Choosing My Contractor

Four Alternative Roofing Materials To Set Your House Apart

13 May 2019

Diego Rojas

Every house on the block has a shingle roof, and most of them are in conventional colors like black or brown. You want to be different. You want to set your home apart with a unique roof. So what are your options? You could just choose a unique shingle color, such as burgundy or cream. Or you could go with one of these unique, alternative roofing materials.

1. Colorful Synthetic Tiles

Synthetic tiles made from engineered stone or concrete are becoming more popular with homeowners who want to top their home with something different. These tiles offer similar benefits to slate and clay tiles, but they come in a greater variety of colors and patterns. You can find navy blue, burgundy, or orange tiles, or even patterned ones that look like wood grain. Synthetic tiles last a really long time and are highly durable against wind since they are so heavy. This makes them an excellent choice if you live by the seaside or in a place where hurricanes are common.

2. Copper

Metal roofs are becoming really common, so an aluminum or steel roof won't really make your home stand out. But one made from copper will! When a copper roof is new, it looks like a shiny, new penny. That illustrious glow reflects the sun, which actually helps keep your home cool. As copper ages, it develops a gorgeous, green patina, similar to what you see on the Statue of Liberty. This natural look coordinates so well with modern, artistic homes. 

Another benefit of copper is that it is incredibly long-lasting. Put a copper roof on your home now, and you will never have to replace it. (The next owner probably won't, either!) Unfortunately, however, since copper is so heavy, not every home structure can support it, and you will need to have an engineer evaluate your home's structural strength prior to installation.

3. Green Roofs

If you love eco-friendly designs and have a knack for gardening, why not combine those two interests and choose a green roof? Green roofs consist of a substrate, soil material plus real, living plants that are planted in the substrate. Usually, succulents are used since they have low water needs and don't require much maintenance once established.

Aside from giving your home a really green look, green roofs release oxygen into the atmosphere and absorb carbon dioxide, helping to reduce your overall carbon footprint. They also provide a really thick layer of insulation between your home and the outdoors, which helps keep your home cool and reduce AC bills in the heat of summer.

4. Rubber Roofs

Rubber roofs are a great choice if you have an older home with a structure that can't support a heavy roof. They look smooth and sleek, and water runs off of them easily. You can also sweep a rubber roof easily to remove leaves and other debris. Most are black in color, but you can find them in white and sometimes in other shades, too. Rubber roofing is not the best choice in windy areas since if the wind manages to pick up one edge of the roofing, it can soon peel the whole membrane back. If you do choose rubber, make sure you have a qualified, experienced contractor install it, since poor installation leads to a short life expectancy and is sadly pretty common.

If you want to set your home apart, there is no reason to stick with plain, black shingles. Talk to a residential roofing contractor in your area to learn more about these various roofing materials and which ones they might offer. 

Share