Gone are the days when roofs were just sheets that covered our houses and heads. With the variety of materials available on the market these days, it becomes easier for people to use different types of roofing materials, either for aesthetic or practical reasons.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that a roofing’s primary function is to weatherproof the house. This is regardless of the type, design, and style of the roof, from metal roofing in Utah to the thatched huts you can find deep in the Amazon rainforest. Given the material, environment, and the climate of the area, roofing can be an extremely important factor in building a structurally sound house.
So, how exactly does material help in protecting us from the elements?
Composition
The important thing to remember about roofing material is that the composition can always vary depending on the type used. Metal roofs will have different components than concrete roofs, and this difference can determine an ideal roof for a house that’s experiencing a variety of weather conditions.
The composition of the roof can also have drastic effects on the interior and exterior of the house. In areas prone to cool and rainy weather, weatherproofing the roof with a water-resistant material can help reduce the likelihood of water damage at home. Arid areas will often have heat-reflecting roofs to cool the indoor temperature.
The composition also plays a role in how the roof is constructed. Shingle roofs can often have high upfront costs but have a stronger structure than single-sheet roofing. In places prone to strong winds and stormy weather, the composition of the roofing material is the line that can determine whether the roof can survive a disaster.
Costs
It’s possible to get low-cost roofing installation, but due to concerns about safety, this isn’t a good idea. The cost of replacing or repairing a house after a natural disaster such as typhoons and floods can be high, and the best way to do this is to have a stable structure that can withstand such events in the first place.
Roofing options have been continuously developed to find the perfect balance between safe and affordable materials. While the upfront cost is relatively high when choosing the ideal roof for your house, it’s offset by the potential damage and repair costs that you would otherwise pay if you didn’t invest in better materials.
Maintenance and Care
Finally, the material of your roof plays a big part in how often it needs to be maintained or repaired. As weather patterns can only be predicted up to a certain point, having a roofing material that can withstand extreme weather conditions is extremely important when building cost-efficient housing.
Maintenance and care of roofs can often cost a lot, especially after the roof has had its fair share of damage. Investing in the right material for the type of weather your area is regularly exposed to is a good investment that can pay for itself in time.
Weatherproofing your house doesn’t stop with choosing the right roof, but it’s certainly a good start. If you need options for optimizing your roofing for the type of weather or environment that you live in, it’s best to contact an experienced roofing contractor.
