The function of roof coverings:

• • • To shed water i.e., prevent water from standing on the roof surface
    • To protect the building interior from the effects of weather elements such as rain, wind, sun, heat and snow.
    • To provide thermal insulation.
    • To perform for the expected life span.
    • Provide the desired appearance.

The pitch of a roof is the key element in determining the roof coverings that are availabe for consideration:

The available membrane roofing options for flat and low slope applications will be explored further in future courses.

This lesson will focus on roof coverings for sloped application and the key factors in determing what roof coverings are available for consideration. 

Types of roofing coverings available for consideration:

• • • Asphalt shingle 
    • Rubbarized Shingles 
    • Metal roofing
    • Clay tiles
    • Concrete Tiles
    • Slate tiles 
    • Wood shingles/shakes
    • Synthetic tiles 
    • Solar Tiles

Key factors in selecting roof coverings. 

• • • Cost
    • Asthetics
    • Climate 
    • Maintenance
    • Life Span 
    • Ease of Installation

In the United States Asphalt Shingles are the most common type of roof covering, covering 75% of homes.  They rank reasonably high in all categories and ranks as the most affordable option. – We will explore this option in depth in future courses. 

Metal roofing in its various forms is the second most common roof covering type- due to there durability, energy efficiency, low maintenance and relative affordability. We will explore Metal Roofing in depth in future courses. 

The following roof coverings: Clay tiles(sometimes referred to as Spanish tile),Concrete tiles (Concrete made to look like wood/slate/clay) Slate tiles, Wood shingles/shakes and Synthetic tiles (synthetic materials made to look like wood/slate/clay) are known for their higher end asthetics and corresponding high end costs. We will touch briefly on the pro’s and con’s of these roof coverings. 

Clay Tiles:

Clay tiles are a natural roofing option, that are made from earthen clay and molded and fired for durability. It is a great option for homes in hot climates, which makes them popular in southern coastal and desert regions. They also absorb less moisture, which means they require less maintenance.

A major disadvantage of clay tiles is that they are expensive. While clay tiles are lighter than concrete tiles, they can add a lot of weight to a home’s structure, which can cause issues. Although they offer some level of durability, clay tiles are incredibly fragile and can break when it comes to working on them. Cold weather areas are notoriously rough on clay, which becomes even more brittle in cold temperatures.

Concrete Tiles:

Concrete is a durable option that can mimic different types of roofing materials, like asphalt, slate, and even wood shingles. Concrete is also cheaper than options like clay and can last upwards of 50 years.

On the other hand, concrete is still heavy and can put a lot of stress on the structure of a home. It also requires more maintenance, especially because of water absorption. Concrete needs to be periodically resealed every few years and like clay, it becomes more fragile in extremely cold temps, which might rule out homes in areas with brutally cold winters.

Slate Tiles: 

Slate tiles are beautiful, incredibly durable, and can last for a very long time. Slate is very low maintenance as well, and requires no extra protection from insects, water, or fire.

Unfortunately, slate is heavy–which means that not all homes are strong enough to support the weight. They are also expensive, and slate roofs require a specialist to install them, which can be hard to find. Repairs can also be more difficult for slate tiles and shingles. In terms of price, slate is one of the more expensive types of roofing because of how it is produced. Slate needs to be harvested from natural quarries and then shaped into roofing material. It’s also heavy so the cost of shipping it is astronomical. For these reasons slate is one of the more expensive roofing materials you will find.

Wood Shingle/Shake:

Wood Shingle/Shake is, without a doubt, one of the most classic types of roof materials. It is a beautiful, rustic option that is also very durable and provides energy efficiency. Wood roofing can be considered one of the more eco-friendly roofing types because it is biodegradable and will not take multiple millennia to degrade at the bottom of a landfill.

However, wood roofing is a pricey option to order and install and has the added cost of maintenance. Maintaining wood roofing is also labor and time-consuming and, without the required maintenance, the roof can become severely damaged and ineffective. Wood roofing has limited warranties available and a lower lifespan. The average wood roof will not last past 30 years, even when perfectly maintained. It can also be said that certain types of wood roofing are not environmentally-friendly because of the fact that wood takes a long time to regrow once it’s been harvested.

Synthetic Roof Tiles:

Synthetic tiles are designed to be long-lasting and can last up to 50 years with minimal maintenance. With proper care, they can even last a century or more. Some synthetic roofing materials, such as synthetic thatch and composite slate, have a Class A fire rating, making them highly resistant to fire. Synthetic tiles are easy to maintain and damaged tiles can be replaced as needed. Synthetic roofs are made from polymers and composites, making them lightweight and durable.  Although more cost effective than it’s genuine counterparts Synthetic tiles do not rank highly on affordability. 

The last roof covering we will cover is relatively new and high tech:

Solar Tiles:

Solar roof tiles, also known as solar shingles, are photovoltaic (PV) sheets that are installed on a roof to generate electricity from sunlight. They are a type of building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) that can replace conventional roofing materials. Solar roof tiles are similar to traditional solar panels, but they are smaller and can be installed as part of a roof replacement or restoration.