5 Roofing Alternatives

Not all roofs have to be the same. To start with, there are several traditional roofing options to pick from. However, it might also be worthwhile to consider an alternative roofing material. Many lesser-known options can outlast conventional materials, and some can even lower your electricity bill! Here we have compiled 5 roofing alternatives to consider.

Stone-coated metal

Firstly we take a look at stone-coated metal. Stone-coated metal roofing systems use aluminum-zinc-alloy-coated steel, covered with ceramic-coated stone granules, and sealed with a polymer coating. These roofing sheets have a deep architectural profile and can mimic the look of asphalt shingles, wood shakes, or clay tiles.

Pros of stone-coated metal roofing

  • In the first place, stone-coated roofing material comes with warranties up to 50 years.
  • In addition, a metal that is coated with stone is rated highly for resistance to winds and fire.
  • Furthermore, corrosion-resistant material is used to make stone-coated metal.

Built-up roofing

Next, we examine built-up roofing. Built-up roofing is one of the oldest of the “modern” roofing options. Advances in technology have made built-up roofs an effective and efficient solution for large building structures. Built-up roofs mainly consist of four layers of material that are laminated together.

Pros of built-up roofing

  • To begin with, built-up roofing is versatile and can be installed over most types of roof decks.
  • Likewise, when built-up roofing is installed well the result is a longer lasting roof, often significantly exceeding service life.
  • Finally, most built-up roofs installed today include a layer of rigid insulation for energy performance.

Solar shingles

We also explore solar shingles as a roofing option. Solar shingles are one of the newest ways to introduce your home to renewable energy. The shingles are small solar panels that replace your roof’s conventional tiles. This enables solar shingles to give your home the benefits of solar power. They’re based on the same photovoltaic cell technology as conventional solar panel grids. They also operate in the same way.

Pros of solar shingles

  • One great benefit of solar shingles is that they create electricity during daylight hours.
  • Another benefit is that it’s the only roofing material that offers a financial return on your investment.

Single-ply roofing

In addition, our next roofing alternative to consider is single-ply roofing. Single-ply roofing is a popular option for commercial buildings and can be used on any slope of a roof. There are two main types of single-ply roofing: thermoset and thermoplastic. Additionally, single-ply roofing also exhibits great flexibility. On top of it, this type of roofing is resistant to UV radiation. The most common application of single-ply roofs is in large roof areas because their large size minimizes the number of seams.

Pros of single-ply roofing

  • The single greatest benefit is that it provides excellent performance under dramatic weather changes.

Standing seam roofing

Lastly, we scrutinize standing seam roofing as an alternative to traditional roofing options. As the name suggests, standing seam roofing is a type of metal roofing made up of vertical panels. Each of the panels has two seams per panel that stand up vertically. Standing seam roofing is commonly available in galvanized steel and copper materials.

Pros of standing seam roofing

  • Firstly, it offers a more finished appearance than conventional metal roofing.
  • It also provides better durability than traditional corrugated metal roofing.

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