Roofing is the covering on top of a structure, which includes structures and materials needed to support it on top of the ground, providing complete protection against natural weather, rain, sunlight, extreme temperatures, and even wind. A roof is often part of a buildings overall envelope. It protects the structural member of a house or building from external threats like wind, rain, or snow. Roofing provides a firm, non-uniform support to the structure, allowing it to bear the maximum amount of pressure that is placed on it.
There are different types of roofing such as single-ply, metal, tile, slate, ceramic, wood, and eco-friendly roofing systems. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Although the materials used for roofing may seem relatively commonplace, there are actually some unique qualities of each type that make it more suitable than some others to certain types of buildings and landscapes. Asphalt shingle roofs are usually the cheapest roofing system available in the market, although it does not offer the best structural support compared to other roofing systems. In addition, it also has the least amount of thermal insulation.
Thermal insulation is very important when choosing a roofing system, especially for buildings in high-risk areas. Asphalt shingle roofs are good at providing thermal insulation, but they cannot be installed under low lying areas or in coastal areas. Most builders prefer asphalt shingles because they offer better thermal insulation properties and they are easy to install. On the other hand, fiberglass is preferred for coastal regions because it can be used both as a roofing system as well as a hot bitumen barrier. This barrier acts as a heat reflective barrier, which reduces air infiltration into the building, thus ensuring better energy efficiency.