The Tiny house Blog

Types of Roofing Systems to Consider for Your Next Project

By
Jason Francis
Designed and built over 100 custom tiny homes, lived on a sailboat for 9 months, and loves to live life to the fullest with his wife and their 4 kids.
Updated on:
July 23, 2024
tiny house with unique roof

Nowadays, there are various advanced roofing materials on the market with an unprecedented range of alternatives. When considering a roofing material for your next project, your primary goal is to have a waterproof and protective roof. And that will also provide an aesthetic impact on the appearance of your project, especially when it has a smoke vents roof hatches roofing design.

However, it is best to choose the type of roofing material that will suit your project's climate or place. You can seek the assistance of experienced roofers to know which roofing is right for your next project. You can check out reliable websites and resources online to learn more information about how these professionals can help.

On the other hand, while seeking expert advice can help you pick the perfect roofing material, it's still wise to familiarize yourself with the different types of roofing systems to make a better decision.

The following are some architectural roofing styles that are ideal for your client's preferences and style.

Asphalt Shingles

Asphalt shingles are one of the most common types of roofing material. And some of the reasons behind it are that it is affordable, easy to install, accessible, durable, and comes in various colors to choose from in the market that will suit your client's preferences. In addition, most companies or brands offer a warranty that lasts up to 40 years. However, there are two basic types of asphalt shingles roofing: fiberglass and organic bases.

  • Organic asphalt shingles have less cost than the fiberglass type and are available from most manufacturers.
  • Fiberglass shingles are lighter, fire-resistant, and more durable than organic.

Both of the materials come from different qualities and prices. And beyond this, there are also two categories of this type of roofing material these are:

  • Architectural shingles have two strips laid on each other, and it is an advanced improvement from the three-tab shingles. And it comes from a variety of colors that resemble traditional roofing styles.
  • Three-tab shingles are the most generic and primary type of material.

Asphalt shingles have downsides. They’re prone to algae and mold growth. They’re also light enough that they can crack due to high temperatures. Compared to other roofing materials, asphalt shingles last for a short time. If your home is in Texas, for example, look up residential roofing contractor Dallas TX online to find specialists with experience in dealing with extreme weather conditions. This will ensure that your asphalt shingles roofing is installed correctly and can withstand harsh weather conditions.

Cedar Shingles
Cedar Shingles

Cedar Roofing

This type of material is not as popular as other roofing materials, as it is hard to install and relatively expensive. But the natural beauty and distinctive texture of this roofing are matchless. It comes from two different types, which are shingles and shakes.

  • Cedar shakes are rough and thick. It is more robust and has a rustic appearance, and gives shadow line and character, and comes from a different grade.
  • Shingles offer a more uniform look and are smooth and thin; it achieves clean appearance and an elegant low profile and comes from four different premium grades.

However, cedar roofing has disadvantages. For example, it can be more expensive than other roofing materials. It requires regular maintenance to prevent mold and mildew growth. It's also prone to damage caused by debris and fungus.

Slate Roofing Material

Slate is one of the best roofing materials in the market. Even though some roofing materials resemble it, natural slate has proven to be the most resilient. This material is super durable, fire-resistant, mildew, and if installed properly, it can even last up to 100 years or more.

Also, slate roofing is available in various colors, patterns, shapes, sizes, and textures, which makes it a desirable option for your roofing system. This material is also environmentally friendly since it's made from natural stone. When it's replaced, it doesn't cause any harmful effects on the environment. Lastly, it can help boost the value of your property, especially if it's well-built and robust.

However, on the other side, slate roofing material is one of the expensive types of roofing, both in terms of installation and material cost. In addition, you need to professionally frame the roofing structure of your project because this material is weighty.

Another downside is the weight. This is going to be the heaviest roofing type, and likely is not feasible for tiny homes on wheels.

Building with metal roofing
Metal Roofing

Metal Roofing Material

Metal roofing is one of the oldest types of material with high durability; it has made a comeback and become popular again in the past few years. Aside from durability, this material is easy to install, comes in various colors, and is recyclable. And during winter, ice and snow will only slide off in this roofing material, and it also fits perfectly in different home styles design. They can be zinc, aluminum, copper, or steel.

Corrugated panels are the typical metal roofing styles; it has screw heads exposed. You can also find a metal roofing material that looks like clay tiles, wood shingles, and slate design metal roofing.

Moreover, metal roofing is energy-efficient due to its reflectivity. It's great for reflecting the sun's ultraviolet rays, reducing the heat transferred into your attic.  

That said, metal roofing is expensive. It's made from premium materials and comes with high installation costs due to the knowledge, training, equipment, and tools needed. It's also susceptible to dents caused by falling branches or hail.

Concrete and Clay Tiles

Often installed in Mediterranean home styles, it is famous for its durability and strength. These roofing materials are fire-resistant, wind-resistant, and energy-efficient. These materials come from different shapes and profiles. And provide a striking and unique roofing appearance. It is available in unglazed and fire glaze colors, and others come in decorative and gray concrete.

This roofing material is ideal if your project is located in a hot climate because of its thickness and keeps the home cool. However, it is also quite expensive and can last up to 80 years.

Again, another downside is the weight. This is going to be the heaviest roofing type, and likely is not feasible for tiny homes on wheels.

Conclusion

You can make your choice from this roofing material for your next project, given that it is continuously improving to provide more comfort to the users. The best pick of roofing material to have will depend on the climate of your project location.

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