Using good quality roofing shingles is essential to keeping your home protected and insulated. Roof shingles create a solid barrier that shields the interior of your property from the outside environment. Among the multitude of available roofing materials, shingles are an effective option. However, there are actually many types of roofing shingles that you can use for your home or commercial property. Each type of shingle has its own set of characteristics, along with the pros and cons to help you decide whether it can fit your specific roofing needs. When you know the different roofing options available, you can better decide what material to use. Accordingly, this can also help you pick the best roofing contractor for your home.
Roofing Shingle Types
When picking out a specific roofing shingle, there are some things that need to be taken into consideration. Since getting a new roof can be quite costly, being sure of the type of roof and the contractors that you work with is important. Some of the things you’ll need to take into account are the longevity of a specific roof shingle material, the installation costs, maintenance costs, and whether the material fits in with the architecture and style of your home.
Below are some of the popular roof shingle options in the area.
Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt shingles are a rather popular roofing option because of the low cost and easy installation of the material. Many homeowners use asphalt roof shingles. There are multiple kinds of asphalt shingles that you can use. The cheapest type is the 3-tab asphalt shingle, which has a paper base. It is thinner and tends to wear down quicker than the other types of asphalt shingles. However, because it is relatively cheap, it is also easier to replace. Another type of asphalt shingle is the fiberglass asphalt shingle, which has a higher cost but is also thicker and more durable. Lastly, architectural asphalt shingles are the highest costing type of asphalt shingles available. But the higher cost comes with a premium quality feel, thicker and more durable material, and is also usually better looking than the other 2 options.
Metal Roof Shingles
While metal roofs are traditionally installed as panels, there are now metal roof shingles available. The use of metal roof shingles can give you a stylish look for your roof. There is actually a large variety of color options available for metal roof shingles. Aside from looking good, these shingles are also easy to install and are lightweight. This type of material is great for homes with a structure that is not able to bear the weight of a heavy roof. One of the major advantages of a metal roof is that it can last between 50 to 70 years, depending on the specific type of metal roof shingle.
Wood Shingles
Another material that is commonly made into roof shingles is wood. While there are different types of wood that can be used, the most common is Cedar. Wood shingles are one type of common wood roofing option. Wooden roofs can also be made of wood shakes. The main difference that sets wood shingles and wood shakes apart is that shingles are evenly cut while shakes are sawn and split by hand, giving the roof a more raw and natural look. The type of wood used will affect longevity and maintenance practices but with proper care, a wood shingle roof could easily last between 50 to 70 years.
Solar Shingles
A modern type of roofing material is the solar shingle. While some homeowners avoid solar roofing because of the high cost of the material, it can definitely help save cash in the long run. Solar shingles are fitted with solar panels that harness solar energy to generate electricity for your home. While it is a great investment to make, installing solar shingles can cost a fortune. If not installed properly by a professional roofer, there could also be a risk for damage. But, when these are ready, solar shingles can last up to 25 years.
Slate Shingles
One of the more premium roofing materials that you can use is slate tiles. Slate tiles are stone materials that are cut and polished. While slate tiles are thin, these are also significantly heavier than other roofing shingles. This is why this type of roofing option is only suited for homes with good infrastructure and sturdy roofing support. Because it is made of stone, slate shingles are very durable. A slate roof also gives your home a very premium appeal. The only disadvantages that come with the use of slate tile shingles are that it is quite costly, can be difficult to install, and is available in limited color options. But, slate tiles are some of the longest-lasting materials, reaching up to 100 years.
When picking out the best roof shingle material, it is best to get advice from your roofing contractor. A good roofing contractor should be able to help you throughout this decision making process.