Your roofing system reflects your taste and style, and that includes the materials you choose to build or replace your roof with. Just like not all plants are for you, every roofing material may not be suitable for your home.
Knowing the basics of home roofing materials available in Maryland can not only help you determine the aesthetic feel of your home but also help you narrow down what material is best for your house and budget.
So, let’s take a look at your roofing options and why they might be a good fit for you and your Maryland home. Have questions? Talk to our roofing company in Maryland to discuss which of these options are best for your home. We’ll consider climate, budget, slope, and more!
What Aspects to Consider When Choosing Roofing Materials in Maryland
- Design of your home and your structure’s capacity
- Weather conditions in your geography
- Maintenance costs
- Durability
- Energy efficiency
5 Popular Roofing Materials in Maryland
Homeowners have plenty of roofing material options that can complement the style of architecture and geography of their homes. But these are a few clear winners for your Maryland roofing needs. Some of these are common while others are rarer but much more sustainable. Talk to a local roofing company before making a decision so they can assess what materials your home can and cannot support.
Clay and Concrete are Roofing Options
Clay tiles are considered to be one of the most expensive roofing options available for homeowners, and they are 20% to 30% more expensive than their concrete counterparts. But they can last anywhere from 50 to 150 years if they are properly installed, making them a one-time purchase for most homeowners.
On the other hand, concrete tiles are created by weighing iron oxide under pressure with gypsum that adheres to a cement matrix, which gives it added strength, durability, and resistance.
Clay tiles are preferable in hotter climates as they chemically bond together to maintain a cold temperature in your roofing system. Concrete tiles are better suited for colder regions but they aren’t ideal for wet regions, due to their high porosity. Concrete tiles aren’t really an option for Maryland roof installations, although clay can be considered by some homeowners.
Wood Is Sometimes Considered for a New Roof Installation
If you are considering a wood roofing installation for your new home or replacing your old, worn-out roof, then you are in luck because a wood-shake roof is one of the most sustainable and environmentally-friendly roofs you can purchase.
It is a natural product that insulates better than any other synthetic product by easily adapting to the outside climate. Wood shake roofs can also be repaired easily, which is why so many prefer them as part of their DIY roofing project. That being said, we don’t advise DIYing your roofs as it can be quite a hazardous undertaking.
It is true that wood shingles do have a nice aesthetic appeal to them, especially for homes built during the mid-1800s to early 1900s. However, over the years there have been many advances in roofing materials and wooden shingles no longer make you resilient to fire. This is often what makes wood shingles a poor choice, although they do have their time and place for certain roofing projects.
Metal is a Strong Choice for a New Roof Installation in Maryland
Metal roofs are durable, inexpensive, and fire-resistant for your home. They can last a lifetime with the proven durability of 50+ years, matching the lifespan of clay tiles.
The beautiful finish of a metal roof creates a dramatic contrast to the natural beauty of wood and mortar in your Maryland neighborhood that will be sure to add curb appeal to your home.
Homes with metal roofs have superior fire resistance and energy efficiency that make them cooler in summer and warmer in winter. Plus, metal roof maintenance in Maryland is simple, especially when handled by professional roofers.
Most metal roofs are only about 1 lb, depending on the type of metal you choose, which means less stress on your structure!
Asphalt Shingles is the Most Popular Roofing Option
Asphalt roofing is flexible and can be molded, eliminating the mess of tedious roof installations, especially if you work with professional residential roofing contractors in Maryland.
Made from petroleum, asphalt is a natural substance that isn’t contaminated with chemicals. Environmental issues such as global warming or water contamination are rarely if ever, associated with asphalt roofing.
Besides, asphalt is lightweight and malleable. And its shingles won’t break down under harsh weather conditions for at least 20 to 30 years.
Asphalt roofings also consume relatively low energy. This is because asphalt shingles retain the heat generated from the sun; without which, the roof would become cold. This helps keep your roof warm and ultimately saves energy bills.
Slates
Today, people are still installing slate on their homes, whether as part of an architectural style or simply utilize the quality advantages the stone offers. And it was all because slate is versatile.
Slate is known for staying cool for longer periods than most other roofing options, which raises their importance in areas where temperatures are prone to getting high quickly. This is why sale roofing is ideal for Maryland homes.
Even with little to no maintenance, slate roofs have a lifespan of up to 100 years (and sometimes, more) while withstanding winds, extreme heat, cold weather, snow, and rain.
Conclusion
Some commercial roofing material options are much more appropriate for Maryland homes than others. Most roofing companies won’t consider clay or wood a promising choice when compared to the benefits to asphalt shingles, metal roofing, or slate roofing. If you’re wondering what roofing material is best for your home and your needs, give Southern Maryland Roofers a call to discuss aesthetics, budget, lifespan, energy efficiency, fire protection, and more.
