What Roofing Material is Right for Me?
by Thomas Kral on May 6, 2012
This is a tough question to answer as there are many factors involved in choosing a material. The style of the roof or pitch of the roof is very important. Budget is also a factor, but curb appeal is also important. The following paragraphs will assist you in deciding which roof is the right roof for you.
First and foremost you want to choose a material for your roof based on the style and pitch of your roof. Your roof pitch is essentially how steep the roof is. This step is the most important. You need to determine which products are on the market and have been developed for your style of roof. There is no "one size fits all" roofing material. A very common mistake is using shingles on a very low slope or flat roof. The second most important factor is the budget.
This is the nerve-wracking part of your decision. A budget doesn't mean "I want the cheapest roof." Cheapest now, or cheapest in 50 years are two different things. You have to ask yourself: "How long am I going to occupy or own this building?" "How much money can I spend now on this roof?" The answer to these two questions will determine your budget.
If you're planning on selling your building in 5 years there is no reason, other than resale value and curb appeal, to install a roof rated for 80 years. The simple formula is this: Cost of roof installation divided by the rating of the materials in years. In the long run, it is cheaper to spend that little bit of extra money now so you won't have to bear the brunt of a complete replacement again for a very very long time. However, if you simply can't afford the upgrade then it's important you don't spend more than you can afford.
Now that you've decided what types of material are available for your roof, then narrowed the decision down to the quality of material you find fitting; it's time to choose how you want your building to look. The look of your building can be very important especially if it is your home. Think of a color scheme and go with that scheme. Don't introduce too many colors.
In the end, you should choose a material that makes you feel comfortable and confident. You don't want to install improper material. You don't want to install a material you can not afford or a material that doesn't match your home's existing quality. Lastly, you want to make certain the material you choose will be pleasing to your eye every time you drive up to your building.
Popular Articles
Three Places to Spend Money on the Exterior of Your Home
When you have the exterior of your home remodeled, you are investing, time, energy and convenience into the project and you want to make sure that...
94878 Views
Homemade Headboards-Make an Upholstered or Wooden Headboard
Homemade headboards can add a lot of personality to any bedroom. They can be coordinated with existing furniture and room decor or they can be the...
74283 Views
When to Use a Brush, Roller or Sponge Brush
Brushes are a good choice for painting trim and woodwork. They are also useful for cutting in the edges around the top and bottom edges and corners...
71738 Views
Creating a Cottage Kitchen with Bead Board
Kitchen decor can range from modern and bold to elegant and elaborate by using strategic kitchen pieces. One of the most popular decorating trends...
52726 Views
Gas Fireplace Diagnostics and Troubleshooting
Follow these steps for diagnosing and troubleshooting Gas Fireplaces repairs. For the average DIYer, this may seem intimidating, depending on the...
30571 Views
Latest Articles
10 Concrete Patio Ideas on a Budget
A concrete patio can be a game-changer for your outdoor space. It is durable, versatile, and can be customized to fit your style. But what if you...
on Mar 25, 2025
Tips for Creating a Stunning Personalized Photo on Canvas
Order the unique beauty of a personalized photo on canvas and bring your memories to life. With a customized photo on canvas, you can transform...
on Mar 7, 2025
Best Areas to Buy Property in Singapore for Long-Term Growth
Singapore's real estate market remains one of the most stable and lucrative in the world. With limited land supply, strong governmental...
on Feb 18, 2025
Troubleshooting Excess Water in Your HVAC Secondary Condensate Drain Pan
When maintaining your air conditioning system, it is easy to overlook the condensate drain pan - until excess water starts pooling in places where...
on Jan 12, 2025
Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs): A Beginners Guide
By combining the advantages of stock market and real estate investing, Real Estate Investment Trusts, or REITs, offer an alluring investment...
on Dec 19, 2024
Featured Articles
What Type of Licensed Contractor Should You Hire?
on Feb 28, 2017
Hire Contractors / Estimates

Looking for a specialty project? There are many types of contractors available for your home improvement needs. Finding the right type of...
Sponsored Articles
Best Areas to Buy Property in Singapore for Long-Term Growth
on Feb 18, 2025
Real Estate / Finance

Singapore's real estate market remains one of the most stable and lucrative in the world. With limited land supply, strong governmental...
Actions
Top Categories
- Garden / Landscaping / Patio — 264
- Kitchen / Bathrooms — 240
- Real Estate / Finance — 203
- Appliance / Repair — 186
- Interior Design / Decor — 184
- HVAC / Air Conditioning — 148
- Cleaning / Maintenance — 144
- Improvements / Remodeling — 131
- Plumbing / Basements — 118
- Floors / Tile / Hardwood — 116
- Doors / Garages — 113
- Safety / Security — 113
Articles Archive
More DIY Articles
What is Concrete Cutting?
Concrete cutting is a process of controlled sawing, drilling, and removal of concrete performed by skilled operators using special saws that use...
Dining Room Design Ideas
The dining room is fast-becoming the forgotten room in modern society. It’s the room people most often neglect in their home as an increasing...
5 Home Improvement Tips Sellers Should Not Overlook
When selling your house, thinking about ways to improve your home will become all too common. After all, even the most recently decorated homes...
How to Choose the Right Vessel Sink for Your Bathroom
Vessel sinks are the hottest new trend in bathroom design. In many ways, vessel sinks are a throwback to a time before plumbing when people washed...
How Inclement Weather Can Affect Your Pool
Only a few months into 2022 and it has been the craziest winter on record for a number of years all across the country. Heavy weather systems can...