Behind The Scenes Of Your Residential Roofing Materials Options

If you want to give your home a unique touch, choosing the best roofing material can make a statement in a number of ways. Although the roof is often an afterthought for many homeowners, the material you choose for your home will greatly influence its curb appeal, durability, and energy efficiency. For example, shingles have many styles and are a great way to customize your home. Here are two roofing replacement material options for Akron , Canton and Cleveland residents.

Synthetic Membranes

There are several types of synthetic membrane roofing materials, including plastic and rubber. High-end residential homes today use EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer), a durable synthetic rubber sheet material.

Synthetic membrane roofing systems comprise of a layer of insulation board followed by sheets of EPDM rubber. Mostly, synthetic membranes are loose-laid and fastened in place with ballast, such as masonry pavers or river rock. The membrane can also be directly glued to the insulation layer.

Pros of Synthetic Membranes

• Repairs are relatively simple and inexpensive.

• Synthetic membranes are lightweight, so the roof deck doesn’t need reinforcement.

• Leaks are very rare with synthetic membrane roofing as long as no surface damage occurs.

• Membrane roofing can retain heat and reduce your heating bills.

Cons of Synthetic Membranes

• Roof penetrations, such as chimneys, pipes, and HVAC systems can make the installation difficult and costly.

• Membranes can be easily punctured by falling tree branches or foot traffic during maintenance.

• Seams between synthetic membrane sheets are common areas for leaks.

Shingles

Whether it’s asphalt, 3-tab, architectural, or designer shingles, more than 75 percent of single-family homes in the US are roofed with shingles. This popular material is affordable and comes in a wide range of attractive styles and colors. Shingles also provide exceptional performance against the elements. With periodic inspections and repairs, shingles offer impressive fire resistance and can last as long as 30 years. Standards architectural designs offer wind resistance of up to 110 MPH while 3-tab options offer 60-70 MPH wind uplift.

On the downside, shingles don’t offer a longer lifespan when compared to other popular roofing materials such as slate and tile. Rapid temperature fluctuations can also cause shingles to crack and spring leaks before their lifespan elapses.

Pros of Shingles

• Affordable.

• Effective in providing adequate protection against the elements.

• Available in a wide variety of colors and styles.

Cons of Shingles

• Asphalt shingles perform poorly in extreme heat, which often causes shingles to crack and fade the color.

• Shingles can be damaged if installed at below-freezing temperatures.

• Asphalt shingles are less friendly to the environment.

What We Recommend

As an Owens Corning Platinum Preferred Contractor, Exteriors Plus has access to some of the best roofing shingles on the market today. Owens Corning is a global leader in shingles, and other materials. They provide innovative products, technologies, and are leaders in product safety.

We offer Owens Corning’s Oakridge, Duration, and Duration Flex shingles. Each come with their own benefits and wide range of colors and designs to choose from. Oakridge are architectural shingles which are long-lasting and offer fantastic looks for your home. Duration shingles can add dramatic color contrast plus more dimension to your roof. Duration Flex shingles have the highest impact rating possible to protect your roof and home from even the strongest storms. Both Duration and Duration Flex shingles come with Owens Corning’s SureNail® Technology to ensure your shingles stay on your roof.

Ultimately, we don’t have a clear winner when it comes to roofing material options. Depending on your home’s style, budget, and the weather in your area, choose a roofing material that offers the best longevity while uplifting your home’s curb appeal. If you’re having trouble making an informed decision, discuss your roofing replacement options with our experienced roofing professionals at Exteriors Plus in the Akron, Canton and Cleveland areas. Contact us today to begin the conversation and we’ll be more than ready to offer the best solution.