Choosing a Roof for Your Beach House: Considerations and Best Roof Options

Living by the sea is the dream. Having a beach house is a great investment but it can also be a lot of work because coastal areas have a uniquely salty, windy, yet humid environment. If you own a house in a coastal area, you need roof materials that can withstand this environment to maximize your investment.

In this blog, we’ll discuss the different factors when choosing a roof for your beach house and the best roofing systems for coastal regions.

Factors to Consider in Choosing a Roof System for Beach Houses

Here are important factors you should consider to ensure that the roof you use in your beach house lasts a long time:

Weather Resistance

The roofs of houses in coastal areas are regularly exposed to salty air, high humidity levels, strong winds, heavy rainfall, and the sun. This is a harsh combination that can cause corrosion on roofing materials.

So, you need a roofing system that is designed to withstand not only corrosion but also all other harsh weather conditions in Philippine coastal areas. Your roof should also be strong enough to protect your home against strong typhoon winds that frequent the country.   

Choosing a roofing system with strong corrosion- and weather-resistance properties can help you avoid having to repair or change your roof every few years.

Maintenance Requirements

Given the unique environment in coastal areas, expect your roof to require more maintenance than homes in suburban or urban areas. It’s best to find roofing materials that are low maintenance, so you don’t need to worry about it as much.

Maintenance requirements are a factor for choosing roofing materials in general since low-maintenance roofs tend to be more durable, more convenient, and cost-effective. You can trust that your roof will last even if you don’t inspect it as often.

Heat Protection

As a tropical country, the Philippines sees more sunny days than most countries in the world, so you need ample heat protection all year round. This is especially true if you plan to stay at your beach house only during the summer season, during which temperatures rise even higher.

A roofing system that offers heat insulation helps make your home cooler and thus, more comfortable. A cool home doesn’t always need to use air conditioning units, so you can also save money on electricity.

Costs

Most homeowners struggle with prioritizing quality and costs when choosing a beach house roof. High-quality roofing systems often come with higher upfront costs but make up for it with durability, meaning you save money from repairs and replacements.

You want to be practical when choosing a beach house roof, so try to balance your budget with high-quality roofing systems. For example, stone-coated metal roofing requires a high upfront cost, but with low maintenance requirements and a lifespan that spans up to 50 years, it’s a practical long-term investment.

Aesthetics

Naturally, you’d want your beach house to match the beautiful scenery that surrounds it. Aesthetics is an important factor to consider about your coastal home’s roof.

When it comes to roofs, quality should not compromise aesthetics (and vice versa). A great roofing system should give you versatile design options, so you have the freedom to explore the architectural design you want.

For example, while clay roof tiles and aluminum roofs come in different colors, clay roof tiles and stone-coated metal roofs offer more designs in terms of shape and colors. With the latter two choices, you have more options for your coastal home.

The Best Roofs for Coastal Homes

Now that you know the ideal characteristics to look for in coastal home roofing, let’s discuss the best options for you.

Stone-Coated Metal Roof

Stone-coated metal roofs are designed to withstand the Philippine climate, including the coastal environment. This type of roof is made with multiple layers that provide heat insulation, anti-corrosion, water resistance, and wind resistance. So, it can handle whatever comes its way.

Stone-coated metal roofing systems also require minimal upkeep and have a long lifespan of up to 50 years. So, you can leave the roof alone for months and trust that it will be as good as new come next summer.

Moreover, stone-coated metal roofs come in a variety of designs like the metal shake roofing that replicates the style of wood roof tiles. There’s also classic, bond, shingle, and roman tiles that all comes in colors like black, brown black, forest green, sky blue, and wine red.

Asphalt Shingles

Asphalt shingles are another great option for coastal homes since they are corrosion-, water-, and wind-resistant. They can withstand the salty air and high humidity levels in coastal areas, so they can protect your home for a long time.

These types of roofs are also quite affordable and require minimal maintenance. Asphalt shingles also come in a variety of shapes, colors, and sizes so you can surely find one that matches your home’s design.

Clay Roof Tiles

Clay roof tiles are another great choice, especially for those who want a Mediterranean beach house style. More than the aesthetic, however, this type of roof is extremely durable. They’ll protect your home and stay beautiful for up to 20 years.

Clay roof tiles is also weather-resistant. They can protect your home from heavy rains and harsh heat. The material also offers heat insulation so clay roof tiles can help regulate temperatures in your home, so you can enjoy the summer breeze better.

Aluminum

You may think that metal roofs are not suitable for coastal regions because metals are prone to rust. However, not all metals are the same. Aluminum does not rust. It oxidizes (like copper) but this can be prevented by the right paint if you want to use it as a roof for your beach house.

This roof system is quite durable, lasting up to 50 years. It also doesn’t heat up so it can keep your home cooler on hot days.

One main disadvantage of this type of roof is that, being lightweight, it is not wind-resistant. It is more prone to dents in case of strong winds or if a tree branch falls on it.

Protect Your Coastal Home with Ritestone

Coastal regions in the Philippines have a unique environment, requiring resilient roofing systems. Consider the important factors in choosing a roof for your beach house to ensure that you make the most of your investment and guarantee that you can enjoy your vacations.

Consult with Ritestone, one of the leading stone-coated metal roofing suppliers in the Philippines, to find high-strength roofing systems for your coastal home. With the right roof, you’re guaranteed to enjoy your stay in your beach house worry-free.

Don’t hesitate to contact us if you want to learn more about stone-coated roofing systems.