Michigan's unique weather means that your home in Flushing, MI is exposed to several different weather conditions. Snow, hail, wind, rain and heat all impact your roof.
Given these different weather conditions and the unpredictability of them, what kind of roof is best for your home? We'll explore the different kinds of roofs and explain the pros and cons of each.
Aren't metal roofs the best for all weather conditions?
As residents of Davison learned in 2023, a hail storm can be extremely damaging to metal roofs. Davison homeowners experienced severe damage to the metal roofs on their homes, which led to very expensive repairs. As we have explained in the past, metal roofs are great, but once exposed to damage, they are extremely expensive to repair.
What factors determine the best type of roof for Flushing homes?
Your priorities, whether style or affordability, can help you discover the best roofing available for your home. These factors also determine which material is best for your home or business.
The following factors determine the most impressive roofing material on the market today:
Life Span Of Your Roof
Flushing homeowners want their roof to last a long time. Roofing materials have different lifespans, so it is important to understand the various amounts of time you can expect your roof materials to last.
Cost of Different Roofing Materials
Budgeting is an essential factor in shopping for the perfect roofing material. Some roofs are costlier than others upfront but offer longer life spans. Other materials may have more affordable installation while requiring more frequent repairs or maintenance. As you search for a roof you love, watch for any hidden costs that may incur from upkeep, replacements and repairs over time.
Visual Appeal of Your Roof
We've discussed how your roof can impact your curb appeal. When you are thinking about the aesthetics of your home, some roof materials will naturally look better with other elements of your home than others.
Durability
While lifespan refers to elements like underlayment, durability refers more to how well a roof can withstand external forces. As we discussed, hail storms can be devastating to a metal roof, but ice and snow can be very damaging to shingle roofs.
Different Roofing Materials & Living in Flushing
Roofs for Flushing houses come in all shapes, sizes and colors. With so many options in front of you, you might need help figuring out where to start for your new home or business. These top options have numerous advantages and disadvantages to make your decision easier:
Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt shingles could be the best roof shingles for your new home or roof replacement project. Thanks to the high-quality roofing material that GAF offers in each asphalt shingle roof, you can never go wrong with this installation for your home or business.
Benefits of installing shingles include:
Affordability: Compared to metal and wood roofs, asphalt shingles are one of the most cost-efficient options available!
Versatile styles: Asphalt shingles come in a wide variety of colors that fit any style of house’s exterior. You and your neighbors can easily admire the coordinated colors of your roof, siding and windows that pull your home’s aesthetic together.
Energy-efficient: Your roof can consist of solar-reflecting colors that keep your home cooler year-round. Lighter asphalt colors deflect the heat of the sun’s rays, which helps you save on cooling costs year-round.
Protective: Dampness from rain and other natural disasters can cause algae buildup, contributing to roof decay. On the bright side, asphalt shingles from GAF contain a blend of weather-grade copper-lined granules to eliminate algae growth and deflect water damage.
While asphalt shingles offer so many impressive benefits, there are a few factors to consider before deciding:
Maintenance checkups: Most asphalt shingles show signs of curled or cracked areas due to prolonged weather damage. These signs can result in more frequent maintenance when you own your home. However, the watertight sealants and weather-grade copper-lined granules in each GAF asphalt shingle roof minimize water and algae damage without regularly scheduled checkups.
Life span: Some asphalt shingles are known to have shorter lives compared to other roofing materials. Maintaining a shingle roof properly can prevent this short life span. The protective features that prevent water leaks, cracks and holes can increase your roof’s quality, thanks to GAF’s impressive roofing technology.
Metal Roofing
A metal roof’s tough exterior offers several benefits to homes and businesses across the Midwest. With a sleek finish and a reflective surface, you can see the pros of installing this material from across your property. The following list can help you determine whether this option works best for your roofing needs.
The following advantages make this option suitable for any home in the Midwest:
Eco-friendly: The reflectivity of metal roofing deflects solar heat. This small factor can save you on heating and cooling costs while your family enjoys a comfortable, temperature-controlled home.
ROI: One of the most impressive characteristics of installing a metal roof is its cost-to-value. Homeowners can expect a return on investment (ROI) ranging from 70% to 87% when placing their house on the market.
Resistance: Metal roofs are impressively durable. If you have your eye on this material for your roof, rest assured that your new roof is mildew- and fire-resistant and less likely to show damage from wind and hail.
Potential drawbacks of installing a metal roof include:
Costly repairs: Although metal roofs are durable, damage can occur to the surface, as with any material. Repairing a metal roof is a complex and costlier process that is often better to replace than patch up.
Expensive: Metal roofs are a larger investment compared to other roof materials. Conventional residential roofs, like asphalt shingles, are one of the most affordable roofing options when repairing damages.
Lack of style: Most homeowners enjoy the versatility of asphalt shingles due to their wide range of hues. While metal roofs also come in various colors, the sleek surface can cause the roof to stand out more than the siding.
Wood Roofing
The unmatched beauty of wooden roofs makes this option a serious competitor for the best roof for Midwestern homes. A bohemian, rustic style and impressive eco-friendly factors are an excellent choice for many homes nationwide. With a pleasing aesthetic, there are also a few wood roof pros and cons to consider before finalizing your decision.
Advantages of installing a wood roof include:
ROI: Wood roofing material has an ROI ranging from 75% to 80%. While this option is a more significant upfront investment, the cost-to-value gives you a higher return on your initial installation cost if you sell your home.
Simple installation: Wood roofs are relatively easy to install, meaning you can enjoy your home’s new look quicker than most roofing options.
With impressive installation benefits comes a few disadvantages to consider before deciding on your roof’s material:
Annual maintenance: Wood roofs require annual maintenance since wood absorbs moisture and may crack more easily than other roofing materials. More frequent upkeep appointments can increase the costs of maintaining these roofs.
Shorter life spans: The fragile surface of wood roofs can also impact the life span you can expect from this option. Without annual maintenance, you can typically enjoy a wood roof for a few decades before needing extensive repairs or a complete replacement.
Expensive: Compared to asphalt shingles, wood roofing material costs more to install and maintain over time.
So What Is The Best Type Of Roof For Homes In Flushing?
Based on the pros and cons above, asphalt shingles are the best types of roofing for Flushing homes. Timeless designs, protective features and affordability all highlight the reliability of asphalt shingle roofs.
With Larsen Roofing by your side to provide high-quality shingles, you can choose a style you love that protects your home and property without straying outside of your budget.