Roof cladding provides weather protection and aesthetic appeal. Common options include asphalt or slate shingles, ceramic or concrete tile, and sheet metal. Shingles are thin, flat squares or rectangles of material applied in an overlapping fashion. Asphalt shingles are affordable, while slate shingles are long-lasting but expensive. Ceramic tiles are long-lasting and attractive, while concrete tiles are cheaper but have drawbacks. Sheet metal is lightweight and durable but more popular in industrial construction.
Roof cladding is a roofing layer applied to a roof in order to provide weather protection and aesthetic appeal. It can consist of large sheets of material or many small stacked units. While there are many different types of roofing, the most common options include asphalt or slate shingles, ceramic or concrete tile, and sheet metal.
Many US homes feature shingle roofing. Shingles are thin, flat squares or rectangles of material applied to a roof in an overlapping fashion, resulting in a weatherproof roofing. The most commonly used shingle materials are asphalt and slate.
Asphalt shingles are one of the most affordable roofing options. This type of shingle is made from asphalt that can be mixed with very small pieces of ceramic, fiberglass, or shredded paper. The lifespan of asphalt shingles can range from 15 to 50 years, although consistently hot weather conditions can cause them to degrade much faster.
Slate shingles are made from slate rock that has been cut into thin sheets. When properly installed, this type of roofing coating is highly weather resistant and long lasting, with an average life of 80-100 years. It also provides an attractive and natural look. One potential caveat to slate siding, however, is its high cost.
Another common roofing material is tile. As with shingles, shingles are usually small units laid in an overlapping fashion to create a protective coating. These tiles are commonly made from ceramic or concrete.
Ceramic tiles have been used for roofing since ancient Greek times. This type of cladding is made of arched pieces of fired clay arranged interlocking, providing excellent rain drainage. While it tends to be expensive to install, it is long-lasting, with an estimated lifespan of 100 years or more. Ceramic roof tiles are usually dark orange or red in color and create an attractive roof with a distinctly European character.
Concrete shingles often look a lot like ceramic tile, although they can come in a wider range of colors. While concrete tiling offers a similar look to ceramic roofing for less money, concrete has several potential drawbacks. First, it is quite heavy and therefore can only be used for roofing houses with extremely strong frames. Second, it is more penetrable to rain and snow than many other types of decking, and usually needs to be covered with a protective tarp. Thirdly, it has a short lifespan compared to its cost, typically lasting around 30 years.
Sheet metal is another commonly used cladding option. This type of roofing typically consists of large corrugated sheets overlapping the edges to create a weathertight roofing. Metal roofing is lightweight, requires little ongoing maintenance and, depending on the quality of the metal used, can last more than 50 years. However, it tends to have a fairly utilitarian feel and is therefore more popular in industrial construction than residential construction.
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