Roofing Materials: Pros and Cons

Perhaps you are contemplating replacing your roof but are wondering if a different roofing material than what you currently have might be a better choice.  There are pros and cons to all roofing materials which we discuss briefly below. 

Asphalt shingles are by far the most popular roofing material both with homeowners and roofing contractors.  They come in a variety of styles and colors which make them easy to enhance or maintain the exterior appearance of your home.  Also, asphalt shingles provide a good value as they are a very durable and relatively inexpensive material that provides excellent waterproofing ability for 20 to 50 years depending on the product that is chosen.  However, as a general rule asphalt shingles may have a shorter life than some other roofing materials.

An increasingly popular choice for upscale homes is tile roofs which offer a sophisticated style and appearance.  This material has an expected life of up to 100 years due to not being vulnerable to rot.  However, the benefits must be weighed against the high cost of tile and the level of expertise required for installation in order to determine if a homeowner will receive a return on their investment based on how long they will actually live in their home. 

Finally, wood or cedar shakes are another choice particularly suited for those that have an inclination toward utilizing a renewable resource especially if recycled wood is part of the material.  They also produce a more environmentally friendly runoff which is appealing to some homeowners.  However, their expected life is not greater than asphalt products and wood is certainly not the most resistant to fire hazards.

At Feazel we use asphalt shingles for most roof replacements and repairs that we perform.  We find they offer the best value and return on investment to the typical homeowner that will occupy their home for a generation or more.  When replacement or repair is warranted they also have the benefit of being recyclable and easily maintained, repaired or replaced.

Feazel is a trusted residential home services company in Ohio serving Columbus, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Central Ohio and surrounding areas.  We have built our reputation by offering superior roofing, windows, siding, gutters, chimneys, masonry, skylights, insulation and more.  Call or visit us online to learn more about roofing materials or any of the other full line of residential home services we offer.