You might initially choose a certain type of building material for aesthetic reasons as you want your home to offer plenty of curb appeal, but you also want to factor in performance and suitability in addition to looks. So that’s why professionals, such as those from Longmont Roofing companies, are there to help you talk through your options and find out what is best for you.

If you could find the roofing material to use on your property that also looked the part too, that would be a winning combination, and there is every chance that you could achieve that aim if you think carefully and learn more about each option before making your final choice.

Here is a look at some of the most popular roofing materials available and an overview of their respective attributes so that you make an informed decision.

Solar roofing

Being eco-friendly and saving energy is a hot topic, and rightly so when you consider how we are all going to have to do more to keep our planet in good shape for future generations.

Solar roofing ticks plenty of boxes as a sensible choice because it improves your green credentials in an instant when you can tap into a renewable energy source.

Solar roofs have improved massively in recent times and with technological advances and design improvements, this is a viable option to consider that is more efficient and affordable than ever before.

A solar roof will look good and could even add value as your improved greener credentials will appeal to savvy buyers.

A key benefit of solar roofing is the fact that you will be greatly reducing your dependence on fossil fuels by harnessing a natural and renewable energy to power and heat your home.

Asphalt is an all-rounder

If you are looking for the most commonly used roofing material look no further than asphalt shingles, which features on the roofs of a large percentage of homes.

There is a reason for this. Asphalt shingles tend to offer good fire and wind resistant properties and they don’t normally create too much of a weight burden, plus they can be used to cover a number of different slope designs. Of course, calculate roof slope first before installing these shingles, just to make sure they do fit, but it’s very likely they’ll be a suitable choice.

Another primary reason why asphalt shingles are so popular is cost, as this type of roofing won’t normally break the bank, but there are drawbacks to counteract the positive aspects of this choice of material.

Asphalt shingles are not very environmentally-friendly and their lifespan is not that impressive in comparison to other options, so you need to weigh up these negatives before deciding to go with this option.

Don’t dismiss metal as an option

You might be inclined to think that a roof made from a metal like steel or copper might not be suitable for a number of reasons.

However, the highest quality metal roofing systems are capable of delivering a reasonable energy efficiency performance and you should find that a metal roof could prove to be durable and hold up well against the elements.

Steel roofs can be inexpensive, but there is an aesthetic question to answer for some with this type of roof, whereas a copper roof will be more expensive and the aging process might make your roof less attractive in some people’s opinion.

A true classic

On the subject of looks, slate is one of the established classic roofing materials and the general consensus is that this type of roof adds a touch of class to most homes.

Slate tiles offer a decent level of strength and durability and they often hold up well when subjected to the threat of wind damage and fire.

The obvious negative point about choosing slate is that it is an expensive choice of material and it is heavy too, which means your roof will have to be designed and constructed to cope.

The ultimate natural look

If you want your home to have a natural look the most obvious feature to reinforce that style is to install a wooden roof.

Wooden shakes are typically made from cedar but other types are also available.

Affordable and recyclable, wooden shakes are capable of adding some charm through a more natural look, but you need to be prepared to cover the cost of regular maintenance and the risk of fire damage is something else you need to think about.

Looks like wood

If you want the charm of a wooden roof without the problems that come with a natural material you could achieve this look with a high tech plastic blend option, polymer.

Plastic polymer answers the durability and maintenance issues associated with wooden shakes but they are not suitable for all property types and this option costs more than asphalt.

Get a professional opinion on the suitable if fitting a plastic roof on your home if that is an option you might want to consider.

Increasingly popular with modern homeowners

If you are looking for a material that seems to be on trend and a roofing choice in modern homes concrete fits the bill.

On the face of it, concrete seems to have a lot of positives going for it, as it offers a decent lifespan which is good for return on investment considerations, plus it offers a good standard of durability, and the cost of a concrete roof compares favorably against other options available.

What you will have to bear in mind if you are thinking about installing a concrete roof is that it is a heavy material and your roof structure will have to be able to cope with this weight, which could mean reinforcement is needed.

In addition, your concrete roof could be susceptible to cracking in poor weather conditions such as strong winds and heavy rains.

If you are thinking about upgrading your roof or need to choose a material to use with your new build design, it pays to think about the pros and cons for each material option on offer and it would also be a sound strategy to seek out a professional opinion from someone with in-depth knowledge of the roofing materials so that they can help you choose the right one.