Illinois climate is harsh on roofs – the state’s mid-continental location comes with wide climate variations, from humid continental areas that get hot, wet summers and cold winters to humid subtropical regions, where the summers are also hot, but the winters are milder. Illinois is also an area frequently affected by major thunderstorms and tornadoes – the state is hit by around 35 extreme weather events per year on the average. When it comes to choosing roofing materials, the climate should be among the most important factors to consider, so if you are currently in the process of choosing suitable roofing materials for your Illinois home, a Barrington roofer suggests that these are the types of shingles that will hold up to whatever weather comes along.
Asphalt Shingles
This affordable and durable solution can withstand even the heaviest rain, snow, wind, even hail that comes with large hail stones. Asphalt shingles come with long warranties and they are also available in almost endless color and texture variations. The installation of asphalt shingles is quick and easy, so homeowners who are confident working at heights and have a little dexterity can easily handle the process on their own.
Slate Tiles and Shingles
Slate shingles and slate tiles are made from natural stone, so they offer homeowners the durability, the resistance and the uniquely attractive appearance of the natural material. Slate is also a very long-lasting material, in most cases warranted for the lifetime of the house, and a solution that insulates your home from above, keeping the interior comfortably cool in summer and warm in winter. However, slate is also an expensive solution that is suitable only for homes with walls and a foundation that are able to support the heavy weight of the slate roof.
Before you choose slate for your home, you should also be aware that slate roofs cannot be installed by amateur roofers – the material is attractive and durable, but it needs to be put on the roof by a specialist who knows how to fix the slate components and how to make your slate roof watertight.
Metal Roofs
Whether installed in large, contiguous panels or in the form of much smaller shingles or individual tiles, metal roofs are the best performers in areas that get rugged climate, such as Illinois. The lightweight alloys that modern metal roofs are made from hold up to heavy rain, gale-force winds and thick snow and they are not susceptible to rust, corrosion and to fires. The only type of weather that can affect metal roofs is hail – really large hail stones can dent the metal panels, so if the area where you live gets that kind of weather a lot, it might be a good idea to choose one of the previous two options.
Metal roofing systems are also available in many different colors and shapes, so you can easily find the variety that works best for the overall design of your house and you can easily install the new roof on your own, using the detailed installation instructions that come with your metal roof system.
