The lifespan of your home's roof is affected by many factors like the quality of the shingles but it's also massively impacted by the climate of the area where you live. The type of material you choose shouldn't reflect national trends as much as it should be chosen for climate suitability. This is especially true if you live in an area with year-round humidity. Humidity can wreak havoc on unsuitable materials. Here are four of the most humid-proof roofing materials.
1. Metal
Although it hasn't been a popular option in the last few decades, metal roofing is making a comeback due to its environmental friendliness, light weight, efficiency, and longevity. Another major reason for the increase in the popularity of metal roofing is new sealing technology that makes it waterproof and rust-resistant, which is ideal for humid climates. When carefully maintained, metal roofing can last as long as 75 years, even in humid climates.
2. Slate
Another fantastic material for roofing in humid climates is slate. Slate is natural stone that has some fantastic natural characteristics that make it ideal when humidity is present. It's naturally resistant to moisture and like metal, has a long lifespan—so long, in fact, that it might outlast the home it protects. It sounds outrageous, but when properly cared for, slate roofing can last up to 200 years.
3. Clay Tile
Another fantastic and long-lasting option for a climate with year-round humidity is clay tile. Like slate and metal, it's one of the longer lasting roofing options available. It is naturally fire-resistant, environmentally-friendly, wind-resistant, long-lasting, and moisture-resistant. However, clay tile is heavier than some other materials so it needs proper structural support. A properly installed clay tile roof can last as long as 100 years.
4. Asphalt Shingles with Algaecide
Asphalt shingle is the most popular roofing material in the country because it's fairly long-lasting and it's also very budget-friendly because it's cheap to buy and easy to install. That may account for much of its popularity. While cheaper quality asphalt shingles aren't always best for humid climates, high-quality asphalt shingles treated with algaecide work well.
Algaecide is a substance that is designed to prohibit the growth of mold and algae, a common problem in very humid climates. It most often involves adding a layer of material with copper granules. The copper prohibits the growth of blue-green molds.
You can learn more about these options by contacting a local roofing company.
Share23 October 2020
When it came time to install a new roof on my home, I had no idea where to start. In fact, I was exploring roofing options that were a really poor fit in my climate. It wasn't until I reached out to a local roofer that I got some lessons on how to choose the right roofing material for my home and the weather exposure it is subjected to. I built this site to share my journey, including the mistakes I made and the things that I learned along the way. If you are considering replacing your home's roof, I hope that the information here can help to guide you through the process.
