Roofing Materials Are Available In Plenty So Make An Informed Choice

Today, roofs are made out of various materials such as asphalt, metal, wood, clay, concrete, slate, rubber, bitumen etc. Some have full-fledged garden on top as well. Each of these roofing materials has some unique properties, but make sure that your choice of roofing material can:
Make the house secure for its inmates; it should protect them not only from rain and sun, but also from thieves and robbers
Keep the interior cooler in summer and warmer in winter; thus help in saving on utility bills
Be able to keep moisture out and thus help in increasing the lifespan of the entire structure
Help to improve the overall beauty of the structure

In the United States, asphalt shingles are the most commonly used roofing material. It is cheap, but if you take good care of the shingles, such a roof can last as long as 30 years. Unfortunately, asphalt shingles have the tendency to build up moss, which in turn can damage the roof and interfere with temperature control. That is why such a roof needs periodic inspection and cleaning. On the other hand, shingles can be easy to install and so they are quite convenient. Of course, in case of cedar, shakes are more popular than shingles. Cedar shakes are eco-friendly, long lasting and beautiful.


Metal roofs can be made out of copper, steel or aluminium sheets as well as shingles. Such roofs are more or less maintenance free. They can last upto fifty years and can endure all kinds of weather condition. Today metal roofs are even given an anti-reflective coating and so a room under it can be as comfortable as any other is. It is no doubt that such roofs will be a little costlier. Concrete and clay roofs too are long lasting and cool. Therefore, they are very suitable for warmer places such as Los Angeles and Florida. However, since the shingles are rather heavy, check the strength of the structure before you install them. The color choice is also limited.


Slate comes next. In the US, a slate roof can be as expensive as rest of the house is and so such roofs are rarely found. However, they look beautiful, do not require any maintenance and last over 100 years. The living or green roofs too are quite exclusive. Because such roofs have plants grown on thin layers of soil, they need to be flat and have flawless water drainage system. On the pro side, because of the green layer, such roofs are eco-friendly and provide natural insulation to the building.


We also have rubberized roof, which keeps the room under it well insulated and so you can save a lot on energy bills. However, these are just fair weather roofs and are not suitable for places with high rain or wind conditions. Another modern roofing material suitable for equitable weather condition is bitumen. Today you have them mixed with fiberglass or polyester materials to make them more effective. Bitumen roofs generally come in layers and have a covering of asphalt or hot tar on top. Such roofing material is quite inexpensive and so widely used.


Therefore, you see that not every type of roofing material can be suitable for your area or for the particular structure. That is why, you should always consult an expert roofer before you take up any kind of roofing work. Taking proper care of roof is important too. You must have your roof inspected and cleaned at regular intervals. Know that moss on the roofs can shorten its lifespan drastically and if you do not remove them in time, you may have a big and expensive repairing work at hand sooner than you think.


Indeed, layers of moss that grow on the roof can trap water under it. Over time, this water seeps through the shingles to damage the entire structure. Consequently, unless we have them removed on regular interval, we may have to replace the entire roof much too early. Remember, moss grow in humid places, where there is little sunshine. If your climatic condition is such, you will have to inspect your roof more often.


Roof moss can be cleaned by homeowners just by using a stiff brush and some oxygen bleach. Climb up to the roof, and start scrubbing the roof going downwards and then apply the bleach. Bleach will help prevent more moss from growing. Go in a downwards direction especially with shingled roofs so that the shingles will not work loose. If your roof has overhanging trees, trim some branches so that rainwater will not constantly drip on the roof. Periodic simple maintenance will extend a roofs life and save the owner from expensive repairs.


Article by Joseph Wilkerson of Los Angeles, who is also a specialist in roofing. For more information on roofing contractors Orange County CA, visit his site today.