A roof replacement is a major undertaking and one that is going to cost you a lot of money. However, it's also something that is going to add value to your home for years to come. When it comes time to sell your home, prospective buyers are going to want to know how old your roof is. An old roof is considered a liability because it can collapse or leak and will need to be replaced sooner. This is why you should look at a new roof as an investment. Even if you do not plan on selling your home in the near future, you should understand the importance of replacing an old roof because you want to avoid damages that occur when old roofs begin to leak and rot.

The choice of what sort of roofing material you will want to use is a big issue. You might have only had experience with asphalt shingles, but that is not the only style of roofing cover that you can choose. While that is a classic method, there are several others that you might find interesting, especially if you are tired of the look of standard shingles and want something a bit more unique. Here are some roofing options that you should discuss with your contractor.

Stone Coated Steel Roofing

If you love the look of stone tiles but have found that they are too costly to install, not to mention labor-intensive, then you should ask your roofers to discuss a stone coated steel roofing option. This is perfect for people on a budget as well as people who do not have a roof that is traditionally strong enough for stone tiles. The benefit to using a stone coated steel system is that it is not as heavy as regular stone, and therefore your regular roof can support it without having to undergo expensive retrofitting with support beams. Secondly, it is not as expensive as regular stone tiles. You will have the authentic look of a stone roof without having to worry about tremendous cost. So, if you love the look of stone, this is a great method to investigate.

Cedar Shingles

If you like the look of wood shingles, then you might want to ask your roofers about cedar. There are only two types of wood shingles that are really viable to use: cedar and pressure treated. Regular wood shingles need to be varnished and replaced quite often because of their inability to withstand the elements. Cedar is more moisture resistant and has a nicer look than pressure treated shingles. You can have your roofer bring over a couple of versions for you to look at and compare side by side.

Solar Shingles

What you might want to do if you live in an area that gets a lot of sun is to have solar shingles installed. These are a long run money saver, as you can use the energy the shingles harness from the sun to power electrical items in your home. Even if you do not have the budget to cover your entire roof in these shingles, you can often times place a few of them strategically to get some benefit.