WHAT TYPE OF ROOFING SHOULD YOU CHOOSE WHEN RENTING OR BUYING A HOME? HERE’S WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

Choosing the roof is one of the most important decisions when building a new home. It’s more than just protection; it’s a significant architectural component and property investment. Beyond the looks on a brochure, selecting the ideal roof entails taking comfort, energy efficiency, and structural integrity into consideration.

Your local environment heavily determines the ideal roofing material for your new home. Sloped roofs are ideal in rainy or snowy climates to prevent water buildup and damage. In warmer climates, light-colored roofs reflect sunlight, keeping homes cool and lowering air conditioning bills.

Materials such as clay tiles are well-known for their capacity to endure high temperatures and are widely used in such regions. Metal roofing adds an extra layer of protection to properties in wildfire-prone locations. Understanding these climate-related peculiarities ensures that your roof looks good and operates properly under the environmental conditions unique to your location. Here’s some helpful information

Best Roofing Materials

3-Tab Asphalt Shingles:

Three-tab asphalt shingles are the most popular and mostly used in real estate properties. They receive their name from the three tabs on each shingle, as well as the material. To keep moisture out, the tabs slot together like jigsaw pieces after installation. Three-tab shingles are comprised of a long-lasting fiberglass base mat that has been covered with mineral granules.

Why should you use (or not use) this material for your rental property’s roof? Here are a few things to consider

Three-tab asphalt shingles are the most cost-effective roofing alternative. They’re lightweight and simple to install.

Their homogeneous design provides your roof a clean, simple appearance.

A 3-tab shingle roof can survive 20-25 years unless it is severely damaged, such as in a hailstorm.

Prices for a 1500-square-foot house are reasonable, making these shingles a choice when buying or renting a property. However, if you need something more long-lasting, asphalt may not be the best solution.

Dimensional Shingles

Dimensional or architectural shingles consist of two layers of shingle material glued together. This gives them a three-dimensional look.

Are Dimensional Shingles Suitable for Your Rental Property?

Consider a few factors before deciding on dimensional shingles.

They are often more durable than three-tab shingles. Dimensional shingles can last from 30 to 35 years.

They are more resistant to adverse weather conditions. Dimensional shingles, for example, can survive gusts ranging from 80 to 130 mph, whereas 3-tab shingles can only endure winds of 60 mph. Dimensional shingle roofs may appear more appealing and “expensive-looking” due to their higher color and texture variability.

While more durable, dimensional shingles can weigh up to 50% more than 3-tab shingles. This suggests that your underlying beams should be stronger. In addition, these shingles are slightly more difficult to install than 3-tab shingles.

Concrete or clay tiles

Concrete and clay tiles are prevalent. They are more resistant to wind and hail than asphalt shingles.

Furthermore, if single clay tiles are damaged during a storm, it is quicker to replace them (without replacing the entire roof).

Are Clay Tiles Suitable for Your Property?

When hailstorms are regular, long-lasting shingles make sense! Here’s what you should know before purchasing clay roofing tiles.

This roofing solution can last for around 50 years.

Air may move freely beneath clay and concrete tiles. This helps to regulate rooftop temperatures and keep them stable within the house. Furthermore, homes with clay or concrete tile roofs are more energy efficient, which is important during San Antonio’s scorching summers.

Clay roof tiles are more effective in reflecting the sun than asphalt roofs.

Clay tiles weigh slightly more than concrete tiles, which are substantially heavier than asphalt shingles. As a result, a stronger support structure is required beneath the roof tiles. So, not every rental property is suitable for clay roofing.

Metal Roofing

Metal roofing is likewise on the more expensive end of the scale, costing roughly the same as tile roofing. It includes  include aluminum, steel (galvanized, galvalume, or weathering), copper, and zinc.

Should You Select a Metal Roof for Your Rental Property?

Metal roofing has evolved significantly during the last few decades! Here are some points to bear in mind:

A metal roof requires little maintenance and has a lifespan of 40-70 years. Correctly built metal roofs can withstand wind gusts of up to 140 mph.

Metal roofs don’t corrode or crack. Most metal roofing materials are impact resistant and will not be damaged during a hailstorm.

Choosing a metal roof is an environmentally conscious choice. Depending on the material, recycled content may range from 25 to 95 percent. Furthermore, once your metal roof has served its purpose, the metal sheets can be recycled.

Metal roofing is more energy-efficient than asphalt shingles.

Which Roof Material Is Best?

The style of roof you choose is determined by your budget and the length of time you intend to own the property. For example, if you want to sell the house within the next ten years, you may overlook the long-term investment benefits of a metal or tile roof over an asphalt shingle roof. However, if you install a more durable roof, you may be able to receive a higher selling price.

When deciding on the finest roofing option for your property, consider the surrounding environment as well. Some sections, such as a more expensive roof, may not justified overinvestment in structural components.

Tile might be a good investment, but can you convert an asphalt roof to tile? Not always. Tiles are significantly heavier than asphalt shingles. Your roofer must inspect the house’s structural soundness to guarantee that it can support the weight of a heavier roof.

No matter what style of roofing you choose or whether you need a simple repair, avoid a DIY fix and hire a reliable roofing company and property manager to care for your rental properties!