Synthetic Roofing and Its Incredible Benefits!
In this modern-day and age, the word synthetic is thrown around a lot to make products appear like they are new or groundbreaking in some way but even in the roofing industry, a name can be just a name. Unfortunately, with the massive amounts of other roofing companies all over the greater Chicago area, it’s difficult to know who is actually living up to installing a truly synthetic roof for your home.
Gold Standard Restorations and our many expert roofers out in the field see this and we are changing how homeowners everywhere view synthetic roofing. Along with the many advantages it brings, we are setting a new, gold standard for your roof (all pun intended).
What is Synthetic Roofing?
Beginning with the definition of synthetic, it is “made by chemical synthesis, especially to imitate a natural product,” which makes sense to apply to products to bring the natural look of cedar, slate, or tile roofing materials. All synthetic roofing products use a variety of different materials to look like old-world building products while bringing the many benefits of modern engineering.
This makes them one of the more sought-after roofing products available on the market today. Depending on the exact product you choose for your home, the benefits of these materials include being lighter in weight, vast options of colors to choose from, eco-friendly, and many, many more.
As previously mentioned, synthetic roofing products are made of different materials like plastic, rubber, and polymers to replicate the look and visual appeal of wooden, tile, and even asphalt roofs. Though many products make similar claims and have similar characteristics, there are major differences in how these products are designed, as well as the look of each product.
Currently, cedar shake roofing styles are more commonly installed by using power tools that are designed to keep the same look and classic appeal. Another added benefit is they are created straight from the source and they are typically the thickest and most durable of all the cedar roofing products.
A Brief Look Into Synthetic Roof Manufacturing
The composition of most of these products usually incorporates ultra-violet inhibitors (UVI’s) which help to preserve the natural look and color of the product being imitated for many decades to come. Impact modifiers are exactly as they sound in the construction of your roof. When being created, impact modifiers are used to enhance both the durability and flexibility of synthetic materials like PVC while staying strong so they can take on the extreme elements we all receive here in the Chicagoland area.
Some of the manufacturers even make their products with recycled materials like rubber and plastic which help them to become leaders in the eco-friendly & green roofing trends while reducing both theirs and your carbon footprint at the same time. The benefits don’t stop there though! While synthetic roofing is a broad term that incorporates so many styles of roofing that also come in a wide variety of colors and shapes, our expert designers will show you how it can change the outlook of your home.
Overall, when you’re in the midst of a remodel or need an upgrade to your home, synthetic material is a great option for replacing your roof in the northern suburbs of Chicago and beyond.
What is the Difference Between Natural and Synthetic Slate or Cedar?
To start, synthetic slate & cedar products are significantly lighter and less expensive, and did you know that synthetic slate weighs about a quarter of what a natural slate roof would weigh? While that doesn’t sound important, the weight bearing down on the entire structure of a home is critical to how long the home will stand for.
Many kinds of synthetic products are also less expensive and make for a much easier installation for every home which lessens the labor cost for homeowners everywhere. This also helps get our expert installers in and out of your hair in no time. Even the most common home structure can support the weight of a synthetic product and can be installed with standard roofing nails or screws versus a more heavy-duty fastener that is required for many slate or tile roofing products.
Moving on from installation, the aesthetics of synthetic roofs on the market like color and curb appeal, are just as pleasing. However, for many styles, it can offer even more options in color and some may even allow you to create your own custom mix. When you consider any cedar options as yet another benefit, they do not fade or grey like natural cedar shake or shingles and can keep their color for many decades to come.
Eco-Friendly And Green Building Products
As aforementioned, some homeowners are looking for a roofing product that will reduce their carbon footprint, and that alone makes any synthetic shake and tile roofs the best option.
Another benefit is synthetic roofing products last longer and therefore are less likely to end up being replaced over the next 50+ years which will reduce your carbon footprint even more by using less raw materials over time to create them. These materials also have very low maintenance and repairs are lesser than typical asphalt shingles or other roofing products.
Products like Euroshield and Brava Roof Tile both incorporate recycled materials in their construction, like rubber and plastic. Davinci roofing products are actually recyclable themselves and even offer free shipping of the waste from their products back to the manufacturer for recycling!
So in turn, not only are you helping the environment, you’re helping our pros at Gold Standard lessen our carbon footprint because there will be fewer trips made to your house which enables us to use less gas. So even with companies that do not use recycled materials to create synthetic roofs, everyone is still reducing their impact on the environment.
Do I Need a Synthetic Roof or Can I Find A Shingle To Meet My Needs?
Though both of these styles share benefits like durability and many color options, synthetic products all have the ability to stay true to the aesthetics of old-world materials like cedar and tile when they are created. Unfortunately, designer shingle options have a hard time truly emulating their natural counterparts because they are simply not made of wood.
While the designer shingles available on the market are more cost-effective and budget-friendly than synthetic products, our professional contractors here at Gold Standard feel that the correct choice for your home can only be made by you.
The warranty difference between asphalt and synthetic materials is very minimal. Many of these synthetic products offer a 50-year warranty while the asphalt shingles can offer a 30-50 year or even lifetime warranty on their products. With such extensive warranties available for all of these products, the important part is finding a company that can properly install the product and provides not just the quality material needed but a customer experience that is second to none.
Now The Question Is What Are You Waiting For?
Finding the right material for your home can be challenging, but GSR experts are here to help make your decision as painless as possible while giving you all the options.
Synthetic materials are durable, fire-resistant, weather-resistant, eco-friendly, come with added durability, and require less maintenance over the years, and, honestly will last decades to come. A synthetic roof won’t warp, discolor or split like their natural counterparts, come with some very generous manufacturer warranties and look incredibly like the materials they are imitating.
Add all of that with the immense varieties of color and style options available from the various manufacturers we get our supplies from and it all adds up to the question of “why didn’t I choose this years ago?”
At Gold Standard Restorations, we know that you will love your new synthetic slate or cedar roof but it may come with just as many questions as the benefits that it brings so don’t hesitate! Give us a call at 847-495-2399 and schedule an appointment for a free estimate and consultation and remember to Go for Gold! Go for Gold Standard Restorations!