A traditional wooden roof may seem like an attractive addition to your home or commercial building, but in reality it may not be the best option. This type of roofing can be very high maintenance, and may not last as long as you think. 

Before you commit to this traditional type of roofing you should be aware of the drawbacks, and also think about the alternative roofing you could choose instead.

Lifespan

The lifespan of wooden roofing is proportional to how much money you invest – expensive, high quality wood will last longer than if you cut corners on the cost. How long it lasts will also depend on how carefully you maintain it.

Maintenance

The largest drawback to having a wooden roof is the intensive maintenance schedule. You’ll need to frequently have your roof checked for signs of mould or mildew, especially in a damp climate like in the UK. Immediate action will need to be taken if rot or mould is found, and large sections of the roof may need replacing.

There are treatments that will reduce the risk of damage from damp and mould but they won’t be fool-proof, especially if the wood goes through long periods of being consistently wet. Wooden roofing can also be more attractive to bugs and roof pests, although certain types of wood are much less attractive to them and are less likely to get infested. Remember that wooden roofs come with an increased fire risk, even with flame retardant coatings.

Alternative Materials

If you feel that a roof should be a beautiful and functional addition to your home and not an ongoing project then wooden shingles probably aren’t the right choice for you. There are any number of low-maintenance alternatives you could choose, but if you like the look of wood, then lightweight steel roofing modelled on wooden shingles is a great alternative.

Metrotile’s roofing is very low maintenance once installed, and we’re so confident about its durability that we offer a 40-year weatherproof guarantee. As it’s made from pressed steel it presents no increased risk of fire, mould or pests. Our Vixen tile profile is modelled after wooden shingles for a more rustic feel than our other tiles, without any of the drawbacks of traditional wooden roofing.

If you’d like to know more about our alternative roofing options, call us on 01249 658514 or contact us online.