When constructing a new roof or replacing an old or worn-out one, you must choose the right material for your existing structure—or perhaps just your own preferences. Read on to know how to choose the right roof shades for your home. If you are looking for a roof shade supplier in the UAE, then this is a must-read. But before that, learn how to pick the right roof shade.
When selecting the best sort of roofing material, keep the following in mind:
- The architecture of your home and neighborhood design – A Spanish Mission-style home will look fantastic with ceramic or clay tiles, but a metal roof would look out of place.
- Material, installation, and maintenance costs – Remember that the price per square foot for removing old roofing materials can vary. Location, roof slope, building height, lack of access to the building, and other factors that could make installation more difficult could potentially have an impact on cost.
- Local building codes – The usage of fireproof building materials is mandatory by fire codes in many localities, which may disqualify a material like wood shingles. Asphalt shingles are a common choice for roofing material since they provide Class A fire protection and are available at the best price.
- Weather in your area – How will the weather in your area affect the material you’ve chosen? What kind of damage is likely to occur to your roof?
- Warranty – If the roofing material you chose fails, check with the manufacturer to see if the warranty will cover the installation of a new roof or just new roofing materials. The replacement of a roof that has been damaged by an “Act of God” such as a hurricane, hail, straight-line wind, or a tornado is typically not covered by warranties.
- Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt shingles are by far the most common type of roofing material in the UAE. They are available in a wide range of shades and patterns, making them suitable for homes with a variety of architectural styles, ranging from conventional to contemporary. Asphalt shingles are available in three-tab strips. A glass fiber mat that is designed like a shingle is coated with asphalt which has mineral fillers. This helps the asphalt adhere to the mat. Subsequently, the second layer of asphalt is applied, and ceramic granules are then included. The ceramic granules protect the asphalt from UV light damage.
The widespread use of asphalt shingles is mainly due to their outstanding value. The cost to install an asphalt shingle roof differs per square foot and its lifespan is 20–30 years. The climate, however, can have a huge impact on the lifespan of a shingle. Because asphalt can become scarred at high temperatures, shingles survive longer in northern regions. However, the repeated freezing, thawing, and refreezing that take place during a bitter northern winter can result in splitting and breaking. The growth of fungus and mold on the roof can also be caused by water exposure during the warmer months. Other frequent issues include tab curling and loss of ceramic granules due to heavy rain and hail. The best part, however, is that asphalt shingles are cheap and can be easily repaired. Many roof shades suppliers in the UAE can help you with picking the right roof shades.
- Wood shingles and shakes
A wood roof is the best choice for a house in a natural area since it may give the house a natural appearance and age to a light gray over time. Cedar is the most popular type of wood used for roofs, but spruce and pine are also widely used. Shingles can vary somewhat in width, but they are smooth and have a consistent thickness. Shakes tend to be thicker and rougher because they are hand-split from the wood as opposed to being mechanically sawn like shingles.
Moreover, they need regular maintenance. The wood surfaces must be cleaned of mildew and moss and finished with an oil-based oil. Although common ailments like wood rot, mold, insect damage, and splitting can occur, individual shingles are simple to remove and replace. A wood roof with proper maintenance can last 20 years or longer. Verify the construction codes in your area. Even though the majority of wood shingles are coated with a fire retardant, in areas with severe fire standards wood shingles may not be allowed.
- Ceramic or Clay Tiles
Ceramic barrel tiles are half-cylinder-shaped and measure roughly 16 inches long. A waterproof membrane is installed directly over the roof sheathing, and the tiles are then placed one at a time on a drop of mortar, one upside down and the next right side up, overlapping. The cost of a ceramic tile roof is substantially more expensive than the cost of a typical 3-tab asphalt shingle, due to the labor-intensive installation.
Because of how easily the tiles can be broken by foot traffic and their fragility, repairs might be difficult. Even gutter cleaning and chimney repairs can be challenging. Moreover, clay tiles are heavy, which can necessitate structural reinforcement of the roof. Being less heat-absorbing than other materials and maintaining their color, ceramic tiles are perfect for warmer climates. Since they are susceptible to damage from ice and snow, they are not frequently used in colder climates. A high-quality ceramic or clay tile roof can endure up to 50 years in an ideal climate.
You might also think about concrete roofing tiles. They are less fragile and lighter than ceramic. They carry some of the longest warranties in the roofing industry, are fire resistant, and can withstand the hard cycle of winter, strong winds, torrential rain, and summer. The best thing is that they may be produced to resemble slate shingles, wood, or even ceramic.
- Slate Shingles
Although it is extremely expensive, a slate roof gives a house a unique, premium appearance. Based on the quality of the materials and the difficulty of the installation, installing slate shingles might cost you good. Slate is heavy and brittle, similar to ceramic tiles, making installation and repairs more difficult. However, with proper management, it is extraordinarily strong and resistant to snow, ice, and insects, often surviving for up to 100 years.
There are several items on the market right now that may be produced to resemble slate tiles by using recycled rubber and plastic. These artificial shingles are an excellent substitute and are frequently warranted for up to 30 years.
- Metal Roofing Materials
On a farm or utility facility, a metal roof is not merely corrugated, galvanized sheet metal. It is an excellent option for this application because it is affordable, strong enough to withstand strong winds and hail, requires little maintenance, and is simple to install. Metal roofing materials, however, come in a variety of materials and forms (shingles and sheets linked at watertight standing seams). The appearances of steel, aluminum, tin, and copper will differ from one another.
Even paint can be applied to metal. It could perhaps be the most environmentally friendly roofing material. It can be manufactured from recycled materials, it is energy-efficient, it absorbs less heat than other materials, and it can be laid over an existing roof, so there is no need to throw out old roofing. A metal roof can be more expensive initially than asphalt shingles. However, because metal roofs require little care and can last up to 50 years, so the cost ultimately balances out.
Many shade structures suppliers in the UAE can help you with the right roof shades for your home. Gulffab shade engineering is one of the top roof shade suppliers in the UAE. We provide different roof shades for you. Be it a commercial or residential structure, we carry every type of shade that suits your space.
Our products include:
- Car parking shades
- Tensile shade structure
- Steel and aluminum fabrication
- Awning and canopies
- Outdoor, stadium, and roof shades
- Sun shades and swimming pool shades
Want to know more? Feel free to call us at +971 6536 0629 if you have any queries.