Just like siding, roofing materials abound. Unlike, siding, we are very reluctant to use reclaimed materials, unless they are in very good shape and/or can easily be brought up to good weather resistant properties. These are only some of the materials we have used or recommend.
Metal
Exposed Fastener– This is the most economical, easiest to work with, and one of the most durable roofing materials we can use. There are a variety of profiles and finishes to choose from.
31 gauge Corrugated– This is the dinky stuff you can buy off the shelf at Home Depot and many home improvement stores. It is very lightweight, very cheap, and easy to install. On the flip side, it very lightweight and cheap. If you are on a budget and/or trying to keep weight to a minimum, the is the way to go.
29 gauge Corrugated– This gauge metal in a galvalume finish is our go to metal roof product. It strikes a good balance of weight, durability, aesthetics, ease of installation, and price.
26 gauge Corrugated– For those who demand that everything be over-engineered, we can get corrugated as well as most of profiles in 26ga. A little heavier, and a little pricier, but it can withstand baseball size hail without denting.
24 Gauge Bonderized Corrugated– We used this product on the Rio Grande gooseneck build. It is the absolute toughest roofing product we can apply, but also the heaviest. Unlike paint, bonderization is a chemical process placing metal panels in a phospate bath. You are left with a dull gray finish that looks like raw steel, but won’t rust. This product is locally sourced from Recla metals in Montrose, CO
29 gauge “Pro-panel”– This profile in various color finishes is our second most used roofing product. It offers all the benefits of 29ga corrugated, but lends itself to a more linear and refined look. It’s also a little easier to work with on more complex roof lines.
Other rib patterns
Common metal roof colors
Real Rusty Metal
Replicated Rusty metal
Bonderized finish (24ga only) For those needing military grade strength and aesthetics, consider corrugated bonderized metal. I get this product locally and it comes from 100% recycled steel. Bonderization is chemical process that starts with galvanized metal and leaves a beautiful dull gray patina. It looks like raw steel, except it won’t rust. It is very beefy and somewhat pricey, but the end result is unique.
Concealed Fastener-For those wanting the cleaner look of hidden fasteners and a little more durability, we recommend a product such as Image II concealed metal roof system. It comes in rib spacing of 12″ or 16″ . This method requires some specialty tools and extra attention to detail (both of which we have), and costs a bit more, but the end result is beautiful.
Architectural-For those wanting the ultimate in luxury and performance, we could install a product such as copper, Rheinzinc Tiles, or some other high end metal roofing product
Composition
Composition Shingles are the gold standard for normal sized houses due to their low cost, ease of installation, and relative durability. We don’t recommend them due to the extra weight, lower wind ratings, and lower life expectancy. There are options in the really high end architectural grade shingles we would be comfortable using as long as you are ok with the extra weight.
Onduvilla
This is a newer product to market that mimics the look of traditional European roofs without the weight. It is engineered to withstand 150 miles winds as well as hard driving rains, snow, and hail. It comes in 6 colors. Click here to see this product on a well built tiny house.
Cedar Shakes
Cedar shake are rustic, gorgeous, and nostolgic, but you best be prepared for some maintenance if you wish to go this route. The life expectancy is only 20-25 years in most climates. To get this, you will most likely have to keep a protective finish/fire retarder on them. Due to wood’s porosity, cedar shakes are prone to freeze/thaw issues in areas that get both precipitation and freezing temps.
Faux Shakes
There are now products on the market such as DaVinci Roofscapes that mimic the look of traditional cedar shakes using modern materials that will last longer, perform better, and require less maintenance, if any. The downside to a product like this is that virgin plastic must be used to maintain consistency, and the initial cost is higher than other products, although the life cycle costs can be cheaper and the company will recycle any scraps leftover from the project.
