Your Complete Guide to Roof Types, Styles, Materials, and More
As you evaluate roofing options for your home, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by all the terminology. From the various roof types, materials, and components to the different styles and structures used in roofing, it can be difficult to keep everything straight.
At Skyline Contracting, our goal is to be a go-to roofing resource for homeowners in Gainesville, GA. We make it a priority to educate our customers on their options so they can make a fully informed decision for their home.
So to help homeowners better understand their roof and choose the right materials for their roof replacement, here’s our full A-to-Z guide to the terms you’ll encounter in planning a roofing project.
Roofing Materials
One of the most essential things for homeowners to understand is the various types of materials available for their roof. The material you choose for your roof replacement will have a major impact on its longevity, energy efficiency, and how well it stands up against storm damage. The most common roofing materials used in roofing projects include:
- Asphalt Shingles – The most common roofing material, asphalt shingles are straightforward to install and affordable. While not the most long-lived or durable, premium shingle varieties can provide excellent storm damage resistance and last up to 30 years.
- Wood Shake – Wood shake protects your home while lending it a natural, rustic aesthetic. Most commonly available in cedar, wood shake roofing is also inexpensive to maintain.
- Tile Roofing – Here in Gainesville, where we commonly experience extreme heat and strong storms, tile roofing is an excellent choice. While more expensive upfront to install, clay, slate, and concrete tile all provide excellent insulation and last for decades—often up to 50–100 years or more with proper maintenance.
- Metal Roofing – Metal roofing has grown in popularity among roof types used in residential projects. Available in a wide range of styles and colors, metal roofing is incredibly durable and lasts a very long time.
- Single-Ply Roofing – These materials, which include TPO, EPDM, and modified bitumen, are much more common in commercial roofing. However, homes with flat sections of roof may need these materials to complete their roofing system.
Roof Styles & Types
Did you know the style of your roof can impact which materials may be best for your roof, as well as the cost of a replacement? More complex roofing styles generally take longer to replace, and roofs with very steep or shallow pitches may impact what products can be installed. Here are a few common roof styles:
- Gable Roof – A gable roof is the simplest and straightforward design and is probably the first style most people imagine when they think “roof.”
- Hip Roof – Another straightforward roof style is the hip roof. These roofs have equal slopes on all four sides that meet in the middle at the roof’s ridge.
- Gambrel Roof – If you can imagine the shape of a barn’s roof, it’s most likely a gambrel roof. This is a roof with two sides, each featuring a steep and a shallow slope to give it an almost curved appearance as it goes up and over.
- Mansard Roof – Taking inspiration from French architecture, the mansard roof is like a gambrel roof but with roofing on all four sides—each side having a shallow and a steep pitch.
- Flat and Low-Slope Roofs – Most commonly seen in commercial roofing, some modern or contemporary-style homes may have a flat or low-slope roof, giving the home a more geometric appearance.
Key Roof Components
Do you know the parts that make up your roof? While not universal, many roof types will have most or all of these components:
- Flashing – These metal strips are installed around various seams and gaps in the roofing system, such as around skylights, chimneys, roof valleys, and other vulnerable areas.
- Fascia & Soffits – These components run along the roof’s edge, protecting the underside of the roof from water and adding to the overall aesthetic. Fascia are vertical and face outward; soffits run along the underside of the eave.
- Underlayment – The underlayment goes between your shingles and the roof decking to provide added insulation and water-resistance.
- Decking – The foundational layer of your roof is the decking. This will be plywood or OSB, and it’s the portion of the roof that all other components are attached to.
Skyline Contracting: Experts in All Roof Types
No matter what style or material your roof is made from, our team at Skyline Contracting has the expertise to repair, replace, and maintain it. If you’re considering a roof replacement, it’s important to evaluate the various roof types and determine which materials will best suit your needs and your budget.
Not ready to make this decision yourself? Our expert roofers can complete a full inspection and provide recommendations on what will work best for your home. Reach out today to get started.
