The Ultimate Roofing Guide for 2021

Putting on a new roof is one of the most expensive home repairs or renovations most homeowners have to face during their house's lifetime. In the United States, the average size of a residential roof is 1,700 square feet, with an average installation cost of $4.50 per square foot. On average, people should expect to spend anywhere between $4,707 and $24,000 for a new roof, depending on your home's size and the type of roofing material you chose.

However, a new roof can drastically improve your home's aesthetics, sustainability, and energy efficiency. If an unexpected hail storm ruins your old asphalt shingle roof this year, this ultimate Rise roofing guide will help you determine the most sustainable way to replace it!

What Should a Roof Do? 

Before we start to look at the pros and cons of the most common types of roofs on the market, it is crucial to have a basic idea of what homeowners should expect from their roofs. A rooftop needs to protect your home from the elements. Leaking roofs can cause significant damage to the plywood, roofing beams, attic insulation, and ceilings. According to one estimate, “water intrusion makes up more than 70 percent of construction litigation,” and roof leaks are a significant part of that figure.

A roof also plays a significant role in insulating your home from both noise and the temperature outside. A high-quality roof is an essential acoustic solution for a quieter home. It is necessary for homes located in urban areas, where noise is a problem, or in places where high winds and heavy rains can cause unwanted noise within the home.

A good roof should also offer extra insulation for your house. About one-quarter of all heat loss in a home is through the attic or roof. High-quality insulation can undoubtedly help to reduce the total amount of heat loss. However, certain types of roofs, such as green roofs, offer natural insulation capacities. A roof also provides aesthetic quality to a home. A terra-cotta tile roof placed on top of a typical suburban home will undoubtedly add a touch of elegance to distinguish the home from others on the block.

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Asphalt Shingles 

There are several reasons why asphalt shingle roofs are the most popular roofing option on the market. Asphalt shingles are relatively inexpensive, easy to install, and can last for 10-15 years or more. They also provide adequate protection from the elements and are relatively resistant to high winds and extreme weather.

On the downside, asphalt shingles are significantly less durable than other types of roofing options. Even the most well-protected asphalt shingle roof will last for 20 years at most. Consequently, this means that homeowners can expect to change their roof at least once during their lifetime and possibly more often. From a sustainability perspective, asphalt shingle roofs are a petrochemical industry product and come with a sizeable carbon footprint. On the plus side, asphalt shingles are recyclable, and the asphalt content can be converted into pavement for roads and driveways.

Metal Roofing

Metal roofs are among the most durable roofing options on the market and can easily last for 50-60 years or more. Most homeowners will only have to think about installing a roof once in their life with this expected lifespan. The upfront cost of a metal roof will almost certainly be more expensive than asphalt shingles. However, because it is a one-time investment, a metal roof can be cheaper than asphalt shingles in the long term. Galvanized steel metal roofing usually comes with a zinc coating, virtually eliminating the possibility of rust occurring.

The main downside of metal roofing is that the mining of steel and zinc can lead to a relatively high embodied energy footprint for this roofing option. Fortunately, many metal roofing manufacturers incorporate large amounts of recycled metal into their products, thus reducing the need for mined minerals.

Slate Roofing

Slate roofs are made from natural rock mined and cut into square or rectangle shingles with virtually zero additives. Slate has been a popular choice for cathedrals, libraries, and homes for centuries.

While they can easily last 125 to 200 years and require very little maintenance, the cost to quarry, produce, and transport is high. They can also be quite fragile during installation. Many homeowners wishing to install a slate roof onto an existing home might have to reinforce their roof structure with extra beams and support. Of course, slate roofs are charming and add an unmistakable aesthetic quality to the house.

Composite Roof Shingles

Composite roofing is available in shingles and shakes and can be made to look like almost any other type of roofing material on the market. The most common roofing materials replicated by composite roofing are slate, wood, or terracotta roofing. Composite shingles are usually made with asphalt, fiberglass, and recycled paper products and are available in a wide range of colors. Keep an eye out for manufacturers that use recycled materials during their manufacturing process. Composite roofs can last between 30-50 years if installed properly.

Composite Slate Roofing

Composite slate roofs look almost identical to real slate roofing but can cost significantly less. Many come with 50-year warranties and are manufactured to last 100 years. Composite slate roofs are water-resistant, fire retardant, durable, and lighter in weight than slate roofing. Many composite slate roofing shingles are made using recycled material, so make sure to ask the supplier about the manufacturing process and materials.

Terracotta Tile 

When people think of Mediterranean villas, the first thing that comes to mind is the beautiful copper color of the terracotta tile roofs. Entire villages are defined by this distinctive aesthetic of white walls and orange roofs. Besides being beautiful, however, terracotta roofing is considered sustainable as they are made from fired bricks. Terracotta roof tiles also enjoy a long lifespan and are made to last 50 to 75 years.

Green and Living Roofs

Green or living roofs are specialized roofs that incorporate vegetative material on the roof surface. Usually, an impermeable membrane covers the roof sheathing, covered with a lightweight substrate where plants are grown. Imagine a roof exploding in color with flowers, shrubs, and other unique vegetation. These types of roofs are not only aesthetically pleasing but also reduce your heating, and cooling load as the growing medium offers superior insulation. Green roofs do require optimum roofing angles to facilitate drainage and stable support structures. When installed incorrectly, they can lead to leaks that could damage the structure of your home.

Solar Roof Shingles

Instead of placing solar panels on top of the roofing material of your choice, why not make shingles that act as mini-solar panels? The company Tesla recently released its solar shingles, an innovative roofing option incorporating clean, renewable energy into the roofing material that protects your home from the elements. Tesla solar shingles look like slate or asphalt shingles, which is a significant benefit for homeowners who dislike the look of regular rooftop solar panels.

The bottom line is that the best type of roof for your home in 2020 will largely depend on your budget, the style of your home, and the sustainability objectives that you wish to incorporate into your home. 

Article by:

Tobias Roberts

Tobias runs an agroecology farm and a natural building collective in the mountains of El Salvador. He specializes in earthen construction methods and uses permaculture design methods to integrate structures into the sustainability of the landscape.