Whether you are installing a roof for a new home, or you are considering replacing the current roof, you will want to make sure that everything goes 100% perfect. After all, the roof has a big impact on the appearance of the house – not to mention on its overall condition and energetic performance.
Although it may seem trivial to some homeowners, the roofing materials they purchase have a large impact on their homes, in many ways, and should be chosen considering the Texas climate.
What materials are best for your residential roof in Texas?
Metal roofs
Metal roofs are extremely popular nowadays and we see them pretty much everywhere.
They reduce the accumulation of heat during the hot Texan summers by reflecting the sun’s rays – an aspect provided by the particles in the shingles` paint layer -, which means that people can reduce the energy consumption required for the operation of air conditioning units. Even though metal roofs have a low thermal inertia, most metal roofing systems use the space between the decking and the metal shingles to increase energy efficiency.
A metal roof is non-flammable, which means that it has excellent fire resistance properties. Moreover, it is virtually impermeable to rain, snow and other external influences, such as too high and too low temperatures or strong winds. None of these phenomena impact its integrity.
The long lifespan of metal roofs is one of the major advantages. According to Flower Mound residential roofers, many metal roofing manufacturers offer a warranty period of twenty to fifty years. This is a considerably longer warranty than the one you get for common materials such as asphalt shingles.
Ceramic roofs
Ceramic roof tiles are some of the oldest roofing materials.
Benefits
- They provide very good natural thermal insulation, regardless of the season (cool in summer, warm in winter)
- Properly installed, a ceramic roof will withstand a great deal of adverse conditions for up to 100 years
- It allows a good ventilation of the building and the evacuation of vapors, thus it eliminates condensation efficiently
There are really no downsides except perhaps for the price, which can be significantly higher compared to other less durable materials, and the weight (such a roof is heavy and puts a lot of pressure on the resistance structure of the house).
Extensive green roofs
The green roof significantly reduces the need to use air conditioners in summer and also provides very good insulation in winter. Its effectiveness depends on the amount of moisture retained by its different layers. During the summer, the insulation is optimal because the layers are dry and do not absorb the heat. Reducing the air conditioning consumption in summer and the heating costs in winter, the green roof achieves significant energy savings. As energy prices rise, green roofs become more and more attractive.
Studies show that a green roof lasts three times longer than a regular roof, because the vegetation protects against weather factors. Roofing materials age over time, especially if they are exposed to a climate like in Texas. But the vegetation layer and the special substrate layer protect them from the harmful weather effects, and increase their lifespan.
