5 Best Roofing Options in Southern California
It can be tough and time-consuming when it comes to choosing the best roofing option that works best for your house. And along with all the research you do and the information you gather, you must also consider the best roofing options that work best for the southern California climate. A lot of the information can be quite overwhelming and stressful, but fear no more as this article will break down the 5 best roofing options to consider for your house.
Option 1 – Asphalt Shingle Roof
In terms of low budget and popularity, your best bet in choosing a roofing material is the asphalt shingle since it’s affordable and offers a variety of shingles to choose from. It all comes down to your budget and how you want your roof to look. Asphalt shingles can either be 3-tab, dimensional, or luxury. Most people tend to opt for dimensional shingles today as well as luxury-style shingles which do cost more than the 3-tab.
Option 2 – Standing seam metal roof
Initially, there are two types of metal roofs but a standing seam metal roof is recommended for residential roofing in Southern California. A standing seam metal roof is a series of metal panels that are locked together at the seams or seamed mechanically. When the metal heats up, it allows for the metal panels to expand and contract freely. Metal roofs are versatile, meaning you can get it as a full roof system and add a standing seam metal roof accent to the asphalt roof replacement for a covered porch, dormers, etc.
Option 3 – Cedar Shake Roof
A premium roof system made of natural wood- cedar is considered to be an aesthetically pleasing roofing material. It is literally made from cedar trees with the actual shingles being cut into 2-foot sections and hand-split or sawed into a tapered thickness. A downside to this aesthetic roofing is that since cedar shake shingles are naturally made, there’s no manufacturer warranty on the materials if they fall prematurely. Ask your roofing contractor whether it is a perfect fit for your specific area in Southern California before investing in a cedar shake roof.
Option 4 – Composite (synthetic) shingle roof
A newcomer to the roofing industry – composite shingles are becoming popular more and more daily which are made of recycled materials like rubber and plastics. Some composite shingles are also made out of an engineered polymer instead of recycled materials. The great thing about these shingles is that they are unique because they’re designed to look exactly like a cedar shake roof or slate roof. No one will be able to tell the difference from the ground and is an excellent option for those on a budget for their roofing.
Option 5 – Slate roof
The slate roof itself is mined mostly in Italy and cut into square tiles that must be installed themselves one at a time, unlike other roofing materials that come in metal panels or 3-foot wide strips. It is a premium roof system made primarily out of natural slate tiles. If you choose to install a slate roof as a replacement to your old one, keep in mind that the installation process itself is very slow and expensive! And since these tiles are so heavy, your home also has to be built, framed, or retrofitted to carry the weight of the tiles. The pro to this roofing option is that the quality is superb and if you do choose to go with it, note that it will be the last roof you ever need to install for your home.
And the winner is?
There really is no winning roofing option for houses in Southern California other than the fact that it is strongly recommended to choose based on your housing situation, aesthetic preferences, and budgeting. If you have a hard time choosing the best roofing option for you then make sure to hire a contractor who can thoroughly inspect your home and provide the best option for your home.
