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When choosing a new roof most homeowners desire a roof that is not too expensive, requires no maintenance and lasts forever. Should be simple, right? Not necessarily. With all of the roofing options out there the process can get complicated.

An average roof is replaced or repaired every ten years. Choosing the correct roofing material for your home from the start is critical in order to minimize the long term costs as well as the environmental damage caused by having made the wrong choice and needing to re-roof over in a few years.

Now that you know you need a new roof, it is the perfect time to make some changes that could benefit you in the long run. Choosing the correct material to roof your home can lower your heating and cooling costs, while increasing your homes curb appeal.

Also don't forget that your roof is your first line of defense against the weather, so choose ahead of time a roof that is durable and that won't fail in extreme weather just when you need it most.

Following below are the benefits and drawbacks of some common roofing materials. Composition Shingles, Clay Tile and Slate, Wood Shingle and Shakes and Metal.uide

Composition Shingles

Composition shingles are the most common roofing material in North America. They are made of either fiberglass or rag mat with asphalt, which is then covered with colored mineral granules.

While they have a low installation cost, low maintenance and some types can provide good fire protection, composition shingles will protect your home for on average between 10 - 15 years. This material can be easily damaged by high winds, causing the shingles to blow off. High heat, heavy rains and other weather factors can cause curling, cracking and streaking of the shingles, which deteriorates your roofs effectiveness. An average home with composition shingles will have to re-roof many times over its lifetime, all creating waste that will need to be disposed of in the environment

Clay Tile & Slate

Clay tile and slate is commonly chosen for its appearance. Tile for the ability to provide homes with a southwestern, Italian or Spanish Mission design and slate is often seen on more upscale homes. They are natural substances, won't burn, won't be as affected by the elements, wind, rain or insects, the way organic material would and they are very low maintenance.

Installing clay tile or slate on an average home can be very expensive due to the complicated nature of the installation and the cost of the material itself. One common finding when installing clay tile or slate is that extra roof support systems are needed due to the extremely high weight of these materials. Even with the added support the weight of these materials can contribute to total building collapse in the event of structural fire or earthquake. It should also be noted that both tile and slate are very fragile, they will crack and break if walked on, which can make regular maintenance such as cleaning out gutters or painting difficult. If the tiles loosen in high wind situations, they may blow loose and cause damage to other structures. Colors may fade over time and there is a high cost associated with replacing them.

Wood Shingles & Shakes

Wood shingles and shakes provide a natural look to your home; they are commonly made out of western red cedar, red wood or cypress. Wood can offer energy benefits as it helps to insulate the attic.

Installing wood shingles or shakes is complicated and should only be undertaken by a professional. These materials are generally chosen for looks and not durability. Unlike 25 years ago, these products are now being manufactured from second growth wood which means the wood can become brittle and shrink, causing the roof to be compromised. There is also a high level of maintenance to monitor as mold, rot, insects and rodents can be a problem leading to costly repairs. Finally many wood roofing materials are unrated by fire safety codes.

Metal Roofing

Today's metal roofing can provide you with any style or color that would complement your home perfectly. Aluminum can be shaped to look like Tile, Slate, Shingle or Shake.

While the initial cost of a metal roof is higher then some other roofing materials, it should save you money in the long run. In some states due to the high impact resistance to hail for example, a metal roof can lower your homeowners insurance. Metal will also not be affected by extreme weather the way organic roofing materials will, aluminum won't deteriorate. With the lightweight benefits of metal your roof won't need increased structure when installing and can decrease the chances of roof collapse, during an earthquake, heavy snow or fire damage. Most metal roofing products are Class A fire rated, which protects your home from flying embers should fire threaten.