When choosing anything for your home, you’re likely to want to explore your options. Be it a new kitchen cabinet colour, wallpaper style or floor coverings. But arguably, there’s no decision more important than that of your roof materials.
Roofing serves an essential function: keeping the weather out of your property, allowing it to withstand everything from the baking sun to howling storms. It also enhances your home’s exterior appeal, reduces the likelihood of pests entering, and protects your family and assets.
In short, picking between the various roofing materials available can feel like a weighty decision, especially if you haven’t done it before. That’s where we come in. This blog post is for any homeowner who feels slightly at sea with the different roof material types, so read on and learn how to pick the best one for you.
A Review of Roof Materials
Before we crack into the decision-making portion of today’s blog, let’s unpack the various roofing materials available in New Zealand. There are many niche options that you can discuss with your roofer, but broadly speaking, these are the types that are most suited to our climate.
Long-Run Steel Roofing
Long-run steel is a hugely popular choice in Aotearoa, and for good reason. It stands up to the high rainfall and UV exposure across both islands, especially when installed by experienced professionals. Despite myths that “metal roofs are noisy,” properly insulated long-run roofing is often quieter than traditional tile or asphalt options.
Concrete or Clay Tiles
Concrete and clay tiles have long been used in roofing thanks to their timeless appearance and sturdy construction. However, they’re heavy, meaning your roof structure must be engineered to support the weight. In windy or earthquake-prone areas, this might be something to consider.
Asphalt Shingles
Although not as popular in NZ as elsewhere, asphalt shingles are gaining popularity in some suburban developments. They’re a good option for homeowners looking for short—to mid-term solutions on a budget. However, they don’t hold up as well in high UV or wet conditions unless replaced regularly.
Membrane and Bitumen Roofing
Finally, we have membrane and bitumen roofing. This is a frontrunner in the commercial roof materials game, but rarely used on pitched residential roofs. Of the various roofing materials available, they can be cost-efficient and a fairly good option for waterproofing a flat-roofed home, but they generally need more frequent checks to avoid puddling.
As you can see, there are plenty of roof material types. Each has unique applications, and one is perfect for New Zealand homes. And while you do not need to become an expert, it pays to have these clear in your mind. Now, let’s unpack how to make the right call for your home’s specific needs.
How to Choose Your Roof Materials
Consider the climate.
If you’ve lived here for any amount of time, then we don’t have to tell you how temperamental Aotearoa’s climate can be. Any of the various roofing materials we’ve outlined above can stand up to the mid-range climate in this country, but if you’re somewhere that faces snow or gale-force winds each year, you might need to consider which roof materials are best-suited to that kind of protection. Coastal homes, particularly, benefit from corrosion-resistant options like long-run metal roofing from brands like COLORSTEEL.
Think about maintenance.
How often do you want to call your roofing team to get up on a ladder to give your roof a once-over? Some roof materials require much more work to maintain their integrity. For example, while shingles can be cheaper to install than metal roofing, the latter will hold up for much longer with minimal maintenance.
Know your budget.
Finally, no one knows your budget better than you. Of the roof material types out there, which aligns best with your current financial situation and your potential in the future? The key here is realism. Balance what you can afford now with what you’re willing to spend on maintenance long-term, as investing slightly more upfront can often cut down on maintenance costs later.
There you have it! A quick and easy guide to choosing between various roofing materials. Long-run roofing is the clear frontrunner of all the roof material types we’ve unpacked above. It’s lightweight, strong, sheds water in high rainfall seasons, and keeps your home looking sleek and modern. It’s the perfect intersection of form and function that every Kiwi homeowner needs from their roof materials, one that will seriously go the distance.
And if you’re still not sure? Well, that’s what we’re here for.
Invest in durable, stylish long-run roofing with the team at Solution Roofing.
At Solution Roofing, we’re all about completing work on time, on budget, and on brief. Our qualified, organised team can take on residential roofing tasks of all sizes, with years of experience ensuring you get exactly what you’re after without the hassle.
We specialise in long-run roofing, so if you’re after a durable and stylish option that will last the years with minimal maintenance, get in touch for a free quote today.