How to Choose the Right Roofing Type for Your Home

Picking the best type of roof for your home is crucial for two reasons, curbside appeal and protection from the environment. 

The roof is one of the first things people notice about your home. You want to pick a material that blends well with the rest of your home. Otherwise, you risk your house standing out like a sore thumb. Furthermore, you should opt for a material that is sturdy and durable. You don’t want to continuously spend on repair work or a possible replacement months after having a new roof installed. 

For homeowners, picking the best type of roof can be difficult. There are many factors you need to consider from the type of roof, to its durability. How do you know which roofing material is right for your home? Here are the different types of roofs and their benefits, making the selection process easier for you. 

Different Roofing Types 

Shingles

Shingles are the most popular residential roofing option. They are shaped like flat and rectangular tiles. You can find them made out of asphalt, wood, metal, amongst other options. Shingles are popular because they come in a wide variety of colors and can be textured. 

Roof shingles are ideal for homes with sloped roofs. You can find two types of shingles on the market, organic and fiberglass. Organic is made up of maturing waste paper and asphalt, while fiberglass uses reinforced glass fiber and asphalt. The material is not resistant to extreme weather but is an affordable option. 

Thermoplastic Polyolefin (TPO) 

TPO is a single-ply membrane roofing solution commonly used for commercial roofing. However, it has gained traction for residential use in the past decade. The roofing material is a mix of rubber and other filler elements, which provide flexibility and durability. It has three layers, the base, and top layers are thermoplastic polyolefins, while the center is scrim, polyester-reinforced fabric. 

This roofing option is ideal for flat roofs and comes in either white, black, or grey color options. TPO is the most energy-efficient option in roofing. The material reflects heat and UV rays, keeping your house cool in the summer. 

Carlisle

Carlisle roofing options consist of single-ply membrane options such as TPO and Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM). We’ve covered the former so let’s discuss the latter. Like TPO, EPDM has three layers but differs in the material used since it utilizes ethylene and propylene. 

EPDM is more affordable than TPO and can last up to 25 years. But the seams of the material are not as durable as TPO, so they can come apart more quickly, resulting in a bit more maintenance effort. Like TPO, it is an energy-efficient roofing option. 

Cost Comparisons 

There are two types of costs you should consider when opting for the best roof for your home, initial and maintenance. You may save by opting for a more affordable material initially, but if it will end up costing you hundreds of dollars in roof repair later, is it worth it?

While shingles, EPDM, and TPO are all reliable roofing solutions, TPO is the most durable out of the three. It is also the most expensive. Out of the three, shingles are the most affordable and versatile. But due to the fact that shingles are not resistant to extreme weather, they require additional care and maintenance. So, if you live in an area that experiences extreme weather, you may want to consider TPO or even EPDM over shingles. 

Benefits of Each

Shingles

• Versatile: Shingles are popular because of their versatility, they can cover different shapes and angles ensuring your home is properly covered. They also come with a lot of design and color variety, adding to your home’s curbside appeal. 
• Affordable: Compared to other types of roofing material, shingles are cost-effective. They offer anywhere from 15-20 years of reliable roofing at an affordable price. 
• Easy to install: Shingles are laid out almost similar to tiles, which means homeowners with some knowledge can do the job themselves. 

TPO

• Durable: The chemical makeup of TPO makes it flexible, resulting in a higher resistance level to tears and damages from incidents such as the building moving and settling. The material is also strong and will last for years without the need for repair. 
• UV resistance: The material can withstand UV damage which adds to its lifespan. It also protects your home from blazing heat in the summers, reducing your energy bill. 
• Environmentally-friendly: Most manufactured TPO are Energy Star rated, are 100% recyclable, and don’t contain chlorine, which is found in other roofing options and is hazardous to the environment. 

Carlisle EPDM

• Durable: EPDM is not as flexible as TPO but is still very durable. You can expect the roof to last anywhere from 25-30 years. 
• Easy to install: Unlike TPO, EPDM installation doesn’t require special equipment. Which results in lower installation costs. 
• Energy-efficient: EPDM has heat reflective properties which make it energy-efficient. 

Still Can’t Decide Which Roofing Type is Best for You?

Our team has decades of experience replacing and repairing roofs and has helped hundreds of homeowners in Houston, TX and surrounding areas pick the perfect roofing solution for their homes. We take your budget and roofing needs into account when offering the best options. We understand how important it is for you to pick the right roofing solution that gives you a mix of durability and affordability. If you are still having trouble picking between shingles, TPO, and EPDM give our team at 12 Stones Roofing a call at 832-905-9823 or inquire online.