New Roof? Consider Alternative Materials.
So it’s time for a new roof. Take a deep breath. Figuring out where to get started can be overwhelming, but instead of looking at your options on the shingles aisle, consider alternative roofing options such as tile, metal, or slate.
Tile
Pros: Roof tiles, including clay, not only look nice, but can last upward of 50 years when installed properly. They are also less of a fire hazard than wood shakes.
Cons: Tiles are often heavy and upfront installation costs can be expensive. If someone has to walk on your roof to make repairs, they can be easily broken.
Metal
Pros: They’re environmentally friendly. They can be made from up to 95 percent recycled material and are 100 percent recyclable. They also don’t ignite during a wildfire or lighting strike the way other materials can.
Cons: How many songs are there about rain on a tin roof? A light sprinkling may sound nice, but it could get hard to have a conversation during one of Texas’ wild thunderstorms. They’re also difficult to match color when making repairs.
Slate
Pros: Slate is visually appealing and often used in restoring historical homes and buildings.
Cons: It can weigh up to 1,500 pounds for 100 square feet of roofing, requiring a very strong structure to support it. It’s also fragile, which can make the cost of repairs add up.
Whatever material you end up choosing for your new roof, be sure you hire a good contractor who will get the job done properly.
