Construction & Contractors Blog
Whether you are replacing your roof due to storm damage or because it is just old and needs replacing, you want the new materials to protect your home. There are many choice of roofing materials that are durable and storm resistant; some of these materials are natural, such as stone tiles or shakes. Here are some of the surprisingly storm-resistant materials that you will want to consider for your roof replacement:
1. Stone Tiles
Slate is a popular alternative to asphalt shingles and is a great choice for a roof that is more storm-resistant. If you live in an area where slate materials are available, it is a good choice for replacing asphalt shingles, but in some areas, it may be too expensive. In areas where imported slate is too costly, there are other stone materials to choose from, such as limestone roofing. Stone roofs are more durable and storm-resistant than conventional shingles and other more conventional roofing materials.
2. Wood Shakes
If you want to have a green, durable and natural look for your home, wood shakes are a great choice. In most areas of North America, cedar is the most common lumber used to make shakes, but they can also be made from oak and other trees. There are even tropical lumber shakes available for an extremely durable wood roof. Shakes are a great choice for an environmentally-friendly roof because they are one of the few roofing materials made from completely renewable resources.
3. Green Moss and Plant Roofs
Another choice of natural roofing is going literally green by using soil, moss, and plant materials. People have used these products for centuries in Nordic countries. Using plants and soil for your roof also creates a thermal barrier, which reduces energy loss and helps keep your home comfortable without using a lot of energy with modern HVAC systems. For this type of roof, you are going to need to have a structure to support loads, durable membrane and drainage to keep water out. The soil substrate will also need to be lightweight to help reduce loads on the structure of your home.
Natural materials are often a durable and storm-resistant solution to use when replacing an asphalt shingle roof. If you need to have your roof replaced for whatever reason, contact a roofing company and talk with them about using these natural materials. They can give you a quote for these products, as well as personalized recommendations.
Share8 November 2017
My name is Debbie Greenberg. I’m a single woman who owns her home, and like most homeowners I dread home repairs. I’m not very handy with do-it-yourself projects around the house. I can do a few minor repairs when necessary, but for the most part I have to call in a professional. Last year I had a leak in my roof. When it rained, water would leak into my kitchen. What appeared to be a simple fix turned out to be anything but simple. It took over four months to finally identify the problem, and double the money I was initially quoted to fix it. The problem ended up being that the flat part of my roof didn't have shingles, but a sheeting material. I learned a bit about home roofs along the way, and that is what I want to share with you.
