Is your roof different from your neighbor’s roof? Roofs are not the same everywhere. The market has grown a lot in the last few years and now provides so many great options for alternative roofing material. There are many alternative roofing ideas that outlast traditional roofing materials such as asphalt shingles. Furthermore, some roofing materials can even help to bring down your electricity bill. And if you’re planning a low-slope roof, chances are that roof shingles won’t work anyway. You can consult your roofing contractors but before that, we have combined a list of roofing alternatives for you.
1. Stone-Coated Metal
A stone-coated metal or steel roofing is the right alternative if you want your roof to mimic the look of asphalt shingles, wood shakes or clay tiles. Stone-coated metal or stone coated steel roofing gives a deep, architectural look to the house. This alternative roofing material not only gives a different profile to the house but also comes up with warranties up to 50 years and is highly resistant against winds, hail, and fire. It is made with corrosion-resistant metal coated with crushed granite that is permanently bonded to the metal. Unlike the mineral coating on asphalt shingles, the granite coating does not slough off over time.
To create air spaces between the roofing and roof deck, wood strips are installed over which stone-coated metal roofing is done. Air channels serve as an insulator in summer by keeping the roof deck cooler and in winter by minimizing the ice dams.
2. Built-Up Roofing
The most popular roofing material installed on low-sloped roofs is built-up roofing. Built-up roofing is made of multiple layers of bitumen surfaces. An aggregate amount or layer is added on top to give a finished look. Tar is mostly used in the top layer and then gravel is laid on it.
There are multiple types of built-up roofs such as smooth asphalt (either hot or cold) and ballasted asphalt and consists of four parts: decking, insulation, ply sheets (reinforcing fabrics), and one or more surfacing materials. The layers in built-up roofing are joined together by asphalt (tar) or other bitumen material. There can be significant changes in the cost and durability of the roof due to the type of surface coating used.
If you get a built-up roof today, they now include rigid insulation as a layer for energy efficiency. The ply sheets are commonly reinforced with fiberglass mats or organic mats, depending on their application.
3. Solar Shingles
An alternative to traditional rooftop solar panels is solar shingles which serve as a roofing material as well. Flexible “thin-film” solar technology was used in the conventional versions of solar shingles and other solar roofing material. However, today’s solar roofing systems are made with rigid materials, for instance, tempered glass, which gives them a profile like conventional roof shingles. These solar shingles are installed without any special crews.
The biggest advantage of solar shingles is that they produce electricity in daylight hence, the roofing system covers the cost of installation by paying for itself from the day of its installation. This roofing material is the only one that provides a financial return on your investment.
4. Single-Ply Roofing
For commercial purposes, the most popular roofing alternative is single-ply roofing. There are mainly two types of single-ply roofing: thermoset and thermoplastic.
Thermoset membranes are made with layers of synthetic rubber polymers, such as EPDM, CSPE, and Neoprene. This type is mostly used for large roof areas as it minimizes the number of seams due to its large size.
Thermoplastic single-ply membranes often are hot-air welded together to form cohesive laps. When the thermoplastic material cools, it returns to its original state, forming a permanent bond. For stability and strength, thermoplastic membranes normally include a reinforcing layer of polyester or fiberglass.
5. Standing Seam Roofing
Another roofing material alternative is standing seam roofing which made up of vertical panels. These vertical panels have two seams per panels that stand up vertically. This roofing is a better option than a typical corrugated metal roofing as it gives a more finished look with better durability. Sit is commonly available in galvanized steel, Galvalume, and copper materials.
The panels in standing seam roofing are installed on a standard plywood roof decking and an approved underlayment, for instance, ice and water shield. These panels run parallel to the slope of the roof and are mostly of 12 to 24 inches in width.
Services of Roof Repair and Replacement at King Builders
We have over 10 years of experience in roof repair and replacement. The important thing to remember is that if the roof is in need of repairs or will require work in the future, then it might be a good idea to take care of roof replacement now. As the general wisdom, if the cost of repairs is more than 50% of maintenance than it makes sense to replace. King Builders & Services provides 24-hour Emergency Roof Repair Service. Our qualified and trained team can offer quick professional help to resolve your problems.
Contractors at King Builders can tackle all the important home repair and improvement items on your “To-Do” list.
Call Chicago Roofing Service to get estimates and get repairs scheduled today!
