When the time comes for homeowners to call a residential roof contractor for a new roof installation, they have an endless choice of roofing materials and systems to select from.

Price will always be a factor when choosing materials, but experienced roofing contractors suggest that resiliency should be a top concern, even above installation price.

It has less to do with roofing contractors being able to sell a more expensive roof than one might think, as illustrated in these points about resiliency and why it matters so much.

What Is The Meaning of Resiliency And Roofing Materials?

Resiliency, by definition, is the ability to withstand harsh conditions by either absorbing the effects or preventing damage.

Roofing contractors relate this to roofing materials by highlighting a system’s ability to withstand various weather conditions well enough to prevent damage throughout its suggested lifetime.

Contractors also consider a system’s ability to remain protective in extreme conditions such as hurricanes, prolonged periods of high heat, hail storms, and more to be a part of that resiliency.

What Benefits Does A More Resilient Roof Provide?

Although the more resilient systems installed by residential roof contractors do cost more than lower-quality materials, they provide a higher level of benefits that ultimately make the roof more serviceable.

Contractors correlate increased resiliency in these areas with a more durable and cost-effective product throughout the lifetime of the roof.

Resiliency Against UV Damage - The sun’s light, as benign as it may seem, is actually the most damaging force of nature that affects every roof installation everywhere. UV exposure dries out roofing materials of all kinds over time, leading to cracking, breaking, splitting, and other widespread damage. Since UV exposure is a constant everywhere, roofing contractors always recommend that homeowners in especially hot areas where there is extreme prolonged exposure to strong sunlight purchase materials with extra UV protection to slow this type of damage. The higher the UV protection of the materials, the longer they will last and the more thermal protective they will be. Higher thermal protection reduces UV rays that enter a home through the roof, making it easier to keep cool in the summer and retain heat in the winter.
Wind Resiliency - Shingles and metal panels installed by residential roof contractors can be especially susceptible to strong winds which can blow underneath and lift or peel them up, destroying a roof in minutes. Systems that are more resilient, from premium wind-resistant shingles to thicker-gauge metal systems with storm-proof fasteners, will better withstand those conditions according to their wind rating. In regions where hurricanes and other strong storms are prevalent, these products can make the difference between weathering those storms unscathed and entirely losing the roof.
Resiliency Against Dents, Punctures, and Penetrations - Every roof is susceptible to hail damage, punctures from flying debris, falling tree branches, and more. Residential roofing contractors again see a higher degree of resiliency against this type of damage with certain premium products developed to have higher impact resistance. These types of systems also reduce the likelihood that even minor, less-detectable impact damage could lead to widespread leaking that slowly erodes the sub-layers of the structure and degrades the whole system over time.

Choose Resilient Roofing Materials For Roofing Efficiency

Residential roofing contractors sell and install a variety of roof systems in various price ranges.

Before allowing price to dictate choice, contractors recommend that their homeowner customers consider factors like resiliency as well and how a more resilient roof will save them money in the long run.

Homes in regions prone to certain conditions like high heat, hail storms, and hurricanes need materials that are more resilient against these risks.

Experienced roof contractors that know which materials perform best in their region can help homeowners make the right purchase decision!