Your house's roof bears the brunt of extreme weather events and day-to-day wear and tear. Eventually, it will need to be replaced, regardless of how tough it is. Here are some considerations to bear in mind when choosing what material to opt for for roof replacement.
Resilence
Think about the resilience of the roofing you choose. Colorbond is covered with protective layers that inhibit corrosion. And it can withstand rain and bright sunshine. If you live near the beach, you can choose a colorbond roof that is specially treated to withstand the corrosive effects of salty air. Other options include concrete and terracotta tiles, both of which are hardy. Their heaviness means they don't easily become dislodged, even in gale-force winds.
A benefit of tiled roofs is that if a tree branch falls on your house, it may crack and dislodge tiles, which you can selectively replace. If a metal roof sheet is damaged, you may need to replace a larger part of the roof if it can't be repaired.
Appearance
The appearance of a roof is important as it affects the kerb appeal of your house. Corrugated metal roofs harmonise with different architectures, including heritage and modern. Plus, it comes in a wide array of earthy hues to blend the roof with the natural environment. A benefit of metal is that it's lightweight, which aids in installation. If you have a complicated gable or hip-roof configuration, the replacement process may be easier than with heavy tiles.
Terracotta tiles in warm tones can have a classic look. But they need to suit the architecture. Concrete tiles come in many shades, as does terracotta. And both tiles came in diverse shapes. Flatter tiles can emulate the clean lines of a slate roof, and they can suit a modern building as well.
Efficiency
A roof tile's shape isn't only aesthetic. Some shapes, such as the S-wave tiles, let air flow and help keep a building cooler under the sun. Terracotta tiles can absorb heat and form a barrier; they thus help to regulate a home's temperature. However, they may release heat during the night and make a house hotter. Whether this is positive or negative depends on your local climate and the season.
Metal roofs react differently to the sun. If untreated, metal can allow the heat of a summer's day to pass through and the coolness of night air to refresh a house. For this reason, colorbond roofs are often finished with reflective coatings to block the heat from transferring into a building.
Similar to terracotta tiles, concrete tiles tend to absorb heat during the day and release it at night, so they can moderate a house's temperature over a 24-hour cycle. It will then be cooler during the day and warmer at night.
Regardless of what material you choose for a roof replacement, a lighter-coloured roof will reflect more heat than one with a darker hue. Thus, you can make your home more energy efficient by simply opting for a pale-coloured roof.
Hello! My name is Ralph and this is my roofing blog. I first became fascinated with roofing when I was a boy. When my dad was angry at me. I would climb up onto the roof of our house and hide. One afternoon, when I was hiding on the roof, I found myself looking at the tiles and wondering how they fitted together and stayed in place. I decided to spend a couple of months hanging around the local roofing contractors office so I could learn a thing or two. And I did. Although I never became a professional roofer myself, I still remember all of the tips and advice.