Roofing Material Options for Your Custom Home

The roof of your custom home can have a huge impact on its look, safety, and durability. Your homeowners association may have certain regulations with regard to the color and style of your roof, as well as on what type of materials you can use. If not, you can educate yourself on all the available materials so you can make an informed decision.

Roofing materials have made significant improvement over the years, and you have more choices than you would have had decades earlier. As you go through the different options, you have to think about the importance of your roof, how to find the right materials, and the common types of roofing that are on the market today.

The Importance of Your Roof

There’s a reason why having a place to stay is called “having a roof over your head.” A roof can give you protection from the elements. Over the years, its construction has improved to the point where it can perform this duty more effectively. Your roof will not only protect the contents of your home, but it will also protect many of the systems that are required to make it comfortable. The underlayment might be coated with a reflective surface, and the area below it might have insulation to make your home more energy efficient.

Criteria for Choosing the Right Roof Design and Materials

There are many things that can determine what type of roofing materials will work best for your home, but its architectural style is often a driving factor in the roof’s overall design. Most styles have distinct roof lines and material that are part of their overall look.

Homeowners associations will often require certain roof colors and materials that they believe to be acceptable. Community restrictions and covenants may also require you to use a specific type of roofing material or color. Even local building codes may have requirements with regard to fire and weather safety. Sometimes, they will have standards with regard to sustainability and energy efficiency.

The color of your roof should go with your home’s exterior and the surrounding areas. Certain colors are also considered to be more energy efficient. You also have think about the roof rating, which is its projected longevity under normal “wear and tear” conditions. It also refers to its energy efficiency due to its color as well as its reflectance, emittance, and material sustainability. The local weather and environment can also be a deciding factor especially when it comes to wind and rain.

Your budget may also be a factor when it comes to deciding what type of roof you should install in your custom home. If you have more financial flexibility, you want to think about the lifespan and durability of the roof you plan to install because roof replacements are expensive propositions that you may not want to do that often. But before you decide what type of roofing material you plan to install, make sure it meets local requirements and that it looks aesthetically pleasing.

Types of Roofing Materials

There are a number of options when it comes to roofing materials, but here some of the most common:

• Asphalt Shingles — They’re the most common and the least expensive types of roofing materials. They’re usually made from a fiberglass base that’s topped with asphalt and mineral granules or a recycled paper that’s saturated with asphalt and covered with granules.
• Wood Shingles and Shakes — These are great if you want your roof to have a natural look. The shingles are machine cut so they have clean edges and a smooth surface, while shakes are cut by hand from wood blocks (which will have a more rustic appearance).
• Concrete Tiles — These are created by using a lightweight blend of concrete that makes them rough but easy to install. Some of them may also have wood or clay fibers that are blended into the concrete, so it can have more strength with less weight.
• Metal and Stone-Coated Steel — This type of roofing has gone far beyond the corrugated tin that was used in the old days. The metal roofing materials that are used today are made out of steel, zinc, copper, and aluminum (all of which are incredibly durable).
• Synthetic Roofing — These materials can be made out of plastic, clay, asphalt, or rubber and are often made to look like slate or wood. A lot of synthetics were made for flat and low-sloped roofs, which may be a part of your custom home.

If you’re looking for one of the best custom home builders in Corpus Christi, be sure to get in touch with Devonshire Custom Homes.