If you are overwhelmed in choosing a new roof you've come to the right place. Here we will guide you through the different types of roofing product and outline the pros and cons of each
There are 4 main types of sloped roofing systems
1. Asphalt Roofing
2. Metal Roofing (Panels or Shakes)
3. Synthetic Roofing
4. Cedar Shakes
Asphalt
-
Pros
- Cheapest roof
- Last 20-30yrs
- Easy to repair
- Easy to walk on
- Easy to tie additions into
- Provide good wind resistance
- Proven for the last 50yrs
- Many colors and types available
- Local company reps on the island
- Cons
- Moss growth
- Branches and debris can cause roof to degrade prematurely
Synthetic Roofing
- Pros
- Provide great longevity 50+yrs
- Awesome looking products
- Keep their appearance for the longest of all products
- Some of the best warranties
- Awesome as replacement to cedar shakes in communities that require shakes such as Crown Isle
- Cons
- The most expensive options
- limited supplies (all special order)
- Limited track record
- Few local jobs
- usually limited colors and styles
Metal Panels and Shakes
- Pros
- One of the longest lasting materials available
- Snap lock panels have excellent wind resistance
- Nothing can grow on roof
- Great Looking
- Many different colors available
- Cons
- Price (2x+ cost of asphalt roof)
- Condensation can be an issue
- Paint can be effected on roof close to salt water
- Paint colors degrade and change over time
- Metal shakes have potential to blow off in high wind areas
- Warranties are all paint only
Cedar Shakes
- Pros
- Look great when first installed
- Supports local businesses
- Last 20+yrs when properly installed
- Can be installed over strapping without sheeting
- Cons
- One of the most expensive options
- Bad shakes can cause roof to prematurely fail
- Moss growth can eat through shakes
- Extremely slippery
- Very difficult or impossible to fix after the first couple years
- Look bad over time
- Very flammable
