If you are thinking of adding value to your home and give it a fresh, new look and feel, one thing you can do is update your existing roof by having some of the best roofing materials available in the market today installed. However, with so many roofing materials to choose from, picking a roofing material for your home can be a bit tough.
While there are many factors to be considered when re-roofing a house, one thing that you shouldn’t compromise on is the roofing material you choose to cover your roof’s top. Fortunately, innovations and advancements in roofing technology have now made it easier for homeowners to get just about any type and style of roofing on their homes irrespective of their budget, house style, or climate.
In this article, we will be listing some of the best roofing materials available in the market today. Hopefully, the information provided here will help you have an easier time choosing a product that suits your style, taste and budget.
Asphalt Shingles
Relatively easy to install, economical to produce, and widely available, shingles made of fibreglass asphalt are the most popular roofing material available today. These shingles are made using a woven fibreglass base mat that’s covered with an asphalt coating (waterproof) and ceramic granules that help shield the shingles from harmful UV rays. The good thing about asphalt shingles is that they are readily available in a range of colours and styles that complement any architectural design and style. Apart from that, shingles made of asphalt are durable and typically come with a 30-year guarantee.
Cost: €90-100/ Square Meters installed.
Wood Roofing
If you are thinking of getting wood roofing installed, then please note that you have two options to work with – shakes and shingles. Wood shakes are split by hand for a more rustic appeal, while wood shingles are cut using machines and tapered for a trimmer, sharper look. Though not as practical and hardy as asphalt shingles, there’s no denying their appeal, especially when installed on a historical-style or traditional house.
Cost: €600-€670/ Square Meters installed.
Slate Roof
Roofing slate is quarried from sound, dense rock and is very durable and extremely tough. While costly to install and quite labour-intensive, this roofing option will give your home a unique appeal that no other material can offer. Apart from being waterproof, slate roofing requires minimal maintenance, lasts long, comes in a variety of colourations, and is non-combustible.
Cost €500 – €1800/ Square Meters installed.
Composite Shingles
If you want the wood, shake, slate, or tile look minus the maintenance and installation costs, then consider going for composite roofing. Composite shingles are made using poly-based products that are fire safe, fade-resistant, and lightweight. Apart from that, these shingles are durable and can last for up to 50 years with minimal maintenance. The good thing about composite shingles is that they can be fabricated to look how you like.
Cost: €300 – €600/ Square Meters installed.
Clay Roof Tiles
Apart from their intrinsic beauty, clay tiles are extremely durable and last long. Whether made of concrete (which is more colourfast) or clay, these tiles are often individually moulded in a barrel shape for dovetailing installation. Since clay roof tiles are heavy, we recommend that you ask a professional structural engineer to check if your roof’s frame can support a clay or concrete tile application.
Cost: Clay – €350 to €800/ Square Meters installed. Concrete – €150 to €620/ Square Meters installed.
Metal Roof
No material’s more capable of protecting a building from fire, hail, rot, rain, or wind than an energy-efficient and durable metal roof. For years, metal roofing meant corrugated metal panels that looked like they belong on barns or sheds. However, that is no longer the case. Metal roofing products are some of the best roofing materials available on the market today. Available in a wide range of options and colours, there is a metal roofing product to suit all types of architectural designs and styles.
Cost: €230 to €540/ Square Meters installed.