The roof is one of the most important parts of any home. It won’t only keep you and your family safe from the torments of harsh weather, but it also plays a key role in the exterior appearance of your house.
The great news is that there are many different roofing styles, suiting any specific needs and preferences. From simple flat roofs to the more advanced curved types, the options are endless. You also get to pick from a massive variety of roofing materials. With all these options, it can be hard to know what works best for your home.
To make an informed decision, keep reading to learn some of the most popular roof types pros and cons!
“The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining. – John F. Kennedy
Types of Roofs and Their Pros and Cons
Before we discuss different roofing materials out there, let’s kick off with a small discussion on the different roof types and their pros and cons.
Flat Roof
Flat roofs are very common and they offer a wide range of benefits.
To begin with, a flat roof gives you plenty of room up there for other things, including planting a garden, installing solar panels, and even putting in some water tanks.
Despite this, flat roofs don’t often offer the kind of aesthetics that make your home stand out.
Pyramid Hip Roofs
Pyramid hip roofs are some of the most common options in the market right now. A pyramid roof simply has four slanted sides, each touching on a single wall around the house.
These roofs offer amazing aesthetic appeal and since they are very steep, they can easily drain out the water without any issues.
Besides, pyramid hip roofs don’t have ridges in the middle. This means that they rarely leak during heavy rains. You will also notice that most pyramid hip roofs tend to have eaves on each side, which can provide invaluable shade during hot summer months. If you’re looking for the best examples of roof types, then this would be among the top three.
Shed Roof
A shed roof simply has a single slope and it’s by far one of the simplest types of roofs you can go for.
Shed roofs are often referred to as skillions and they are very affordable. The only downside here is that you won’t get any attic space, but other than that, they are very practical.
Gable Roofs
In case you’re looking for something a little more classic for your home, then gable roofs should work great.
Gable roofs simply feature two slopes that interact in the middle to create a wedge. This type is very versatile and can therefore be installed in a wide range of climates.
They are also very affordable and will easily prevent the buildup of snow or the accumulation of water during heavy rains. Gable roofs are designed to last for years and should offer great value.
A Curved Roof
Curved roofs are some of the more modern options for you. These roofing systems offer superb aesthetic appeal and are very energy efficient too.
Additionally, curved roofs can be easily customized to match up to the architectural design of your home.
Roofing Materials to Consider
Now that we have discussed some of the best roof types, let’s now dig deep into the various roofing materials you can go for, including their pros and cons.
Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt shingles are very common. In fact, they dominate the roofing market in a huge way. Traditionally, asphalt shingles are picked for both their aesthetic appeal and durability.
If properly installed, these roofs will last for almost 30 years with very little maintenance. Asphalt shingles are also very versatile and come in a wide variety of shapes and styles as well.
Metal Sheets
If you’re looking for something that will last, then you won’t find a better option than metal.
These roofs can easily last 100 years depending on the type of metal you’re using. They are also easy to install and more resistant to rough weather compared to other materials.
The only downside is that metal roofs tend to make a lot of noise when it rains, so if that bothers you, insulation can be installed to solve the issue.
Slate Roof
Slate roofing is very traditional and you will normally find it in homes that were built nearly 100 years ago. This is just a testament of how durable and long lasting these roofs can be.
Slate roofs are carved from natural stone and they are 100% recyclable, making them very sustainable. The only challenge is that the roofs are very heavy, so they require additional reinforcement. However, they are some of the more common roof types in the world today.
Need an expert’s opinion to decide the best roofing type for your home? Talk to a local roofing company and request a free quote!
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