof Installation or Replacement for Your Woodstock Home

At Terminus Construction Group, we enjoy helping our customers decide between the best options for different types of roofing for their homes and businesses in and around Woodstock. Learn more about our roof repair service, as well as our services for roof replacement, emergency storm damage, and commercial roofing services.

For a new roof replacement in Woodstock, GA, with any of these amazing different types of roofing, call us at Terminus Construction Group today!