Not everyone needs the same type of material for their roof. The way your home or other building is made can help determine what the best material is for your roof. One important factor is your roof’s pitch.
What is Roof Pitch?
The pitch of a roof is the slope that the roof has. Typically commercial buildings have a flat or lower slope roof, while residential structures are more likely to have a more slanted roof. But there is a lot of diversity in today’s architecture, and nothing is absolute. Low slope roofs are becoming more common because they help support solar roofing and other green solutions. To be classified as a low slope roof, the rise should be less than three inches per horizontal foot.
With this type of roof, it is beneficial to make sure there is proper UV protection. This is traditionally achieved with cap sheet layers which are coated with gravel. This also helps with water absorption. While this is a traditional option, many others have emerged and roof pitch is a big factor when it comes to determining the right material.
A Reputable Contractor is an Important Part of Picking the Right Roofing Material
Whenever you hire a contractor for any project, it is important that you find someone who is honest with you, and will help you choose materials that are in your best interest and are best suited to the project. Since most residential homes have steeper pitched roofs, if a contractor is accustomed to standard materials, it is possible that recommendation could be pushed, even if it is a poor option when it comes to a flat roof.
The wrong roofing material not only leads to damage but can actually void product warranties and lead to roof leaks and the need for various associated repairs. Composition shingles and tiles are popular roofing materials, however, they are best suited to roofs that have a slope that is 3:12 or greater. If your roof is flatter than this, you are much better off with a single-ply roof or modified cap sheets for your roof. These types of materials support a higher degree of ponding or standing water that may stay on a flatter roof.
When hiring a roofing contractor, don’t be afraid to ask questions about the installation process and materials used. This will help you get the best possible results from your home improvement project. At Angi, the newly rebranded Angie’s List, you can easily get in touch with multiple roofing companies in your area so you can make the right decision when it comes to roofing materials and cost.