Now of course there are some specialized types of roofing materials such as slate, copper or even tar and gravel, but the most common type of roofing product is the three-tab shingle. Almost everyone recognizes the speckled asphalt shingles, but what you may not know is how many varieties there really are. There are numerous choices in colour, texture, longevity and price ranges. There is the standard flat-colour product, but now other options are available. For example, there is a laminated shingle that mimics the look of shake with its colour texturing and style. This product is available with 30, 40 and even 50 - year warranties, dependant upon which type the homeowner chooses. Therefore if asphalt shingles will be what graces your roof, at least you know there are various styles and qualities available.

The next most recognized roofing material is wood shake or shingle. Although there are several kinds of wood available, the preferred tree for this type of roofing is cedar. Valued for its ability to stand the test of time, cedar unlike pine, has natural oils that repel water and insects, and also provides a natural fungicide. Cedar also has fewer incidences of cracking and warping due to our dry climate. Of course, just like asphalt, there are different degrees of quality available to builders.

Another popular roofing product is concrete tile. This product is usually chosen for its aesthetic value, and in some newer communities the whole neighbourhood has this on every home. There are fewer colour choices but the life expectancy of this type of product is much greater than some others. Unfortunately tiles can get broken, but overall, weather damage is minimal and let’s face it, the resale value on these homes is definitely increased.

Tile is a great fire-retardant, which improves the safety of the home. In the past one of the drawbacks to tile was the fact that it was quite heavy which would require the reinforcement of structures. However, lighter more versatile products are now on the market so tile has once again become a popular choice, especially in higher-end neighbourhoods.

Another product with incredible technological advances being made every day is steel or aluminium roofing. Once considered loud and visually unappealing, this type of roofing is now anything but. Now available in various styles and colours, several companies have developed products that are both durable and beautiful to look at. One such product is Decra stone coated steel. This product utilizes a lightweight zinc/aluminium alloy coated steel, and is then covered with ceramic-coated stone granules and sealed with a polymer coating. This roofing system can be made to look like shingle, shake or ceramic tile, which makes it appealing to many homeowners. It’s lighter than tile, more durable than asphalt and has a very high fire-rating. The cost is obviously higher than regular asphalt shingles, but is comparable in price to cedar shake. However, the more money you invest into a roofing system, the more you will get out of the resale value on your home.

Doug McPhail, Sales Manager for Enercon Roof Products says that many homeowners choose the minimum standard out of the roofing options that they are given on new homes. “Most people spend the extra money on what they can see or use in their home,” says McPhail. “What you should do is choose the best product with the best warranty you can, because in the long run it will save you money on re-roofing costs.”

The unfortunate thing about settling when it comes to your roof, is that by the time you have problems with it, there can be costly structural damage. So the best thing to do when given choices in the quality of your future roof is to think about the future. Different communities may offer different types of roofing systems, but each system has its high end and lower end, so it might be wise to know more about what’s going to be over your head.