Which Roofing Material Should I Choose For My Custom Home?
Shopping for your dream home can be exhausting, which is why many people decide instead to build a custom home that meets all their needs and wants while staying within their budget. Building a custom home in Edmonton means you get a say in how it’s constructed!
That said, there are still a lot of decisions that you need to make in the process. When buying an existing home, many of these decisions have been already made, but with a custom home you are responsible for these choices.
One of these decisions is choosing which roofing material you want for your custom home; this may seem like a minor detail but your roof matters! Different materials have different implications for longevity, weather resistance and price – plus it’s the first line of defence against the elements so you want something durable without sacrificing style.
Get inspired by some of our favourite exterior home and roof remodels, and check out this list of five different roofing materials and the pros and cons of each. our home – especially with the super varied temperatures we experience in Edmonton.
1. Asphalt
Pros:
Asphalt is typically the cheapest and most popular roofing option in Edmonton; they are visually pleasing and can fit a variety of home styles. Asphalt is reliable for keeping out the wind, rain and cold, and is usually fire resistant due to the inclusion of fibreglass in the design. It’s a versatile material available in a variety of colours, and can be used for low to steep roof heights at a relatively low installation cost. Lighter colours of asphalt roofing can also provide light reflectance to improve a home’s energy efficiency.
Cons:
Asphalt roofs only have a typical life expectancy of 12 to 20 years – less if they’re cheap and poor quality. They aren’t very eco-friendly or durable, and throughout their lifetime it's likely you’ll have to get a few patches done. Asphalt roofs can also absorb a lot of heat, which may be helpful in the winter but isn’t so great in the hot summer.
credit: billraganroofing.com
2. Wood shingles and shakes
Pros:
Wooden roofing material provides a really natural look to your home, especially if you live in an area surrounded by greenery, such as an acreage. They are made from natural, recyclable materials such as cedar and pine, and are often sourced from salvaged trees that fall during storms. Wood shakes and shingles are moderate in price, and can also last longer than asphalt by 10-15 years.
Cons:
Wood provides a distinct beauty to your custom home, but they are suspect to colour change and staining after exposure to the elements. They can also be vulnerable to moss, algae and fungus especially if the wood is untreated, which requires more regular maintenance and cleaning than other materials. Untreated wood also has a lower resistance to fire, which may have an impact on your home insurance.
3. Metal
Pros:
Metal roofs are one of the most impact-resistant materials available and have a lifespan that is two to three times longer than traditional roofing materials – up to 50 years! Metal roofs are also non-porous – this makes them an ideal solution for Edmonton’s cold winters because, unlike traditional roofing materials, they resist expansion caused by freeze and thaw cycles. They’re good for summer too since they absorb less heat than asphalt, which means a lower electricity bill in hot weather.
The metal material may be made of steel, aluminium, copper or zinc – usually from recycled materials. Resistant to fire and wind, metal roofs are durable and don’t require a lot of maintenance, making for a solid, long term investment for your home.
Cons:
All this comes at a cost – metal is the most expensive roofing material available, although this is offset by its long lifespan. Many people are also not big fans of the appearance of metal roofs, believing it to look too industrial or modern for their desired custom home’s style. A metal roof can dent when hit with a heavy object like big hail rocks, and its repairs cost more than other roofing materials. It’s also difficult for firefighters to break through a metal roof to get water on a house fire.
Credit: metalarchitecture.com
4. Slate tile
Pros:
Slate tiles have a luxurious elegance to them that provides European style to your home. One of the oldest roofing materials around, it’s low-maintenance, durable, long-lasting, reusable and recyclable. Made from natural slate, it’s environmentally friendly as well as wind and fire resistant.
Cons:
Natural slate is extremely heavy and requires additional reinforcement on the structure of your home to support it. Slate also only comes in one colour – grey – which might not match the style you’re looking for. It’s also an expensive material that requires specific expertise for installation.
Credit: hgtv.com
5. Plastic polymer
Pros:
Created from plastic, clay or rubber, this form of synthetic roofing is designed to look like slate or wood roofing. They are energy efficient and last a long time, plus they’re low maintenance and resistant to wind and fire. Plastic polymer is often made from recycled materials and can be recycled when no longer in use.
Cons:
Since it isn’t “real” slate or wood, people building a custom luxury home may not find this option appealing. It can be more expensive to install than other materials, and due to its newness in the market, you may need to do a bit of research before selecting one.
Credit: modernize.com
These five options for roofing materials for your custom home or renovation project in Edmonton each come with their own pros and cons related to cost, durability, maintenance and appearance. Ultimately it’s up to you to decide what type of roofing material best matches your style, budget and other needs!
When it comes to choosing a roofing material for your home, it’s important to choose a contractor that has the experience and know-how in different styles and slopes of roofs. Timberstone Builders has over 15 years of experience building, remodelling and renovating award-winning custom dream homes in Edmonton and the surrounding area.