Famously known for its flat Outback, Australia also has some of the most beautiful mountain terrains with seemingly infinite space suitable for breathtakingly beautiful homes. However, owning an alpine home means accepting the harsh climate realities of intense sunlight, gusty winds, bush fires and occasional hailstorms.
Whether you are planning to build your forever home in the cascading ranges of the Currumbin Valley or the abruptly rising hills of Glass House Mountains, here are the best roofing materials for a laid-back mountain home comfort.
Metal Roofs
A metal roofing system is the absolute best for your mountain property. The overriding advantages of a metal roof derive from its strength, ability to withstand elements and longevity. They make a smart choice for a mountain home due to their robust durability, supreme security and eye-catching aesthetics. A metal roof works great for covering big areas. This quality lends itself to use in the construction of long and lighter structures.
Other than saving you a ton on energy cost, they are immune to cracks and discolouration, which makes them an investment that will easily pay for itself over time. A metal roof will also offer you the highest rainwater collection efficiency, which is highly crucial for a home that is far from modern amenities such as piped water.
If you choose a metal roof, make sure to consult with your roofing contractor on the best metal roofing material. You can choose from steel, aluminium, zinc and copper. Finally, make sure to consider a flat metal roof, as it's virtually maintenance free and will last longer than any other roofing material.
Tile Roofs
Although more expensive than many other roofing materials, tiled roofs using clay or concrete work well in areas that experience hot and bright sunlight, as they do not shrink and expand with the temperature. They also stand up to heavy rains, they won't rot and they are highly resistant to insect damage and fire.
A properly installed tile roof can last for decades with little maintenance to remain in optimum condition. They also offer great heat-insulating properties which are extremely important in a mountain home. They are available in a variety of colours, shapes and sizes, which can add a lot of character to the appearance of your home. However, it's important to consider that clay and concrete tiles require extra roof support due to their heavy weight, which translates to an increased installation or replacement cost.
As with all roofing projects, it's important to consult with a professional roofing contractor to help you choose and install the most suitable roofing material.
Share6 May 2019
Hi and welcome to my blog. My name is Jules, and several years ago, I bought an old house. As it needed so many repairs, we learned to compromise and prioritise our goals. That included the roof. Although the house needed a roof, we spent a few years working on other elements of the house, and during that time, we repaired and patched parts of the roof or added shingles as needed. Finally, we were able to replace the entire thing. I learned a lot through the process and wanted to create a blog about it. If you are interested in anything to do with roofs, please check out my posts.
