Tiles, Shingles, or Metal? Choosing a Material for Your New Sloped Roof
So you’ve got a new construction project and you’re wondering what kind of material would be best to install. If the roof in your project has a visible slope, you’re going to be choosing between shingles, tiles, or metal, which have all been rated as Class A roof coverings for fire resistance. Each material has its strengths and weaknesses, which will be further elaborated upon below.
Shingle Roofs
The most common type of roofing material is asphalt (or composition) shingles. We offer GAF, Owens Corning, and CertainTeed shingles, which are some of the top shingle providers in business today. Shingles are the most budget-friendly roof covering available, and their lightweight design allows for a lot of versatility and flexibility in covering all sorts of architectural structures. If you have a roof with a unique shape, shingles are going to be your best option. .
Shingles come in a variety of colors that can complement the rest of your construction. Los Angeles requires the use of cool roof shingles, which are lighter in color than typical shingles, and which all of our suppliers stock. They can increase your home or business’s energy efficiency and save you a lot of money in the long-term.
Tile Roofs
Another option you can choose is clay tile, sometimes colloquially referred to as Spanish tile. Since tiles are significantly heavier than shingles, you’ll need to reinforce your roofing foundation to accommodate the weight, but you really can’t beat tiles for longevity. Even though it’s the most expensive option, a tile roof that’s been cared for very well can last over a hundred years, so there’s a good chance that you won’t ever have to fully replace that roof you’re installing in your lifetime.
Due to the high risk of fire in Los Angeles, cedar shakes have been banned from new construction, but you can still get that cedar shake look by installing tiles! Most tile suppliers have a line of tiles that look remarkably like wood shakes, only without the fire risk involved. We’ve installed Boral, Redland, and US clay tiles.
Metal Roofs
Finally, you can choose to install a metal roof. Metal is lighter and more inexpensive than tile, but costs more and last longer than shingles. It’s extremely versatile, and can be forged to imitate all sorts of roofing materials. Boral, one of the leading tile manufacturers in the country, actually has a line of metal roofing materials called Boral Steel.
Since it reflects sunlight, a metal roof can help keep the property significantly cooler and more energy-efficient, and it’s even recyclable. While it can get noisy on a rainy night and is susceptible to damage from hail in areas that are affected by it, we don’t really have much of a risk of hail here in sunny Los Angeles, and the rains occur so infrequently that the noise is barely an issue.
Have more questions? We’re happy to help!
Whatever roofing material you choose, Modern Roofing’s contractors are all licensed, bonded, and insured for your peace of mind, and well-versed in installing any type of roofing material. Give us a call today for a free estimate, and we’ll put you in touch with a roofing professional who can answer all your questions. You’ll be glad you did!