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

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/

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Konnect Building Solutions,
Bardwell Park Sydney NSW 2207,
0402658244

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