One of the main functions of a roof is to protect the interior of your home from the elements. One of the elements that can be especially damaging is rain. For homeowners living in an area that experiences heavy rainfall and associated weather conditions, it is important to have a roof that performs well under these circumstances. Let’s take a look at what makes up the best roof for rain so you can find the best options for protecting your home.
Factors that Affect Your Choice of Roof
When looking to either build a roof for a new home or replace the existing roof on your current home, several factors play into your choice, including:
- Cost – How much money your roof costs to install
- Energy efficiency – Does your roof provide energy cost savings
- Lifespan and durability – How long is your roof estimated to last and under what conditions does it perform best
- Home design – What does your roof look like aesthetically, what flexible design options does it provide, and what level of protection does it give
- Maintenance – Time, effort, and cost of keeping your roof looking and performing well
- Weight – Can your home structurally support the weight of your roofing system
The other major factor that plays into each one of these other factors is your local climate and weather conditions, including rain, wind, hail, and snow. Installing a roof that does not perform well under the weather conditions experienced in your area means you have a roof that will most likely inadequately protect your home.
Choosing the Best Roof for Rain: What to Look for?
No one wants rain damage in their home. If your home is in an area that experiences a lot of rainy weather, it is important to make choices to install the best roof for rain to prevent this from happening. But what are your options?
When it comes to roofing, material and design matters. When it comes to rainy climates, choosing the right roofing material along with a rain-friendly design can extend the lifespan of your roof and give you peace of mind. Heavy rains often come with other conditions too, such as high winds and hail, which can also affect your roof’s longevity. There is no shortage of roofing options on the market today, but making the right choices to protect against heavy rains, high winds, and hail can be the cost-effective choice in the long run.
The Best Roofing Materials for Rainy Climates
Building the best roof for rain usually starts with your roofing materials. When choosing different roof material types for rain, water resistance is, of course, important. There are other factors, however, that also come into play, including:
- Durability and longevity
- Installation and maintenance costs
- Aesthetics and quality of life considerations
- Environmental impact and energy efficient properties
Materials for building the best roof for rain include:
- Slate Roofs
- Asphalt roofs
- Metal roofs
- Tiled roofs
- Composite roofs
Slate Roofs
A slate roof can be the best roofing system for rain if longevity and aesthetic appeal are important to you. Composed of slate tiles, this roofing option can bring beauty and protection from heavy rains for many years. The material is highly resistant to water, heat, high winds, hail, and other harsh environmental factors.
Longevity and Aesthetic Appeal
As a roofing material, slate is one of the most durable on the market, with the ability to last up to 100 years or more. Your home’s slate roof can easily outlast your home ownership. It also performs better than some other options with steeper rooflines. Slate roofs are also pretty, adding considerable curb appeal and an aesthetic statement that can last for years to come.
Cost
Roof costs are always a consideration if you are looking to build a new house or replace your existing roof. A slate roof, despite its longevity and curb appeal, does not come cheap. It is one of the most expensive options on the market, but an investment that can last a lifetime and beyond. Its known longevity can also raise the value of your home.
Maintenance
Slate roofs do take more maintenance than other roof types. Their longevity is a known factor, but this comes with making sure you properly care for what you have. Investing in a slate roof comes with many benefits, but it is also a long-term maintenance commitment.
Energy Efficiency
Metal reflects heat instead of absorbing it, making metal roofs an energy saving option in hotter climates. For colder climates, the reflective heat may have the opposite effect and offer up a different consideration.
Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt shingles are the most popular residential roofing material in the United States. They are built to be water-resistant, which also makes them a popular choice for rainy climates. They are made of a base mat consisting of either cellulose fibers or glass fibers covered in a mixture of asphalt and surfaced with ceramic-coated granules.
Lifespan
The average lifespan of an asphalt roof is between 15-25 years. If properly installed and cared for, they can protect your home during heavy rainstorms for many years. Their longevity is lower, however, than other roofing options for rainy climates, but their popularity also proves their reliability.
Affordability
One of the reasons for the popularity of asphalt roofing is its affordability. Asphalt roofs are easier to install than some other roofing options, lowering labor costs. The materials are also less expensive, due in part to their popularity than many other roofing materials. This all adds up to a cost-effective roofing option.
Limitations
Despite their popularity, asphalt shingles require maintenance and are known to crack, buckle, and peel. They are also susceptible to wind damage, and moss and mildew growth. They also lack considerable advantages in energy efficiency.
Metal Roofs
One rainy climate roof solution is a metal roof. If properly installed, this roof material is highly durable under rainy conditions. Most metal roofs are made of aluminum, zinc, copper, stainless steel, or a trademarked combination. Metal roofs are a good option in rainy climates because rain water easily slides off the metal material.
Durability
Roof durability is one of the top considerations when choosing a roofing material. Metal roofing is built to withstand heavy rains, high winds, and the damaging effects of hail. It is also fire-resistant, which is another durability consideration.
Cost
Metal roofing systems are not the most expensive option on the market, but they are about double the cost of asphalt shingle roofing.
Noise Considerations
One lifestyle consideration of metal roofs is their noise factor. Rain pinging off metal roofing makes noise. This can be a calming factor for some while being an annoying one for others. There is not a reliable way around it, however, so it needs to be considered before making the choice to install one.
Energy Efficiency
Metal reflects heat instead of absorbing it, making metal roofs an energy saving option in hotter climates. For colder climates, the reflective heat may have the opposite effect and offer up a different consideration.
Tile Roofs
A tile roof can be made of either clay or concrete. Clay tiles are naturally water-resistant as they do not absorb much moisture, making them hold up well in rainy climates. Concrete tiles have strong water-resistant properties and also make for a good choice in areas that receive heavy storms.
Longevity and Aesthetics
Tiled roofs offer a high resistance to the elements and can last up to about 50 years, giving them a high-score on longevity, even under rainy conditions. They are also a unique choice for most American homes, adding a lot of character.
Weight
Clay and concrete tiles are heavy materials and your home must be constructed to hold their considerable weight. They are most often used on more modern home designs that are built to hold a heavier roof. Older homes usually do not have the construction support to withstand the weight of a tiled roof and installing one can damage your home.
Maintenance
Although water-resistant, tiled roofs do require maintenance to prevent mold from accumulating. Care needs to be taken to periodically clean and seal the tiles. If you live in a colder climate, where temperatures are often in negative territory, clay and concrete tiles can crack and require replacement. This can also happen with extensive hail.
Energy Efficiency
Your roof efficiency in relation to your energy costs can be more than a bonus, it can save you money year over year by lowering your home’s heating and cooling costs. Clay tiles offer a layer of insulation to your home’s roof that can add up to energy savings.
Composite Roof Tiles
Composite roofing is a fairly new material made from a combination of plastic and rubber. Composite roof tiles do a good job protecting your home from heavy rain and hail, and do not crack easily due to pressure or exposure to the elements.
Durability and Aesthetics
Composite roofing systems have long lifespans and can last up to 50 years, giving them a high score for durability. They also come in a variety of colors and design options, which make them a versatile option aesthetically.
Environmental Impact
As a synthetic material, composite roofing systems do have a higher environmental impact than other more natural roofing systems. It is a consideration that could play into your choice of roofing materials.
Roofing Design Considerations in Rainy Climates
Looking to give your home the best roof for rain means not only choosing the right roofing materials but also the best roof type for a rainy climate.
Roof Pitch and Water Shedding
One design aspect to consider when building a roof for rain is choosing a roof pitch that will facilitate water shedding, instead of water pooling. When water pools on a roof, it can cause damage quickly because it can seep into the roof decking, which is often made of wood and can rot. The less water has a chance to pool on your roof, the better. The overall rule is that the higher the roof pitch, the better the water shedding capabilities. Higher pitched roofs naturally shed water while flat roofs are most prone to water pooling. High-pitched roofs though can also be more vulnerable to high winds. Roofs with multiple slopes usually perform best under windy conditions, so opting for a high pitch roof with multiple slopes can give you both rain and wind protection.
Best Roof for Rain: Maintenance Considerations
As a homeowner, roof maintenance is always a consideration. When you are looking at roofing for a wet climate, this becomes an even stronger consideration as extended water exposure can undermine a roof’s structural integrity.
Proper Ventilation
Ensuring your roof has proper ventilation is a top priority. This can help prevent excess humidity, which can break down roofing materials faster and cut their lifespan. Less humidity also means lessening the conditions for the growth of moss and mildew, which can also damage roofing materials.
Building Codes and Regulations
As extreme weather conditions are experienced more frequently across the country, building codes and regulations continue to be updated. Recent changes in building codes and regulations in Minnesota, for example, have included updated roofing requirements to shield against wind-driven rain, and damage caused by water, ice, and snow.
Regular Inspections and Repairs
One of the most important preventive maintenance measures for your roof is regular inspections by a professional and reputable roofing inspector. A professional inspector can catch problems before they cause costly damage and recommend repairs that will extend the lifespan of your roof. Keeping up with repairs if your roof sustains damage is also key to extending your roof’s lifespan.
Best Roof for Rain: Final Thoughts and Next Steps
Whether you are a homeowner looking to replace your roof due to climate challenges or are building your first home in an area with heavy rainfall, knowing what materials and designs help your roof perform best goes a long way. Building the best roof for rain means making choices on how you build your roof and also what materials you use to build it.
The best way to ensure you have the best roof for rain is to hire a professional and reputable roofing contractor who understands local conditions. Summit Construction understands how to inspect, maintain, replace, and install a roof that offers the protection from the elements your home deserves.
