- Obviously, if you are on a budget, the most important consideration in your roofing decision may be price. Asphalt shingles are generally the most cost-efficient material to use for roofing, costing less than clay tiles or slate. Keep in mind that you not only have to pay for the materials, but for installation as well. Slate roofs are much trickier to install than asphalt shingles, and consequently the installation costs tend to be much higher as well.
- Be sure to keep your local climate in mind when choosing your roofing material. If you live in a hot climate, you may want a metal roof to reflect heat, rather than asphalt shingles, which can end up absorbing a lot more heat into your attic. Conversely, if you live in an area that gets a lot of snow and rain, you'll want to be sure that your roofing materials can stand up to moisture. Wooden shakes, while an attractive choice, are prone to rot over time if they get too much water. Wooden roofing materials are also more dangerous in dry climates, where fire is a serious concern. Finally, if you live in an area of high wind, lighter materials like corrugated metal and composition shingles may be blown around, while heavier materials like tile and slate will be unmoved.
- Every house is different, and it's essential to learn about yours before you buy roofing material. What is the slope of your roof? Slate, tile, and asphalt shingle roofs all work well at slopes of 4 inches in 12 or steeper. If your roof has a pitch of less than 3 inches per foot, you're best off avoiding those materials and sticking with rolled asphalt roofing, or a more modern membrane material. How much weight can your roof frame support? If you're planning on a heavy material like slate or clay tile--which can weigh over half a ton per square--you should definitely have your roof inspected first to make sure you can support that much weight. Metal roofing can weigh 20 times less, and is a better option for structures with limited support.
