If you’re looking for a secure roofing material, there are several factors to take into account. First and foremost, you need your roof to be weatherproof so that it can withstand severe conditions. Your roofing materials should also protect your property from fire, intruders and vandalism. Finally, it’s important that your roof is durable so that it stands the test of time.

The main types of roofing materials

Asphalt

With a lifespan of just five to ten years, asphalt may appear to offer a quick fix, but in reality its better suited to a garden shed than a domestic or commercial property.

Composite shingle

Composite shingle offers better longevity, with a lifespan of between 15 and 50 years. Relatively cheap to buy and install, shingles can offer a viable solution. However, to ensure that your roof lasts you will need to buy from a premium provider as the cheapest options are unlikely to offer good quality. Poor-quality composite shingle roofs may start to shed grains within a year.

Wood shingle

While wood shingle has an estimated lifespan of 25 years, wood is prone to decay. In order to keep your wood shingle roof in good condition you will need to control moss growth and replace damaged shingles straightaway. Wood shake shingles are a better alternative, usually lasting between 35 and 40 years, but they will cost more to buy and install.

Clay tiles

Clay tile roofs may last up to 100 years and are aesthetically pleasing. However, they require regular maintenance as clay tiles are prone to cracking. Broken tiles should be replaced immediately and you should avoid walking on your roof at all costs. Your clay tiles may need to be coated, so factor in this additional cost before you choose this option.

Slate roof tiles

Slate roofs are extremely durable, offering a lifespan of more than 100 years in some cases. However, like clay, slates can crack and broken tiles must be replaced as soon as possible. Slate can also be heavy, putting pressure on the structure of your home or business premises. Furthermore, it can be expensive to install and maintain a slate roof. If your tiles and flashings aren’t installed properly, problems may arise shortly after installation.

Metal roofing

Increasingly popular, metal roof tiles tend to offer the longevity of slate tiles but are much lighter and more resilient. They are more environmentally friendly and, available in a broad range of styles, can be very attractive. Easy to install and requiring virtually no maintenance, your ongoing costs are likely to be significantly lower compared with any other roofing material.

Metrotile’s lightweight roofing

Our metal roof tiles are extremely strong and durable, protecting your roof from the worst weather conditions and intruders. Our tiles are certified, meet the highest possible standards and come with a 40-year weatherproof guarantee. They are lightweight roof tiles, so they won’t cause any structural damage and, as they are so light to transport, CO₂ emissions are minimal. Metal roof tiles offer considerable benefits compared with traditional roofing, with very little maintenance and repair work required.

Contact us today to find out more about our high-quality steel roof tiles, by calling 01249 658 514 or you can fill in our contact form and we will get back to you.