With all the different roofing materials out there, it can be pretty difficult to pick the ones you really like. But that’s fine. Making decisions such as what type of roofing material to buy is something you need to consider carefully. That said, there are a few things you must consider before buying a roof.
First, you need to think about the style of your house. Are you modelling it after a historic look or a modern one? For instance, asphalt shingles are compatible with most homes, while tile roofing is a nice fit for historic homes.
Second, how long does the roof last? Because the longer the better. Though roofs with longer lifespans attract a lot of costs—they’re more expensive than roofs with lower lifespans. So, if you’re on a budget, you’d have to consider not just the roof’s lifespan but its price as well. Then again, if a particular roofing material doesn’t cut it for you in terms of its prices, consider comparing it with other available materials in the store.
Third, what will it cost to install it? Some roofs are more expensive to install than others and often require special skills. You need to think about this too.
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Fourth, is the roof susceptible to destructive buildup? We’ve seen roofing materials that are prone to mould and within 5 years were replaced. Also, some are vulnerable to pests and asbestos. As a result, you may treat them periodically to keep them in great shape.
Lastly, find out if the roof can withstand natural events such as heavy storms, strong winds, hails and fires—though, in reality, you can’t get complete protection against these things. Also, you should check if the roof materials have waterproofing qualities as this can help prevent rust.
The Best Lightweight Roofing Materials for Your Home
If you’re looking for the best lightweight roofing material for your home, we’ve gathered some of the most popular options for you. Thanks to modern technology, these lightweight options are both durable and extremely useful in many applications.
Wood
While wood is used for most floor applications, it is one of the most lightweight roofing options you can find.
Wooden tiles or shingles or shakes are light, quite cheap, and if sourced well are environmentally friendly.
However, wood shingles wear out easily and as such, need maintenance. Maintaining wooden tiles is quite easy. If you do it well, the tiles should last between 30 to 40 years. If you live in a wet climate like that of the UK, the lifespan is shorter.
Felt
Felt is both light and weatherproof. It is one of the most popular options for homes with flat roofs.
The most commonly used option comes in rolled sheets, which is made of matted fibres injected with bitumen that makes it both durable and waterproof.
Felt is vulnerable to tear, so regular checking and maintenance are important. With good care, felt roofing should last about 25 years. Also, installing felt requires special skills and if done incorrectly could ruin your roof’s structure.
Another thing is that felt is not the most attractive roofing material out there. So, if you want something elegant you should consider metal or wood roofing.
Metal Roof Tile
With a base of steel, metal roof tile offers super-strength abilities. It has an aluminium-zinc coated surface, including another coat of resin-bonded real stone particles.
The aluminium-zinc coated surface offers protection against rust that attacks metal cladding, while the stone-coating offers better sound insulation.
Meaning you get to enjoy a lightweight, durable metal roof that’s less noisy when it rains or is windy.
What Is the Lightest Roofing Material?
Depending on what you want, here are some of the most common lightweight roofing materials you should consider:
- Wood: Wood as a roofing material is as old as man itself. Though it’s popularly used as a flooring material, it has its advantages as a roofing material.
- Felt;
- Metal cladding; and
- Metal roof tiles.
What Is the Cheapest Roofing Material?
The cheapest roofing material is asphalt shingles. They cost around $70 to 160 per square. But if you want other low-priced alternatives, standard styles of metal and concrete are a good place to start.
What Is the Most Durable Roofing Material?
Natural slate tiles.
These tiles are the most durable roofing material you can have over your head. But they’re heavy to carry. As a result, installing them requires special skills, making them more expensive to buy. So, if you aren’t particular about cost, they’re the perfect choice for you!
What Is the Best Roofing Material?
Usually, this depends on a few factors such as cost and durability.
However, our best pick is asphalt roofing shingles. Why? Because they’re inexpensive, relatively light, and easy to install (fewer expenses for you!) Besides, they’re the best choice for most houses and give off a more luxurious appearance.
How Much Does a Typical Roof Weigh?
Roofing shingles are calculated by bundle.
Depending on the type of shingle you have, the weight of each bundle differs. Here are some common roofing shingles and how much they each weigh.
- Asphalt shingles: Weighs between 60-80 pounds per bundle (27-36kg).
- Clay tile shingles; Weighs between 200-300 pounds per bundle (91-136kg).
- Steel roof panels: Weighs between 50-100 pounds per bundle (23-45kg). But most times the weight depends on how reinforced the roof panels are.
- Concrete tiles: Bundles weigh between 200-300 pounds (91-136kg).
If you’re wondering how many bundles of roofing material you need for a complete roof, first, you need to estimate the size of your roof in square feet.
Each bundle is 33 square feet. So, if your roof is 1200 square feet, you need 36 bundles of shingles —divide the size of your roof, i.e 1200, by the size of each bundle (33).
How Much Does Rubber Roofing Weigh?
It depends on the components or materials used to make the roof.
For instance, for a non-ballasted EPDM roofing system, after combining the weight of components like insulation membrane, fasteners, and adhesives, the average installation weight is less than 2 pounds (1kg) per square foot (10kg per square metre).
What Are Lightweight Roof Tiles Made Out Of?
Lightweight roofing tiles are made of various materials. The most commonly used ones are wood, felt, rubber and metal.
Are Metal Roof Tiles Lightweight?
Yes, they are! In fact, lightweight metal roofs, particularly those made of steel are popular in many homes.
Most homeowners prefer them because they are extremely lightweight (up to 1/7 of a concrete tile), durable and strong. Not only does this reduce the costs of moving them, but also it reduces the weight imposed on the structure of your building.
Although a steel or metal roof can be noisy, adding a metal base and stone coating improves both the thermal and sound properties.
What Sheet Is Best for Roofing?
There isn’t any particular best sheet for roofing. However, some are more affordable than others. For example, bitumen roofing sheets are the least expensive option.
PVC roofing sheets, however, offer extra fire resistance and a warranty of 10 years.
Metal roofing sheets—though noisy and the most expensive of the two—are the most hard-wearing roofing option.
What Is the Most Hail-Resistant Roof?
Rubber roofing. It’s the toughest and sturdiest roofing option and the most-hail resistant. Rubber roofing is made from recycled materials and needs little maintenance.
What Is the Most Impact-Resistant Roof?
The most impact-resistant roofing is asphalt shingles. Asphalt shingle is both cheap and easy to install. It is the most common type of roofing material.
References:
https://www.edecks.co.uk/blog/roofing/which-roofing-sheet-is-the-best-the-complete-guide-to-roofing-sheets/
https://askingthelot.com/what-is-the-lightest-roofing-material/