Your roof protects you from all kinds of weather and keeps your home snug and secure. It can also have a huge impact on your home's energy efficiency and energy bills. In order to help you decide which roofing materials are best for your particular region of the country, HomeAdvancement has compiled several easy-to-read guides for the Northeast, Northwest, Mountain West, Midwest, South, and Southwest, as well as for tropical and coastal regions.
As with all roofing projects, it's imperative to find a quality roofing professional to help you complete your roofing projects safely and properly. Check out HomeAdvancement's database of roofing contractors for more help finding a professional.
In the meantime, read on for a brief overview of the best roofing materials.
Metal Roofs
Durable and affordable, metal is one of the most common roofing materials in North America. Metal roofs stand up well to harsh, snowy winters and lots of rain. Though they work well in virtually any region of the country, metal roofs are most commonly used in the Mountain West, the Midwest, the South, and tropical and coastal regions.
A stone-coated steel roof is another metal roof option. Steel roofs are one of the best roofing materials for the Mountain West, as well as for other regions that experience harsh weather. This material is light and extremely durable. It's expensive, but it will protect your home from hail, high winds, and UV penetration.
Asphalt Shingles
Like metal, asphalt shingles are one of the most common roofing materials. Fairly light, they are also one of the least expensive roofing materials. They stand up well to heavy loads of snow and can fit with many different architectural styles. Asphalt shingles are a good choice for the Northeast, the Northwest, the Midwest, and the Mountain West.
In a country with diverse climates, it's important to know what roofing materials are best for your region. | © CC BY-SA 2.0 flickr.com / Eric Harrison
Clay Tiles
Though clay tiles are more expensive than other roofing materials, they can also be a unique and beautiful addition to your home. Clay tiles are very energy efficient, as they will reflect the sunlight and encourage air circulation to keep your home cool on hot days. This roofing material works well in the Southwest, the Mountain West, and the South.
Clay tiles are heavy, so it's important to make sure your home is structurally sound enough to support this added weight.
Wood Shingles
Wood shingles, such as cedar or redwood shakes, make beautiful, eye-catching roofs. While this material is more expensive than asphalt or metal, and often requires more maintenance, it is also energy efficient and durable. Wood shingles work well in the Midwest and the Northwest.
Concrete Roofs
Concrete tiles are one of the best roofing materials for climates with warm and stormy weather, such as tropical or coastal regions. Concrete tiles can withstand winds up to 120 miles per hour, or more. They can also help keep your home's interior cool, potentially lowering your energy bills.
Slate Roofs
Slate is one of the most expensive roofing materials. Still, slate is a beautiful and classic roofing option. It works well for Midwest and Northeast roofs because it is resistant to moisture and can handle large quantities of snow.
