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The Best New Roofing Options in 2019

September 29, 2019

If you are looking to replace your roof soon, there’s really no better time to do it. The last decade has brought with it major innovations in roofing materials, and 2019 has some of the best options for new roofs at the best prices that we have ever seen.

From the traditional asphalt shingles with a twist to economically friendly green roofs and everything in between, Patriot Roofing and Construction has the best of the best for you to choose from when you are ready to install your new roof.

So what’s new in the world of roofing that you get to choose from?

The Most Popular New (and Oldies but Goodies) Roofing Options

The price of many roofing materials has now gone down to more reasonable rates, making it affordable for many people to choose options that once would have been out of their budget. The traditional asphalt shingle route is still the most popular and inexpensive, but with a little bit of research you may find a roofing option that fits your style better and suits your budget just as well.

When you’re ready for a new roof, whether you are in Salt Lake City or New York City or anywhere in between, here are just some of the styles available to you:

 

1. Traditional asphalt shingles – The vast majority of single-family homes in the United States have been covered in asphalt shingles. This material is affordable, comes in different color options, and has always done a relatively stable job of protecting homes. However, with the advent of other roofing materials and the benefits that come with them, the popularity of the traditional asphalt shingle is dwindling.

If you are looking into asphalt shingles for your next roof, you have two options: fiberglass and organic. Fiberglass shingles are made from a fiberglass mesh mat covered in asphalt. They are then finished with granules to add color and protect them from the damage caused by direct sunlight. Fiberglass shingles are lightweight, making them easier to work with, but they also can be damaged easily with storms and high winds.

Organic asphalt shingles are your second option, although they are not as widely available because they tend to dry out and become less waterproof. Organic asphalt shingles have been phased out by many roofing companies but are still found occasionally. These shingles are made from paper (usually recycled) that is then soaked in asphalt and finished with granules. Organic shingles offer more security in storms and major winds, but they are heavier than the fiberglass shingles.

 

2. Wood shingles – Wood has traditionally been used to top homes for millennia, but the options now are longer-lasting and more aesthetically pleasing than the old versions. Wood shingles are now machine-cut with smooth edges and surfaces and are made out of durable trees like redwood, cypress, and cedar.

If you want a more rustic, country look, you may prefer wood shakes. These are like wood shingles, but hand cut and thicker. They are a little more expensive, though.

People who choose wood shingles and shakes tend to turn to this material for their roofs because of its natural beauty, but there are other pros, too. Cedar and redwood are moisture-resistant and insect repellant, and the wood itself can last up to ten years longer than asphalt shingles.

However, wood roofs come with plenty of cons, too. Some areas prohibit these roofs, especially if they are prone to fires. Wood roofs can be high-maintenance to keep clean or algae and moss grow on them, and faulty installation can result in quick and serious problems, so always have a professional roofing company install your wood roofs.

 

3. Metal roofs – Quickly creating competition for asphalt roofs, metal roofs are becoming quite popular. In fact, 2019 could see metal roofs surpassing asphalt shingles as the preferred roof of choice for single family homes and many businesses.

The reason behind this is that metal roofs are more durable, economically friendly, and last longer than traditional asphalt shingles. With new technology, too, metal roofs are now offered in a variety of designs and appearances and can be made to look like shingles, tiles, or even wood shakes, and they come in dozens of colors.

Metal roofs can last up to 100 years and are usually warrantied at 30 to 50 years. They also reflect solar heat, reducing your energy bill. They are lightweight yet durable and can handle extreme weather much better than asphalt shingles and other roofing materials can.

Since prices for metal roofs have become much more affordable, that, combined with the other benefits, wins them the popularity contest for many people.

 

4. Roofing tiles – Similar to wood, tile has been used throughout history to protect homes around the world. However, tile has major pros and cons, making it either a favorite or an absolute no for most homeowners.

Tile comes in three varieties: traditional clay, concrete, and fiber cement. They are all waterproofed and durable for more than fifty years. Tiles are fire and insect resistant and make for a beautiful roof if done right. The lighter the tile, the more sun is reflected, too, so they can also improve a home’s energy efficiency.

Cons, though, include the fact that tile is quite heavy, so many homes will have to have extra support in the frames. Tile is more expensive than most other roofing options, as well. They are also susceptible to breakage.

This type of roofing is often used on Spanish and Mission style homes, European or Mediterranean designs, and occasionally on contemporary homes.

 

5. Solar and skylights – Solar tiles are becoming popular roofing alternatives for people who are looking for ways to reduce their utility bills and their carbon footprint on the earth. They are affordable, too, if you live in a state where tax credits and rebates are offered.

In place of solar panels, though, many people are choosing to install skylights on their regular roof. Skylights offer many of the same benefits as solar roofing, cutting down the need for electric lighting and reducing energy costs. Many of these products also qualify for tax credits.

Skylights increase a home’s property and resale value, making them a great return on investment for those who are looking to sell in the future. They come in many sizes and varieties to fit in just about any area of your home. Skylights can be used to increase the visual appeal of a room and make it look bigger, or simply to lighten up an otherwise dark space.

 

6. Green roofing – Green roofs use vegetation via landscaping to cover your roof and protect your home. Carefully designed and cultivated materials are placed in a way that uses the elements to actually sustain your roof instead of erode it away gradually.

Although it is only recently that green roofs have become widely acknowledged, they have been in use for thousands of years, too. People have long known about the benefits of these roofs: they keep the cool air in and hot air out, and vice versa. They’re also great in areas where storm management and irrigation are issues. And urban areas, like New York City and Chicago, have been turning to green roofs more and more to absorb heat in an otherwise concrete jungle.

There are three main types of green roofs, and each type has a layer of protection fleece, a drainage layer, a filter fleece, a layer of growing material, vegetation, and a hard landscaping.

Intensive green roofs use intense plants like shrubs and trees. This type of green roof requires a lot of upkeep and maintenance, regular watering, and ongoing plant care.

Extensive green roofs, on the other hand, use plants that require minimal maintenance like herbs, grasses, and moss. That makes this type of green roof more economical and easier to keep up with.

Brown roofs are the third type of green roofing. Brown roofs are intended to create a habitat that was once found in an area but now has disappeared due to development. Big cities commonly use brown roofs to create a natural place for the animals of that area to make their homes.

Yes, green roofs can be more expensive to get put in place initially. This is due to the intricate level of design that is involved in carefully creating a landscape that will last and protect your home. But these types of roofs have unlimited benefits for the environment and a strong potential to save you money over time.

 

New Year? New Roof!

2019 is just around the corner! Why not make a resolution to yourself to stop paying huge energy bills, patching up those repairs “just one more time,” and start helping preserve the environment with your new roof?

 

If you are in the Salt Lake City and Draper, Utah area, call Patriot Roofing and Construction today to see how we can help you make your New Year’s resolution come true and save you money by investing in a new roof today!