Winter isn’t just tough on moods in South Yorkshire. Months of rain, wind, snow and ice can also take a toll on roofs. Whether you’re building a new home or replacing an existing roof, selecting the right material is the key to ensuring your Barnsley home remains safe, comfortable and energy-efficient throughout the winter.
Looking for expert advice when it comes to choosing roofing materials? In this guide, we’ll explore the best roofing materials for winter, assessing critical factors like durability, insulation, budget and architectural style.
Pitched roofs: clay tiles, concrete tiles and slate
Let’s start with the best material options for pitched roofs, a style widely used in Barnsley and across South Yorkshire. This type of roof offers excellent rainwater drainage and is often covered with clay tiles, concrete tiles or slate. Each of these materials has unique qualities, which we’ll cover in more detail below.
Clay tiles
Clay tiles are renowned for their strength and durability. They have a timeless look with great insulation properties, which helps to keep your home warm and comfortable during the chilly winter months. When installed properly clay-tiled roofs can last for several decades, another bonus for budget-conscious homeowners.
While clay tiles have loads of advantages, price can be an obstacle for some homeowners. They tend to be more expensive compared to concrete tiles and some other roofing materials. Weight can also come into play – clay tiles are heavy and can require additional structural support in some homes.
Concrete tiles
Affordable and durable, concrete tiles are popular across South Yorkshire. They’re more than capable of withstanding tough winter conditions and offer good insulation, making them ideal for the harsh climate. Concrete tiles are extremely versatile and available in a range of designs and colours, including styles that mimic the appearance of clay or slate. For homeowners on a budget, this can be a huge draw and makes concrete tiles suitable for a variety of architectural styles.
While durable, concrete tiles generally have a slightly shorter lifespan compared to clay or slate. This means you may need to replace your roof sooner. That said, they remain a cost-effective choice for Barnsley homeowners.
Slate
Slate stands out as a premium roofing material, renowned for its durability and resistance to frost, moisture and temperature fluctuations. The material has excellent insulating properties and helps to trap warm air inside your home. Slate is remarkably low-maintenance and boasts an exceptionally long lifespan, with many roofs still performing after a century.
Slate has been quarried in the UK for centuries and is one of the oldest recorded roofing materials used in the country. For many period homeowners, slate roofs are a natural choice. As well as new slate, there’s also the option of reclaimed slate for an older and more natural look.
The primary drawback of slate lies in its cost – it’s one of the most expensive roofing materials available in the UK. However, its long lifespan means the initial investment is worthwhile. Slate is also a heavy material which means your roof may need to be reinforced before installation.
Looking for affordable slate roofing options? Consider alternatives like reconstituted slate and artificial slate. Both are modern additions to the roofing market and promise the look and feel of traditional slate, without the inflated cost.
Flat roofs: GRP
Flat roofs are favoured by modern architects and offer a sleek aesthetic. Not to mention lots of garages and extensions. However, the style comes with unique set of challenges which means it’s important to choose the right material.
GRP Fibreglass
GRP is short for glass reinforced plastic, which is also known as fibreglass. It’s strong, corrosion resistant and lightweight as a roofing material. But most importantly, it’s highly resistant to temperature fluctuations too.
That means a well-maintained GRP roof can withstand those sub-zero drops from December to February. As an added bonus, it’s a good material for insulation, so it could keep your home that little bit warmer through the winter.
Factors to consider when choosing roofing materials
Choosing the right roofing material for your home is an important decision. It affects not only the kerb appeal of your home but also things like durability, comfort and energy efficiency. To help you make the right decision we’ve put together a list of factors to consider when weighing up your roofing material choices: