A strong roof is one of the most essential additions to your home, protecting it against storms and strong winds. Choosing the best Cape Cod house roof is a delicate balance between functionality, durability and sustainability.
The Best Materials for Your Cape Cod Style Home
You can choose from a few different roofing materials for your home:
- Asphalt shingles: Asphalt shingles contain a fiberglass base with asphalt and mineral particles on top. Asphalt shingles are great at expanding and stretching with your Cape Cod roof in average weather conditions.
- Cedar shake roof: This roof resembles asphalt shingles but contains natural cedar wood materials. These shingles have three grades — standard, select and 100% straight grain. This roof is often chosen for its aesthetic appeal.
- Metal roofing: This roofing system consists of metal panels joined together to keep moisture out of your ceiling. They interlock and perform as barriers against hurricanes and severe storms.
- Rubber roofing: Durable and long-lasting, this roof is an excellent long-term investment but can absorb heat in summer.
Rolled Roofing
Most rolled roofing is made up of fiberglass mats and asphalt-integrated felt. This roofing material is considered robust for low-slope or flat roofs and buildings like shops, sheds and other structures because of the ease of installation.
Which Type of Roof Is Best for Rolled Roofing?
The types of roofs that will suit rolled roofing include:
- Residential or commercial roofs: If you have a relatively flat roof, this roofing will be easy to install and give maximum protection against water.
- Shed roofs: A rolled top is often used for smaller structures due to its economical and functional solution.
- Porches and canopies: Where the roofing has a slight slope, rolled roofing is excellent for small areas like your patio, garage, porch and canopy.
- Temporary structures: As an affordable and weather-resistant roof, rolled roofing suits short-term structures such as storage sheds and construction site offices.
Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt shingles are the most popular roofing type in Cape Cod due to their variety and accessibility.
Pros of asphalt shingles include:
- Ease of maintenance: Every shingle is easy to replace, which keeps this kind of roof upkeep quick and easy.
- Fits any style: Asphalt shingles come in a flexible variety of styles to increase the curbside appeal of your home.
- Easy to install: This type of roof will be quick and easy to install and won’t require special tools. If you’re in a hurry, asphalt shingles are your best choice.
- Relatively inexpensive: Asphalt shingles are one of the most affordable roofing options, so this is an excellent choice if you’re on a budget.
Some challenges that come with asphalt shingles:
- Installation requirements: Due to the nature of the material, it’s best to install asphalt shingles in warmer temperatures. Doing this in freezing temperatures can damage the shingles.
- Vulnerable to wind uplift: Because shingles are singular roofing structures, they are more susceptible to strong winds, which can cause them to detach.
- Mildew issues: Shingles lay on each other, making them prone to mildew, especially if areas of your roof have poor drainage.
Metal Roofing
Metal roofing is a strong choice for durable protection. There are two types of metal roofing, the most common being the standing seam roof.
Pros of metal roofing are:
- Reliability: Your Cape Cod metal roof will protect your property against heavy snowfall and wildfires.
- Long life span: Provided it’s properly installed and not exposed to rust, metal roofs can have longer life spans than some other types of roofing.
- Virtually maintenance-free: Though metal roofs are maintenance-free, you should still check for penetrations, which could lead to leaks.
- Aesthetic appeal: Metal roofs offer greater protection and are more appealing to the eye. The smoother finish allows your eyes to fall on the cover easily.
Cons of metal roofing include:
- The cost: A metal roof is more expensive than other options.
- Noisy when it rains: You may hear the rain fall on your roof with these roofs. Wood fiber insulation can help, but there’s no foolproof way of blocking the sound entirely.
- Oil canning: This is when the seam metal panels are fastened too tightly together. This process gives your roof panels a wavy look.
Cedar Shake Roof
A cedar shake roof is an exceptional material for your Cape Cod roof as it’s made of natural cedar wood materials. It also serves the same function as asphalt or metal roofs.
Some advantages of cedar shake roofing are:
- Durable in harsh weather: Cedar shake roofs are resistant to stormy winds and are durable during severe storms such as hurricanes.
- Energy efficiency: Due to their natural composition, these roofs provide better natural insulation than other types of roofs.
- Natural beauty: If you decide to sell your house, potential future home buyers will appreciate the natural beauty of your cedar wood as it ages well.
- Long-term investment: Though cedar shake roofs cost more, they’re better in the long run as they generally last longer than asphalt.
The disadvantages of cedar roofing include:
- Regular maintenance: Cedar shake roofs require regular maintenance to prevent mold, moss and mildew buildup.
- Costly: These roofs are considered an upper-market choice because of their durability and appearance, so if you choose this roof, be prepared to see it as a long-term investment.
- Fire concern: Because this roof is composed of wood, it’s important to remember that it’s highly flammable. You can help lessen this concern with the correct maintenance, but it’s worth keeping in mind.
Rubber Roofing
A roof made of rubber material is the best choice if you want a premium quality roof.
There are may pros of rubber roofing, such as:
- Safe and robust: Rubber roofs are fireproof and lightning-proof, making them a safe option.
- Environmentally friendly: A rubber roof will effectively insulate your home due to its insulating capacity. Its sun-reflecting properties can also keep your energy costs down. These roofs are 100% recyclable and made from recycled plastic and rubber.
- Easy installation: A lightweight rubber roof can be easily installed and laid over an existing roof structure.
- Durable: Rubber roofs don’t need seams during installation, so they are very durable. The longevity of a rubber roof is one of its most prominent advantages.
Cons of rubber roofing are:
- Limited designs: With few design and color options, you can only partially match your roof with your aesthetic choice. Your roofing contractor can work with you to get the right rubber type for your project.
- Load bearing: It’s not impossible to walk on a rubber roof, but it will need some extra fortification to bear any heavy load. If you know you’ll need to walk on your cover or temporarily store items, consider additional materials to strengthen it.
Tiger Roofing Inc. Is the Expert in Cape Cod Roofing
Your roof is one of the most significant investments you’ll make on your property, and we at Tiger Roofing Inc. have years of experience installing roofs in Cape Cod and the surrounding areas. Our team of GAF-certified experts can deal with any roofing material you wish to install and we’ll help you choose the best roofing material for your Cape Cod home or business. Call us or request a free estimate for the best roofing installation or repair services.
