A house can be topped with a variety of roofing materials, each with distinct advantages and disadvantages.  Location is a primary concern when selecting a roofing material, for example a sturdier material should be used in areas prone to hurricanes or heavy snow fall.  In the medical world a popular phrase is “doctor heal thyself,” but in the world of homes it’s “owner know thy roof.”

A base of glass fibers covered with ceramic coated granules are fiberglass asphalt shingles .  This is an inorganic shingle with a high fire rating and often a longer warranty (and life span) than other types of shingles.  This shingle resists water and cracking.  It also tends to resist high winds, as tested by the Underwriters Laboratories.  Seems like a winner!

Architectural shingle is an inorganic, three dimensional shingle.  Because it is multi layered it has depth and thus an appearance close to wood or slate roofing.  Disadvantages are weight and cost, both more than other shingles.

Roll roofing is less expensive than shingles.  It’s used on roofs with shallow grades, or on steeper roofs as a compliment to shingles.  This is used most often on industrial buildings.  It has a heavy felt base, saturated with asphalt, covered by a smooth or mineral surface.  This roof is easy to install and will last a long time, 10-20 years.

Steel panels used in place of shingles, metal roofing, are also popular.  Zinc is used in the best steel panels. Like roll roofing this is most common on industrial buildings.  It is durable, withstands fire, and lasts a long time.

The earliest shingles were made of wood, and wood shingles are still used in modern construction.  Cedar is the most common wood used for these shingles, but many consist of a variety of woods.  Wood shingles are amongst the most difficult to install.  Wood burns.  A fire-retardant coating reduces the flammability, but does not eliminate it.

In the interest of being complete, a discussion of other elements of the roof is necessary.  These are not shingles or tiles or total roof coverings, but nevertheless are elements of a roof.  Flashing consists of roofing material or sheet metal strips  used to cover joints, to make the joints waterproof.  The boot is a flashing made to fit around the base of a vent pipe.  The boot is sometimes plastic.  A Drip Edge is an “L” shaped, weather-resistant material placed at exposed roof edges to shed water and protect the roof’s wood parts.  Felt paper, or building paper, is a sheet with a tough, fibrous base saturated with asphalt installed under shingles. Building paper helps keep water away from the wood frame under the shingles.

The Internet is full of information on all types of roofing material, installation and contractors, maintenance, and a lot more about roofs.  Ignore this information and you could be all wet.