Top Roofing Materials for Los Angeles Homes | Pros and Cons

Top Roofing Materials for Los Angeles Homes | Pros and Cons

May 29, 2024

If you’re planning to build or buy a home in Los Angeles, the greatest concern is roofing material. You must pay attention to its semi-arid and borderline Mediterranean climate. Moreover, the right roof must also be aesthetically pleasing and durable.

So, if you’re torn between the range of choices, here are the top roofing materials for your LA home, along with their pros and cons!

1. Asphalt Shingle Roofing Materials

Asphalt shingle is a popular roofing choice in Los Angeles. The low-maintenance option is perfect for LA’s moderate temperatures and occasional rain.

Pros

  • Inexpensive: Asphalt shingles are available in a variety of price ranges. So, it’s best for people on a budget.
  • Versatility: The roofing material is also available in a range of styles and colors. So, your home aesthetics won’t be affected by your budget.
  • Installation & Repair: The material can be installed fast, saving labor costs. If there’s any damage, you can also replace one shingle at a time instead of changing the entire roof.

Cons

  • Power Bills: LA is known for its blazing summers and asphalt shingles absorb heat pretty fast. This can put pressure on your cooling systems, shooting up your power bills.
  • Durability: The material has a far shorter lifespan, usually 15-20 years, than other options. They are also more vulnerable to wind uplift and cracks.
  • Installation Weather: Asphalt shingles, if installed during winters with temperatures below freezing, can be damaged. It’s best to install them during warm seasons.

2. Tile Roofing Materials Pros And Cons

You can opt for concrete or clay tile roofing materials for your home. Both are known for their fire resistance and insulation properties. Clay tiles can even withstand UV radiation.

Pros

  • Energy Bills: The material is known to reflect heat and keep your home cool. It reduces your cooling energy bills during summers.  
  • Aesthetics: Concrete roofing tiles offer a timeless and elegant look. Clay tiles have a gorgeous Mediterranean look.
  • Durability: Tile roofing materials last 50 years or more. They don’t get weathered (faded or deteriorated) even from the scorching heat of Los Angeles summers.

Cons

  • Expenses: Tiles have complex installation processes and are fragile. Hence, installation and repair costs are higher than those of other materials.
  • Weight: Tiles are heavy, so your home might need extra reinforcement to stand the weight. This increases your overall expenses.

3. Metal Roofing Materials

Metal roofing uses several materials, like steel, copper, and zinc, and styles, including standing seam and metal shingles. This low-maintenance option is great for environmentally-conscious homeowners.

Metal roofing uses sustainable materials. Steel roofing can be recycled infinite times without any strength loss. 

Pros

  • Durability: Metal roofing materials offer a great lifespan (50 years or more). They are also weather-resistant
  • Energy Efficiency: They reflect heat, keeping the house cooler. Thus, there’s no excess pressure on the cooling system during summer. Energy bills are thus low, and cooling systems don’t get damaged.
  • Aesthetics: Metal roofs are available in different colors, finishes, and shapes. So, it can suit houses of varying aesthetics.

Cons

  • Expenses: The lifelong maintenance cost is low for metal roofing. However, the initial expense is much higher than others.
  • Heat Effects: The metal roofing expands and contracts with temperature fluctuations. It often causes dents in the roof.
  • Noise: During thunderstorms and rains, metal roof can be quite noisy. You have to add layers of insulation or solid sheathing underneath it to reduce the sound within the home.

4. Wood Shaking Roofing Materials

Wood shaking uses hand-split wood. In this, one side always faces the grain, which offers added water and wind resistance. It’s a better option than the machine-sawn alternative wood shingle.

Pros

  • Aesthetics: Wood shakes roofing offers a rustic, countryside look to your home. It imparts a natural appearance, soothing the eyes and mind.
  • Insulation: Wood is a great insulating material, maintaining your home temperatures. It keeps the indoors cool in summer and warm in winters. Thus, your energy bills won’t be too high.

Cons

  • Fire Hazard: Fire is a great risk for wood shaking roof. You need added fire retardant coating and pressure treatment to reduce the chances of fire hazards.
  • Maintenance: Wood shakes need regular maintenance with sealant to prevent rot and pest treatments. Regular maintenance can make it expensive.

5. Single Ply Roofing (PVC, TPO)

This kind of roofing includes polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO). They are called single-ply because only one layer of membrane is necessary to keep the roof waterproof.

The single-ply roofing membrane market is expected to grow by a CAGR of 9% within 2024-2029.

Pros

  • Durability: Single-ply roofing material is UV-resistant. So exposure to natural elements doesn’t deteriorate it.
  • Installation: The material is lightweight, easy to transport, and flexible. Thus, it’s easy to install.
  • Energy Efficiency: The roofing material is highly reflective. It keeps the home cool during summer and saves energy bills.

Cons

  • Expensive: Installation prices are too high. Hence, it’s not suitable for budget-conscious homeowners.
  • Punctures: The material is prone to get punctured. If not protected, it causes leaks.

Conclusion

To find the most suitable roofing material for your home, consider your needs, preferences, budget, climate, and local environmental factors. Weigh the listed pros and cons to make an informed decision and invest in a strong and lasting roof. 

However, if you need an expert opinion, seek us at LA Roofing Materials, and our team will help you out!

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