Ultimate Guide to Residential Roofing

Roofing can be one of the most expensive items in your home. With it being so expensive among its unique characteristics of keeping you safe and dry from the elements, your roof is also one of the most important items you could ever purchase. Below are some things to guide you on your residential roofing journey to get a great roof over your head.

Material Matters

Perhaps the most important decision for you to make in your journey is to decide what kind of material you would like to use for your roof. There is a plethora of materials available and each has advantages and disadvantages. Below we list a few of the most common materials used, as well as their pros and cons.

Asphalt Shingles

◦ Most common roof type
◦ Comes in a wide variety of colors and textures
◦ Can mimic other materials such as cedar, wood, and slate
◦ Damaged shingles can easily be replaced
◦ Can be re-roofed instead of replaced in certain circumstances
◦ Surprisingly affordable
◦ Might crack and curl after a few years of hot/cold cycles
◦ Lightweight shingles can take off in windy weather

Slate Roofing

◦ Provides a classically natural look
◦ Can increase resale value of your home
◦ Durable & long-lasting – an average of 100-year lifespan
◦ Comes in varying amounts of colors
◦ Relatively maintenance-free
◦ Waterproof and non-polluting
◦ They are dangerous if they fall
◦ Very heavy and hard to support
◦ Expensive
◦ Repairs and installation can be time-consuming and expensive

Metal Roofing

◦ Can quickly shed snow and rain
◦ Provides good insulation
◦ Lightweight
◦ Provides a quick installation
◦ Energy-efficient
◦ Can last as long as your home itself
◦ Recyclable
◦ Rather expensive
◦ Falling branches and heavy hail can dent and damage metal roofs
◦ Panels can loosen due to their expansion and contraction with heat
◦ Can be very loud with rain and hail
◦ If water ponds at all, it can cause rust

Choosing a Contractor

Residential roofing can be hard to navigate properly. Your best bet for a guide is to find a good contractor, so while you’re here, you can count on us. We proudly serve central New Jersey, so if you want to learn more about the best residential roofing you can get, please call us at (732) 372-9772.