Roof Options For New Home Construction

Roof Options For New Home ConstructionBy Jill PhilipsWhen designing a new home, or looking to update an existing home, one of the biggest considerations you will need to make involves the roof of the home. For many people, the roof of the home is somewhat of an afterthought until a leak springs in the roof and maintenance must be performed. The roof has a bigger job, however, than just keeping the home dry. It also is a big contributor to the overall look of the house. When building a new home, remodeling, or adding a new addition, you have many options when it comes to roofing. Let's look at the most popular roof options on today's market. Asphalt Shingles Most of the roofs in the U.S. are covered in asphalt shingles – which are standard "three tab" shingles that are among the least expensive options available. Asphalt shingles are available in dozens of colors that are either solid or blended with other colors for a 3-D effect. Most asphalt shingles carry a fairly good guarantee (average of around 20 years or so), which makes them a good buy for most homeowners. The principle advantage to using asphalt shingles for your roof is the great value that you get for your money, which is one reason they are so common; inversely, if you are looking for a unique look, asphalt shingles are very common so you're not going to be "going against the grain" in your home design. A bit pricier asphalt shingle is the architectural shingle, which is about twice as thick as the normal asphalt shingle and is installed in staggers that give them a layered look. Some of these shingles resemble wood or slate. Wood Shingles From an aesthetic point of view, a wood shingle roof is very appealing to many homeowners, and wood shingles tend to weather out to a soft silver or gray that gives the home an inviting appeal. Cedar is the most common species of wood that is used for wood shingles, which are relatively smooth in appearance and cut to be uniformly thick and in varying widths.

New Home Builders Loudoun County Va