A Roofer’s Pointers on Roofing Materials - By: Businesslocallistings

There is a wide variety of roofing materials that are used on homes today. Deciding on the roofing that is right for you depends on a number of factors, including the type of roof you currently have, location, climate, desired look, maintenance and cost. General contractors of roofing services could help you make the best choice for your roof but it’s always good to at least know the basics. Gutters come hand in hand with roofs, so here’s what you should know.

Shingles- Roof shingles are made with overlapping elements that can come in different shapes. This roofing material comes in several types of materials which are wood, asphalt, slate, asbestos-cement, ceramic, and bitumen-treated. Shingles give a traditional look to roofs, especially those made from wood and ceramic. No matter what shape your roof is, shingles would still be the most practical choice.

They are generally produced in a square shape and are often mistaken for another type of roofing material—shakes. Shakes generally have a shorter life span but are highly recommended for its environmental-friendly composition. Roof shingles are installed from the bottom or the base of your roof, upward. In estimate, roof shingles (except for wooden ones) could last you about 40 years. Asphalt shingles are the most commonly installed materials, according to roofing contractors.

Slate Roofing- People on a budget often avoid slate as a roofing material because it is the most expensive in the market—roughly $600 to $1000 per square. However, its quality, durability, and zero-maintenance factor is well worth the money. Slates are cut from slabs of stones which would explain their gray color, but you can have them color-treated today. This roofing will lasts for a century or more and hardly needs any type of maintenance. It is resistant to insects and mold formation, and it’s fire-proof too. The downside to slates is the expensive cost of repair in case of damage.

You can also buy synthetic slates, which is made from either a mixture of slate dust and glass fiber resin, or a combination of cement and fiber. Synthetic slate isn't as brittle as real slate, and it generally has the same durable quality as the real ones.

Metal Roofing- Roofers would tell you that this material is ideal in forested, moss prone, or heavy precipitation areas. It is made of steel, aluminium or copper. Metal roofing is lightweight and is one of the easiest to install. Metal roofing is generally more expensive than asphalt roofing, but cheaper than tile or slate roofing. Maintenance is minimal and is also quite functional in terms of controlling the temperature in your house. In addition, design and color for metal roofing comes in an array of options since metal is easily manipulated. You can even make it look like natural wood or asphalt shingles.

However, metal is prone to dents in the occurrence of strong impacts on the material so be careful when stepping on metal roofing.

Gutters- The purpose of guttering is to efficiently channel rain water from the roof towards a downpipe which in turn carries it down to ground level and then into the drainage system. The important thing to remember is to regularly clear your gutters of any type of accumulation so you lessen the risk of damage and water-borne bacteria. Roofers generally install gutters, along with the roof so you can ask them what gutter material goes well with the roofing material you’ve chosen.

For installation of roof and gutters in the areas of Tampa, St Petersburg, Clearwater, and Lutz, contact Beacon Construction Services. They are a roofing company for roof installation and repair.

About the Author

Beacon Construction Services
1203 East Norfolk Street
Tampa, FL 33604
Phone: (813) 381-5440
Fax: (813) 381-5445
Email: info@beaconflorida.com
Website: http://www.beaconflorida.com

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