Roof Materials Rated For Longevity, Durability, & Cost
Is it time for a new roof? Your roof is not something you want to replace often—or ever, frankly. It’s a time-consuming, expensive project, but the longer you go without a solid roof, the more likely it is you’ll deal with water damage.
When it comes to roofing materials, you usually get what you pay for. Spend a good chunk of money on your roof, and it can last for a century! Different roofing materials have varied lifespans—that’s why it’s so important to do your research first. You need roofing materials that will last a long time, hold up to the elements, and fit your budget.
In this blog, we’ll compare roofing materials based on three criteria: Longevity, durability, and cost. Let’s get into it:
Cedar Shingles
You know cedar by its telltale smell. It’s woody and fresh, like walking through a forest. From your roof, you probably won’t notice the way it smells. But you will appreciate the way it looks.
If you’re care about the aesthetics of your roof, cedar shingles are hard to pass up. They create a natural-looking, neat appearance that suits a wide variety of styles.
Wood shingles look especially stunning on a cabin or cottage-style home. But even if you have vinyl siding or brick on your home’s exterior, cedar shingles will look fantastic.
So, how do wood shingles measure up when it comes to longevity?
On average, this roofing material lasts 25-30 years with average care; if you’re really meticulous with maintenance, you can get up to 50 years out of it.
In terms of durability, wood shingles have their pros and cons. We’ll start with the pros. The oils in cedar naturally repel moisture and insects. This roofing material also makes for a great insulator.
But they have one downside: They’re a fire hazard in areas where there are seasonal wildfires. In certain areas, some regulations restrict homeowners from using wood shingles for this reason.
What will it cost you to install wood shingles? The cost per square foot varies, but on average, wood shake is more expensive than wood shingles. Both will cost more than an asphalt roof to install, but not as much as metal roofing.
Asphalt Shingles
If you’re looking for a more affordable option, you can’t go wrong with an asphalt shingle roof. Available in a wide variety of colours and shapes, you can select asphalt shingles that are the perfect fit for your home.
Asphalt can be used with angled or flat roofs. It’s one of the most common roofing materials, and for good reason; it’s widely available, durable, and affordable. Every year, over half a million Canadian homes are roofed with asphalt shingles.
Not only is it less expensive per square foot than wood and metal, but it’s also easier to install. If you decide to hire a roofing contractor, this will bring your installation costs down.
Asphalt shingle roofs offer fire protection, moisture resistance, and ease of installation. This gives them great durability against the outdoor elements. Most of the time, repairing damaged shingles is easy (and not too expensive).
How many years can you expect to get out of your asphalt shingle roof? This is one of their weaknesses; they usually last 10-20 years. To prolong the lifespan of asphalt roofs, keep them free of moss, and don’t walk on them when you’re installing or repairing them.
Metal Roofing
Last up on our list is metal roofs. They’re the most expensive of the ones we’ve listed, but they also have the longest life expectancy. Standing seam metal roofs can last up to 100 years!
Some homeowners are hesitant to install metal roofs due to their unconventional appearance. But you can purchase newer styles that look just like asphalt shingles or slate roofs. You’re free to customize the style and texture of your standing seam metal roof.
What kinds of metals are used to construct these roofs? They’re often made of steel, zinc, copper, or aluminum. This makes them incredibly low-maintenance, and extremely resistant to fire, water, and insects.
Metal roofs have a high upfront cost, which is probably their biggest downside, but they’re an excellent investment—you won’t need to worry about replacing it.
Order Your Roofing Materials From STAR Building Today!
So, with all that in mind, where can you find the best roofing materials? Whether you choose to install a cedar, asphalt, or metal roof, we’ve got the supplies you’re looking for.
With STAR, you buy where the builders buy. And that means you get access to awesome prices on roofing supplies in Winnipeg. We offer great prices on wood roofing, asphalt shingle roofs, and metal roofs.
To place your order, contact STAR Building today!