It’s a great view

Posted on: 2 July 2015

Building a new house involves a lot of decision making and even more expenses. Domestic roofing is one of the most important parts of building a house, but also one of the most costly investments. One of the most important things to consider before building a roof is the type of roofing you want.

With so many options to choose from, one can be easily overwhelmed. Below are 5 types of domestic roofing that you might like for your own home:

1. Asphalt roofing shingles

The durability and moderate costs of asphalt shingles make them the most popular choice among homeowners. With an average lifespan of 20 years, asphalt shingles can be easily installed and can withstand high temperatures. 

Asphalt shingles are made of either organic paper fibre mat or a fibreglass mat coated with asphalt and mineral granules. They come in a variety of colours and styles to please any taste.

However, asphalt shingles are less durable than other heavier tiles. Also, if they have a dark colour, they can easily fade.

2. Domestic metal roofing

Although it's more expensive than asphalt, it's definitely more long-lasting and resistant to weather factors as well as fire. Metal roofing is available in either sheets or shingles made of steel, aluminium, copper or zinc alloy. Steel roofing is cheaper than copper roofing.

3. Domestic roofing made of slate rock

Slate is a more sophisticated material that will surely make your home look classier. This material is very durable and has a superior resistance to wind and fire. Its life expectancy can reach 100 years.

While it's fairly easy to maintain, slate tiles are heavy and require a high level of skill to install. Not to mention that they're very expensive.

4. Wood shingles

Choosing domestic roofing made of wood may not be the best idea, unless you really want an old-fashioned appearance for your house. Wood shingles can withstand wind pretty well, but they're more susceptible to fire unless treated. They have moderate costs, and can last for 30 years.

5. Green or living roof

Certainly the least conventional type of roofing, a green roof might be a good choice for nature enthusiasts. It's eco-friendly, can create oxygen, provide thermal insulation to your house as well as absorb rainwater. You can even create a small garden on your roof, but make sure you install a waterproof membrane first to avoid turning your house into a swimming pool.