What’s the Best Type of Roof for a Midwestern Home?

The Midwest is subject to some nasty weather: hail, torrential downpours, heavy snow, ice, and strong, unrelenting winds.  It’s no surprise that for homeowners having to replace their roofs, weather is a major factor in the decision of what material to use.  The weather patterns are unpredictable, but your roof should hold up predictably, preferably lasting 20 years while promoting energy efficiency inside your home.

But as the roofing business introduces new materials and products, it can be overwhelming to find the kind with performance needed to stand up Midwestern conditions.  Fortunately, roofing materials have their pros and cons. Roofs have vastly different looks, making the choice one of both practicality and personal preference.

Asphalt Roofs

You don’t have to be a roofing expert to know that asphalt roofs are ubiquitous.  These roofs are popular for a reason, in the Midwest and across the United States.  Asphalt is incredibly versatile and is able to withstand virtually any type of climate.  These shingles are manufactured to be moisture-resistant, UV-reflective thanks to its specialized coating, and designed to last 15-20 years or longer.

Midwestern homeowners prefer asphalt roofing because it’s the most affordable roofing choice, but the shingle style still arrives with a slew of benefits.  They don’t have to go bankrupt with this roof replacement and can still enjoy the energy efficiency of UV-resistant shingles, the ease of having a new roof installed within a day, and the pool of options when it comes to colors, styles, and overall aesthetic effects of shingles.

Asphalt shingles can also take the damage dealt by Midwestern storms, with only the individual shingles needing replaced instead of entire sections. There’s no doubt that asphalt roofs are here to stay.  This choice of shingle has remained a consistently popular, affordable, and wise choice in roofing material for homes not just in the Midwestern regions, but across the country.

Metal Roofs

Metal roofs have arrived on the scene as a top contender against asphalt, which has long reigned as the most popular choice of roofing material.  In the Midwest especially, metal roofs have been cropping up all over.  Homeowners are drawn to its benefits, seeing how this particular material can serve them in the cold Midwestern winters and boiling hot summers more efficiently than its asphalt counterpart.

The facts are this: metal roofs do last longer than asphalt and are extremely energy efficient, especially in the summer.  On the flip side, metal roofs are more expensive, and more difficult to repair and install.

However, a metal roof’s ability to handle temperature shifts and inherent durability are features that make this material perfect for a Midwestern home that could be exposed to hot heat, freezing cold, and a storm’s unpredictable debris.

Depending on what kind of metal roof you get for your home in the Midwest, it could be prone to denting.  With the possibility of hailstorms, falling branches, and tornadoes, you’ll definitely want to get the best metal roof available as its downside is that repairs and replacements are difficult and expensive. Metal roofs have become the hot new trend throughout the Midwest, but they are are not the best material for cost and curb appeal.

Slate Roofs

If you’re a Midwestern homeowner with an older home, there’s a good chance that your house is fitted with a slate roof.  Slate is a fine-grained rock with moisture-resistant qualities, able to withstand extreme temperatures without breaking a sweat—it’s why this material has been used for roofs for centuries.

This roofing type is perfect for the Midwest but it’s not practical.  The catch is its cost.  Slate roofs are wildly expensive because slate itself is rare and must be derived from a quarry.  The rocks are heavy, making transport and labor all that much more, slowing down installation.

These days, there are more affordable options that are manufactured with similar qualities to slate, but with much easier installation and accessibility.

What’s the Best Roofing Material?

It’s up to you to decide what type of roof would be best for your home. For a house in the Midwest, you’ll certainly want something that’s durable, long-lasting, and in-style.  Asphalt roofs are common in the Midwest because they’re easy to install, cost-effective, and bestow the homeowner with 15-20 years of energy-saving, storm-resisting benefits.

Metal roofs, while up-and-coming, have their pros, but could be subject to dents and expensive repairs.  These roofs are popular, but for the Midwest asphalt roofs may have them beat on functionality and definitely on affordability.  Similarly, slate roofs once served their purpose before the introduction of new roofing materials, but with their expense and limited resources, this roofing type is a dying breed.

Now that you’ve learned about the common roofs that cap the houses across the Midwest and their pros and cons, you’ll come to realize that asphalt roofs are arguably the best roofing choice for this particular climate.  Able to withstand the harsh UV rays of the sun, the extreme cold, and offer the ease of repairs from storms, asphalt shingled roofs are an excellent choice for a Midwestern home—the best, in fact.

Roofing Company Reputation

At Feldco, we have a strong reputation for great quality asphalt shingles and colors that will complement your home. We are a cutting edge company that supplies homeowners with shingles that will protect your home from strong winds, snow, ice and rain. That’s why thousands of homeowners choose Feldco over competitors. Speak to a product specialist and get a free quote online today.