Comparison of Different Roof Materials

When your roof must be replaced, this is a good opportunity to upgrade the roofing materials you choose for your house. It’s highly likely that if your home is old or you can’t remember the last time your roof was replaced, only basic and old materials were picked. There are many actions to take when you are picking the proper material for your new roof. You ideally want to look for a solid roof as well as one that looks great and matches your home’s style. Tar shingles are the most common roofing material chosen, but we’ll also discuss some other roofing choices so you can make a thoughtful decision. Even asphalt roofs come in several subcategories. 

Asphalt Shingle Roofs

Asphalt shingles are also another common roofing option. 80% of the houses across the nation employ asphalt shingles. The primary reason they are used by most roofing contractors is their cost. Asphalt shingles are the lowest cost option when it comes to getting a new roof. Asphalt shingles typically fall into two types: asphalt shingles, strip shingles, dimensional shingles, and architectural ones. 3tal shingles are the most fundamental kind of asphalt shingles. They are commonly used to control roofing costs and they come in a wide range of shades and finishes. However, they are not as durable as other materials and won’t protect your house much from harsh weather conditions. Architectural shingles are of better quality and appearance compared to common asphalt shingles. Architectural types are multi-dimensional, something that adds to their durability and good looks as well. They are more costly compared to other asphalt shingle types but they last more and look more appealing. Architectural shingles are slowly rising in popularity among homeowners today. 

Metal Roofs

Metal roofs are also another roofing material option. Like other materials, these come with their pros and cons. Metal roofs can look very appealing but they make noise when struck by a heavy storm. They are also more costly compared to common asphalt shingle roofs. Their biggest strength is their high durability as they typically last anywhere from 40-75 years. A downside of metal roofs is that in the San Diego region which is often hit by hail storms, small dents may appear on the roof’s surface and make it look less appealing–however, most dents that may form will not look so obvious provided that the hail storm damage is not extended. You may choose between metal roofs that resemble clary barrel tiles, slate tiles, and wooden shake. 

 

Natural and Artificial Slate

Slate is a choice that was traditionally used several decades ago but now it has become a luxury roofing material. Additionally, the weight of slate shingles generates the urgency of keeping a solid framing structure. Slate roofs look very appealing and are highly long-lasting. Because of the heavy burden of shingles and the high cost of picking a slate, it has become a less common roofing option today except for rich homes. 

Artificial slate is typically fabricated from recycled rubber and plastic materials and is very durable. It’s also more lightweight than natural slate. Additionally, while it looks identical to natural slate, it’s a less costly option. With fake slate, you can enjoy high durability and appealing looks at a lower cost than its natural counterpart. 

 

Wooden shakes and shingles

Wooden shakes and shingles were once a roofing option that looked very appealing but they aren’t so widely used today because of their low fire tolerance. Many local authorities impose limitations that ban the use of wooden shingles on roofs. However, if you like their look, you can get fake wooden shingles. 

 

Concrete & Clay Tiles

Concrete tiles are a quite solid choice. They weigh more than others and will require a more powerful framing system to tolerate the weight of the tiles. They look very attractive and are fire-proof. You may find these in the form of barrel-type shapes over a roof but many of these can also resemble a compact form of roofing that resembles a slate shingle. Clay tiles are generally highly durable but they are costly. 

How To Get Rid Of Mold From Roof Shingles

Mold can be found almost anywhere there is a lot of humidity such as near leaky gutters, humid basements, and even over your roof. With an apparent dark greenish tint, algae and mold can eventually damage your roof shingles and lead to rot and an ugly appearance. Mold on roof shingles may also emerge in the form of brack spots or stains, which is typically seen in warmer climates exposed to hot and humid summers. 

Clearing fungus, moss, mildew, and all the relevant stains from a roof is a challenging task. Hence, several homeowners seek trusted roofing experts to do the hard work. However, if you still think you can do this yourself, make sure you spare some time to guard your property and collect the proper equipment and tools for the task. Learn how to get rid of mold from roof shingles yourself and always seek a professional if you are unsure of the process. 

 

Protect your house and garden

You can remove mold from your roof shingles using a generic bleach product. However, this is often toxic to the environment that surrounds your property. As the bleach may probably escape the roof and run down the house outside, you should take all necessary measures to protect your home property from the side effects of bleach. Preferably, you should shield all plants, equipment, and other objects in your garden to mitigate the damaging effects of bleach. 

You’ll also have to do some basic maintenance work to prevent the formation of excess moss and algae. Begin by cutting off some hanging tree branches to enable direct sunlight. This sets a less welcoming setting for mold to develop. Additionally, you should spare some time to do periodic checks of any dirt and debris that falls on your roofs such as twigs, leaves, and others. You should also keep your gutters cleaned often to enable good water release. You should also consider getting some copper or zinc lines to your roof to stop moss and algae formation. If you choose to upgrade your roof at some point, go for asphalt shingles with mold-resistant properties. 

 

How To Get Rid Of Mold From Roof Shingles

 

Prepare a bleach solution

While you wear some protective gloves and a mask, dissolve ¼ part of bleach into a clean bucket or bowl with ¾ part water. Next, add a tbsp of trisodium phosphate to the bleach and pour it into a pump sprayer. Spray generously the roof spots affected with mold with the solution. 

 

Wash away the bleach mixture

Once you spray the shingles with the bleach solution, let the bleach sit for around 15-30 minutes (depending on the level of mold found). Use an external hose at low pressure and rinse all the roof shingles carefully to get wash away the bleach. When you do this, begin at the top affected shingle and work at downright mode. While you wear your gloves, pass your fingers around the shingles. If they feel slimy, coat them with the bleach for another time and let it sit for another 10 minutes then rinse again.