Roofing Companies Present the 8 Common Types of Roofing Materials

When it’s time to replace your roof, you may find it hard to decide the best type of roofing material. Unfortunately, in an area that experiences unusual weather extremes like Colorado Springs, choosing the right one is crucial.

That being said, there are the eight common roofing materials that you can use. While some of these are more commonly used in residential constructions, others are more popular for commercial roofing. Regardless of the type of roofing system you have or plan on installing on your property, knowing the characteristics that will best suit the type of structure you are building is important.

Slate

Used as a roofing material since the 1600’s, slate is a natural stone known for being waterproof. Slate comes in different colors, from green to purple, and from blackish grey to reddish brown. Apart from its beauty, slate is also renowned for its durability and little need for maintenance.

Modified Bitumen

Known as a type of membrane roof, modified bitumen is a 2-ply system applied in overlapping rolls. These are typically installed with torch, asphalt or cold adhesive. Though it can be used in different roofing types, modified bitumen best suits flat roof surfaces. Homeowners can greatly benefit from its durability, as it can last for over 20 years with proper installation. Modified bitumen is also referred to as APP, SEBS, and SBS.

PVC

PVC roofing systems are made of UV-resistant thermoplastic material, polyester, fiberglass and other additional materials combined into thick, flexible roof membranes. These types of roofing systems are mostly used on commercial structures.

Shingles

This type of roof system is commonly used on residential structures. Shingles are made of wood fiber, paper, or cellulose combined with asphalt to make them waterproof.

Metal

When used for commercial applications, metal roofing systems are typically made of steel or aluminum. Conversely, copper, zinc, and titanium are the ones typically used for homes. They are long-lasting, albeit more expensive than other roofing systems. Metal roofing systems are probably the toughest and the most durable of all roofing materials.

TPO

Thermoplastic Olefins, or TPOs, are made of blends of polypropylene plastic or polypropylene and ethylene propylene rubber. Thermoplastic Olefins or TPOs are exceedingly durable roofing membranes. They come in diverse thickness and they are of common use in both residential and commercial roofing. They are better suited to be installed in roofs without slopes or with a minimal incline.

EPDM

Ethylene propylene diene monomer is an exceedingly long-lasting rubber, widely used as low-slope building roofing membranes. It is available in black and white and in different widths and thicknesses. It can be installed by mechanically attaching it, ballasted or adhered.

Composite/Synthetic

These types of roof systems were designed to imitate the appearance of real tiles, but are more resistant, energy efficient and even environmentally friendly. They are practically identical to real wood or slate.

Choosing a Specific Roof Material

With these options available, how can you determine the one that will work best for your home? One great resource to help you figure out the right roofing material is the energy-wise roof calculator on the National Roofing Contractors Association (NCRA) website that allows you to easily get a rough estimate of annual energy cost values. This should help you compare energy expenses and savings in relation to different roof assemblies. Additionally, this tool helps in the evaluation of thermal performance, and to calculate the minimum insulation requirement according to different safety codes and standards.

Another way to go about picking the roof is to talk to roofing companies who specialize in the Colorado Springs area. A reliable roofing company, such as Lumin Systems, should know the right materials based on the type of structure, slope of the roof, and your specific area in Colorado.

Sources:

The pros and cons of Slate, HGTV. com  

What is EPDM?, EPDM roofs. org