New Roofing Materials for Makeshift Structures

Choosing the best type of roof for your home requires is a serious matter that has serious consequences. Primarily, the roof is a major security utility of the home against natural events like rain and storm which are very common in Singapore and other Asian counties. It is also your main protection against the sun.

First, there is the matter of material. The best type of roof need not have the best type of material but the most appropriate one especially in relation to annual weather and climate changes, height of the house, or the roofing design. Asphalt shingles is the cheapest type of roofing material and relatively the one easiest to install. However, they fades easily, is not very durable and is a poor insulating device. Most often roof contractors, need to reinforce asphalt shingles with fiberglass or organic materials such as cellulose to improve durability. Clay and concrete tiles on the other hand are extremely durable but they are also heavy and difficult to install and will also require additional costs for professional installation services. In Singapore, metal roofs are popular due to their weather-resistant properties. Although they are more expensive than other materials, they are lightweight, recyclable, and generally last longer.

There are newer materials such as slate, which is accordingly the most distinctive, elegant and durable material but also requires roof specialists or professional services for proper installation and special framing needs. Wood shingles and shakes are also cheaper options but are also not endorsed by roofing specialists and contractors in Singapore since they are fire-hazard materials. Synthetic roofing products from rubber, plastic and polymer roofing gives homeowners more aesthetic options for a variety of styles but these are often brittle or fragile and therefore least durable.

Recently too, aluminum composite panels are level panels consisting of two thin loop covered aluminum sheets attached to a non-aluminum center are being utilized for roofing of makeshift structures. Aluminum composite panels are often utilized for interior and exterior compositional cladding or allotments, protection, signage, awning, machine covers, compartment development, and for face-mounting of artworks and photography. More recently however, ACPs are now being utilized by roofing contractors as light-weight but strong roofing materials for transient structures like expo corners and comparative transitory components since they usually transfer wind loads to the supporting structure but do not necessarily contribute to the over-all stability of a structure. However, with proper panel frames, aluminum composite panels can still serve as cheap, sturdy, and flexible roofing alternatives.

Of course, the roofing material must compliment the roof design. Among common roof designs in Singapore are gable, where roofing materials are arranged in two opposite slanted formations best for mid-sized houses with simple architectural design.

Meanwhile, shed and saltbox types are best for smaller infrastructures while hexagonal designs are best options for gazebos. Although most roofing materials can be painted, aluminum composite panels has an extra advantage since these aluminum sheets can be covered with polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), fluoropolymer resins (FEVE), or polyester paint and can be painted in an extensive variety of metallic and non-metallic hues and additional designs like wood or marble effects textures.