Overview Of A Few Roofing Materials
Roofing materials are one of the most important items on your shopping list once the basic skeleton of your new home is over and done with. The box that makes up wall sheathing and sub-floor will be finished only when the new roof is laid out. There are many factors that affect the cost of a new home but roofing materials make up a big chunk of it. The roofing material not only impacts the immediate finances but also affect your expenses in the long term through repair and renovations.
Asphalt Shingle
The most commonly used roofing material is asphalt. The reasons are not far to seek. As a versatile roofing material it has few peers. It is inexpensive, easy to lay and lasts for 10-15 years. This shingle is manufactured with a fiberglass base and into this asphalt is impregnated on either side. When granules of asphalt are added to the shingles it gives an nice textured look.
When a price analysis is done of the different roofing materials, it should be considered based on its durability. They costs are quoted on the basis one square. Usually it costs about $50 per square. The installation costs has to be added to this basic material costs and prices vary depending on difficulty of laying and the area where you live. If you select longer lasting shingles then it saves you on repair and replacement costs.
Wood
Wood was once one of the most popular roofing materials for home construction all over the world. It is still popular in countries where it is cheap and plentiful. But, with the forests becoming scarcer and environmental laws tougher wood is getting to be a lot more expensive than before. Another, deterrent is the lower fire resistance of wood. The strigent fire prevention laws have limited the use of this versatile medium.
The most popular woods for roofing materials include redwoods, pine, cedar and teak. The shingles are easily machine sawed or painstakingly hand crafted. They can be also split to design. Wood lasts for a long time, but the general life expectancy is around 25 years. The cost of whood shingles is the biggest deterrent as it costs about twice as much as asphalt shingles.
Metal
Metals are also a popular alternative in roofing and have been in use for a long time. The most commonly used metals are aluminum, steel, copper, copper mixed with asphalt. These roofs can be laid out either as shingles or in sheet form. The come in both types and have to be ordered according to your needs.
If you are using aluminum or steel then they are installed in sheet form with seams. If using lead or copper with asphalt then it is available as shingles. Metal roofs are very expensive ranging from $250 - $750 per square.
Asphalt Shingle
The most commonly used roofing material is asphalt. The reasons are not far to seek. As a versatile roofing material it has few peers. It is inexpensive, easy to lay and lasts for 10-15 years. This shingle is manufactured with a fiberglass base and into this asphalt is impregnated on either side. When granules of asphalt are added to the shingles it gives an nice textured look.
When a price analysis is done of the different roofing materials, it should be considered based on its durability. They costs are quoted on the basis one square. Usually it costs about $50 per square. The installation costs has to be added to this basic material costs and prices vary depending on difficulty of laying and the area where you live. If you select longer lasting shingles then it saves you on repair and replacement costs.
Wood
Wood was once one of the most popular roofing materials for home construction all over the world. It is still popular in countries where it is cheap and plentiful. But, with the forests becoming scarcer and environmental laws tougher wood is getting to be a lot more expensive than before. Another, deterrent is the lower fire resistance of wood. The strigent fire prevention laws have limited the use of this versatile medium.
The most popular woods for roofing materials include redwoods, pine, cedar and teak. The shingles are easily machine sawed or painstakingly hand crafted. They can be also split to design. Wood lasts for a long time, but the general life expectancy is around 25 years. The cost of whood shingles is the biggest deterrent as it costs about twice as much as asphalt shingles.
Metal
Metals are also a popular alternative in roofing and have been in use for a long time. The most commonly used metals are aluminum, steel, copper, copper mixed with asphalt. These roofs can be laid out either as shingles or in sheet form. The come in both types and have to be ordered according to your needs.
If you are using aluminum or steel then they are installed in sheet form with seams. If using lead or copper with asphalt then it is available as shingles. Metal roofs are very expensive ranging from $250 - $750 per square.
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