When it comes to your home’s roof, you want everything to be perfect. Along with being a key part of your home looking great, the roof protects you and your family from rain, snow, and other things Mother Nature throws your way now and then. Over the years, more and more materials have been designed for use with roofs. If you are preparing to put a new roof on your home, here are some of the most common types of residential roofs.

Asphalt Shingle

Cost-efficient, made to last up to 30 years, easy to install, and now available in many different styles and colors, asphalt shingle roofs continue to be the most popular choice for many homeowners. If you are interested in asphalt shingle roofing, you can choose from fiberglass or organic shingles, which are made from various types of recycled materials. Along with the asphalt keeping water at bay, asphalt shingles are also excellent at reflecting UV rays, which helps keep your home cooler in the summer.

Metal Roofing

Growing in popularity each year with homeowners, metal roofing is very low maintenance, can last 50 years or longer, and is also available in many styles and colors. One of its biggest benefits is that a residential roofer can usually install a metal roof directly over an existing asphalt shingle roof, meaning it can often be installed in as little as one day.

Ceramic Tiles

Lasting up to an amazing 70 years, ceramic tiles are popular roofing choices for those who live in warmer climates. Giving your home a unique look, the tiles are installed so that they overlap one another, which is how they keep out water. Very durable, they are not recommended if you live in an area that experiences significant temperature swings, since this could cause them to crack.

Slate Shingles

If you want a roof that will not rot and last perhaps 100 years, then consider slate shingles. Known for giving a home a look that is unique and sophisticated, slate shingles are extremely easy to maintain, available in many colors, and can be used on almost any type of home. However, they are expensive and much heavier than other roofing materials. Thus, if you want these for your home, work with a roofing contractor who has experience in their installation.

No matter which of these roofing materials you select for your home, you will soon have a new roof that will last decades, add value to your home, and give you tremendous peace of mind.