Roof is the weather protective element which contain a supporting structure and uppermost (layer that we see). The outer weather proof layer protects from rain, sun, heat, cold, and winds. There are also some roofs that is designed the way it admits some light through skylights. Nowadays homeowners can have not only protective and decorative use to their properties, but practical if they install solar shingles which will generate some free electricity.

Shapes of roof

Mostly used roof shapes are flat, hipped, gabled, and skillion.

Flat roofs are generally self-explanatory - they have very low slope angle. Widely used for commercial buildings and some attached garages.

Hipped roofs have all sides slope downwards to the walls whereas gabled type has a sloping roof structure to only two walls. Most detached garages have a hipped type of roof. Residential houses in the U.S. have also this type of roof commonly in combination with gabled one.

Skillion refers to the slope one side roof surface which downwards to only one wall. They commonly used as a coverage for building additions and on free-standing structures.

Why choosing the right roof materials is so important?

There are varied choices of roof materials available, such as wood, slate, asphalt, ceramic, concrete, and metal shingles. For sloped roofs, asphalt shingles are most commonly used because they are light and it will be suitable for any roof supporting structure. In addition, they are one of the least expensive options.

In contrast, while keeping in mind cost-benefit considerations, your shingles shouldn’t be blown off the roof easily. In areas with high winds or even possible tornadoes, it might be a good idea even to strengthen your roof supporting structure by adding additional wood posts and trusses if you don’t have enough of them in order to install some more durable roof shingle options. This will make sure that it will hold up such heavy shingles as ceramic, concrete, or slate because these roofing materials are most durable in case of wind and other natural disasters.Therefore, since not all houses in the U.S. can hold up heavy roofing materials such as concrete tile or natural slate it might be wise to consult with your local contractor before buying any type of roofing products in order to make sure that you are getting the right ones. Especially if you live in high wind area or where tornado and hurricanes are pretty much often, then purchasing strong, durable, and reliable roof is just an essential thing to do. In a long run it might save you money and time because you don’t have to bother yourself to replace the roof surface often.

Decent durable quality has wood shingles. However, this type of roof materials requires some periodical treatments which might be an obstacle for some homeowners while choosing the roof coverage. It is mainly because not many want to deal with that or hire someone and pay some additional money again and again.

What is average life span for roof materials?

With proper care and maintenance wood and asphalt roofs can last on average about 15 years. However, it depends a lot on climate in the area the shingles will be installed. Heat and humid can decrease performance of these materials even by 50% compare to cool climates as in Northern America or Canada. Other kinds of shingles like slate, ceramic, concrete, or metal can last few times more or even lifetime, but homeowners should still check from time to time for the problems (if any) or appearance.