The roof of your home is one of the most important features of any home. If you want a new roof, or you want to renovate the one you have, you need to understand the different roofing materials. Keep in mind that this is a decision that will affect your home and those living in it for years to come. New roofing is a high-value but expensive investment, so take your time before making a commitment.

Over the years, different materials have been used to roof houses. What are the benefits of the materials used to roof today over those used a century ago? Here are how today’s roofing materials have the edge over older roofing materials.

Uniqueness

About one century ago, clay tiles were the premium choice for roofing “modern” homes. Clay tiles were preferred over other materials because they were fireproof. This gave home owners some comfort. However all the roofs looked similar, so it was monotonous to look at. In addition, clay tiles were prone to shattering and requiring replacement every few years.

Today, there are various roofing materials such as asphalt shingles, wood shingles, and others. They all come in different colors as well as types, giving homeowner a choice of what they prefer.

Lightweight

Materials used in the past were quite heavy. The building structure must have been able to handle the weight of the roof. They therefore had to spend more money ensuring that their building was stable and could handle the weight or they risked crumbling of the roof.

Today’s roofing materials are quite light. For example, take an asphalt roof—which weighs anywhere between 225 to 325 pounds per square.

Durability

A century ago, they did not have the technology to manufacture tiles that were as durable as today’s options. They used to use materials that were brittle and more likely to need replacing within a few years. Today, there are many roofing materials that homeowners can use.

You are not limited to just one kind of roof—whatever you’re looking for, JM Roofing & Siding is happy to help you create a beautiful and long-lasting result.