Choosing the roofing materials for your Winnipeg home can be an incredibly overwhelming task. With so many different materials on the market and various types of roofs to consider, one of the hardest parts of planning a roof remodel is finding all the information you need to find the perfect roofing material for your home.
How do you know which roofing material is the right material for your next roofing project? Just like you wouldn’t buy a car without researching your options, it’s important to do some research before contacting a contractor and signing a contract for services. By researching your options, you give yourself an advantage when it comes to getting what you want at a fair price.
In this article we’ll explain about the main factors you should consider while choosing the right materials for your next roofing project.
1. Location:
The place where you live is a significant factor while choosing the right materials for your roof.
While in many hotter locations clay shingles are more popular and can stand the heat, here in Winnipeg (or in other colder places) those type of shingles will not survive the winter and snow.
For this reason, asphalt shingles are usually the most popular choice in Manitoba. They are probably the cheapest material used for roofing and can stand the long cold winters of Winnipeg and Manitoba. Asphalt’s lifespan is not that long, and typically you’ll need to replace your roof every 15-18 years.
Another roofing material that can withstand cold weather is cement tiles. Those tiles resemble in look the popular clay tiles but are much heavier than asphalt shingles. This fact means that the structure itself should be sturdy enough to carry the weight, and not all houses in Manitoba are suitable for that.
Lastly, another material which is great for cold weather is slate. Slate tile are expensive and also a bit heavy, but unlike their asphalt counterparts, their lifespan is significantly longer and they can last for over a century (and even longer).
2. Budget:
As always, your budget will probably be the most important factor that will determine the materials you’ll use.
Although here in Manitoba options are pretty limited, mostly because of the extreme weather that we have here, there’s still a wide range of price even within the same category of shingles.
As mentioned above, the cheapest and most popular material used here in Manitoba are asphalt shingles, and they range from a little under $30 per 33.3 sqft, to almost double that with slate shingles.
3. Durability:
Yes, it’s true that your budget plays a major role in your decision of what material should be used for your Winnipeg roofing project, but another factor that should be considered is the shingles’ durability.
Sometime, using cheaper materials in the present might cost a lot in the near future. Although asphalt shingles, the cheapest shingles out there, might have a lifespan of almost 20 years, using a slightly more expensive type of shingle might spare you with the hassle of replacing your roof so often (and yes, 20 years go by).
4. Aesthetics:
We are aware that the extreme Winnipeg weather means that our selection of different roofing materials is poor, but even with that narrow variety there’s a lot to choose from.
When it comes to color of your shingle, think about what will best compliment your house.
Different shingles also come in different shapes and patterns, which give another dimension and texture for your new roof.
5. Get a professional opinion:
Finally, we always recommend that you talk with an expert before any project.
The roofing company you’ll hire will probably be a great source of knowledge, and they can advise you on the best materials that will suite your home, project and budget.
With Manitoba Roofers service, we’ll get you in touch with up to 4 different experienced roofing contractors here in Winnipeg, and you can consult them with any project related question.