There’s plenty to consider when deciding which materials to choose for your new roof, with lots of different factors to take in.
A lot of it comes down to personal preference – what’s most important to you when it comes to your new roof? Low cost? Weather resistance? Making sure it lasts as long as possible? Making it eco-friendly?
Every material has its own strengths and weaknesses, so it’s important to make your decision wisely! Your roof is an important part of the integrity of your home’s structure, defending your home from all kinds of weather, so choosing something strong and durable is important, but then so is choosing something cost effective.
To narrow it down for you, here’s a brief overview of some of the most popular materials in roofing.
 Slate
Slate is famously durable and long-lasting, having been known in some cases to remain effective as a protective roof material for over 100 years! It’s long lifespan makes it cost-effective – the initial investment, however, is high. Whether or not it’s right for you is therefore, in part, down to how many years you are expecting to remain in your current home.
As a heavy-duty material, slate is generally resistant to weather damage or breakages, meaning you can also expect to pay out less in roofing repairs over the years. So, a big investment, but certainly worth it in the long run if you’ve found your long-term home.
Metal
Not quite as common as a domestic roofing material in the UK, there are still plenty of benefits to having a metal roof installed. Metal roofing is generally fairly simple and easy to install, meaning that the work to install your new roof will not be quite as disruptive as it may be when laying other materials. This also means installation costs are lowered, too.
Metal roofing is also incredibly durable and, whilst it won’t last quite as long as slate roofing, resistant to weather damage. However, metal roofing can be incredibly loud during wet weather and isn’t quite as aesthetically pleasing.
Clay
Clay is considered one of the most aesthetically pleasing roof materials, as well as being one of the UK’s most commonly used tiles. Clay tiles are surprisingly light, though this doesn’t indicate any sort of weakness – they are still an incredibly durable and long-lasting choice. A well-installed clay roof can be expected to last far in excess of 50 years.
Clay is also a great insulator, making it an ideal option for those looking to keep their heating bills down wherever possible.
Cement
Cement tiles are a great option for those looking to limit the cost of a roof replacement, usually a famously large investment. Whilst cheap, however, they are still perfectly durable and reliable, lasting up to 50 years when installed correctly. There are few big drawbacks to the use of cement, the only one being that they may be more susceptible to water damage or weather damage in the second half of their lifespan, though they are then fairly affordable to fix or replace.
 Call Us Today
Roof Care (North Staffs) Ltd is a privately-owned roofing company with over 49 years of experience. We are highly skilled and trained in all aspects of domestic, commercial, and heritage roofing for our clients across Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, South Cheshire, and further afield.
Whether it’s repairs, maintenance, or installation, all our services are tailored to guarantee you quality work and customer service at an affordable price.
If you’re looking to have a new roof installed or would like more information on our roofing services, get in contact with Roof Care (North Staffs) Ltd. today on 01782 792 809!
