Types of Roofing

If you’re in the market for a complete roofing overhaul, chances are you’re a little overwhelmed by all of the choices available. There are many types of roofs available for your home, and there are pros and cons to each type. It can be confusing to understand what you need and what you like if you’ve never shopped for a roof replacement before.

Additionally, you may be intimidated by the price of a new roof. While it can be expensive, as an investment, it’s a good choice. Your new roof will return your money with lower utility costs, fewer or no leaks, and peace of mind.

If you’re still feeling overwhelmed, don’t panic — we’re here to help!

Let’s look at a quick rundown of all of the roofing types we offer, along with the nuances of each. After reading through the different roofing types, contact us and set up an appointment for a free estimate if you still have questions.

Asphalt Shingles

The best budget option, asphalt, is the most common type of residential roofing in the Greensboro area. It’s reasonably priced, durable, and easy to install and repair. We use CertainTeed’s roofing shingles to offer fifteen unique colors for your roofing needs. Asphalt shingles come in around $265 to $310 per hundred square feet.

Asphalt shingles have a shorter lifespan of about 20 years, partly due to their fragility in the face of harsh weather conditions. Despite this, the price and color make asphalt shingles a strong choice for most homeowners. If regular maintenance and repair are performed, your asphalt roof will last your family for a long while.

Metal Roofing

If you’re in the market for a roof that can better withstand the weather, a metal roof may be what you’re looking for. The durability and long lifespan of a metal roof make it an ideal choice to protect your home against extreme weather conditions.

Metal roofs are lightweight and recyclable, making them the more environmentally friendly options. The typical lifespan for these types of roofs ranges from 40 to 75 years. Like asphalt shingles, we offer metal roofing in many unique colors — 22, to be exact — to suit any aesthetic needs you have for your home.

Metal roofing may be a more expensive choice, ranging between $450 and $1000 per hundred square feet, but the long lifespan of a metal roof makes it worth the investment. If properly maintained, a metal roof can last for generations.

Additionally, the most distinctive element of a metal roof is sound. If you aren’t a fan of the sound of tapping on a metal roof, you may want to avoid this option. Many people find the sound of rain falling on a tin roof to be soothing. Keep this in mind if you’re considering a metal roof; you’ll always know if it’s raining!

Tile Roofing

Tile roofing adds a unique texture to your roof, making it a strong choice for those who put aesthetics first. This particular option has a more European flair and offers greater elegance than simple shingles.

Additionally, tile roofing is more durable than asphalt shingles while also being environmentally friendly. The average lifespan for these roofs ranges from 40 to 50 years with regular maintenance.

Tiles can either be made with clay or concrete, with concrete tiles being the more energy-efficient choice. However, these tiles are more expensive than other options, ranging from $1000 to $1500 per hundred square feet.

Tile roofs are also heavy enough to require additional support for their weight, and you may have to reinforce parts of your home to support the roof. You may want to consider other options before committing to a tile roof, particularly if you have what’s called a “low pitch roof.”

Slate Roofing

Of all of the options available, slate roofing is the ultimate investment for a residential roof. It’s the most expensive option for roofing available, between $1000 and $1500 per hundred square feet, and for a good reason.

The lifespan of this option can’t be beat, with a well-maintained roof potentially lasting up to a century or more. Slate is the roofing choice to consider if you want your family to enjoy your home for generations to come.

Slate roofing is considered by many to be the highest quality roofing material available. Durable and fire-resistant, slate tiles can be an investment for peace of mind as well as for your home.

Like tile roofing, however, these tiles can be heavy enough to require extra home framing. Additionally, slate tiles can be more fragile than other options, potentially requiring more maintenance.

Despite these drawbacks, tile roofs can be a large investment into your home’s value. As tile roofing is aesthetically pleasing, it’s highly sought after by home buyers. If you aren’t sure whether your home would benefit from a slate roof, Big Anchor roofing can help guide your decision.

Flat Roofing

When you think of flat roofing, you probably think of commercial buildings you pass in the car on the way home. However, as the modern architecture style makes its way to residential homes, flat roofing is becoming a more requested roofing option.

Despite the name, flat roofing isn’t completely flat. It has very subtle slopes to allow water to drain away from your home. Due to their flatness, however, water and snow will remain on these roofs much longer than on traditional roofs. As such, flat roofing needs special materials to create a waterproof barrier between itself and your home.

Flat roofing offers many options in terms of materials. The main difference between them is how they keep your roof waterproof. Flat roofing can be further broken down into the following categories:

Membrane Roofing

Membrane roofing involves attaching a synthetic sheet of rubber to a layer of insulation. Repair on this type of roof is simple and affordable, and membrane roofing is better at holding in heat to lower heating costs.

However, any pipes or chimneys that have to come up through your roof can make installation more of a challenge. Additionally, these roofs can be damaged by falling branches, making them less ideal if your area has lots of tree coverage. Most damage to these roofs occurs at the seams, where leaks commonly occur.

Torch Down Roofing

Named for its installation process, torch down roofing combines asphalt and resin. The technician melts these ingredients together with a torch, forming a thick waterproof layer on the roof.

This seal offers UV protection and energy efficiency for your home. These roofs last for roughly 20 years, with or without heavy maintenance, and they’re easy to change when you’re ready.

Unlike membrane roofing, torch down roofing allows easier modification for chimneys or pipes that need to come through your roof. Additionally, the seal of asphalt and resin creates a surface that will resist tears and punctures.

Modified Bitumen Roofing

This type of roofing comes in large rolls, and its use and feel are similar to asphalt shingles. The sheets are rolled out and attached to a roofing base. They’re self-adhesive, lightweight, and they tend to work well in cold weather, making them desirable for Greensboro winters. Their lifespan comes in around 10 to 20 years.

However, this material makes leaks more difficult to detect in your home. If you’re concerned about leaking ceilings, you may want to choose another roofing material. Additionally, this material is known to have a strong odor during installation, which could be bothersome to you or your family.

Searching for a New Roof

If you’ve been in North Carolina long enough to see the seasons, you know how awe-inspiring the weather here can be. You’ve probably also noticed how extreme it can get, too, from wind to rain to hail and snow.

After these weather events, most people start to catch leaks and missing shingles in their roofs. Homeowners start searching for “roofing companies near me,” and that’s where we step in.

Even without a bad storm knocking off your shingles, every roof should be getting regular maintenance. Your roof may have damage you can't see without getting a ladder and going up there, or maybe your roof isn’t as energy-efficient as it could be for your family.

Whatever the situation, Big Anchor Roofing and Gutters can provide the answers to all of your questions.

We offer a range of services to protect every aspect of your roofing, from a full roof installation to a simpler roof repair. Aside from general roofing, we also offer assistance to your family in stressful emergencies.

From insurance claim assistance to financing options, Big Anchor Roofing is committed to helping your family get the roofing help they need.

Big Anchor Roofing and Gutters has been the go-to roofing solution for the North Carolina Piedmont area for a decade. Check out our customer reviews to see more of what we can do for you!

Why Choose Big Anchor?

You have a lot of choices when it comes to roofing companies near Greensboro. Why choose us?

Big Anchor Roofing and Gutters was formed ten years ago by the Alvarez family, who wanted to create a business that earned its reputation through craftsmanship and stellar service.

Even a decade later, we still work with integrity and determination on every job we perform. We earned our reputation as one of the best roofing companies near Greensboro every step of the way. We won’t walk away from a job unless you are satisfied with your roof.

We’re so serious about your satisfaction that we offer a Satisfaction Guaranteed warranty. We’ll work on your roofing needs until you’re happy, no matter how long it takes!

Our commitment to customer service has earned us a Grade A rating with the Better Business Bureau and various awards and local recognition across the NC Piedmont region.

We know we’re not just performing a roof replacement. Not only are we protecting your home investment, but we’re also helping to protect your family. We’ll treat every roofing and gutter service like we were working on our own homes.

Rest assured that when the work is done, you’ll have a roof that will last you and your family for decades. And if you aren’t satisfied, let us know, and we won’t rest until we’ve resolved your roofing issues. When you search for “roofing companies near me,” we want Big Anchor Roofing and Gutters to be your first choice.

Reach out today for a free roofing estimate, and we’ll work with you to provide the roof your home needs.