Roofing is a protective covering over a building. It can be pitched, flat, domed or vaulted. It is made from many different materials. Roofing materials can vary greatly in cost and durability.
Wood is a popular roofing material. Roofing materials can range from shingles to shakes to metal. Wood is expensive, however, and is a poor choice in areas that have high wildfire danger. Wood roofs are also susceptible to corrosion.
Metal roofing is a lightweight material that can resist high winds. Metal roofing can come in panels, vertical panels, and shingles that look like tile. It can also be installed over an existing roof. It can be noisy during storms.
The best roofing material is one that is resistant to wind driven rain, hail, and ice. Some roofing materials also have insulating properties. For example, asphalt is an organic bituminous compound. Other materials include wood shakes and cedar. Bamboo is also used, in areas where there is a large supply of timber.
Some roofing materials are designed to shed heavy snow. For example, metal roofing is excellent at shedding heavy snow. Another type of metal roofing is a valley, which does not need to cover the entire valley. It is used for low sloped roofs.
The most common roofing materials are shingles. The shingles are the most noticeable part of the roofing system. They can be held down with screws or adhesive. They can also be held down with mechanical fasteners.