When you're ready to have a new roof put on your home, or are having a home built and need to choose the roofing material, you may not realize how many options there are from which to choose. Note a few important differences between those choices so you can determine the best roof material and style for your home and be happy with that choice for years to come.

1. Asphalt

Asphalt shingles are often the cheapest option and can be installed by just about any roofer your hire, but they're not always the best choice. They are very heavy so they can add quite a bit of weight to an older home, and may last only a decade or so before they need replacing, depending on the manufacturer and the average weather and exposure in your home's area. Consider the cost of eventual replacement when considering the cost of your home's roof, and not just the cost of installation itself.

2. Metal

Metal roofs are actually more lightweight than many homeowners realize, so they can be added over an existing roofing material. They're also good for older homes that may have a weakened frame. Metal may require a specialist to install, however, since not all roofers are familiar with how to bend and shape metal around a home's roof or how to connect it to the frame. This can mean added cost for the installation overall.

3. Concrete

Concrete can be shaped and formed in virtually any way, so it can be made to look like clay or stone tiles. It's non-combustible so it's good for areas with the potential for lightning strikes and wildfires. It can also be more lightweight than a homeowner realizes, so it might also work for an older home with a weakened frame. The drawback to concrete is that you may need a specialty installer, and the tiles or sections may vary in their appearance since they're usually mixed by hand on the jobsite. This can give your home's roof an uneven look as well.

4. Engineered plastic

Plastic can be formed into any shape and dyed just about any colour, so it can also resemble clay or another type of natural material, but will be much more lightweight and durable. A plastic roof can also be made of reclaimed or recycled plastic, for those who are very eco-conscious. However, it may also need a specialty installer and may vary in how well it insulates the home, depending on the plastic mixture and thickness you choose.