Are There Different Types of Damage for Different Roofing Materials?

The roof of your home is very susceptible to damage, maybe more so than any other feature. Since it is literally the “lid” of your home, it is exposed to everything that nature throws at it.

Weather-related incidents such rain, hail, ice, snow, sleet and wind can cause a lot of damage to your roof directly, and they can also cause indirect damage by causing falling objects such as tree branches to fall. In addition, the sun’s harmful UV rays can also cause your roof to deteriorate over time.

While all roofs are susceptible to damage, how susceptible they are — and how they commonly sustain damage — depends on the type of material you’re roof is made from. 

Below, we discuss some of the most common types of roof damage, as well as what different types of damage different roofing materials may sustain.

Moisture

Water presents perhaps the largest threat to a roof, regardless of what type of material it’s made from. Moisture from rain, ice, snow, sleet and even hail will find its way into any imperfection — even small crevices, lifts and cracks.

This water can then seep into the wood structure of the roof beneath and, eventually, into your home. Moisture that sits on top of your roof can also result in algae and mold growing, which can cause major damage, too.

No roofing material is waterproof, meaning all are susceptible to water and moisture damage. This goes for roofs made from clay tiles, asphalt, wood and metal.

There are some roofs that are made from synthetic materials today that are designed to be resistant to weather. However, they aren’t completely resistant to the damages that water can cause.

Wind

Wind is also a very common cause of roof damage. Even if you don’t live in an area where tornadoes or hurricanes happen, even moderate wind can create susceptibilities where water and moisture can get in.

For instance, wind can lift up roofing materials or pull gutters and flashing away from roof structure. If this happens, it will create a place where water can get in and cause damage, as described above. 

Certain roofing materials will have higher wind ratings, which will help to withstand stronger winds. While it’s always a good idea to get the highest-quality materials you can, the wind rating is especially important if you live in an area where high winds are common.

Metal roofs perform very well in windy conditions. However, one of the downsides to this roofing material is that, if it does sustain wind damage, it’s more expensive to fix than asphalt roofs. That, of course, is in addition to the higher upfront price tag to have a metal roof installed.

Hail Damage

Hail doesn’t occur as commonly as rain, snow and wind, but when it does, it can cause significant damage to roofs. When the hail falls, it does so with high impact, which alone can cause damage. Add on the fact that hail is basically high-projectile ice, and you can see why it can be so damaging.

Hail can do damage to all types of roofing materials, though the types of damage it can cause varies from one roofing material to the next.

It can cause the granules in asphalt shingles to come loose and flake off, which reveals the under layer of the roofing material. Cedar shakes and other types of wood roofing materials can actually be cracked due to hail.

Metal roofs can also get dented and/or cracked from hail. 

UV Rays from Sunlight

You may not think about it, but the sun’s harmful rays can cause damage to more than just your skin. The intense UV rays from the sun degrades all types of materials over time, from wood to concrete and pavers, to even roofs.

The UV radiation from the sun can cause roofs to warp, crack and fade over time — all of which reduces the ability of the roof to hold up to other elements.

Metal and clay tile roofs perform best in regard to UV damage, as both materials are very resistant to these rays. Asphalt shingles are susceptible to damage from sunlight, which can break them down over time.

Wear and Tear

Over time, all roofs will need to be replaced. Different types of roofing materials have different typical lifespans, though it’s not always an apples-to-apples comparison due to the huge variations in cost.

Asphalt shingle roofs can last up to as much as 30 years, if you go with high-quality materials. Metal roofs have a longer lifespan usually, maybe around 30 to 40 years, while newer synthetic shingle roofs could even last for as many as 50 years.

How long your roof will last doesn’t just depend on the type of material, of course, but how well it is maintained. Roofs need to be inspected every so often, repaired immediately if damage does occur and have regular maintenance performed on them.

Simple tasks such as ensuring your gutters are clean is one way to help extend the lifespan of your roof. This is because clogged gutters can result in water getting pushed back up into your roof, instead of away from it, which can result in major water and moisture damage over time.

Get a New Roof from The Roof Resource

All roofs are susceptible to damage, no matter what material they’re made from. It’s just that the type of damage they are most likely to sustain might differ from one material to the next.

In addition to consistently maintaining your roof to ensure it’s working at optimal performance, it’s important to have a new roof installed by a local roofing company that you can trust.

The Roof Resource is that local roofer. We take an innovative approach to roof replacement projects, which often results in customers paying as much as 50% less than retail prices.

We offer a 100% virtual quote process, which is convenient and allows you to see everything that will go into your roof replacement upfront and clearly. We also only use high-quality asphalt shingles for all of our roof replacement projects, ensuring that you get the best roof to protect your home.

For more information, or to get a free proposal, please contact us today.