What Are The Different Types of Roof Shingles?
When it comes to choosing the type of shingles for a new roof replacement project, things can easily start to go astray. The number of roof types is enormous as this market is enriched by tons of combinations of materials and style. Before you face luxurious words like solar and terracotta, it is important that you get to learn the basic types of material from which everything else begins:
Asphalt
The most commonly used material for roofs is asphalt. This is because asphalt shingles are extremely affordable ($80 – $150 per square) and efficient at the same time. The basic asphalt shingle types are fiberglass and organic. The most durable roof is fiberglass, with a longer life span and higher resistance to UV damage. Organic is suitable for environmentally conscious homeowners, but they are very vulnerable to moisture which lots of times cuts their lifespans in half. However, as asphalt has its advantages, it has certain disadvantages as well:
- Pros: The biggest advantages of these shingles is easy installation and low cost. They also have large lifespans (25 years for fiberglass) and a wide variety of styles, colors and additional materials. Some asphalt shingles can be even recycled after usage.
- Cons: Asphalt shingles don’t work well for climates with large temperature variations since they can easily crack and damage. Secondly, they can only be installed on roofs with steep slopes. And last but not least, these shingles aren’t eco-friendly due to petroleum usage for manufacturing.
Metal
Providing a unique style for homes, metal shingles are great for roof upgrades. Unfortunately, these shingles aren’t so popular amongst homeowners, mainly because of the price. Metal shingles premium when it comes to quality, offering also many types and styles to the market such as copper, stainless steel and zinc.
- Pros: Metal makes a great as a fire-precaution measure. It is also extremely efficient (can cut down 40% of bills) and has a large lifespan (up to 60 years). Metal shingles are equally suitable for flat and steep roofing and can also have a lightweight, making them easy to support even by small houses. They can withstand any weather condition, some even suggest that their darker colors melt down the snow faster.
- Cons: Besides the high price, other disadvantages of these shingles are little to none noise reduction (when falling on the roof, rain will make annoying sounds), low flexibility for upgrades and repairs, proneness to denting and frequent maintenance. Metal shingles’ main disadvantage though is that when facing different temperatures, their either expand or contract.
Tile
The meeting point of metal quality and asphalt affordability is tile shingles. They are also the best choice for those who value eco-friendliness above all else. Tiles aren’t made from chemicals, but rather from earthly materials such as clay or concrete. This means that they are easily recyclable and do not damage the environment. But as every shingle type, they have their pros and cons. The general opinion is that tiles are with much better quality than asphalt, but that quality comes for a much higher price.
- Pros: This type of roof doesn’t require much maintenance and can last to 100 years, so investing in tile rather than asphalt will definitely make a worth-it investment. Tile shingles are energy efficient as well, retaining heat in winter and cool breezes in summer. They are also pest resistance and come in various styles as sizes: terracotta, slate, concrete…
- Cons: Depending on style and material, tile shingles can cost from $400 to $1400 per square. Their other disadvantages are very difficult installations, low impact resistance (if a heavy tree falls, it can break them) and heavyweight. Some small may not support the weight of tiles and this can lead to roof damage/collapse.
Wood
Wooden shingles are more expensive than asphalt, but less than tiles or metal. They are a common choice for homeowners who want to create a certain look for their home and preserve certain traditional aesthetics. The main types of wooden shingles are redwood, cedar and pine. Unfortunately, wood is a material vulnerable to pesticide and mold, so that’s the main reason why homeowners have doubts about this shingle type.
- Pros: Wooden shingles are easy to install and give an amazing look to a home. They have a large lifespan (up to 50 years) and are completely recyclable. It is no coincidence that wood is also used for windows and doors since this material is a great insulator and increases energy efficiency in homes. This type of shingles will surely retain heat the proper way, without any unwanted variations in electrical bills.
- Cons: Even though they have a large life span, wooden shingles require much more maintenance than other materials. Mold growth, pesticide and rotting are wood’s worst friends – so you have to regularly clean them from moss build ups and termites. The final and the most dangerous disadvantage is flammability which makes wooden shingles and a potential fire hazard.
Available Roofing
Available Roofing is your professional roofing company in Oakville. With over 14 years of experience in Commercial & Residential Roofing, we are proud and dedicated to offer the highest level of quality and service.
