From flat roofs to pitched, felt to slate, at Roofserve Ltd, we work on various projects using various roofing materials.
Roofing materials should not only look aesthetically pleasing, but they also need to perform to the best of their ability.
A solid roof should withstand any weather condition; it should be durable, resilient, sturdy, and reliable.
However, we understand that purchasing a new roof isn’t the most glamourous thing to spend your money on, but it is something that is a necessary must to protect your home and belongings.
Not only can a new roof put to bed any pesky leaks and water damage, but it can increase your curb appeal too.
When choosing roofing materials for your project, you need to consider:
Appearance
Lifespan
Cost and,
Any potential structural issues.
Types of roofing materials
Felt
A great choice for various roof styles and projects; however, you will primarily find felt on flat roofs such as garages. It’s also important to know there are different standards of felt and using industry-leading brands will ensure durability and longevity – saving you time and money in the long run.
Felt is applied in layers forming a thick barrier. Some commercial roofing projects take this further by adding crushed stone over the entire roof’s surface (flat roof), creating a robust and often more aesthetically pleasing roof.
Most felt roofs come with a long-life warranty making it an extremely cost-effective material choice.
Mastic Asphalt
A roofing material that has been around since the ’60s, asphalt is a popular choice due to its versatility and level of robustness. With a lifespan of 50 years, this material is completely waterproof, recyclable, and fire-resistant.
Suitable for flat roofs such as car parks and porches etc.
Rolled Roofing
Primarily constructed from asphalt, rolled roofing is long, thin rolls of material that is fairly inexpensive and extremely convenient. Rolled roofing is great when you need to cover areas quickly and where appearance isn’t too important. This type of roofing is applied using roof nails, or it can be torched down.
The average lifespan for this material is approximately ten years.
Slate
Very traditional and widely recognised authentic thin sheets of real stone, slate has been around for hundreds of years.
There are different types of slate to choose from, i.e., natural and synthetic. So again, you have the choice of which one would be best suited to your property.
Slate is the ideal choice for pitched roofs and older style properties. Slate is also water and fire-resistant, and it has a long lifespan.
Synthetic Slate
Constructed from engineered polymers mixed with rubber and recycled plastic, synthetic slate is lightweight, making it the ideal choice for those roof structures that cannot support a heavyweight. However, this material is not as durable as others available.
Membrane Roofing
Not as well known or popular in the UK; however, synthetic roofing materials (rubber roofing) can be applied in large sheets, which reduces the number of seams, hence reducing the chance of leaks occurring. It also has a lifespan of approximately 20-30 years if your roof is well maintained.
Metal
There are two types of metal roof material to choose from:
Standing seam – aluminium/steel roofing panels connect in raised seams, interlocking to keep the moisture out. Fireproof, fully recyclable, and long-lasting.
Metal shingles/shakes – high quality, fabricated metal shingles are a great choice when keeping up appearances while still offering all the benefits of a strong metal roof.
Clay Tiles
Highly fire resistant and extremely long-lasting, clay tiles are moulded into varying shapes. Red/orange in colour clay tiles is suitable for warm climates or in locations where salt is present.
However, this can be a costly choice of roofing material.
Concrete Tiles
Low maintenance and durable, concrete tiles are suitable for all pitched roofs. A heavy-duty roofing material concrete tiles are an excellent option in areas that experience high winds, and it is also a material that costs less than clay.
Lead
Reliable, durable, and resistant to corrosion, lead is one of the oldest roofing materials around. It’s very flexible and long-lasting, which, due to its versatility, makes it a popular choice for various roofing projects.
Used for both flat and pitched roofs as well as valley gutters and parapets.
At Roofserve, our team has many years’ experience, and we provide all our customers with honest, impartial advice. This can be whether you need a completely new roof or small repairs and regular maintenance.
Our team is qualified, trained, and highly skilled in a range of roofing materials. Call today to find out more and for your free no-obligation quote.
Reference video: Roofing Insights