Keep it Light: Choosing Lightweight Roofing
Your roof is what protects your home from the elements and provides essential insulation to keep temperatures well regulated. So, having a high quality roof is essential. When choosing a roof, there are countless factors to consider when it comes to roofing: style, color, and material tend to get the most attention. However, the weight of your roof is also a critical factor to keep in mind.
Why Does Roof Weight Matter?
Although you may not realize it, the weight of your roof is important to think about. Roofs range in weight from very heavy to light weight, depending on the materials. The roof of a 2,500-square-foot home can weigh anywhere from 1,750 pounds to upwards of 50,000 pounds, as crazy as it may seem. It is not something you expect when you look at a home, but the true weight of roofing can be incredibly surprising, which is why choosing your roof materials carefully is so critical.
The heavier a roof is, the more strain it puts on a home's structure. If a home isn't capable of supporting that weight, or if it is an older home, it can slowly give out under the roof, which is a safety concern. This is why light weight roofing has become an increasingly popular option.
3 Factors that Affect a Roof's Weight
1. Material
The biggest factor that affects the weight of a roof is the material. While asphalt is generally an average weight material, other options weigh significantly more. By far, the heaviest roofing options are clay tiles and slate.
2. Size
Another factor to keep in mind is the size of the roof. The bigger the roof, then more material is needed. This also means that the bigger the roof, the heavier it will be, regardless of what material you choose.
3. Installation
In most cases, roofing materials have no interlocking features and few fasteners that secure them to the home. As a result, two main things help keep a roof in place: gravity, and the weight of the roof. Without the weight, the tiles or shingles would be more susceptible to being blown away by winds because there is not much securing them to the roof.
Benefits of Light Weight Roofing
The Weight
Of course, the most obvious benefit to a light weight roof is the weight. Compared to other roofing options, light weight roofs weigh virtually nothing.
Easier Installation
Because a light weight roof weighs significantly less than other roofing options, it is much easier to manage, and therefore, install. Workers will struggle less with the material and take less time to install the whole roof.
More Affordable
Light weight roofs cost less in every way. The product itself is more affordable than other roofing options, it is cheaper to ship across the country, and it is much cheaper to install. So, you can save thousands on a light weight roof installation.
More Environmentally Friendly
The effect a roof's weight can have on the environment is often overlooked. But, the truth is that heavier roofs can negatively impact the environment due to the increased carbon emissions needed for transportation. A light weight roof wouldn't require the same output, making it a better option. Light weight roofs are generally made using environmentally friendly or sustainable materials as well.
Tips for Choosing a Light Weight Roof
1. Consider Your Preferred Style
Like with any style of roof, light weight roofing comes in a wide range of styles. One of the first things to consider is what style you want for your home. Luckily, no matter what style you like, there is a light weight option for you–one popular option is synthetic cedar shakes.
2. Keep Your Location in Mind
While the style is one thing to consider, you also need to keep your location in mind. States like California and Colorado have specific building requirements that homes must meet, so it is important to know those requirements.
3. Research the Materials
There are a few different light weight roofing material options on the market. Metal and other synthetic materials are the two most common, and each has its own benefits. When considering materials, you want to weigh the pros and cons of each for any material you may consider.
4. Investigate Durability
The durability of a roof is key. When considering your light weight roofing options, compare how durable the materials are. Durability goes hand-in-hand with building requirements, which you need to remember. California, for example, requires roofs to have a Class A Fire Rating, the highest rating possible.
A Light Weight Roof Option to Consider
For homeowners that want light weight roofing with the look of cedar shakes, CeDUR Roofing Shakes is the perfect option. These shingles are made of a polyurethane material, using a unique manufacturing process that helps create a realistic synthetic cedar shake, which is more light weight than other roofing options. Unlike common asphalt and fiberglass shingles, which can weigh anywhere from 275 to 325 pounds per 100 square feet, CeDUR's shingles weigh just 170 pounds.
Finally, light weight shingles are easy to install and even easier to maintain. Once they have been correctly installed, there is nothing else you need to worry about to keep them looking great.
The roof is an important part of your home. But, traditional roofing materials weigh more than you think–and that can put a strain on your home’s structure. Those heavy roofs may look nice, but all of that weight is not necessary. Instead, consider light weight roofing, which creates a great appearance without the weight or other issues that heavy roofing creates. One of the great light weight roof options to consider is CeDUR Roofing Shakes, which will truly help your home to stand out from the rest.
