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What Type Of Roof Material Should I Pick For My Custom Home?

1/27/2023

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Building a custom home is a huge milestone and exciting venture for future homeowners. The roof is crucial for a home, although sometimes home builders are subject to regulation by the homeowners association. If you have no restrictions on the type of roof to use for your custom home, numerous roofing materials in the market might overwhelm you. 
Choosing the right option needs a lot of careful research. Let’s find out more about roofing material for your custom home.

The Role of the Roof in Your Custom Home

The exterior features of a home, especially a roof, play a crucial role in the overall design of your home. The roof is your first defense against the elements and protects your property. The roof also protects some parts of your air conditioning and heating system. A reflective surface coating underneath the roof and insulation below allow for more energy efficiency in your home.

What to Consider Before Choosing a Roofing Material

Several factors may affect the roofing materials you choose for your future home, such as:

Cost

Cost plays a significant role when you choose a roofing material. Some materials may be more cost-effective but only last for a short time and need constant maintenance. It would help if you also considered the cost of the roof installation. Some roofing materials may require more labor, while others don’t. ​

Style

You can choose a roofing material for the aesthetic quality it provides. The material you select should match your custom home’s exterior finish. For instance, if your home is reminiscent of a Mediterranean-style home, you can choose clay tile roofing.

Local Climate

Consider the local climate when selecting a roofing material. Some materials are ideal for some environments, while others are not. Slate and its derivatives are a perfect option for wet climates as it’s resistant to mildew. Metal roofs are great for areas with heavy snow as they allow snow to fall off the roof, keeping off weight. Metal roofs also withstand strong winds.

Roofing Materials to Choose From

Here are some of the most common roofing materials.

Asphalt Shingles

Asphalt shingles are common with most home builders as they are the least expensive and easy to install. The shingles are made from a felt paper fiberglass base coated with a waterproof asphalt layer and topped with ceramic granules.
Pros
  • Come in numerous colors
  • Affordable 
  • Easy to find and replace
  • Lighter-colored shingles provide light reflection, allowing you to improve your energy efficiency.
  • Offer fire protection and may reduce the price of your homeowner insurance premiums.
Cons
  • Not long lasting compared to other materials and may go for twenty to twenty-five years and sometimes as few as ten years for cheaper options.
  • They provide poor insulation 
  • They are barely recyclable 
  • Prone to mildew
  • Poor wind resistance

Wood Shingles and Shakes

Wood shakes and shingles give your roof a more natural look. The machine-cut shingles have smooth surfaces and clean lines, while the hand-cut shakes offer a more rustic and rugged appearance. 
Pros
  • It has excellent insulation and keeps your home warm during winter and cool during summer.  
  • Available in different types of woods such as Atlantic White cedar, Western red cedar, pressure-treated pine, redwood, spruces, and cypress.
  • You can get a reduction on your insurance by using treated wood shingles, which have a class-A fire rating.
  • Recyclable
  • Good wind resistance
Cons
  • Not fire resistant, and you might pay more on insurance, or insurance companies may refuse to cover them.
  • Prone to wood insects like wasps
  • Require more maintenance
  • Prone to rotting and warping due to water

Concrete Tiles

​Concrete has been used since immemorial and is still as popular as it was back then. Concrete tiles are made of a mix of concrete, and some have a blend of clay or wood fibers to make them stronger but still maintain their light weight.
Pros
  • Versatile and available in various sizes, styles, colors, and shapes to suit different custom homes.
  • Easy to maintain with occasional cleaning
  • Durable and can last decades or centuries if they are of superior quality
  • Fire resistant
Cons
  • Heavy: Concrete is serious, and you have to reinforce the roof to enable it to support the weight
  • Labor intensive to install
  • Break easily
  • Concrete loses its beauty quickly and is affected by weather faster than other products.

Slate Tiles

Slating tiles are more popular than most materials because of their aesthetic property. People have used them for centuries for buildings of all types and sizes. Slate tiles give a home a distinctly European feel, and in Europe, most homes have slate tiles that are centuries old.
Pros
  • Slate tiles are stunning and add to your home’s curb appeal
  • Durable: When the installation is done well and flashed adequately, you never have to worry about the roof for many years, probably generations
  • Slate roofs are low-maintenance, reusable, and recyclable 
Cons
  • Slate roofs are fragile and break easily, especially if someone walks on them. This fragility makes repairing your roof very difficult.
  • They are heavy, and you must reinforce the roof before installation to avoid your walls falling out or the roof caving in.
  • Cost: Slate roofing is one of the most expensive in the market.

Clay Tiles

You can do clay tiles on Mediterranean or Spanish-style homes. The clay tiles are manufactured via baking clay, which are then coated or glazed with material that renders them waterproof.
Pros
  • Longevity: Clay tiles can last up to a century, especially in the right climate.
  • Durability: Clay tile roofs do not decay and can withstand high winds, hail, and fire. Most manufacturers offer a fifty-year warranty.
  • They are recyclable
  • The tiles come in various colors and styles, allowing you to match them to different home styles.
Cons
  • Cost: Clay tiles are a costly alternative
  • You must hire a professional to install the roof tiles
  • They are heavy, and you must reinforce the roof before installation
  • The clay tiles are fragile and can break if not handled with care
The market is awash with many roofing materials that have different qualities. Before you select one, research the pros and cons of the material, and consider your budget, the style, and the local climate. But if you aren't sure about which material to choose for your home, Konnect Building Solutions is here to help. 
With our guidance, you can choose a roof that suits your style and meets your needs. For more information, visit our website https://www.konnectbuilding.com.au/
Name, Address and Phone
Konnect Building Solutions,
Bardwell Park Sydney NSW 2207,
0402658244

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/konnectbuilding/
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Instagram https://www.instagram.com/konnectbuilding/
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Buying Established vs. Building Your Own Home

1/27/2023

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So you are finally ready to move into your own home but still on the fence thinking about whether you should be buying a house or building it. With home price inflation continuously going upward, many would-be property investors are thinking of moving into an existing property rather than building something from scratch. But designing and building your "perfect home" can be a surreal and once-in-a-lifetime experience that many property investors would not trade for anything else. 
There are many determinant factors to consider before investing in any kind of property and they come with their own pros and cons. From property taxes and the condition of the property to market trends, location, and homeowners association fees, there are a lot of determining aspects. Hence you should be the best decision-maker or consult with a reputable home builder on which option suits you the best.

Is It Cheaper To Buy Or Build A House?

It is always cheaper to buy an existing house than to build one from scratch. The associated cost of building a brand new house from scratch can involve buying the plot, inspections, permits, excavations, and other associated costs. But building a new home can get you exactly what you want. 
From creating a more energy-efficient home to meeting standards for heating, ventilation, and cooling, there is a different level of satisfaction associated with this decision.

Pros Of Building A House

  • Complete customization: When you build a house from scratch, it enables you to make each and every personalizing decision according to your taste and lifestyle. From the type of flooring, fixtures, and cabinets to the entire layout and lighting, building a home gives you the entire control over what you are looking for. 
  • A lesser level of competition: You have zero competition when you are building your own home as apartments and builder homes are selling like hotcakes in the current real estate market. This can also give you peace of mind. 
  • Less maintenance: You don't have to worry about big maintenance issues and major repairs as new homes are built in a way to have up-to-date technology and follow the current building codes. Moreover, you will also have your home builders warranty for all the major systems of your home. And your new appliances will also have guarantees. Plus there will be no bad surprises from the last owner's DIY repairs as you are the first one to move into your brand-new home!
  • Energy Efficiency: New homes always feature state-of-art systems that are energy efficient which leads to lower energy bills. Moreover, if you are concerned about your environmental responsibilities then you can also make the right choices and prioritize sustainability accordingly.

Cons Of Building A House

  • Expensive financing: Land loans are more difficult to obtain as they lack collateral and have a higher interest rate and down payment. You might also need an additional construction loan to finance your actual home.
  • Long wait time: It takes an average of 7 to 12 months to complete the construction of a new home without taking the approval and planning stages into account. So you will have to live in rented accommodation till the time your home is ready. This also means you will be paying the mortgage plus the construction costs along with your current rent.
  • Hard to negotiate price: There isn't a lot of leeway when it comes to purchasing price or closing costs of a newly built home. While in the resale market most buyers go into a home purchase for a lower price. In such cases, you can get a real estate agent for their creative negotiation skills.

    ​Unexpected costs: Although you will receive an estimate of all the construction costs upfront, there is always a lingering chance of unexpected costs to crop up throughout the home-building process. From pandemic-related supply chain issues to building cost overruns to labor shortages or hike in wages, it can be anything.

Pros Of Buying An Existing House

  • Faster move-in time: If you are hoping to move in quickly to your new home, it is always better to buy an existing property. Since home construction projects will take 7 to 12 months for completion, you will most likely be done with all the customization and repair work of your existing home in half the time.
  • Cost-efficient: As a general rule of thumb, buying an existing property is always cheaper than building one. Moreover, a land loan is always riskier than a home loan as it comes with better interest and lesser down payment rates.
  • Customize and upgrade: You can make your own personalization and customization to the existing home whenever you have the right kind of time and money. This gives you a lot of flexibility and cost efficiency.
  • Better landscaping: An existing home will also eliminate some of your landscaping costs as it will already have some. If you like more mature and shade-giving trees on your property, you should always go for an existing property. As it will take years for new landscaping to match the attractiveness of mature landscaping.

Cons Of Buying An Existing House

​
  • Time-consuming: Searching for the perfect home before you can invest can be a time-consuming and stressful experience. It is a seller's market and hence buyers are facing high prices, multiple rejected offers, and bidding wars when it comes to finding their "perfect home." Working with a good real estate agent or home builder can help in this scenario.
  • Compromise on personal style: When you have a wide variety of choices, finding a home that reflects your taste and lifestyle can be very tough.
  • Maintenance issues: Older appliances, electrical systems, and plumbing can have major maintenance issues and soaring repair prices. Hence you should always go for a home warranty so that you know how much to budget and whom to call in case of a problem. 
Less energy efficient: You can face higher energy bills as older homes are less energy efficient. Of course, you can take significant steps to lower your energy bills and reduce your carbon footprint.

The Takeaway

As you have already read about the pros and cons of both buying and building a house, you can move forward with your decision by speaking to an experienced home builder in your area. There is no definitive answer to the original question as both decisions come with their own set of pros and cons. 
If you want to know more about whether you should buy or build a house in the current market, visit https://www.konnectbuilding.com.au/ to have your questions answered.
Name, Address and Phone

Konnect Building Solutions, 

Bardwell Park Sydney NSW 2207, 

0402658244

https://www.facebook.com/konnectbuilding/
​https://www.instagram.com/konnectbuilding/

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