4 Roofing Materials that Could Make All the Difference on Your Next Flip

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4 Roofing Materials that Could Make All the Difference on Your Next Flip

May 2, 2016

By Tarek El Moussa

Finding out that you have to put in a new roof on a flip house can be a huge bummer. It’s an expensive project, and it usually means that you have to get creative with the rest of your rehab budget. If you can determine that you need to re-roof the house before you buy, though, you can use that information as a bargaining chip to get a lower rate.

And if you know that you have to budget for a roof, you have a little more freedom with your roofing materials. Most people don’t automatically think of roofs when they think of curb appeal and things that sell houses, but they really should, especially when you consider how many materials you can choose from and how they can change the appearance of a house.

Slate

If you’re looking for roofing material that’ll set your house apart and make it look like a high-end property, consider slate. It’s available in a few different shades, including black, gray, purple, and red, so you can choose one that works well with the color and design of your flip property. It’s also recyclable, sustainable, and fire resistant.

A slate roof can last for over 50 years, and it looks incredible. However, it is more expensive than some other roofing materials, and it’s heavy. If you don’t already have a slate roof, you’re probably going to have to budget for extra framing, and you need to be sure that you get quality slate from a trusted provider.

Metal

If you’re rehabbing a bungalow- or cottage-style house or you have a contemporary property with unique architecture, you might want to go with a metal roof. Metal roofs can be made of copper, stainless steel, aluminum, or zinc, so you have some options to match your house’s color and style. All of these are highly weather resistant, and they’re lightweight, durable, and recyclable, too. Plus, metal roofs last longer than wood or asphalt shingles, and they reflect heat really well during the summer for lower energy bills.

Metal roofs can last between 40 and 75 years but, like slate, they’re a bit on the expensive side. If you have room in your budget, and a metal roof fits your flip house’s style, you should go for it, but beware that this could fall into the category of over-rehabbing, depending on the neighborhood.

Clay or Concrete Tiles

Want a really unique looking roof that’s durable and noncombustible? Clay and concrete tiles have a lot of variation in color and shape to fit almost any house’s style and color. They usually last between 40 and 50 years, but they do tend to be fairly heavy. You’ll want to make sure that you have the proper framing for a clay or concrete roof before you commit to it and that you have room in your budget.

Asphalt Shingles

Finally, there’s nothing wrong with choosing traditional asphalt shingles. They’re less expensive and lighter weight than most of these options, and they come in a variety of colors and textures. They don’t last as long as the other options here, though, with an average lifespan of 20 to 25 years. If you can afford it, a long-lasting roof can be a huge selling point for almost any house.

Consider these roofing materials for your next flip and see if one of them is the solution you’ve been looking for to improve your property’s market value.

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Tarek El Moussa

Tarek and Christina El Moussa have over a decade of professional real estate experience and have been featured in national print publications, online media outlets, and a popular real estate TV show. Tarek is known for his determination to get the job done and doing it right.