Which Is The Best Type Of Roofing? - House Digest Survey

There is no denying that the roof is one of the most important features of your home; it protects your house and the people within it from all types of weather such as rainfall, weighty snow, and strong winds. If areas of a roof are not properly built or maintained, however, then that could lead to water seeping inside. This can damage a home's structural integrity and possibly allow mold to grow, which could lead to health complications for yourself or loved ones, according to Muskoka Region. Your roof is also where important wires and ventilation can run their path through in order to get to the rest of the house. Additionally, a well-built roof can help to conserve energy instead of allowing warm or cool air to escape through any gaps or weak spots.

To avoid these types of ruin to your home it's crucial to have a sturdy roof over your head. But with so many different kinds of materials available, how do you know which one is the best option? What type of roof you choose could depend on your budget, the size of your home, and what sort of environment you reside in. However, with the average cost of a new roof hovering in the area of $8,000, according to Forbes, you want to be absolutely sure that you are making the right decision. In a House Digest survey, we asked 606 people, "Which type of roofing do you prefer?" Here are the results.

When asked in a House Digest survey about what the best type of roofing is, of the 606 folks who participated, 162 — or 26.73% of the vote — preferred a metal roof. This particular roofing can be made of a variety of metals such as aluminum, copper, steel, tin, and corrugated metal; these vary in price and layout, according to Modernize. 

Although having a metal roof installed can be more expensive than using other materials, it can also come with a longer life expectancy. Most can last anywhere from 50 to 80 years and require minimal annual maintenance. Even though the upfront cost may be more significant, replacing your current material with a metal roof can increase the value of your home by 6% and help you to recover up to 95% of costs, as per Metal Roofing Alliance.

The second most preferred type of roofing, which received 143 votes — or 23.60% of those surveyed — was slate tile. Slate tile is a natural product that is made from metamorphic rock and is often found in quarries, according to North Country Slate. It has been used as a roofing material for a long time and is known as being an incredibly durable, water-proof, and fire-proof product. It can also be quite expensive as well as much heavier than other types of materials, but it can also last up to 100 years depending on the quality of the rock.

Although metal and slate roofing was clearly the most popular response, there were plenty of other roofing types that folks favored. The third most popular choice was selected by 90 people — or 14.85% of the votes — and it was for clay tile. These types of tile are made of baked ceramic clay and come in a variety of different grades depending on the severity of the weather conditions in your area, according to The Constructor. Durable and environmentally-friendly, clay tiles can last a long time in cold conditions. 

Wood shingles were preferred amongst 85 of those surveyed and received 14.03% of the total vote. For a classic look and low installation cost, it is no wonder that this was a popular choice. However, because these shingles are made from wood they can lose their color and durability over time. This may cause the roof to leak, weaken, or be infected by pests, as per Red Dog's Roofing.

Rounding out the survey, 65 folks — about 10.73% of the voters — chose the gorgeous look of Spanish tiles. Made of terra cotta clay, Spanish tiles are favored among those who live in hotter climates because of their capability of reflecting heat from the sun while also keeping heat inside on colder days, as per Fixr. Just behind that, concrete tiles were chosen by 61 people, or 10.07% of those surveyed.