In New England, building or remodeling a home is particularly challenging due to the local climate and environmental conditions. The exterior of your house will likely experience brutal weather: wind salted by the sea, snow storms, and even rain storms that can shake the rafters. However, sturdy roofing materials in New England can make a significant difference in protecting your property from these elements.
The changing weather in Massachusetts is one of the many reasons you must carefully choose which roofing material to use for your home building project. So, ask your preferred New England roofing company for the best residential roofing materials to ensure the longevity of your roof.
Here are the top four materials used for roofing in Massachusetts:
Metal Roof
Due to its practicality and sturdiness, metal roofing is one of Massachusetts’s most popular roofing material options. You will greatly benefit from the performance of this roofing material, given its ability to endure strong winds and withstand bad weather, which is common in Massachusetts. If installed properly, it can help keep your rooms dry and at a pleasant temperature during periods of heavy rain.
Metal roofing makes your home look warm and inviting because it comes in many different styles and finishes. Indeed, you can’t go wrong with metal roofing because it provides excellent value for money while increasing the value of your home.
The most durable and long-lasting alternative metal roofing materials are copper and zinc. They are more expensive than the other metals, but that is because they are so much more aesthetically beautiful and durable.
Rubber (EPDM) Roofing
Another excellent residential roofing material in Massachusetts is rubber roofing or ethylene propylene diene terpolymer (EPDM). Considering its ease of installation and durability, it is one of the best alternatives to asphalt shingles for your home, despite being underrated by most contractors. Rubber roofing comes in various styles and can be used on any structure.
Rubber roofing is an excellent choice for covering a flat or low-sloped roof. When rubber sheets are laid flat and sealed to one another, they form an impermeable seal that spans the entire surface. It is resistant to hail and can last for more than 40 years. Rubber roofing can be painted with latex paint to extend its life.
Rubber roofing has been used in most commercial buildings and is the best alternative roofing material for flat roof building structures. Rubber is a better material to cover flat roofing over sheds, garages, and outdoor living spaces than traditional roofing materials.
Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt shingles and metal roofing are both popular roofing materials in Massachusetts. The fact that this type of roof is available in many different shapes and finishes is its most appealing feature. Your roof can therefore be designed and colored to suit your preferences. Nevertheless, asphalt shingles have the disadvantage of being expensive to replace or repair when damaged. In light of this, you should perform routine maintenance to keep the roof in good condition.
Shingles made of asphalt can be installed on nearly any sloped roof and look good. On the other hand, asphalt shingles are ineffective on flat roofs because they rely on water flowing in only one direction over their surface. Despite their name, flat roofs have a slight slope and can have water pools where a shingled roof would have been destroyed.
Have You Inspected your Shingled Roof?
Spanish Tiles
Even though they are more common in the south, Spanish tiles are widely used alternative roofing materials by homeowners in Massachusetts. As opposed to metal, wood shake, or asphalt shingle roofs, Spanish tile roofs initially cost a lot more to install. They do, however, last a lot longer. A tile roof could survive up to 70 years, or possibly longer, depending on its quality. If you travel to Latin America, you’ll find some ancient houses with roofs still in place.
When you compare that kind of endurance to the resilience of some asphalt shingles, it’s easy to see how a tile investment could pay off over time. Additionally, tile roofing is offered in perfect replicas of shake, wood shingle, and slate. It comes in various colors, including shades of moss green, driftwood grey, and ocean blue, in addition to the well-known adobe red.
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Frequently Ask Questions
1. What are the top 5 roofing materials?
The five most popular roofing materials in Massachusetts are metal roofing, asphalt shingles, slate, rubber (EPDM), and wood shakes. These materials are chosen for their durability, resistance to harsh weather, and aesthetic appeal. Metal roofing and slate, for instance, are particularly valued for their longevity and ability to handle heavy snow and ice.
2. What is the best roof for New England weather?
Metal roofing is often considered one of the best choices for New England’s challenging weather, thanks to its resistance to wind, ice, and snow. Its ability to shed snow prevents ice dams, a common issue in colder climates. Slate is also highly durable and can last a century if well-maintained, making it a top choice for New England homes.
3. What is the most common roofing system used today?
Asphalt shingles are the most common roofing system used across the United States, including in Massachusetts. They are popular for their affordability, versatility in design, and ease of installation. However, they may require more frequent maintenance than materials like metal or slate, especially in areas with heavy snowfall.
4. What are the best roof shingles for New England?
For shingle roofs, asphalt and composite shingles are both suitable options for New England, providing good weather resistance and visual flexibility. Composite shingles, in particular, offer added durability compared to traditional asphalt, though they may be pricier upfront.
5. What is the best roofing material for the Northeast?
In the Northeast, materials like metal roofing, slate, and rubber (EPDM) are ideal. Metal and slate roofs withstand high winds, snow, and extreme temperatures, while EPDM is excellent for flat roofs that need resistance to snow and heavy rainfall.
6. What are the top three shingles?
The top three types of shingles often recommended for durability and weather resilience include asphalt, composite, and metal shingles. These materials offer a balance of strength, cost-efficiency, and aesthetic options, catering to the needs of homes across Massachusetts and New England
Looking for a full-service roofing company in Massachusetts?
Roofing a building or home can be done with many different materials. Selecting the right products for the roof application can be challenging if you don’t know what suits your home.
Our South Shore MA roofing experts can assist you in selecting a long-lasting roof material that can withstand your city’s weather conditions. We have worked with various materials from various brands and understand what works best for your roof. Let our professional roofers provide you with assistance with your roofing or any other external feature that protects your home.
Interested in home renovation or roof construction? Call us today at 781-423-1439.
