The Most Difficult Roofing Material in the World to Work With, and Why

When you think of different types of roofs on homes, what comes to mind initially? Many people are most familiar with composition shingle roofing. This is one of the most common types of roofing you see in new construction homes and neighborhoods being built. Though it’s certainly not your only option. 

People use many other types of roofing materials when building a home or replacing a roof. Consider a number of factors when deciding what type of materials to use for your new home or a roof replacement. Some roofing contractors will advise against using certain types of roofing material to avoid. 

Many may ask, "What’s the toughest roofing material to work with?" An experienced roofing company will tell you that many materials are difficult to work with and use on most homes or businesses. Here are a few notorious types of roofing materials that may not be worth the trouble due to cost, weight, composition, or difficulty of installation.

Wood Shake Shingle Roofs

Wood Shake shingle roofs are becoming less desirable over time. Once a common roofing material, they are now more rarely seen being used on new construction homes and roof replacement jobs. They require a lot of maintenance and yearly oiling of the wood shake shingles, and they wear out quicker than most roofing materials.

Clay Tiles

Clay tile roofs are harder to work with during installation. Because they are heavy and rigid, the chances for breakage are more likely than with a composition shingle roof. The tiles also may not hold up well in areas with heavy rainfall or severe heat. Water and heat can cause breakage and disintegration of clay tiles, costing the owner more than average for tile replacement.

Slate Roofs

Slate roofs are possibly the most difficult type of roofing to install on a home. If you have a roof replacement done, slate may be one of the heaviest materials you could use. Due to the extreme weight of the large pieces, a homeowner could face a cave-in if the joists and rafters are not properly reinforced to bear the extremely heavy weight of the slate material. Though durable, slate roofing comes with many difficult issues to contend with.

Be Wary of the Above-Mentioned Roofing Materials

When in doubt, asking a roofing contractor or professional about the pros and cons of these three roofing materials and the more common types, such as composition shingle roofs is advisable. When dealing with one of the largest and most expensive components of a home or business, it’s always advisable to know your options and get feedback from a professional roofing company.

Categorised in: Roofing Contractors