Because of the human design men and women were never supposed to be outside in the elements all the time. Even most animals with fur and other protective abilities seek shelter rather than endure the ravages of a winter storm. And the most important part of this shelter is overhead protection.

The purpose of a roof in a normal home is to shed water and deflect the sun's direct rays. If water were allowed to get into the walls and the interior of a home - which happens with a faulty roof – then personal belongings get ruined and the structure of the home is compromised, if not immediately then later when rot and insects carry on the damage.

The part of the country that the home is built usually has a lot to do with the design of the roof. In Colorado, for example, heavy snowfalls require that prudent home owners have a peaked roof with a surface that sheds snow before it builds up becomes a structural concern. Whereas in Seattle a roof mainly has to shed water. The materials in both roofs may be similar but they have different jobs.

Tile and Clay Roofs

A staple in roofing for thousands of years the fired-clay tile is still a mainstay in the southern regions of the country as is the pre-formed cement tile. Both give homes a Spanish colonial look and are great for areas of intense, summer heat. The tile's material and design work to deflect the sun's rays and absorb heat before it gets into the home. At night, when it's cooler, the tile releases the heat. It is also fine for rain and even blowing rains like in tropical storms. In addition, tile is very fire-proof and it will prevent the heat and fire from an adjacent home from penetrating the home.

Clay tiles are traditionally heavy and roof trusses have to be strong to support them. However the concrete imitations can weigh as little as some asphalt shingles. Both are expensive but then the roof will never have to be done again so the cost factor and nuisance factor evens out. In areas where it has a freeze/thaw cycle tile roofs are generally not recommended.

Steel Roofs

Some of the oldest surviving roofs are the remains of galvanized steel roofs in rural areas. The "tin roofs" stood up well until the tin-plate eroded and even then it took many more years to rust through.

Today, steel roofs are lightweight compared to other roofing. In fact it can be 40 - 50% lighter than asphalt roofs meaning also that no additional support is needed. As well, a steel roof can be installed directly over an existing roof without taking off the old material. This saves excess cost and toxic waste in a landfill.

Steel roof parts come in long pieces which are attached at the seams and, in many instances, can be installed in one continuous piece. They are usually powder-coated but are available in modified polyester, fluorocarbon and PVC coatings. On the average steel roofs last 2-3 times longer than asphalt shingles. They are also hail and dent resistant and will not warp or crack like tile and slate.

Aluminum Roofs

Aluminum roofs used to be widely distributed in snowy areas because they rid themselves of snow in a hurry before the weight built up. However, in a lot of cases the snow disappeared from the roof too quickly causing accidents. Today aluminum is mostly applied in shake form. These pieces come in an interlocking design and wind cannot get under them. They are extremely lightweight and durable and because of their design are not susceptible to dents. But they are expensive to install and can only be installed by a specialized aluminum shake roofer.

Copper Roofs

Used for centuries - and lasting for centuries - copper is the "King's roof" as it is found on palaces and government buildings the world over. But is it frightfully expensive and, with the price of metal rising, getting more that way ever day. Still, it will last for generations.

Slate Roofs

There are slate roofs on homes that are over 150 years old. Although heavy it is the ultimate in roof materials for those who want a traditional, elegant and long-lasting roof. Again, this is an expensive way to do a roof but you will never have to do another one. The good news is that hi-tech methods of cutting the slate has made the product easier to use and less labor intensive onsite.

Cedar Shake Roofs

Because cedar is so abundant in the northwest many homes there have cedar shake roofs. To put on a cedar roof is labor intensive, moreso that asphalt or metal. Years ago the advantages of cedar was that the natural oils negated the need for any coating so that a cedar roof would 50 years or more. However, these days the poor supply of raw cedar has cut out the longevity advantage and the cost has increased. In fact, cedar shakes now cost between $270 per square (100 sq ft coverage) to $350 per square to buy and the installed cost now $750 to $1200 per square.

Asphalt Roofs

Asphalt shingles are the mainstay of the roofing industry. They are either a paper-product mash of asphalt and newsprint with a finish of tiny, colored-ceramic stones or a fiberglass matt with same components. Since they are available in a rainbow of colors and designs they mimic shakes. Their longevity, however, is subject to weather conditions and the tabs of the shingle unit have a tendency to fly off in heavy winds. To counter this go for a heavy shingle. This may cost a little more but remember one of the biggest costs on doing a roof is labor and so putting on a thicker shingle won't add much to the labor cost. A laminate shingle (basically 2 shingles melded into one) is the best way to go in an asphalt shingle.

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