Guide to Roofing Materials for Residential Buildings from Gerald Bell's blog

Which residential roofing products are best suited for your project's requirements?

When it comes to roofing products, you have a greater selection than you might expect to have available. Here are some suggestions from IKO roofing professionals to assist you in selecting the best material and maximizing its value.

Is it necessary to cover the roof of a new building or to replace the roof of an existing structure? The most difficult decision to make is which roofing product to select from among the numerous options available.

Sometimes the decision is made for you by the municipality, but in the majority of cases, the decision is made by you, the property owner. Roofing products can be broadly classified into five categories, which we will discuss in more detail below. Take note that not all products are available in every region; therefore, you should check ahead to see what is available in your area. Pricing for roofing products can vary greatly, even within the same category of products. The following suggestions will assist you in getting the most out of your money. We provide average prices as a point of reference. Please keep in mind, however, that prices vary depending on the product chosen and the region in which you live.

Various kinds of roofing materials

Asphalt shingles are a type of roofing material.


In North America, asphalt shingles are the most popular roofing material for a variety of reasons, including the fact that they are inexpensive (while also providing good value over their lifetime), easy to install, maintain, and repair, and available in a variety of color styles.

Asphalt shingles, on the other hand, have been widely distributed throughout North America. As a result, it is simple to find a diverse selection. Aside from that, IKO recommends that they be installed by a professional roofer.

There are an increasing number of different types of residential products available on the market today. Despite the fact that our association's member contractors are trained and qualified to install a variety of roofing products, asphalt shingles are still the most commonly used roofing material for steep-pitched roofs by our professionals.

coating made of metal



Large sheets of metal roof coverings (typically aluminum or rolled steel) are also available, as are tiles in various sizes. These are the most common types of metal roofs, while small embossed metal panels, which were introduced decades ago to mimic the appearance of shingles, are also popular. Steel plates, in contrast to asphalt shingles, must be rust-proofed before they can be installed. The factory is in charge of this type of processing.

Copper has been used as a roof covering for a long time, primarily due to its water resistance and malleable nature. Many historic buildings have copper roofs that have developed a patina over time.

shingles (plural)

Shingles are one of the most traditional roofing materials in North America, having been used for thousands of years. They have the ability to transform your home into a rustic country retreat. The most commonly used wood type is cedar, which is favored for its natural oils, which provide it with exceptional resistance to severe weather conditions.

The term "cedar shingles" refers to two different types of production methods: shake shingles and saw shingles, which refer to whether the plank is obtained by splitting a piece of wood or sawing Metal roofing into shingles, respectively. Untreated pine shingles first appeared in North America in the 1980s, but they were quickly discovered to be inadequate.

mineral brick with a hard texture

This type of building is more common in the southern state of Selangor, where rigid concrete or clay bricks are available in a variety of colors and contours (in the industry, the word "contour" is used in reference to the shape of the tile or pebbles). The installation of these tiles necessitates the use of sophisticated technology, accessories, and specialized tools, which are best left to professional contractors rather than attempted by the general public.

It may be necessary to install a pest screen between some tiles, such as large channel-type tiles, if there is sufficient space between the tile and the floor to allow unwanted wildlife to pass through.

Visit the Tile Roofing Institute website for a comprehensive overview of the features and benefits of mineral tile, as well as the most recent installation manuals.