One important consideration that is often ignored when it comes to Huntsville roofing is the weight of the roofing material. Roofing materials are available in different weights. Clay, slate and concrete tiles are heavy roofing materials.
When selecting a roofing material, you need to weigh your options carefully. Here are six important factors that you should consider to select the best roofing material for your Huntsville Roofing project.
1. Structural Load
You should know about the estimated structural load that can be placed on the building before selecting a roofing material. The structural load that is measured in pounds per square foot (PSF) includes:
- weight of permanent roof equipment,
- repairmen,
- repair equipment, and
- weather elements such as wind, snow, and rain
The table below shows the structural loads of some of the common roofing materials.
| Roofing Material | PSF |
| Clay | 6.0 – 15.0 |
| Slate (3/8 inch) | 15.0 |
| Concrete | 6.0 – 11.0 |
| Asphalt Shingles | 2.3 – 3.05 |
| Modified Bitumen | 2.0 |
| Copper | 1.50 |
| Plywood | 1.4 |
| Steel (26 Gauge) | 1.13 |
| Aluminum | 0.692 |
You should consult your building codes to know about the allowed structural load on the building. Moreover, your Huntsville Roofers will guide you about the structural load that can be handled by the building.
2. Old Structures
You should select light roofing materials for the aging structure. The reason is that the structural lumber that supports the house may crack and the house foundation may move over time. The integrity and life of the structure can be maintained by using a roofing material with a low weight.
3. Windy Areas
If you live in areas that are prone to wind storms, you should consider installing moderately light. Roofing materials that are suitable for windy areas include shingles and metal roofing.
Heavy roofing materials are not recommended since they become a risk when lifted by high winds. But regardless of the materials you choose, make sure they are properly secured to avoid any risk.
4. Earthquake Prone Areas
Lightweight roofing materials are recommended in areas with a high risk of seismic activities such as in Montana, California, Alaska, and Washington.
Lower weight materials can sustain earthquake damage more as compared to lower weight roofing materials. After the devastating earthquake in Kobe, Japan in 1995, homes with clay and concrete roofing sustained the most damage. The preferred roofing materials for areas with high seismic activities include wood and steel.
5. Fire Prone Areas
Lower weight roofing materials are also recommended for fire-prone areas. The low weight of the roofing materials prevents the roofing material from caving in during a fire. This gives more time for firefighters to extinguish the fire.
Heavier roofs are a great risk and can collapse in the event of a fire. As a result, most firefighters stay outside to contain the fire and don’t enter a building with a heavy roofing material due to the risk of a roof collapse.
6. Insulation
If you don’t live in an old house with windy, fire-prone, or earthquake-prone area, you should consider a heavy roofing material.
Heavy roofing materials have better insulation properties. The thermal mass of these roofing materials is high. The inherent high R-value due to the thermal mass ensures that the heat remains outside during summer and inside the house during winters. This increased energy efficiency results in lower energy bills.
Every roofing material has different characteristics. That’s why you need to select a roofing material carefully. You should talk to a professional Huntsville Roofing Company expert to know which will be the best roofing material for your house.
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