Once you've decided to go ahead with a roof replacement, you need to select a cladding material. Two standard options are tiles and metal sheets, both of which are explained below.
Tiles
If you like a textured roof, you could consider tiles. They're typically made from concrete or terracotta in reds, oranges, greys and creams. The colour of a terracotta tile extends throughout, so it won't chip or flake. On the other hand, some concrete tiles can fade as they're covered in a paint layer. Both materials help to regulate a home's temperature by absorbing solar heat and releasing it hours later at night, keeping the building warm as you sleep. You can also cover the tiles with a reflective coat to bounce heat away instead if you live in a hot region.
Tiles form a relatively heavy top once they cover the roof area, so your home will need a solid structure to carry them. If you're swapping from lighter metal to heavier tiles during your roof replacement, your contractor will need to assess your house and check whether it needs reinforcement.
Metal Sheets
Another possibility for your roof replacement is metal sheeting. While you may associate this material with contemporary homes, it also harmonises with period houses. In fact, some metal roofs come in specific hues to match different eras. You'll have a wide spectrum to pick from, including red, green, blue, grey and cream. The corrugations on the sheets add visual texture to the roofing and stop them from looking bland. Of course, the grooves and channels also direct the rainwater to the gutters. You may wonder whether metal sheets will rust out in the rain. However, they're covered in alloy coats and polyester paint layers that shield the roof from the elements. As a result, they usually last for decades.
Heat can pass through the roof into the building below if it's not supported with insulation. However, similar to tiles, you can cover metal roofing in a reflective coating to bounce the heat away. Bear in mind that paler colours are more heat reflective than darker hues, so a cream roof will be cooler than a charcoal one, for example. Additionally, metal is relatively lightweight, so if your building is old or has a vast, expansive roof area to cover, they'll put minimum pressure on the building structure. Lightweight roof cladding is also easier to install. Contractors can move it about and hoist it up to the top of the house with fewer problems.
To learn more about available options, contact a roof replacement service.
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