What Reroofing Options Are Available?
by Emmitt Lemke

Your roof has a huge impact on your home’s overall look. When it’s time to re-roof Roofing Companies in Wilmington Delaware is ready to serve you, homeowners want their options to be stylish, durable and affordable.
The most common roofing material is asphalt shingles, with higher-end options like architectural and three-tab shingle styles. Other popular choices include wood shingles and shakes, metal roofing, clay and concrete tiles and slate tiles.
Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt shingles are a popular roofing option, not only because of their affordability but also because they offer excellent durability and longevity. These shingles are easy to install and come in many styles that work well with most home types.
3-Tab shingles are the most traditional and affordable option, while dimensional and luxury shingle options are designed to mimic the look of more expensive materials, like slate or cedar shakes. Choosing the right one for your home will depend on several factors, including your budget and style preferences.
Pros: 3-Tab shingles are simple and durable and are available in a variety of colors. They are lightweight, which can be a benefit if your roof has complex trusses and rooflines. They also are relatively easy to repair if individual shingles are damaged.
Cons: 3-Tab shingles are susceptible to blowing off during a strong wind storm, especially along eaves and rooflines. Additionally, they don’t have the multi-dimensional appearance of dimensional or luxury shingles.
Laminated, or dimensional, shingles have a much thicker and richer multi-dimensional texture and appearance that can last 25 years or more. These shingles are more durable than 3-tab shingles and can help increase your home’s resale value.
Designer shingles, or luxury shingles, have the same two-layer composition as laminated shingles but feature additional details that create a premium look. These shingles can look similar to wood and slate materials, but are typically less expensive and have some unique performance benefits like solar reflectivity or wind resistance.
Pros: Luxury shingles are visually stunning, and their thicker construction helps them stand out as an attractive roofing choice. They are also more durable than 3-tab and dimensional shingles, with some versions even being rated to resist hail damage.
As an added bonus, shingle roofs are easier to recycle than most other roofing materials. Since they are light in weight, old shingles can be easily removed and new ones added without damaging the structure of your home. This isn’t always possible with heavier roofing materials like clay tiles or metal roofs. Plus, you can usually recycle asphalt shingles at a local recycling center.
Solar Tiles
The roof is arguably the most important part of any building and serves a multitude of functions including keeping water out, protecting the house from rain and heat, and helping to increase the property value. The newer roofing option that’s been grabbing the most attention is solar tile, which uses photovoltaic cells to convert sunlight into electricity. The tiles look similar to traditional roof shingles and are available in several colors to match a home’s existing exterior.
There are a few companies that offer solar tiles, but they’re more complicated to install and often cost more than regular roofs. The installation requires specialists trained in both electrical work and roofing and is more time consuming than regular shingle installations. One client recently told us it took his crew of 15 to 20 people two weeks to do a new roof that included solar tiles, compared to the usual few days.
Some of the leading brands of traditional roofing shingles now have solar-powered options that can be added to the system. They all have a Miami-Dade hurricane rating and are upgradable so that the homeowner can replace the solar technology as it wears out. Solar tiles are not suitable for every roof and if you want to be able to generate more energy than your roof is capable of producing, then dummy shingles can be used in the areas that don’t receive enough sunlight.
Unlike solar panels, which have to sit on the roof, solar tiles are integrated into the roof’s structure, making them more subtle and less obtrusive. They are also much more resistant to cyclonic winds and have passed strength tests for hail damage. The energy they generate can either be used immediately or stored in a battery for future use, which helps reduce a home or business’s reliance on finite fossil fuels and lower the carbon footprint of the property.
Clay Tiles
Clay tiles are a beautiful roofing material that can give your home an elegant and unique look. They are available in a wide variety of colors, styles, and textures to suit almost any aesthetic. This type of roof is long-lasting, durable, and energy efficient. Unlike many other roofing materials, it is not susceptible to rot or insect infestation. Additionally, it can withstand harsh weather conditions and is fire-resistant. It also provides an insulating effect during hot and cold weather, saving you money on heating and cooling costs.
Clay tile roofs are a popular choice among homeowners because of their classic beauty, longevity, and eco-friendly characteristics. They are made from natural materials and produced using sustainable manufacturing processes, reducing the amount of energy needed for production. They are also impermeable and resistant to both wind and thermal shock, making them an excellent choice for homes in stormy climates. Additionally, they have a natural color that reflects sunlight and reduces the temperature inside your home.
There are several different types of clay tiles, including interlocking shingles and French tiles. Interlocking shingles have an extrusion on one tile that hooks over an edge or channel on another. French tiles have deeper grooves and natural closures that do not require eave closures. Both types are suitable for a range of climates and can be a good alternative to asphalt shingle roofs. Many clay tile varieties meet ENERGY STAR standards and are cool roof rated, lowering your average annual utility costs by up to 20%.
Although clay tile roofs are highly durable and long-lasting, they do come with a few drawbacks that should be considered. Due to their dense and sturdy nature, they are a heavyweight roofing system that can weigh up to twice as much as an asphalt shingle roof. Therefore, if you are considering a clay tile roof, it is important to have your home inspected by a structural engineer to ensure that the frame and sheathing can support the weight of the tiles.
Additionally, a clay tile roof requires specialized installation and maintenance. It is recommended to hire a professional roofing contractor who has experience with this type of roof. Trying to install or repair the roof yourself can lead to costly damage. For example, nailing decorations or lights to a clay roof is not recommended because it can puncture the tiles and lead to leaks.
Slate Tiles
Slate is a beautiful roofing material that provides a rich, classy look to your home. It’s also one of the strongest roof materials around, as it’s fireproof and waterproof. It can withstand some severe weather elements such as hail, snow, and wind. In addition, it can resist the evaporation of water that can damage other roofing materials. It’s a highly durable option that can last for centuries.
While it’s a great choice for keeping your home in style, it can be more expensive than other options. However, if your budget can stretch to natural slate, it’s a great way to add a luxurious touch to your home. It’s available in a range of different thicknesses, lengths and colors. This includes greys, greens, reds and blacks as well as mottled slates that have multiple colors mixed together.
When it comes to maintenance, slate tiles need to be sealed with a penetrating and barrier sealer. These are applied both during the initial installation and then again every few years to prevent moisture penetration.
A good alternative to slate is composite slate. This is made from recycled materials and can be manufactured into a variety of shapes and sizes. It has the same aesthetic as slate but is more affordable and easier to install.
There are a number of disadvantages to this type of roofing, which should be considered before you choose it. For example, it’s not as easy to install as asphalt shingles. It’s important to hire a roofing contractor who has experience with this type of roofing. You also need to be aware that the weight of a slate roof can require additional support, which will increase the cost of the project. In addition, the appearance of the roof can change over time due to natural chipping and weathering. It’s important to be prepared for this before you embark on such a big renovation project.
Your roof has a huge impact on your home’s overall look. When it’s time to re-roof Roofing Companies in Wilmington Delaware is ready to serve you, homeowners want their options to be stylish, durable and affordable. The most common roofing material is asphalt shingles, with higher-end options like architectural and three-tab shingle styles. Other popular…
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