As a homeowner, shingle roofs are one of the most important things to choose for your home. You’ll find plenty of roof shingles out there, but not everyone can look past asphalt or metal shingles. You’ll be surprised by how many types of shingles are available out there in the market.
Here are some of the most popular types of shingle roofs:
Asphalt Shingles
Starting with the basics, the most common and widely used shingle in roofing is asphalt. Asphalt shingles are so popular because of their budget-friendliness. Moreover, they are easy to install, so asphalt shingles’ installation cost is a lot cheaper than other types. They’re also easy to replace if a shingle gets damaged or broken.
The biggest drawback of asphalt shingles is that they wear out faster than other shingle roofs as they aren’t as thick as others.
Metal Shingles
If metal shingles are properly maintained, they can easily last 100 years. They come in sheet panels, making them easy to install in a DIY project. Professional installation is also more affordable.
You can get metal shingles in different materials, including copper, aluminum, zinc, and steel. The sheets are generally lightweight and offer great aesthetic appeal to your home.
The only downside of metal shingles is that their maintenance cost is high. But given that they last for a century with proper maintenance, this factor can be overlooked.
Wood Shingles
Based on the kind of wood used, wood shingles can last for 50 years. They give a more attractive look to the exterior of your house than other shingle roofs and are quite durable. But they do require regular maintenance, which can be costly. The installation cost is also higher because they require hand-splitting in most cases.
Solar Shingles
Solar shingles are the new “in” thing in the roofing industry. They combine the advantages of roofs and solar panels. They are designed to generate electricity for your home, which means zero or no electric bills.
Solar shingles can easily last for 25 years and are great in appearance. So, you get style, durability, and solar energy generation all in one package.
While solar shingles are the ideal choice for any home, they are other factors to consider when installing them. First of all, you need to know the amount of sun you get throughout the day. Sunnier places can benefit more from these shingles than places with less sun time.
Besides that, the cost of installing solar shingles is quite high. It certainly doesn’t fall under the budget-friendly options, but it can save money in the long run.
Plastic Roof Shingles
If you want more affordable options, plastic shingle roofs are always an option you can consider. Composite plastic roof shingles are made from recycled plastic and are eco-friendly.
Not only that, but they are also easy to install and lightweight. They sound like the perfect deal, so why aren’t more people talking about them?
It’s simple; while it’s true that plastic shingles are affordable, lightweight, eco-friendly, and easy to install, on the other hand, they aren’t as durable.
If you opt for composite roof shingles, you’ll have to get them replaced frequently because of their low lifespan.
Rubber Roof Shingles
Rubber can also be used as a roofing material. Rubber shingles look no different than asphalt shingles, so you don’t have to worry about them affecting the appearance of your house. They’re easy to install and maintain, and they can even save you money on electricity bills.
While they’re certainly an energy-efficient option to consider, they come with a major drawback, and that is their short life. When comparing it to other types, rubber roof shingles can deteriorate quickly.
Tile Roof Shingles
Tile roof shingles aren’t anything new; they have been around for centuries. Many homeowners get tile roof shingles installed in their homes. Tile shingle roofs are generally long-lasting, but their life expectancy is based on the type of tiles used. Slatestone tiles are the most long-lasting tiles that can last for up to 150 years.
They aren’t used as frequently as asphalt tiles because of their high installation and material costs.
The Final Verdict
Now that you know the different types of shingle roofs and their pros and cons, it will be easier for you to decide the next time you have to install or replace your home’s roof.
The most energy-efficient option is solar roof shingle, while the most commonly used one is asphalt roof shingle. Get in touch with Top Tier Roofing to start your roofing project by calling 267-506-0231. Or visit their office 427 Ritner St, Philadelphia, PA 19148 for more details.