It’s a wonderful time to be a homeowner these days. Aside from the usual advantages like the increase in home equity and the ability to make improvements, homeowners these days also have a wealth of choices when it comes to materials for their homes. This is never truer than with roofing materials, the options for which are now more comprehensive than ever before.

The roof is one of the most important parts of any home, and it’s only right for homeowners to look for the best roofing materials available. Let’s take a look at some of the innovative roofing materials in the market today.

Metal roofing

A roof made of metal has the potential to last for up to 75 years. It can withstand any weather, and it’s also non-combustible. Recyclable and light, metal roofing is available in various sizes, styles, and colors. If your home is of contemporary design, then metal roofing would look great on it. The same goes for bungalows and cabins.

Asphalt shingles

More than 75% of American homes have roofs made of asphalt shingles. It’s not really surprising, since asphalt shingles, which are made from petroleum products, are quite affordable. They’re also easy to install and resilient, especially when they’re reinforced with cellulose or fiberglass.

Wood shingles or shakes

Wood shingles or shakes are usually made from pine tree, cypress, redwood, and western red cedar. A house with a roof made of wood looks incredibly charming, and they’re perfect for cottages and cabins. A roof with wood shingles and shakes isn’t very practical in wet climates though. Some places also have a fire code that doesn’t allow the use of wood shingles or shakes for roofs.

Clay and concrete tiles

Clay and concrete tiles may be heavy, but they are durable, with a life span of more than 50 years. They are environment-friendly, energy-efficient, insect-proof, and fireproof. If your home has a Spanish, Southwestern, or Mediterranean style, then clay and concrete tiles will make your roof look more textured and elegant.

Fiber cement

Fiber cement composite tiles are lighter than regular concrete tiles, mainly because they’re made from a mixture of clay, concrete, and wood fiber. Shaped to look like shakes, fiber cement tiles are durable and fireproof as well, and they come in a variety of colors and textures.

Slate tiles

Made from stone, slate tiles can last for a century or more. They’re also quite heavy and expensive, but if you want a roof that will look stunning for a very long time, you would want to use slate tiles for it. Slate tiles go well with Colonial or European-style homes. They’re fire-resistant, easy to quarry, sustainable, and available in many colors.

Recycled rubber shingles

Recycled rubber shingles are some of the most eco-friendly roofing materials out there. Durable and water-resistant, recycled rubber roofs can withstand extreme weather, and can protect your home from hailstones, tree branches, and other debris that might hit its surface.

Solar shingles

They may look like asphalt shingles, but solar shingles are capable of so much more. Solar shingles are actual solar panels that generate up to 63 watts of electricity each. Despite being thinner than regular solar panels, solar shingles are strong enough to withstand strong winds and other extreme weather conditions. Their durability, flexibility, and power-generating capability make solar shingles some of the most innovative roofing materials in the market.

Green roof

Many roofing materials bill themselves as friendly to the environment, but no roofing material can be as eco-friendly as those that make up a green roof, which has a very distinct look courtesy of the trees, plants, and vegetation that you can see right on top of it. The fact that it can potentially become a wildlife sanctuary makes it the most eco-friendly roofing material out there.

With such greenery as a roof, you can be sure that they can shield the home from extreme weather conditions and provide exceptional insulation in the process. It will help regulate the temperature inside your home no matter how hot or cold the weather gets. With the insulation it provides, your cooling and heating bills won’t be that high anymore.

Gone is the time when the choices of homeowners for roofing materials were limited. With so many roofing materials in the market today, homeowners are certainly going to have fun hunting for the right one for their home.

Granted, the wide range of choices can prove to be confusing, but as long as you consider all possible factors, finding the perfect roofing material for your house doesn’t have to be that hard. Just think about the climate in the area where your home is located, the overall look you want to achieve, or simply check with your own tastes and preferences, and you’ll end up with the best possible roof for your home.

About The Author

Rachel Porter is the content specialist for Custom Contractors Insurance, LLC, an Arizona roofing and contractors insurance company. When not writing, she enjoys reading and mountain biking with her friends.