The Best California Roof Styles To Choose From

There are many aspects to consider when choosing the roof style for your home, this guide to the best California roofing options can help.

You’re planning to replace your roof, so there’s plenty that you need to think about.

• What’s your budget?
• Who are you going to hire for the job?
• What materials are you going to use?

These are all important questions, but you also need to think about what roof style you’re going to choose. There’s plenty of styles that are popular in California now, so you’ve got lots to choose from. Here are some ideas to help you decide which roof is right for you.

 

1. Wooden Shakes And Shingles

This roof style is becoming more popular thanks to its aesthetic. They’re installed much like asphalt shingles, but thanks to their material look much more rustic and pleasing to the eye.

– Pros

The difference between a shingle and a shake is that the shingles are made by machine, while the shakes are made by hand. That means that shakes have a rougher look, something that may well appeal to you.

– Cons

The problem with this roofing style is that being made of wood, they do pose some issues. Firstly, being wood they’re susceptible to wood rot if they’re not well taken care of. Also, they’re not as fire resistant as other roofing materials. If you’re thinking of using shakes, you’ll need to check that there aren’t any restrictions on using them in your area. More shakes and shingles are being treated to be fire resistant though, so shop around and see what you can find.

 

2. Asphalt Shingles

These are a staple of roofing, and for good reason. Asphalt shingles are one of the cheapest roofing options around, and roofing is an expensive job. It stands to reason that homeowners use it in order to cut down costs

– Pros

The shingles themselves are made of a fiberglass mat, soaked in asphalt and coated in mineral granules. These granules come in a variety of colors, so you can pick one that will suit your home best. They’re also easily installed, and it’s simple to replace a shingle should one break or fall off.

– Cons

As they’re a cheaper roofing solution though, asphalt shingles have a shorter lifespan than other roofing options. You’ll also find that they’re less resistant than other roofing styles, so you may find yourself needing to replace the roof sooner than you would with other styles.

 

3. Clay And Concrete Tile

This is another style that’s picked up by a lot of homeowners because it looks so good on their home.

• A clay tile is fired in a kiln
• A concrete one is created from a mixture of cement and sand

– Pros

As a roofing material, they’re great as they’re so durable and fire resistant. They’re a more affordable version of slate tiles, another popular roof style in California. You’ll see that these tiles last a lot longer than other roofing methods.

– Cons

As these tiles are so heavy, though, you’ll find that if you don’t take the right precautions they’ll actually damage your roof. If you want to use them, you’ll need to reinforce your roof. If you’re using a reputable roofing company though, you’ll see that they will recommend this to you before they go ahead with the job.

 

4. Slate Tiles

Slate tiles are another option that are popular in California, as they offer such as a pleasing aesthetic to your home. ‘Weathering‘ slate will change color once exposed to the weather on your roof, and so you’ll have a roof that’s quite unique.

– Pros

As slate is such a non porous and hard wearing roofing material, it’s one that you can be sure will not need to be replaced for a long time. This of course will depend on how well you look after your roof, but the better care you take of it, the longer it will last.

– Cons

Slate tiles have the same drawbacks as concrete and clay tiles, thanks to their weight. You’ll need to reinforce your roof in order to be able to carry the load. As well as this, they’re an expensive roofing material. The slates themselves are expensive, and then you’ll need to pay for the expertise needed to install them on your roof.

 

5. Metal Roofs

Metal roofs were once known for being used on commercial properties, but they’re becoming more and more popular when it comes to residential homes. It’s not hard to see why.

– Pros

They’re a long lasting roofing material, usually lasting up to 50 years when taken care of properly. They come in all kinds of types, such as:

• Copper
• Aluminium
• Stainless steel

They’re also economically friendly, with many metal roofs often containing a high percentage of recycled material. What many homeowners like about them is that they have one of the highest fire resistant grades available, making them an incredibly safe choice for your home.

– Cons

A metal roof will cost more than asphalt or wooden shingles, so you will need to factor in that cost when you’re deciding which roof you want to go with.

 

How to Pick the Right Roof Style

These are all good choices for roofing, but how do you pick the one that’s right for you? It’s important that you choose the one that suits you best. Here’s how to pick the right style:

Cost: What does your budget look like? If it’s smaller, a slate roof will be out of the question, but asphalt tiles could be just the thing.

Style: The look of the roof is important. Which style will suit your home the best?

Longevity: How long do you want that roof to last? If you’re planning to stay in your home for a long time, you may want a longer lasting roof.

These are the styles that are popular on Californian roofs right now. Check them out, and see which one will work best on your home.

Which one do you want to use on your home? Talk to a roofer today to get what you need.