Traditional roofing materials vary from place to place, but in many parts of the US, asphalt shingles are the most common materials used. There are some alternative materials that you may want to consider that are as durable and cost-effective as shingles and offer other benefits.
Metal Roofing
Corrugated metal roofing has been in use for many years. It is now offered as an alternative material by many roofing contractors because it is faster to install and offers excellent long-term durability and extremely low maintenance. Metal roofing is available in many different colors, and it is not painted on but uses a powder coating, so the material bonds with the metal and will not wear off.
The cost of metal roofing can vary in different areas. Still, because it has been known to last 50 or more years, the cost per square of the material may be slightly higher than asphalt shingles. Nevertheless, you will not need to replace it in twenty years, so you could save the cost of an additional roofing job over the life of the metal roofing.
In climates with a lot of snow and cold weather, metal roofing sheds the snow and ice very effectively, so you eliminate concerns like ice dams along the roof's edge. Talk to your local roofing company about the benefits in your area, and they can give you more details.
Spray Foam Roofing
While spray foam roofing sounds a little strange to some people, it is actually an excellent material for the roof of your home. You will need to find a company that works with spray foam roofing specifically, but many roofing companies provide this service.
Spray foam roofing offers an excellent bonus because it adds a layer of insulation to the roof of your home to keep the temperature inside the house more even and helps to reduce the cost of heating and cooling. The foam is applied over the existing roofing, or a substrate can be installed, and then the foam sprayed over that. The roofing is available in colors as well.
Once the foam is applied, a sealer is sprayed over it, and the roof is set for 10 or 15 years when you will need to have the roof resealed, but with proper maintenance, the foam can last for 35 years. You will still be able to walk on the roof if needed, and the foam will fill in cracks and blemishes in the existing roof, sealing out water when it is applied.
Visit a site like http://www.allamericanroofing.com to learn more.
When you develop a roof leak, you don't have time to ignore it. Issues with leaks can cause problems as simple as incoming water and as wide-ranging as mold accumulation inside your home, which is why you should never let an issue sit. However, if you aren't careful, you could develop problems with roofing that is simply open to the elements, allowing rain and snow to enter your home, melt, and contribute to problems like mold growth. On this blog, you can learn more about the kinds of roofing issues that you could be faced with, and what to do about them.