Whether you’re replacing a roof on an existing home or choosing a roofing material for new construction, selecting the right material is critical. Since beach homes tend to be subject to harsher conditions than homes in many other areas, the responsibility to choose the right roofing material in these situations becomes even more critical. Let’s look at the various factors you should consider when choosing the best roofing material for your beach house:

1. Weather-Resistance

Elements like sun, salty air, rain, winds and more can all take a toll on the roof of a beach house, but some materials can stand up to these elements much more effectively than others. Looking for weather-resistant roofing materials is absolutely essential if your home is on the coast. Make durability a top concern as you consider potential materials.

In particular, you want to make sure a roofing material is resistant to corrosion since salty sea air, humidity and rain could otherwise compromise your roof’s integrity. You also want to make sure your roof is wind resistant. Hurricanes strike the coastline every year, so you should prepare for this scenario. You want to give your roof a fighting chance at remaining intact in the face of high winds. For the best weather-resistance, you want quality installation and quality materials.

2. Insulation

Insulation should be a concern for any homeowner, but it’s of particular concern when your home is located in an area that experiences extreme temperatures. For example, if your home is in Miami Beach, the oppressive summer heat can place a high demand on your air conditioning system, resulting in high energy bills.

Your roof is one of your home’s key defenses against outside temperatures, so it’s wise to select a roofing material that offers an impressive insulation value. This will not only help keep out the hot sun but the cold, as well. If there are seasons when you want to keep the inside of your home warmer or colder than it is outside, then insulation is an important factor.

3. Maintenance

Another factor to consider is how much maintenance a roofing material will require. Since coastal homes tend to experience harsher conditions than the average American home, they may require more roof maintenance. If you don’t want to perform maintenance tasks yourself or hire a professional to do so, then you’ll want to make sure you choose a roofing material for your beach house that is low maintenance. To do that, you might have to choose a more expensive material.

Regardless of which roofing material you pick, it’s critical that you understand what upkeep is necessary to keep your roof looking attractive and to maximize its lifespan. Typically, maintenance for beach home roofs involve basic tasks like removing debris as well as periodic weather-sealing in some cases. Another critical aspect of maintenance is repairing any roof damage that does occur before it leads to a more serious problem.

4. Aesthetic

Aesthetic appeal is an important consideration when choosing a roofing material since it will have a significant impact on the overall appearance of your home’s exterior. Owners of beach homes often take pride in their home’s coastal style, so why pick a roofing material that detracts from that?

Ideally, the material you choose will fit the style of your home. This doesn’t necessarily mean that if you have a Spanish Mission-style home, you have to have clay tile, or if you have a New England coastal home, you must use cedar shakes. Choose the material that you like best for your home. You may be able to customize the appearance by choosing a specific variation or color, as well.

5. Cost

Another practical factor to consider when choosing a roof for your coastal home is cost. You’ll want to consider your own budget and determine what materials are available in your price range. However, simply comparing materials based on their price can be misleading. Let’s say you choose an affordable material, but the roof will need to be replaced in 20 years. If you still own the property at that point, then you’ll be paying once again for a new roof.

A higher upfront investment can pay off over time if you choose a material with more longevity. When you choose a material like wood or slate, you may never have to replace the roof.

6. Building Codes

Finally, you’ll need to check local building codes to ensure you choose a material and install it according to your state’s requirements. Coastal states tend to have much stricter codes when it comes to things like roofing because hurricanes are more likely. If you live in Florida, you’ll be dealing with some of the most stringent codes in the country.

Remember that material is not all that matters. In many cases, the way it’s installed is just as important. Be sure you abide by local codes, and feel free to ask your roofing company for advice on ways you can further protect your home from weather and other issues. For example, they may recommend positioning a rain screen on your roof before installing wood shingles if you live in a humid area.