Choosing Roofing Materials for your Home
Last week I put together an ideabook here on Houzz about the different architectural shapes that are available when it comes to roofing. That got me doing a lot of thinking about the materials that are used to make roofs. Different materials can definitely have a big impact on the appearance of the home from the outside.
Metal roofing is a very common option for a lot of homes. Tin, aluminum, steel and more recently copper are all options for creating a metal roof. You can use beams to create a metal roof or you can use metal tiles.
I tend to be drawn towards the alternatives to metal, myself, though. Wooden shingles, asphalt shingles and clay tiles are all other options that I've often seen. More recently I'm starting to see plastic roofing, rubberized roofing and living roofs. I'm curious to see how these new roofs develop in terms of design.
Do you have a favorite roofing material from a home design perspective?
Metal roofing is a very common option for a lot of homes. Tin, aluminum, steel and more recently copper are all options for creating a metal roof. You can use beams to create a metal roof or you can use metal tiles.
I tend to be drawn towards the alternatives to metal, myself, though. Wooden shingles, asphalt shingles and clay tiles are all other options that I've often seen. More recently I'm starting to see plastic roofing, rubberized roofing and living roofs. I'm curious to see how these new roofs develop in terms of design.
Do you have a favorite roofing material from a home design perspective?
Photos & Products
Aluminum / Tin Roof. This type of roof is often used on garages and cabins but it can be used on homes as well. The clean lines are appealing as you approach the house. From inside, you'll hear rain beating heavy on this roof during rainy days.
Standing Seam Metal Roof. A metal roof is a popular choice because it is a long-lasting roof. Here we can see how it also adds to the design effect of a colorful home. This particular roof is a standing seam metal roof, meaning that it's constructed from interlocking panels that run vertically from the ridge of the roof.
Solar Panels. This is actually also a standing seam metal roof but majority of the roof is then covered with an array of solar panels. This is a green choice. An added benefit is that it adds a cool geometric design to the home's exterior!
Wooden Shingles. These are a popular choice for historic homes. They offer a natural feeling to the house. The shingles here are a pretty white cedar. Be aware that wood shingles tend to require more home maintenance than most other roofing options.
More wood shingles! I wanted to show a set of dark wood shingles as well since the effect is a lot different. I love the way that the roofing materials here add to an entire composition of mixed materials used to make the home.
Copper. An increasingly popular metal for roofing is copper. You can use reclaimed copper to make a greener home. The cooper is a pretty color that certainly adds to the look of the home. In this case, the copper tiles are custom made to suit a curved roof. Very special!
Clay Tiles. This type of roof is especially popular on ranch homes and Mediterranean inspired homes. It's hard to miss this style with the beauty of the curved clay tiles dominating your vision as you approach this house.
Flat Tile Roof. The majority of clay tile roofs that I see are curved like in the last image shown but there are also a lot of homes out there that have flat tiled roofing. It creates a different look that is slightly more understated but still has some boldness in comparison to other roof types.
Slate Roof. I absolutely love this beautiful roof! It is made from slate, a material popular for homes that have a French or Italian feel to their design. Slate is a long-lasting, fireproof material that is easy to maintain. Unfortunately, that means it's also a pricey option for your roofing.
Plastic Roof. The porch here is covered with a partially plastic roof. This is a fairly new-to-market roofing material that is being explored as an option for covering the entire roof of a home.
Green Living Roof. Another modern and popular option is to create a living roof on your home. This type of roof is designed to support a garden that typically helps conserve water in the home.
This is a really great reference source for anyone considering replacing their roof. I've been looking into what options I have for roofing materials given my climate and weather. I had never thought about copper roofing, I had no idea that it was getting as popular as it is, but I may have to look into it. Thanks so much for writing!
http://www.daviswinslowroofing.com/about-us.html
When I think of me how I think of the color, shape, and garage. Which I think is why I'm having such a hard time choosing the roofing material I want to use. Because the image is everything when someone first comes to your home. I want something that will catch peoples eyes, but not stands out. What weather is best when using clay tiles? http://www.spanglerroofingllc.com/roofing