Whether you’re building a new home or making improvements to your current abode, your choice of roofing materials will have a long-lasting effect. With such a wide array of residential roofing options available, homeowners and roofing companies must weigh a number of factors to arrive at the ideal solution.

Honolulu’s Surface Shield Roofing Company discusses the pros and cons of the most popular residential roofing options.

Asphalt

Asphalt is the most common roofing material, as it is both cost-effective and durable. It comes in the form of shingles, which are available in a variety of colors to give greater flexibility for your home’s appearance.

An asphalt shingle roof lasts roughly 20 years, though it may show some wear and tear as it ages, especially with darker colored shingles. Unfortunately for Hawaiians, heavy sunlight also decreases the lifespan of an asphalt roof.

Metal

Metal roofing is also available in a wide range of colors and styles. It tends to be significantly more durable than asphalt, with some manufacturers offering 50-year warranties. Metal also provides a distinctive appearance for homeowners to avoid the traditional shingle look and reflects bright sunlight rather than absorbing it, which results in significant energy savings due to reduced use of air conditioning.

The primary disadvantage is price — metal roofing may cost as much as three times as much as asphalt shingles.

Tile

Often used as a sophisticated look for upscale homes, ceramic or slate tile roofing is extremely durable. A ceramic roof is expected to last over half a century, while slate may last a full hundred years.

One drawback of both materials is their weight, which places a strain on your roof deck. Both materials also cost significantly more than asphalt, and typically require special expertise for installation or repair. Homeowners should check with prospective roofing companies to gauge their level of experience with tile roofs.

Wood

Wood shingles are widely considered the best environmental choice, as they stem from a renewable source and produce fewer deleterious effects on water quality from their runoff. They are comparable to asphalt in durability, typically lasting around 30 years.

Wood shingles or shakes typically cost double what homeowners pay for asphalt shingles, which is their primary impediment.

Regardless of what material is right for your home, Surface Shield Roofing Company has the expertise to carry out any residential roofing project to perfection. Visit their website to see examples of their work, or call (808) 739-9599 to talk about your project today.