Nothing is better than a home with a beautiful, new roof. But what type of shingles should you choose? There are many different options to choose from and each has its own pros and cons. The best way to find the right solution for your needs is by looking at the various types of roofing shingle materials before deciding which one will work best for you and your budget.
1. Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt shingles are the most common type of roofing shingle material. They come in a variety of styles and textures, from smooth to wood-grain or “architectural.” It is estimated that asphalt shingles account for about 85% of all roof installations. The main advantages include ease of installation and affordability. However, they have a relatively short lifespan, no better than 20 years under ideal conditions. Asphalt can be recycled by granulation or burning after its useful life as a roof deck covering has ended. Also, it is not fireproof and should not be used on roofs where fire protection is needed (near flammable objects).
2. Wood Shake
Wood shakes are the traditional roofing material for many centuries. In fact, they can be found on homes built in colonial America. They have a very natural look and feel that makes your home stand out from others. Their main advantage is their long lifespan, up to 50 years or more with a proper installation and care. However, they do come at a steep price. Wood shingles require a lot of maintenance to keep them looking great through the seasons because exposed wood will rot eventually even if it’s protected by paint or stain. Also, wood shake roofs are not recommended for homes located in places with high wind speeds or snowfall amounts because several layers of shingles must be used to protect the product from damage caused by high winds and heavy snow loads. Like other natural materials, wood shake shingles can be recycled and turned into items like pencils, cabinets, or even the pallets that hold your roofing material at Home Depot.
3. Wood Shingles & Shakes
Wood shingles are also made from a variety of hardwoods with different grains depending on the manufacturer’s preference. They are more expensive than asphalt but they have similar look-and-feel benefits as traditional shake roofs do. However, these types of roofs are not for everyone because wood is vulnerable to fire and insects damage over time. It also requires maintenance every two years to keep it looking nice through various seasons of weather downpours, high heat, humidity levels, and even hail damage.
4. Slate Shingles
Slate shingles are among the most expensive roofing material available because they are very sturdy and long-lasting. They have excellent fire resistance, water proofing properties, and wind resistance to make them a great choice for high wind areas where hurricanes and tropical storms hit frequently. However, they’re quite heavy which means it requires a lot of extra support underneath during installation. Also, slate shingles must be installed by professionals only due to the heavy weight that may cause serious injuries if not handled properly. The process can also take several days to complete depending on the size of your roof so it may cost quite a bit more than you think. Finally, slate is not as common as shingles and shingles so it’s usually available in limited colors and textures. It also tends to be more expensive than other types of roof deck materials that require a single material purchase including installation costs.
5. Metal Roofing
Metal roofs can come in many different styles, textures, and colors just like asphalt shingles do which is part of their advantage over asphalt and wood products for homeowners looking for the perfect roofing solution with added curb appeal. They are energy-efficient because they reflect heat away from your home during hot summer months but most metal roofs also have very good insulating properties during cold winter temperatures too due to their thick composition. Also, metal roofs can last up to 50 years or more and require little-to-no maintenance throughout the years. On the negative side, metal roofs are quite expensive though their initial price is not as steep as other types of roofing materials. They also have a higher level of recycling potential compared to asphalt shingles for homeowners who want to feel good about their purchase in ways that go beyond just saving money on energy consumption
6. Plastic Roofing
For homeowners who want a cheap solution to their roofing needs, plastic is an option worth considering. However, it’s not as easy to install or maintain because the composition of these materials cannot be nailed down like other types of roofs so they must be glued onto your deck boards which requires quite a bit more work and preparation during installation. Also, you won’t find many color options in terms of design and texture; usually, plastic shingles come in solid white and black colors only with very little variation between companies and manufacturers. On the upside, if you’re looking for something that can last for 20-30 years without any major issues such as mold or insect infestation, then plastic may be a good choice because they are not very susceptible to it.
7. EPDM Rubber Roofing
EPDM rubber roofs are also quite popular for homeowners who want to enjoy all of the benefits mentioned above in relation to plastic shingles but without any of the drawbacks associated with them because these options require a lot more work to install and maintain throughout their lifespan. EPDM rubber is easy to apply since you don’t have to worry about stapling or gluing down your deck boards which can be tedious work that might end up leaving sticky residue behind. The material itself requires no special cleaning agents either so homeowners won’t need to buy anything special other than soap, water, and a pressure washer during installation which generally takes only one day to complete. On the other hand, EPDM rubber roofs are a bit more expensive than plastic because they have a higher level of longevity and resistance to severe weather conditions so it may end up costing you more in the long run over time.
8. Built-Up Roofing
Built-up roofing is made from asphalt shingles which require two different processes during their installation process: 1) applying an adhesive agent to your deck boards and 2) placing whole pieces of shingles on top while securing them together with nails or staples through the center of each one for extra reinforcement. Once your built-up roof has been securely completed, you’ll enjoy a very durable cover that will last for several decades without needing to be replaced, repaired, or resurfaced. However, this type of roofing requires professional installation and is also the reason behind its high cost because you’ll need to hire a contractor to complete the work for you and they won’t come cheap especially if they need to come back several times due to any complications that arise during the process.
9. TPO Roofing
Last but not least we have TPO roofs which stands for thermoplastic polyolefin as it’s made from 100% plastic material through an extrusion process (similarly like how you make paper towels at home). Homeowners who install these types of roofs enjoy many benefits such as: better water drainage thanks to their smooth surface; superior insulating properties to reduce energy loss by up to 40%; and the ability to withstand high winds without any straps, clips, or screws being necessary because of how strong they are. There’s also a wide range of colors to choose from in addition to textures if you want more variety which can truly transform your home into something that looks completely different than it did before depending on the materials you select.
