When it comes time for you to replace your roof, most people are familiar with common roofing materials such as asphalt shingles, metal panels, and slate. However, they are not the only roofing material options for you to use on your home. Here are three less-common but solid options you can use when you have your roof replaced.
Material #1: Stone-Coated Metal
One option for your roof is stone-coated metal roofing, which is different than a typical metal roof. A stone-coated metal roof is a hybrid roofing material.
The base of the roof is made from some type of corrosion-resistant metal. Then that corrosion-resistant metal is coated with a layer of crushed granite that is bonded to the metal in a manner that prevents the crushed granite coating from wearing away over time.
This reinforced metal roofing can look like asphalt shingles, clay tiles, or another more common roofing material from the ground. However, stone-coated metal roofing sometimes comes with warranties for half a century. Upgrading to a stone-coated metal roof may be the last time you need to replace your roof.
Material #2: Solar Shingles
In the past, if you wanted to draw solar energy from your roof, you needed to make sure that your roof was in good condition, and then you had to install solar panels on top of your roof. Now, if you want to draw solar power from your roof, you can install solar shingles. Solar shingles act as both a roofing material and solar panels at the same time.
Solar shingles are made from rigid materials. From the ground, they look just like regular shingles. However, that regular-looking appearance hides a higher function. Solar shingles generate solar power for you whenever the sun is out. You can feed extra solar power back into the grid, or you can store that power in solar batteries to use when the sun is not out.
One of the greatest benefits of installing a solar shingle roof is that your roof can pay for itself.
Material #3: Built-Up Roof
Finally, there is a built-up roof. Built-up roofs are often installed on homes and buildings with low slopes. A built-up roof is made from four different layers. It has the typical roof decking, insulation, ply sheets, and surfacing material. Each layer of the roof is connected using a bitumen martial, such as tar. Built-up roofs are really solid structures that provide high levels of insulation.
When it comes to replacing your roof, don't feel like you have to go with asphalt shingles. Instead, explore some of the other roofing materials that are available for your home.
To learn more, contact a residential roofer.