What Are the Best Roofing Materials for North Carolina

Your roof is there to protect your home from the elements. It’s therefore essential to choose the right roofing material for your home when you get a new roof. There are pros and cons to each type of roofing material, so it’s important to look at the weather in your location when choosing roofing materials. So what’s the best type of roofing material for North Carolina?

Start by Considering the Weather

North Carolina can get warm and humid in the summer. It also sees some snow in winter, but not usually more than a few inches except for in the mountains. North Carolina does, however, get hurricanes. It’s actually the third most hurricane-prone state in the United States, after Florida and Texas. North Carolina sees the most hurricanes out of any state that isn’t on the Gulf of Mexico. Even though the rest of North Carolina’s weather may be mild, it’s essential to choose a roofing material that can withstand a hurricane.

What Are the Best Types of Roofing Materials for North Carolina?

Depending on where you live in North Carolina, shingles and metal roofs are both good options. If you live in an area that is more hurricane-prone, then a metal roof will hold up better under the wind and rain of hurricanes. If your area isn’t prone to hurricanes, then a shingle roof may also be a good option.

Metal Roofing

Pros of Metal Roofs

There are many advantages to having a metal roof:

• Environmentally friendly
• Heightened longevity (up to 70 years)
• Higher durability (may withstand winds of up to 140 mph)
• Fire-resistance
• Energy-efficiency

Metal roofs can last for a very long time (roughly 70 years). They’re also durable enough to withstand the winds of most hurricanes and are resistant to fire caused by lightning strikes..

On top of that, metal roofs are more energy-efficient because they reflect more of the sun’s rays than a shingle roof. Plus they’re often made out of recycled materials and can be recycled in full when replaced.

Cons of Metal Roofs

Despite their advantages, there are some downsides to metal roofs:

• Higher cost
• Noisiness when it rains
• Color inconsistency if repairs are needed
• Fasteners will degrade faster than the roof
• Rusting if water pools

Metal roofs may last for a long time, but the initial costs to install them can be higher than other types of roofing material. Another downside is that they can be noisier than shingles in the rain or hail. Plus, if a metal roof isn’t installed properly, it’s possible for water to pool on it, which could result in rusting.

Shingle Roofing

Pros of Shingle Roofs

Another good option for North Carolina homeowners is a shingle roof. The advantages of shingle roofs include:

• More affordable than other options
• Easy to install
• Easy to replace
• Easy to color match during repairs

Shingles are very versatile. They come in a variety of colors and when you eventually have to replace them, it’s likely you’ll find a perfect or near perfect match. They’re also easy to install andreplace over time.

Cons of Shingle Roofs

Shingle roofs also have some disadvantages:

• Lower longevity
• Not as durable as other options
• More vulnerable to wind uplift
• More susceptible to cracking
• Must be installed in warm weather
• Fairly common

A lot of people have shingle roofs. This means that if you’re going for a more unique look for your home, a shingle roof won’t help. They also don’t last as long as a metal roof and are less durable in rough weather. This is especially true in hurricanes, which have strong winds that could lift shingles on your roof.

Which Type of Roofing Material Is Best for Your Home?

The type of roofing material that is best for your home depends on your location. If you’re in a more hurricane-prone area of North Carolina, then you may want to consider a metal roof. These are more expensive to install, but are more durable and can in the long run help to lower your repair and replacement costs as well as your energy costs. Shingles can be a great option if your home isn’t as at risk for hurricanes. They’re less durable and don’t last as long as a metal roof, but they look great. Plus shingles are more affordable.

If you’re in the market for a new roof for your North Carolina home, contact us to get the process started. We can answer any questions you have about which roofing material will be best for your home and circumstances. From there we can provide you with an estimate and you’ll be one step closer to a beautiful new roof.

For informational purposes only.