When building a house you usually start from the ground up, but one of the first things you should be thinking about is the roof. There are several different types of roofs to choose from. You can build one that fits the style and the functionality of your house, while protecting you from the elements in your location.

The most popular and common roof that you will see is built with asphalt shingles. This is a popular choice because it is the least expensive material to buy, but it still looks good. There are different styles, colors and durability levels for this type of shingle.

Keep in mind that this material does wear quickly and may not hold up very long in an area where there are windy and icy conditions. You can also use an architectural shingle, which is also called a laminated or dimensional shingle. These are made of asphalt, but are designed to look like shakes or tiles. These are more durable and last longer.

Several years ago a popular choice in roofing was the wood shingle. These shingles are made of cedar. They are dependable and resist rotting. These are not as widely used now because they are less fire resistant, and therefore are less reliable. This is probably not a good choice if you live in a wooded area, or in places that are susceptible to fire.

You can also build a steel roof. This is a metal roof that is known to be more durable and fire resistant. These roofs last fifty years or more, but because of their durability and life span, it is going to be more expensive. Another material that is just as durable, but can last 100 years or more is slate. The difference is that slate is heavier and you would need to make sure that the building structure could hold the weight.

If you are looking to build your roof with natural materials you can build an eco or clay roof. The eco roof is made of vegetation and soil. This offers insulation during cold and hot weather, but it is very heavy. If the house can support the weight, it is a good energy efficient roof made from recycled materials. The clay tile roof is also heavy and should not be used in an area prone to insects or mold.

Another energy efficient way to build a roof would be in using solar shingles. Solar shingles have the ability to power an entire house from the energy it collects during the day. This will be the most beneficial in an area that gets a lot of sunlight. These types of roofs are expensive, but the energy savings are immediate and you can save a lot of money. There are also tax incentives for building a solar roof.

You can also select the shape of the roof you want to build. The most popular, and easiest to build, is the gable roof. This shape sheds water quickly and provides plenty of ventilation. Another popular shape is the hip roof. This is slightly more difficult to build, but the design is unique. This style does not provide as much ventilation and because of the hips and valleys, it has an increased chance for leakage. An A-frame provides a roof and walls, and was first used for cottages. Now this style is found on houses, churches and other structures.

The last type of roof is a flat roof. This is the most economical, but has no design. This does not require shingles, but instead uses layers of felt and tar, and is topped with gravel. This type of roof is for warm areas with little or no snow fall.

When planning to build your house, look at all material samples for the types of roofs that are available. Pick a roof that reflects your lifestyle and will also be dependable in the environment and climate where you live.