When you are viewing a luxury home, determining what features to emphasize when selling, or simply planning to make some home improvements, it often helps to take a look at the roof of the house and determine whether it fits your needs. Roofs change in remarkable ways from house to house, and knowing the long-term value of the type of material on your roof can be very helpful. Consider the three common roofing types here and weigh the pros and cons carefully.
Metal
If you are looking into a modern luxury home, you have a high chance of encountering houses with metal roofs. Metal requires very little maintenance and is extremely light when compared to other roofing materials. If you want to upgrade your shingled roof to metal, you can often even lay the metal on top of your current roof, needing only a bare minimum of stripping and preparation. One thing you do need to make sure of, however, is that such a roof is extremely well secured, especially if your home is in an area that gets high winds, as is the case with much of Colorado. Overall, a metal roof is an excellent choice for those who want something that is both reliable and modern.
Asphalt
Asphalt shingles are one of the most commonly used roofing materials in North America due to the fact that they are easy to install and low on cost. However, you probably won’t see as many asphalt shingles on true luxury homes because those who have money to spend on better roofing materials typically do so. Asphalt is durable and effective, but generally has a lifespan of 20 to 25 years, which is far below metal or slate. It also is a relatively modern roofing material, so it lacks the character that a slate roof does. Somebody hoping to improve a luxury home before selling might want to change out asphalt tiles for something more effective if they have the opportunity.
Slate
Slate roofs are fairly rare these days, but they are found with higher frequency in luxury homes. That is because they provide a lot of character to a home, since they were used frequently as a roofing material in older homes. Slate tiles tend to be heavy, but they can withstand more extreme temperatures and are generally the most durable sort of roofing material around. Many people have moved to more modern roofing materials because there are fewer and fewer people out there who know how to install and repair slate roofs. However, owners of luxury homes also tend to have more resources when getting exactly what they want, so slate is more commonly found on these houses.
The exact type of roofing material you choose probably depends on your ultimate vision for your luxury home. Whether you are a buyer or seller of a luxury home, though, it certainly helps to know about modern roofing options. That way you can make sure your house is ready from the top down.