If a person is building a new house or remodeling or renovating and installing a new roof, here are the most sensible roofing choices available: * Wood shingles * Asphalt shingles * Built tiles * Slate * Metal * Ceramic In order to make the right roofing choice amongst these or other roofing materials, a person must consider the style of the house, the location, how much they plan to spend, durability etc.

Wood shingled roofs have a quaint beauty of their own. Such roofing materials are very suitable for colonial or ranch style buildings. As they are mostly made from cedar wood, their appearance improves with age. As wood is non-conductor of heat, wooden roofs are natural insulators. However, on the con side, they are fire prone, require regular maintenance, do not last more than 50 years and are comparatively expensive. That is why such roofs are rather exclusive.

Asphalt shingles on the other hand are more widely used. That is because these shingles are reasonably priced, sturdy and easy to install. Moreover, they come in different colors and so you can use them to create the kind of look you want. On the con side, they are not good insulator, but you can add insulating layers separately under it. Metal roofs are also very popular. From low-end aluminium roofing to high-end copper, they are available in every price range. They are fireproof and easy to maintain. Today they have insulating measures incorporated in them and so the building under such roofing remains comfortable through out the year.

Built tiles too are quite popular; they are cheap, yet they are fire resistant and good insulators. On top of that, they are quite attractive and can be made to resemble cedar wood shingles and shakes. Ceramic tiles on the other hand are rather exclusive. They are rather heavy and little difficult to install. You find them only in places where the Mediterranean-style of architecture is in vogue. Barrel tile, half cylinder and ceramic clay tile are some of the varieties of ceramic tiles available today.

However, none is as heavy as the slate roofing. Before you install such a roof, you must find out if the existing structure is strong enough to hold the weight of the roof. Another problem is that in the United States, a slate roof turns out to be very expensive and so very few can actually afford them. However, if you can install one you can be sure that the roof is going to outlast you. It is also very graceful in look and can provide a vintage appearance to your home. Today, new look-alike slate shingles are also available; they are less expensive, lighter in weight and more compact. If you cannot afford real slate, you can go for them.

Now that we are aware about different roofing materials, we should now talk about installation process. If you are installing new roof or replacing the existing one, you should always hire a roofing contractor to do the actual job. However, if you want you can always start the process yourself. To find out how much material you will need, measure the roof accurately, though in a slanting that may not be very easy. You can also undertake a market survey to be aware of different qualities of materials, their price range etc.

However, if you appoint a reliable roofing contract, you need not take so much trouble. He himself will have the roof measured and calculate the amount of material that will be required. What is more, he will also suggest the best roofing material for your particular structure and help with the actual process of purchase. For their own goodwill, they will also try to do the job to the best of their ability. That is why choosing the right roofing contractor is as important as choosing the right roofing material.

Now, where do we find such roofing contractors? You can always ask your relatives, friends and acquaintances for references. Otherwise, you can search through the internet as well as the yellow pages. Whatever is the process, first make a list of roofing contractors working in your locality and start calling on them. Do not hesitate to ask for licenses or testimonials. Next, ask them for quotations and insist on break-up of all costs, timeline for completing the work and some kind of warranty at least. Offer the job only once you are fully satisfied them; roofing is after all a serious business and cannot be entrusted to every Tom, Dick and Harry.

Article by Joseph Wilkerson of Los Angeles, who is also a specialist in roofing. For more information on roofers Los Angeles, visit his site today.