Replacing or selecting a roof can seem overwhelming, but this guide can help you select the strongest roofing material. These materials come at varying price points, and some may also be more customizable than others. If you want a roof that lasts, the following options can suit almost any home or business.
Best Roofing Materials for Long-Term Durability
Durability is an important part of any roof. However, the amount of time your roof lasts is not solely determined by the material’s ability to survive rain and tree branches. Many factors, including sunlight, moisture and heat, affect your roof’s longevity. It is also important that you regularly conduct roof maintenance to preserve its health. This kind of caretaking can add extra years to your roof’s life span, saving you time and money.
With these factors in mind, let’s take a look at the most durable roofing materials:
Asphalt Shingles
On average, asphalt shingles last about 20 years. If a roof composed of these shingles is in a moderate climate and maintained well, it’s not unheard of for it to last 30 or even 50 years total. This jump represents an almost doubled life span, saving you a tremendous amount of money and time that would otherwise be spent replacing the entire roof. These little squares are also quite good at defending your home from the elements.
Asphalt shingles come in two primary types — dimensional shingles and luxury shingles. The two offer unique wood-style looks, empowering you to choose the right appearance for your home, and the latter style is even more durable than your standard asphalt shingle. Overall, however, asphalt shingles tend to cost less per square foot than other roofing materials. This lower price point makes them an extremely popular option, especially given the variety of colors and textures they come in.
Cedar Shake Roof Tiles
Asphalt shingles may have wood patterns on their surface, but cedar shake roof titles are actually composed of the stuff. These roofs tend to last about 30 years when taken care of, so they have a higher floor than your typical asphalt shingle. Their ability to withstand storms and other weather phenomena is also impressive, making them a great choice if you’re looking to protect your home or business from the elements.
One of the best features of cedar shake roof tiles is their unique textured appearance. The wood, varied shapes and earthy colors can imbue a place with a rustic charm that is hard to match. If you want to stand out with a roof that is as visually appealing as it is resilient, cedar shake roof tiles might be for you.
EPDM Rubber
A popular choice for commercial buildings, ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber is an excellent option for flat roofs. This durable, light-absorbing material has made a name for itself in the roofing world in recent years, lasting as long as 40 years. EPDM rubber roofs do require some special upkeep, as most flat roofs do, but they more than make up for it in their affordability and resilience against rain, hail and sunlight.
In terms of appearance, EPDM rubber also offers some level of customizability. It comes in both black and white, giving you the power to choose the best option for your building, commercial or otherwise. Keep in mind that black absorbs heat, and white reflects it, so consider your climate when deciding what color you choose.
Composite Shingles
While asphalt shingles are made of just that — asphalt — composite shingles are made from a combination of sustainable and recycled materials, making it a wonderful eco-friendly option. On top of being environmentally conscious, roofs made of composite shingles can last between 30 and 50 years, depending on how well-kept they are. These shingles also require relatively little maintenance compared to other materials due to their low weight. That said, they can still withstand many a storm, making them a strong all-around material.
Composite shingles are also highly customizable and can even mimic slate, cedar and terracotta. Within these categories, many colors are available, allowing you to choose the perfect combination for your needs. By choosing composite shingles, you invest in a more sustainable future and in a new-fashioned roof with an old-fashioned style.
Metal
Metal roofs are renowned for their longevity, trusted to last approximately 50 years on average. Some have even been known to last for an entire century. This impressive life span and metal’s potential to be shaped in a variety of ways make it very popular in commercial roofing. From tight angles to unique architectural features, metal roofs take it all in stride, and they can survive heavy weathering without losing their sheen.
Another unique feature of metal roofs is that they can be made of a wide variety of metals, from copper and steel to even aluminum. Each metal brings with it its own strengths and charm. Copper, for instance, can grow even more pleasing to look at as it ages, thanks in large part to the patina it tends to develop over time. With so many different types of metal roofs to choose from, you choose one that meets all your needs.
Natural Slate
The roofing material with the longest life span of all is natural slate, with the potential to last over 100 years before needing to be replaced. Unlike more modern innovations like composite shingles, slate has a rich history in roofing, and it’s easy to see why. It is fireproof, can survive hail unscathed and comes in a wide variety of shapes and sizes.
An investment in a natural slate roof is a tremendous one, due to both its price point and its deserved prestige. It may imbue your home or business with an air of sophistication, elevating the enterprise or simply matching the surrounding architecture. Whatever its function, slate is a reliable roofing material with the strength to go the distance.
Considerations for Your Roof’s Longevity
The material your roof is made of plays a huge role in how long your roof lasts, but many other factors impact your roof’s life span. Some of these factors include:
- How regularly you perform maintenance on your roof.
- What the climate is like where you live.
- How exposed your roof is to the elements.
- The quality of the roof installation.
Paying attention to these details when choosing your roofing material can help to extend your roof’s life and, ultimately, your wallet.
Finding the Perfect Roof for You
Equity Builders Roofing is here to fill that gap and meet your roofing, siding, and renovation needs! Based in Bloomington, Indiana, we have been serving clients in Central and Southern Indiana for more than 35 years and have an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. We also offer a variety of financing options to make your roof installation a breeze.
Request a free quote today to see how we can help your roofing dreams come true!