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Comparing Roofing Materials, what is the best?

Comparing Roofing Materials for Longevity, Durability and Cost… 

There is always a direct relationship between quality and expense when you complete a home improvement project. With roofing, quality usually means longevity. You should really never choose a roofing materials based on price alone. A cheap roof is not really a bargain if you have to replace it sooner than normal. 

The following chart shows you the average lifespan for each type of roofing material.

Cost Calculations: 

Costs will always differ by region and based on the differences in labor and materials. Always be aware that different roof configurations and different roofing materials can make these costs vary greatly. 

Asphalt Roll Roofing:

Asphalt Roll Roofing is made from large rolls of the same material that is used in Asphalt Shingles. This is generally used for relatively flat pitches and is installed by laying strips lengthwise across the roof in overlapping courses. It is a fairly easy material to install and happens to be used by a lot of DIY’ers. It is a good solution for shed roofs, garages and porch roofs but is not a great solution for a main house roof. 

The average lifespan of Asphalt Roll Roofing is about 10 years at most. You can get more life out of it if you keep it clear of debris and make sure to patch any punctures quickly. 

The average cost of Asphalt Roll Roofing is about $4,500.

Built-Up Roofing (BUR): 

A built-up roof is a layered roof that is created by alternating layers of roofing felt with waterproof materials such as fiberglass and hot tar. This type of roofing is normally used on commercial buildings with roofs that are flat or with a slight pitch. This type of roofing is fire-resistant and inexpensive. This roofing product does get pretty smelly when it is installed. 

The average lifespan of a built-up roof is about 20-30 years. You can maximize the lifespan of the roof by making sure that the roof is inspected regularly to ensure that there is no debris on the roof. 

The average cost of built-up roofing is about $8,000 but is not suitable for a house roof or any roof with a larger slope. 

Asphalt Shingle: 

Asphalt Shingle Roofing is the most popular of all roofing materials and can be found on more than 80% of homes. The vast popularity of shingles is due to the relatively low cost, ease of installation and provides a decent life expectancy. 

The average lifespan can be anywhere between 15-40 years depending on the quality of the shingle as well as the quality of the installation. Manufactures such as Owens Corning, GAF and CertainTeed come with some high-end warranties which can push a half-century. 

The average Asphalt Shingle Roof Installation is about $11,000 and is honestly the most bang for your buck. 

Wood Shake Shingle: 

Wood Shingle Roofs are made from thin, wedge-shaped pieces of natural wood. These are usually made out of cedar or yellow pine and sawn from logs. They do make the roof look great but can be very tricky to install and are definitely not suitable for most DIY’ers. In some regions these roofs are a fire hazard and there is actually a legal restriction on this type of roofing. These are not a good roofing choice in areas where there are seasonal wildfires. 

The average lifespan is about 25-30 years. These roofs can last upwards of 50 years if they are maintained properly making sure to keep the roof free of moss and replacing any cracked shakes that may become damaged. 

The average cost of a Wood Shake Shingle roof is about $26,000. 

Standing Seam Metal Roof: 

The popularity of standing seam metal roofing has been increasing in recent yeaers. Standing Seam Metal Roofing is made from large steel panels that are laid on the roof deck with seams overlapping in raised ridges that run vertically all along the roof slope. Metals that are commonly used for these panels are steel or aluminum however sometimes copper or zinc is also used. They are very durable but are prone to denting if large debris falls on it. 

The average lifespan of a Standing Seam Metal Roof is about 30-50 years and sometimes they can last up to 75 years if they are regularly checked out to ensure that the fasteners and sealants are still intact. Any bent or slipped panels should be repaired or replaced as well to increase the longevity of the roof. 

Slate Roof: 

A Slate Roof is another version of a stone roof. Slate has a natural tendency to split into flat slabs, which makes this the ideal natural stone to use to cover roofs. Slate must be installed by a trained professional. It is the most expensive roof material but also the most durable. Because of the expense, Slate Roofing is usually only used on large, luxurious homes. 

The average lifespan of a Slate Roof is about 100 years and sometimes longer if they are maintained, making sure that all the flashings are in good order. When copper flashing turns black on your slate roof, it is time to replace the flashings. 

The average installation cost of a Slate Roof is about $66,000. 

Membrane Roof: 

Membrane roofing is usually referred to as rubber roofing and is much like Rolled Asphalt Roofing in the fact that it comes in large rolls. And membrane roofing does a great job of keeping water out because it has a limited number of seams and penetrations. Membrane roofing is usually the best choice for a flat or low-pitched roof. Popular choices for this are also known as neoprene, EPDM and PVC. 

The average lifespan of Membrane Roofing is about 20-35 years. As long as the membrane is holding back water, it can last even longer. You do want to make sure that you have it inspected periodically to ensure that there are no punctures in the membrane and that any penetrations are watertight. 

The average installation cost of Membrane Roofing is about $15,000.

When Choosing Roofing Materials, it is always easy to choose inexpensive options when you have the immediate need for a new roof, but make sure that you do your research and select the option that makes the most sense for your home. Sometimes a roof that is more expensive on the forefront will end up being cheaper in the long run because it will need to be replaced less often. Sometimes you are even able to finance your roofing project, which will help you spread the larger expense over a longer period of time. 

Call Middle Creek Roofing at 1-717-949-2414 and schedule a time for us to come out and provide you with a FREE Roof Replacement Estimate and we would be happy to go over your options with you! 

Read our Roofing blog to discover more additional information about your roof!

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