Best Roofing Material 2019

Posted 04/29/2019

Roofing Material Options in Marietta, Ga

Homeowners in Decatur, Georgia have many roofing material options when it comes time to replace their roof. Whether you’re looking for an inexpensive replacement, a more aesthetically pleasing roof, or a durable money saving solution; we have laid out the most popular types of roofing material and the benefits of each.

Asphalt & Asphalt Fiberglass Shingles

Fiberglass shingles start with a fiberglass mesh mat that is covered in asphalt and topped with granules that provide color and reflect some of the sunlight. Shingles made with fiberglass are lightweight and resist tearing.
Organic asphalt shingles begin with paper, often recycled, that is saturated in asphalt and covered with granules. The shingles are heavier and harder to work with than fiberglass, but they generally offer better stability in high winds. Although you can still see them on many roofs, organic shingles have been mostly phased out or discontinued over the last decade. Why? Manufacturers have stopped making organic shingles due to their tendency to dry out, become less-waterproof and more prone to excess moisture absorption.

Asphalt manufacturers have designed shingles that imitate the look of wood and slate. Most of the roofing shingles that you see in homes today are asphalt fiberglass shingles. The fiberglass mat is embedded in the shingle, providing an extra security layer. The fiberglass also improves the tear resistance of the shingle.

The reason asphalt shingles are so widely used is that they are inexpensive, easy to install, durable, and available in numerous colors. You can install premium grades of “laminated” asphalt fiberglass shingles, which are generally warrantied for 50 years.

Wood Shingles & Shakes Roofing Material

If you choose wood shingles and a shake roof it will look beautiful. However, you can expect more maintenance compared to an asphalt roof.

Wood shingles and shakes are usually made of red cedar, Alaskan yellow cedar or Eastern white cedar. These evergreens have wood that is dimensionally-stable and resistant to rot and insects.

-Shakes are split from a log and have a rough, random texture. -Shingles are sawed and have a smoother surface.

-Wood roofs are expensive and require additional skill to install.

This is why most people avoid wood roofs unless they are building on a historic house.

How are wood shingles and shakes different?

Wood shingles are machine-cut and feature cleaner edges and a smooth surface to produce a more uniform appearance.
Wood shakes are hand-cut from blocks of wood, so have a more rustic appearance. They’re thicker too, so slightly more expensive than wood shingles.

Metal Roofing Material

Metal has enjoyed a recent resurgence led by demand for durability, eco-friendly roofing and the introduction of new styles.

Metal roofing is still manufactured in rolls, but most are rigid sheet roofing with vertical-seam panels and modular press-formed panels that can be painted or coated with granules.

What’s good about a metal roof?

New styles can mimic shingles, shakes, slate, and tile, and dozens of colors are available
Metal is a 50 to 100-year roofing material with warranties of 30-50 years
Metal reflects solar radiant heat, so can keep your home cooler and control energy costs in hot weather when compared with asphalt
Many metal roofing profiles have a Class A fire rating
Some styles of metal such as corrugated and ribbed panels that are common to barn roofs can be installed quickly and on a budget
Metal sheds rain and snow better than most other roof materials, which helps prevent ice dams during extreme cold
Recycled materials are used in most metal roofs, and the roofing panels are 100% recyclable at the end of their service life
Today’s metal roofing products are surprisingly lightweight yet offer outstanding resistance to impact
Metal roofs look great on wood-sided homes, cabins, cottages and those with simple, rustic design
Many residential metal roofs such as metal shingles, standing seam, and stone-coated steel tiles are designed to meet the most stringent building codes and wind uplift standards such as those of Miami Dade County in Florida

Composite & Slate Roofing Material

If you choose to roof your home with composite shingles, expect the industry’s most extended warranties.

“Composite” applies to several types of roofing. It refers to the different materials used in the manufacturing process. One of the most common types of composite roofing you will find is stimulated roofing slated made from resins and rubber compounds (extracted from reclaimed tires). The slate look-a-like provides excellent longevity and lower installation costs. The roofing also appears very similar to the traditional slate roof.

Both natural and synthetic slate are produced in lengths from 8” to about 24” with widths from about 4” to 16”. The size options allow you to choose the best look for your home’s architecture.

Natural slate tiles are the most durable roof you can put on a building, but the material is heavy and often requires additional and costly support. Innovations in slate roofing systems, like GAF TruSlate, are cutting the cost of genuine slate.
Synthetic slate tiles are attractive for their lower cost and lighter weight.

The advantages of slate are:

The luxurious good looks of genuine slate are unsurpassed
Real slate is a “lifetime” roof for any building and enhances curb appeal and resale value
Slate requires little maintenance
Synthetic slate is lightweight yet strong
This is a green roofing material due to its durability, the fairly low impact of manufacturing and that it can be reused and recycled

Local Roofers

Knowing when it’s time to replace a roof isn’t always obvious, booking an inspection at the end of every season can prevent damages and problems. There are many roofing materials to choose from, we highly recommend homeowners discuss all their options with an experienced roofer. If you are seeking advice on your roofing needs, we service the Greater Atlanta Area for Inspections, Repairs, & Replacements. Contact us Today and like our Facebook Page for offers and tips on how to maintain your roof.

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