How to Choose the Right Roofing Material

Multiple types of roofing materials are available for your new roof, and it can be hard to know which one to choose. Cost, material type, climate, and roof type all play a role in deciding what roofing material will be best. We are here to help you find the right roofing material for your home.

Since 1979 Holladay Grace has helped homeowners in the Colorado Springs and greater Pikes Peak Region choose the right roofing material for their home. This article will walk you through selecting the right roofing material for your home.

Different Types of Roofing Materials:

Asphalt Shingles

Asphalt shingle roofs are the most common roofing material you will encounter on homes today. You have some additional choices when it comes to asphalt shingles, as there are two main types installed today: dimensional and designer shingles. While some older roofs have 3-tab shingles, you will more commonly see dimensional shingles installed on new roofs. Designer shingles may not be as popular as dimension shingles, but they are still seen all over Colorado Springs. The main difference between the two, aside from the look, is that designer shingles are typically more expensive due to the higher manufacturing cost. Typically, designer shingles hold up slightly better to hail in Colorado Springs.

Dimensional Asphalt Shingles

Designer Asphalt Shingles

Standing Seam Metal

Standing seam metal roof systems consist of metal panels that lock together or are mechanically fastened together at the seams. Being fastened at the seams allows the roofing material to expand and contract with temperature changes. Standing seam metal roofs are not as common on residential roofs primarily because they are expensive. However, standing seam metal roofs are becoming more popular due to the aesthetic look they provide. Standing seam metal roofs perform very well in various weather conditions; however, they are prone to dents in hail storms. Sometimes insurance policies exclude cosmetic damage, so metal roofs can be more difficult to replace in insurance claim projects.

Standing Seam Metal Roof

Synthetic Shingles

Synthetic shingles are newer to the market compared to asphalt shingles. Synthetic shingles are a more sustainable alternative to older roofing solutions like cedar shake and slate roofs. Synthetic shingles primarily replace cedar shake and slate roofing systems. These shingles are made of either recycled materials or an engineered polymer and are injected into molds of actual cedar shake and slate tiles. Synthetic tiles look pretty similar to their natural counterparts, but their price is conservatively double compared to dimensional asphalt shingles. Synthetic shingles are a better alternative to cedar and slate because of their increased durability and longer life.

DaVinci Shake Synthetic Roof

F-Wave Synthetic Shingle

Stone-Coated Steel

Stone-coated steel is a more decorative roofing solution than dimensional or even designer shingles. Stone-coated steel roofing panels come in several different styles that are made to mimic the look of other roofing systems, like shake and tile shingles. The main advantage of this system is that if installed with 2″x2″ battens beneath the roofing panels, the system allows any water that may find its way under the panels to drain out without causing damage to your decking. While this installation method does provide a very clean look, the price associated with it is similar to what synthetic shingles cost.

Stone Coated Steel Roof

Tile

When roofing contractors refer to tile roofs, they often talk about concrete tile. Like stone-coated steel, concrete roof tiles are made to look like a variety of other roofing materials, like cedar shake and slate tiles. This variety means that it is more than likely that there will be a concrete tile look that you prefer. When choosing tile, you must consider the tiles’ weight and ensure that your roof structure can fully support that weight. Pricing for concrete tiles is typically around two times more than dimensional asphalt shingles.

Tile Roof

Factors that Play a Role in Choosing the Right Roofing Material for your Home:

Aesthetics

You want to find a roofing material that will look aesthetically pleasing on your home. Chances are you probably already know what will look good and what will not. For example, if you have a mountain-style home, you may not want to put a Spanish s-tile on it. If you are not concerned about the aesthetics of your roof, a dimensional asphalt shingle is always a good option. There are many different color options, and they are the most cost-effective option.

If you are interested in seeing renderings of different styles of roofs on your home, please reach out to us, and we will show you some of the cool technology we use to help homeowners choose the right roofing material for their homes!

Example of 3D Rendering Software Holladay Grace Uses to Help Homeowners Choose the Right Roofing Material

Warranties

Warranties are always an important factor to consider when choosing your next roofing material to ensure that you know how long your roofing material is covered by not only the installer but the manufacturer as well. Typically, roofers will offer a two-year workmanship warranty, meaning any leaks or issues within that two-year time period should be covered as long as you go through the warranty process. Manufacturer warranties, however, vary not only between different manufacturers but also between different roofing types made by the same manufacturer. To learn more about warranty options, click here.

Market

The area that you live in and its roofing market plays a large part in the type of roofing material that you should choose. Looking at the demographics of the area will help determine what type of roofing market may exist in your area. An area that is more affluent and well-off will typically have more expensive and higher-grade roofing systems. Looking into the roofing market is important because it will not only help you determine which type of system to install but will also tell you typically what types of materials are readily available. A good example of this is the market in Colorado Springs. Most roofs in the Colorado Springs area are dimensional asphalt shingles.

Weather

Weather patterns play a very large role when choosing the right roofing material for your roof. You will want to consider what type of weather your area experiences and factor that into your choice. For example, slate tiles are rarely seen in Colorado Springs because of the high chances for hail and high wind storms. Slate tiles are typically more brittle and do not hold up to the type of weather that the Colorado Springs area experiences.

Cost

Cost always plays a factor in what type of roofing material you choose. Remember that labor costs vary based on the roofing materials you choose. Different systems require different amounts of labor, which can make the cost of the project go up or down. For example, installation on dimensional asphalt shingles will be far simpler and less expensive than installing a batten system for either stone-coated steel panels or concrete tiles.

Material Rating

Material ratings should play a significant role when choosing the right roofing material for your new roof. Depending on your area, there are material ratings that you will want to pay attention to. For example, in Colorado Springs, we see a lot of heavy wind storms and occasionally large hail. That is why it is smart to choose a roofing material that holds up well to high winds and is impact rated. Additionally, keep in mind that higher-rated roofing materials may make you eligible for a discount on your homeowner’s insurance premium.