The Best Roofing Materials for Longevity and Style

Your roof has to do much more than simply keep the rain out.

It protects the structure of your home, contributes to insulation and has a major effect on the overall appearance of the property.

Choosing the right roofing material is therefore a balance between durability, appearance, maintenance, budget and what is technically suitable for the roof itself.

There Is No Single Best Roofing Material

The best roof covering depends on the building.

Factors that should be considered include:

• Roof pitch
• Roof structure
• Weight of the covering
• Exposure to wind and weather
• Drainage
• Appearance of the property
• Maintenance requirements
• Budget
• Expected lifespan

A material that works perfectly on one property may be completely unsuitable for another.

Clay Roof Tiles

Clay tiles have been used on British homes for generations and remain a popular choice for pitched roofs.

They are particularly well suited to traditional properties and are available in a wide range of profiles and finishes.

Advantages can include:

• Long service life
• Traditional appearance
• Good resistance to weather
• Low routine maintenance
• A wide choice of colours and profiles

Clay tiles can, however, be heavier and more expensive than some alternatives, so the roof structure and specification need to be suitable.

Concrete Roof Tiles

Concrete tiles are another very common choice for pitched roofs.

They are generally more economical than traditional clay while still providing a durable and attractive roof covering.

They are available in many different profiles and colours, making them suitable for both traditional and more modern properties.

As with any tiled roof, the roof pitch, battens, underlay and supporting structure all need to be considered as part of the complete roofing system.

Natural Slate

Natural slate is one of the most distinctive and long-lasting traditional roofing materials.

A well-designed and correctly installed natural slate roof can provide a very long service life while giving the building a refined appearance.

Benefits include:

• Excellent durability
• Natural variation and character
• Low maintenance
• Suitability for many traditional properties

Natural slate is usually a premium option and its weight, size and fixing requirements need to be considered carefully.

Fibre-Cement and Artificial Slate

Man-made slate products can provide a slate-like appearance at a lower cost than premium natural slate.

They are often consistent in size and colour and can be lighter than some traditional materials.

However, they should not simply be treated as interchangeable with natural slate. Appearance, lifespan and installation requirements vary between products and manufacturers.

Zinc Roofing

Zinc is particularly suited to contemporary architecture and roofs with unusual shapes or detailing.

It can be formed around complex roof geometry and develops a distinctive surface appearance as it ages.

Zinc can offer:

• A modern architectural finish
• Long service life when correctly specified
• Excellent flexibility for complex detailing
• Recyclability

It is a specialist roofing system and should be designed and installed with the correct ventilation, substrate and detailing.

What Is Best for a Flat Roof?

Flat and low-pitched roofs require different systems from conventional tiled pitched roofs.

Common modern options include:

• EPDM rubber roofing
• GRP fibreglass roofing
• Single-ply membrane systems
• High-performance bituminous systems

The right choice depends on the roof deck, size, detailing, expected foot traffic and the way the building will be used.

EPDM Rubber Roofing

EPDM is a flexible rubber membrane frequently used on flat and low-pitched roofs.

When correctly installed, it can provide a durable continuous waterproof covering with relatively few joints.

It is commonly used on:

• Extensions
• Garages
• Garden rooms
• Outbuildings

GRP Fibreglass Roofing

GRP is another popular option for flat roofs.

It creates a rigid, seamless surface and can work particularly well where there are complex edges, upstands or other details.

Correct preparation of the roof deck and installation conditions are important to achieving a good result.

What About Thatched Roofing?

Thatch gives certain traditional properties a character that is difficult to reproduce with any other material.

It can also provide useful natural insulation, but it is a specialist roofing system with very different maintenance, insurance and installation considerations from tiles or slate.

For the right property it can be an excellent choice, but it is not a general-purpose alternative for most modern roofing projects.

Longevity Depends on More Than the Covering

It is easy to compare roofing materials purely by expected lifespan, but a roof is a complete system.

The performance of the roof can also depend on:

• Roof structure
• Underlay or membrane
• Battens and fixings
• Flashings
• Valleys
• Ventilation
• Gutters and drainage
• Quality of installation

Premium tiles installed badly can perform far worse than a more modest material that has been specified and installed correctly.

Think About the Style of the Property

Roofing occupies a significant part of the visible exterior of many homes.

The colour, profile and texture of the roof should therefore complement the building rather than be selected in isolation.

A traditional clay tile may look perfect on one property while a cleaner slate or metal finish may work far better on a contemporary extension.

Energy Efficiency and Insulation

The roofing material itself is only one part of the energy performance of the roof.

Insulation, airtightness and ventilation generally have a much greater influence on heat loss and comfort.

If a roof is being replaced as part of a wider renovation, it can therefore be a good opportunity to review the entire roof build-up rather than simply changing the outer covering.

Repair or Replace?

Not every roofing problem means the entire roof needs to be replaced.

Localised damage to tiles, flashings or other components can sometimes be repaired effectively.

A complete replacement may make more sense where the roof covering has reached the end of its useful life, there are widespread defects or the underlying roof construction also needs attention.

The cause of a leak should always be understood before deciding on the solution.

Choosing Roofing Materials With Calico

The right roofing material depends on the property, roof design and what you expect from the finished result.

At Calico, we can assess the roof as a complete system and discuss the available options rather than simply recommending one material for every project.

You can find out more about our roofing services or explore our wider building renovation services.