What to Know About Three Less Common Roofing Materials

When it comes to selecting shingles on a home, homeowners are likely familiar with the basic materials like three-tab shingles. If you're preparing for an upcoming roof installation project, read on to learn about a few roofing material options. 

1. Slate

One reason that homeowners pick slate for their roofing material is that it can add to your home's resale value. Slate is a material that will last an incredibly long time, meaning that you and future homeowners will likely not ever have to replace the roof again. Buyers see this as a valuable feature that makes a home worth buying. It not only means one less part of home maintenance they'll have to deal with, but the roof will last long enough that they'll see the resale value benefits when they eventually go to sell the home as well.

The main downside to using slate is the pricing. Slate can be very expensive. If you are on a budget, you definitely won't be considering slate for the roof. The other problem that you may run into is finding a roofing contractor that will install slate. It is less frequently used, so every roofing contractor is not going to know how to handle the material.

2. Clay Tiles

Another material that has a very long lifespan is clay tiles. It won't last as long as slate, but it ranks up there due to the material's incredible durability that ensures you are not replacing it prematurely. Homeowners love clay tile roofs because they look very stylish, helping a home stand out in a good way compared to your neighbors. The material is also impact resistant, so it is going to be a fine choice for those that live in hurricane areas that may have debris hit their roof due to high winds.

The disadvantages of using clay tiles are similar to slate, which is that it's hard to install and find a crew that will do it. The cost will also be much higher than those common three-tab shingles. However, it can be well worth the cost if you plan on living in the home for a long time.

3. Concrete Tiles

Concrete tiles have a beautiful aesthetic that causes them to stand out in a good way on your roof. They are also long-lasting. Concrete tiles are also the most affordable of the previously mentioned materials. However, the biggest disadvantages of concrete tiles are the weight and maintenance. You may need to reinforce your roof to support the additional weight of concrete tiles, and the material could require pressure washing to get rid of algae and stains on the surface.