Roofing Material Alternatives to Asphalt Shingles

Asphalt shingle roofing is a versatile, affordable material, but it's not for everyone. Whether you've sworn off asphalt roofing material because it heats up your house so much or whether you're concerned about the impact it has on the environment, you can still design and install a fabulous roof without using asphalt shingles.

Here are some options for asphalt-free roof coverings.

Cool Roofing Materials

If you want a roof that doesn’t heat your house, you have several good options that don't involve using asphalt for your roof covering. Slate and copper are two of the highest-end options, combining traditional elegance with quality and longevity, while aluminum is a more affordable option. Steel standing seam panels, clay tile, and concrete tile are some of the mid-range options.

Typically, all these materials are likely to cost you more per square foot than the cheapest asphalt shingles. Some, such as slate, are likely to cost more per square foot than even the most expensive shingles. So be sure to look at your budget and see how much it can stretch before deciding which of these materials you should seriously consider.

Some factors to consider when choosing a cool roof material include:

• Natural reflectivity . This helps the roof repel heat instead of absorbing it.

• Color of the material . A lighter slate, for example, reflects more light than darker slate.

• Cool roof coating . The right kind can boost the surface reflectivity.

• Insulation and ventilation . These both increase cool roof performance.

If you want eco-friendliness or savings on your energy bill more than temperature changes, talk to your roofing contractor about how you can boost the passive cooling effects of your cool roof. For example, adding shade trees circumspectly or reducing the amount of heated and cooled air that escapes to the roof through attic bypasses can help improve a cool roof even more.

Natural, Minimally Processed Materials

Natural roofing materials can offer great performance and often a long lifespan. Sometimes, though, they'll require more maintenance. For example, cedar shake roofing needs to be cleaned often and may need chemical treatments on occasion.

Some great natural roofing options include:

• Slate roofing, which has almost no processing; it's simply mined and then shaped

• Clay tile, which is made of clay shaped and fired into usable tile shapes

• Cedar shakes, which make use of the rot-resistant properties of cedar wood

These options can all provide a natural roof with minimal manufacturing processes needed. However, they all have their pros and cons.

Slate may be the least processed of the lot, but it's also the most expensive. This con is offset by slate's extremely long lifespan in many cases, but you'll need to do your homework on this subject. Slate from one source may last much longer than slate from another source, which can affect how much you should be paying for the materials.

Cedar shakes can be made from renewable resources, unlike the other two types (if you source your shakes from responsibly managed forests). However, you have to be careful not to get shakes sourced from old growth forests. And keep in mind, they're often manufactured with chemical treatments to retard fire or to resist fungal growth.

Whether you're just tired of asphalt roofing or whether you're looking for something more distinctive, eco-friendly, or long-lasting, you have a variety of options to choose from. Cedar shake, clay tile, steel panels, or natural slate can all confer different benefits, and they can all create an elegant and modern roof that can keep you and your family dry for years to come.

JCB Roofing offers a variety of roof types from commercial to residential, including both asphalt roofing and alternatives such as metal roof panels. Get in touch with us today to discuss how we can help you with a natural, eco-friendly, long-lasting roof.