Serving Kern County for over 40 years
Best Roofing Material for Southern California: Which California Roof Types Will Last?
Choosing the Best Roofing Material for Southern California: Your Guide to California Roof Types
Living in Bakersfield and the greater Kern County area means dry heat and hot summers. Southern California is a great place to live, and a large part of living in the area is having a roof that is sustainable for your home, the environment, and your wallet!
Although roofs aren’t something that may cross your mind on a daily basis, it’s important to know the best roofing materials for hot climates since it impacts your quality of life and budget.
Operating in Bakersfield for over 40 years, the founders and roofers at Wilson Brothers Roofing are industry leaders in the best roofing materials for Southern California. On this page, you’ll find everything you need to know about roofing for your Southern California home.
Best Roofing Materials For Southern California
There are so many different types of roofing materials available to protect—and add to the design of—your home. The number of California roof types to choose from may seem overwhelming at first. But Wilson Brothers Roofing is here to help.
Roofs have the power to add value to your home, change its feel and design, and keep you and your loved ones safe. A reinstallation from asphalt to metal roofing can transform your home. And if you have a commercial building, you need to know if you should reapply a hot mop roofing layer or change materials entirely.
Making a decision about what roof is best for your home or commercial building is an important one that involves discussion, consideration, and evaluating the pros and cons of different roofing materials.
We hope that this blog will help you decide what material is best for your Southern California roof. With Wilson Brothers Roofing, you can choose from a wide range of roofing materials. Browse our products to get an idea of what you may be searching for as the best fit for your California style roof.
Asphalt
If you’re looking for an adaptable, economical roofing material for your Southern California roof, asphalt shingles are one of your best options. Asphalt is one of the more inexpensive roofing products and is extremely common in homes in the Southern California area.
Asphalt shingles have many great features. They are:
- Affordable
- Easy to install
- Flexible, which makes them a great choice for roofs with many angles and curves
- Available in many different designs and colors
- Resistant to damage from strong storms and other elements
- Durable—they can last between 15-25 years
One of the best parts of having an asphalt shingle roof is that, in addition to providing ample protection, they are also easy to repair or replace if damage does occur.
There are three main types of asphalt shingles, each with its own benefits. The following list is in order of cost (low to high).:
- Three-tab
- Architectural
- Luxury
Although there are different types of asphalt shingle, you can rely on each to be both flexible and durable. And if you are looking for an environmentally friendly option, Wilson Brothers Roofing works with companies that are dedicated to sustainability to offer our customers asphalt shingle options that are ecologically sound.
With all the perks that come with asphalt roofing, there are also some other attributes to consider. Asphalt shingles, though lasting for up to 25 years, typically do have a shorter lifespan than other roofing material types. This is just something to consider when choosing the best roofing material for your home. Southern California is a great place for asphalt shingles, but you are not limited to this roofing material as your only option.
Metal Roofing
Metal roofing has been around for a long time and is currently making a comeback in terms of its popularity as a roofing material choice. Metal roofing’s sleek design and advanced technology have made it a spotlight feature of many residential homes and businesses.
There are many perks to having a metal roof. In regards to having the best roofing material for Southern California, metal roofing is extremely energy efficient. The material is highly reflective, which ultimately lowers your heating and cooling costs. As any Southern California resident well knows, having energy-efficient choices is always good for your bottom line. Plus, it’s a sustainable option for keeping your home or business’s energy costs lower year round.
On top of its economical sustainability, metal roofing is also environmentally sustainable. All of the metal roofing products Wilson Brothers Roofing provides are 100% recyclable.
Other benefits to having a metal roof in your Southern California home include:
- Durability
- Fire-resistance
- Increased home resale value
- Long lifespan of between 40-70 years
Metal roofs are complicated to install, which is why hiring a professional is often the best option.
Metal roofs are also a great choice because of their design. They come in many colors, thicknesses, and designs, meaning your choice fits your home’s look and feel.
A metal roof looks great in the countryside, suburbs, and city. Talk to Wilson Brothers Roofing about your metal roof installation choices today.
Clay Tile
Clay tiles are one of the best roofing materials for hot climates because of their ability to withstand high, dry heat. And clay tiles are synonymous with Spanish-style home design, which has been and continues to be a popular choice for Southern California homes. But clay tiles come in different sizes and colors to fit the needs of many different styles of homes.
Clay tiles are known for their design flair, but this roofing material offers so much more than curb appeal—although that is important in and of itself. Clay tiles have a long lifespan, lasting between 50-70 years. They are also extremely durable against heat and other weather elements. Plus, they are made of a fireproof material and are an energy-efficient option.
If you are considering clay tiles for your California roof style, you should know that they tend to run on the more expensive side. They are pricier than options like the ever-popular asphalt tile, even though they do have a longer average lifespan.
Additionally, clay tiles are heavy, meaning they could cause problems down the line and may require maintenance, particularly if there is a crack. However, if installed correctly by a professional like the roofers at Wilson Brothers Roofing, your clay tiles will most likely last for a long time without the need for a lot of maintenance.
Clay tiles are one of the best roofing materials for Southern California, which is why you often see this style on the coast in places like San Diego. The clay can come either natural (unglazed) or glazed. This material adds durability to a home, along with a lot of texture and style.
Slate Shingles
Slate shingles are very similar to clay tiles except that they are typically flatter (clay tiles are known for their texture). Slate shingles are made out of slate and concrete, both of which help to protect your home from fires and rot.
Slate shingles are:
- Durable, with a life expectancy of up to 50 years or more
- Easy to maintain
- Environmentally sustainable due to their lifespan
- Fire-resistant
Slate shingles also have an elegance to them; their beautiful design is great for sprucing up your home and creating a polished look.
However, this elegance doesn’t make them fragile. Slate tiles are extremely durable. Because of their weight, they do need to be installed professionally and handled with care.
Slate shingles are one of the best roofing materials for Southern California for reasons similar to those previously mentioned for clay tiles. They thrive in dry heat and maintain their color composition well throughout the years. Although they do range on the more expensive side, they hold up very well in the Southern California climate.
Wood Shingles and Shakes
Wood shingles and shakes are often found in more luxurious Southern California homes. However, they do not have to be confined to more expensive homes. Wood shingles are extremely sustainable, durable, and energy efficient.
One of the reasons why wood shingles and shakes are so well equipped as a Southern California roof material is that they are so good at keeping UV rays from entering homes. This means you save on energy costs! And wood shingles and shakes can last for up to 50 years, making them a great option for your Southern California home.
Best Roofing Material for a Low Pitch Roof
Low pitch roofs can be found on house awnings or garages, but are more often seen on commercial buildings. While commercial building roofs can definitely be slanted, most are flat or low-pitched, meaning they have only a slight slope.
Roofing materials for low pitch roofs can also be a great option for RVs or other flat-roof structures. If you’re wondering about the best roofing material for Southern California commercial buildings, you’ve come to the right spot!
Thermoplastic Membrane
Thermoplastic polyolefin roofing, also known as TPO, is a great option for low-pitch or flat roof buildings. TPO is a single-ply membrane applied to a roof in layers. The actual TPO material is a mix of rubber and synthetics, making it flexible and highly reflective.
Because TPO membranes are so reflective, they are great for Southern California roofing. TPO does a great job reflecting UV rays, which can overall keep your building at a cooler temperature and save you money on energy bills.
Not only is TPO roofing energy efficient, but the material is also highly resistant to bacterial growth, chemicals, and water. Additionally, Wilson Brothers Roofing provides Title 24 roofing compliant TPO materials to ensure you are helping the environment—and your pocketbook.
Silicon Roofing and Coating
Installing a silicon roof or silicon coating is a great cost-effective option for your Southern California roof. Silicon roofing/coating is fairly simple to install, but it is still important for installation to be done by a roofing professional.
Silicon coating can help extend your roof’s lifespan. Applying a silicon coat protects your roof from the elements and can fill in the cracks if your roof is experiencing wear and tear over time. Talk to Wilson Brothers Roofing about getting the most life out of your roof with silicone coatings.
Hot Mop Roofing
Hot mop roofing is a highly economical choice: The installation process is fast and straightforward, plus your roof will have an average lifespan of 15-20 years. This makes hot mop roofing a popular choice for commercial buildings.
The hot mop roofing process involves pouring and applying layers of hot liquid on top of the roof’s foundation, making your roof totally waterproof. Plus, because of its durability, we can place additional materials, such as gravel.
Wilson Brothers Roofing provides Title 24 roofing compliant hot mop roofing materials.
Residential and Commercial
Looking for a roof repair or installation? Wilson Brothers Roofing provides both residential and commercial roofings services. Call us today at (661) 589-4297 to find out more.
California Roof Types FAQs
How Long Does a Roof Last in California?
A roof’s lifespan is highly dependent on the type of roofing material and the maintenance put into the roof. Maintaining your roof by getting inspections and being proactive about its wellbeing is the best way to make your roof last for as long as possible.
If your roof needs repair, contact us right away. A damaged roof is usually a sign that there are already underlying problems to the integrity of your roof. Make sure your roof is getting the correct maintenance by hiring a roofing professional today.
What Is the Best Roofing Material for a Curved Roof?
A curved roof adds style to your home, and you can play around with your roofing material choices for your curved roof. You aren’t confined to certain flexible materials, like asphalt. Many curved roofs use slate tiles. There are even curved metal options! The best roofing material for a curved roof is one that fits your design and budget.
Contact Wilson Brothers Roofing Today to Choose Your California Roof Style
The experienced roofers at Wilson Brothers Roofing are here for your roofing needs. Whether you want to have a more in-depth conversation about the best roofing material choices for Southern California, need a roofing repair, or a total roof replacement, we’re here to get the job done!
Our top priority is customer satisfaction; we want to make sure that you love your roof and the work we’ve done to provide the best roofing services. No matter which roof material you ultimately choose, working with a professional roofing company that is familiar with and follows California roofing codes is the best way to get started .
If you have any questions, call us today at (661) 589-4297 or fill out our online contact form. We look forward to hearing from you!