Synthetic roofing materials have been growing in popularity for several years now. The definition of synthetic can be somewhat confusing; in this context, synthetic material is a manufactured material that is designed to mimic a different material. For example, rubber and plastic are often used for roofing to mimic asphalt shingles, cedar shake, clay, and slate.
Synthetic Slate
Synthetic slate is very popular and seems poised to only grow in popularity. That’s because slate is a very popular option with some drawbacks. An authentic slate is a natural stone that is processed into roofing tiles. It is very heavy, which means that a home has to be inspected particularly for slate. The roof might even need to be modified to support the added weight. Slate also can break if exposed to direct blunt force. Furthermore, slate can be somewhat expensive.
Synthetic slate, on the other hand, is made from a composite of polymers and rubbers. It does not have the weight constraints of authentic slate. Good faux slate is still waterproof and damage resistant. It’s also resistant to algae and mold. A good faux slate is often made by casting natural slate molds. The natural slate is cast as the mold and then the synthetic is poured into the mold. So, the faux slate has the inclusions and impressions of natural slate. It can be colored to look exactly like natural slate too.
Synthetic Shake
Wood shake is very popular for roofs because it provides a rustic quality to the roof. Cedar is a popular material because it is naturally bug and mold resistant. It also ages very beautifully. Synthetic shake is often made of teh same material as synthetic slate but designed to look like a shake. The differences are in the natural material used for a mold. The natural wood is cast as the mold so that the polymer can be molded to look authentic. It can be then be colored to look like new cedar, aged cedar, or practically any wood you would like.
Synthetic Metal
Synthetic metal roofing can be synthetic polymers designed to look like metal, but since metal is a fairly environmentally-friendly option already, it’s more common to have metal tiles coated in polymers. A metal roof coated in synthetic materials has all of the fireproof benefits of metal. It also prevents the metal from corroding or rusting.
Contact an Experienced Roofing Company in Boise
A coated metal roof can last for decades or even centuries. You should ask a roofer is synthetic is right for you. Give the team at Knox Roofing a call today to discuss your roofing needs throughout Boise and the entire Treasure Valley!