Which Type of Roof Is Right for Your Home

It goes without saying that every home needs a roof. Whether you’re building a brand new home from the ground up or replacing the roof of your existing home, there are a lot of options for you to consider.

What is the best roof to put on a house? A new roof system is a significant investment in the appearance of your home as well as protection from the elements. Here are a few factors to keep in mind when choosing the best type of roof for you.

Roofing Terminologies

If you’re not in the roofing industry, some of the terminologies can be a bit unfamiliar. Understanding key terms will be helpful when you’re communicating with a roofing expert.

You might think the roofing is measured in square feet like many other aspects of your home, but most roofers simply use “squares” as their primary unit of measurement. In roofing terms, a square measures 10 feet by 10 feet — meaning that the area of a single square is 100 square feet.

Roof System Components

Here are the basic components found in any steep-slope roof system:

1. Sheathing. The sheathing is fastened to the rafters to cover a building. It’s composed of boards or sheet material.
2. Roof covering. The covering protects the sheathing of a roof from the weather. Covering is generally made up of shingles, slate, tile or metal and underlayment.
3. Roof structure. The structure consists of rafters and trusses, which support the sheathing of the roof.
4. Flashing. Flashing is material (usually sheet metal) installed into the joints and valleys of a roof system to prevent water seepage.
5. Drainage. The ability of a roof system to shed water depends on several design features, such as slope, layout and shape. Together, these features contribute to efficient drainage.

The Cost of a New Roof

The material you choose is a significant factor in determining the cost of a new roof, but there’s more to it than that. If you’re replacing an existing roof, don’t forget to account for the cost of removing old materials and making any required structural repairs.

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Roofs with intricate details such as turrets, skylights and multiple chimneys will also cost more due to the unusual shapes.

Types of Roofing Materials

What is the best type of roof for a house? The style and location of your home are important factors in selecting the best type of roofing material. Some materials are better than others at withstanding the elements.

• Asphalt is one of the least expensive roofing materials, and it’s easy to install. Asphalt roofing generally lasts around 25 years.

• Wood is a classic choice for roofing, but not always practical. Some areas have fire codes prohibiting wood roofs. It’s more expensive than asphalt, though it also has a 25-year lifespan.

• Metals such as aluminum, lead, copper, copper-and-asphalt and steel are expensive, yet lasting and durable against extreme elements.

• Tile and cement roofing is stylistically fitting for Spanish Colonial and Mission styles of homes. It is typically very heavy and expensive, but it is durable.

• Slate is expensive and very heavy, but it is extremely durable.

Contact Atticare for Roofing Today

If your home is in the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, or the New York or New Jersey Area, Atticare has you covered.

We provide full services as well as partner with pre-qualified licensed companies who we know and trust to provide complete solutions for attic and crawl space issues, HVAC and more ⁠— including roofing.

Contact us today to learn more, or use our Better Quote Tool to compare our prices with competitors in your area. Our skilled, hardworking team looks forward to making your home more comfortable and efficient today!