Types of roofing

Asphalt shingles

These shingles are the most popular with roofers and homeowners as they are durable and relatively inexpensive. Other benefits include the wide variety of colors and styles, ease of installation and suitability for a wide range of temperatures. Asphalt shingles also provide reliable waterproofing.
Asphalt shingle roofs should last about 20 years on average, depending on whether you live in an area with intense sunlight or temperature extremes, which can reduce life span. You can purchase asphalt shingle roofs with a 50-year life expectancy and roofs made of materials like concrete tile, metal shingles, slate or other natural materials can last many years longer.

Slate and tile roof shingles

Slate may be the answer if you are looking for a sophisticated roofing material for an upscale home. Advantages to slate include its natural appearance, fire resistance, invulnerability to rot, ease of maintenance and an expected life of 100 years. Slate is available in a variety of colors and styles.
Disadvantages of slate tiles include their weight and cost, and the high degree of expertise needed for installation. Slate tiles are easily broken underfoot, complicating gutter cleaning and rooftop maintenance. Ceramic roofing tiles give a house character and are generally durable. Advances in the manufacturing process make the tiles resistant to fading. Ceramic tiles are fireproof, and quality tiles should last 50 to 70 years.

Metal roofing

Metal roofs are becoming increasingly viable as metal shingles are low maintenance, light weight and more environmentally friendly. However, installation can be tricky and require a contractor with experience installing a metal roof. Metal shingles are also typically more expensive than other shingles.
Still, maintenance during the winter months is especially agreeable to metal. Metal roofs feature a design that resists the buildup of water and ice, which can avoid potentially devastating damage. As a metal roof starts to lose its shine, repainting a roof is also an option as long as the roof's structural integrity is in good shape. It usually costs less to repaint than to replace it.

Flat roof

Flat roofs can require a great deal of maintenance. As the homeowner, you are responsible for ensuring it stays watertight. The roof must be cleaned regularly to prevent leaves and debris from clogging the drain. Also, the sun will gradually cause the roof to degrade.
Flat roofs are typically less expensive to install than sloped roofs. They may provide a safer option, as there is less chance of falling off when you are on top of the roof. They are usually easy to access and can allow you to achieve a certain visual appearance. Flat roofs are not for everyone. The coatings do not last a long time and the replacement cost of a flat roof can be high.

Copper roofs

Copper roofs can last for hundreds of years. Copper roofing offers durability, ease of fabrication, lighter weight than some other roofing materials, can be curved, low maintenance, corrosion resistance, low thermal movement, lightning protection, radio frequency shielding, and are 100% recyclable.
Copper roofs have a high initial cost but very long lifetime: tests on European copper roofs from the 18th Century showed that, in theory, copper roofs can last one thousand years.[5] Another advantage of copper roofing systems is that they are relatively easy to repair.

Wood shingles

Wood shingles are thin, tapered pieces of wood primarily used to cover roofs and walls of buildings to protect them from the weather. Historically shingles were split from straight grained, knot free bolts of wood. Today shingles are mostly made by being cut which distinguishes them from shakes which are made by being split out of a bolt.
Wooden shingle roofs were prevalent in the North American colonies (for example in the Cape-Cod-style house), while in central and southern Europe at the same time, thatch, slate and tile were the prevalent roofing materials. Wood shingles are susceptible to fire and cost more than other types of shingle so they are not as common today as in the past.

Gutters: Aluminum, Metal and Copper

The importance of properly installed and maintained gutters can’t be stressed enough. Every house should have gutters, and in recent years building officials across the land have been recognizing this. Many municipalities around the country are now requiring gutters on all new residential construction. Here’s why rain gutters are so important:

The Best Cedar Shake Roof Alternative

Synthetic cedar shakes are designed and engineered to emulate heavy natural cedar shakes while providing unquestionable wood shake beauty and stunning curb appeal. Our polymer synthetic roof shingles provide your home with natural wood beauty and the most realistic wood texture, including a 50 Year Lifetime Limited Warranty.
Roofing products are the most realistic synthetic roofing shakes ever made and feature a Class 4 Impact Rating and Class A Fire Rating (highest industry ratings). Our composite cedar shake shingles are light weight and durable and look just like wood shingles, in fact it is difficult to distinguish from real wood shakes. Our synthetic roofing products are completely fire resistant and will self extinguish flame spread in the event of a fire. If you are looking at alternatives to asphalt shingles, wood shake shingles or metal roofs look no further than Synthetic composite roofing products;

• The Best Cedar Shake Alternative
• The Most Realistic Color Options
• Fire Resistant Technology
• 50 Year Lifetime Limited Warranty
• Resistant to moss, lichen and insects
• Solid product throughout - No Cavity Back
• Can be installed in any climate or environment
• Can be installed in straight or staggered courses
• Class 4 Impact Rating and Stand Alone Class A Fire Rating
• Deep grain patterns provide incredible depth, texture and realism
• Light Weight - just 170 pounds per square (one of the lightest roofing products)