When it’s time for a roof replacement, you may feel overwhelmed by the various roof shingle types you can choose. How can you know which are the best types of roofing shingles for your home and budget? Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of three popular types of shingles to help you make the right choice.
#1: Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt shingles are asphalt with reinforcement from fiberglass or materials like cellulose or wood. You can choose from different sizes, colors, and dimensions. These shingles are lightweight, fireproof, waterproof, and tend to be the lowest cost among the shingle types. The asphalt shingles are flexible and resilient and can withstand the weight of snow as well as minor to moderate hailstorms. However, asphalt shingles also have the shortest lifespan, between 15 and 30 years, and are vulnerable to extreme temperature fluctuations, so they are better for homes in milder climates.
#2: Wood Shingles
Manufacturers produce wood shingles by machine-cutting pine, cedar, or spruce. They give an attractive, natural aesthetic and make an environmentally friendly shingle choice. Wood shingles cost more than asphalt but less than other shingle types, such as clay or composite. Cleaning mold or mildew off of wood shingles is easy with a power washer. However, if the wood shingles experience damage, they typically require replacement instead of repair. Unless you install wood shingles featuring a Class A fire rating, the shingles are vulnerable to fire. They also can experience damage due to hail, rot, and termites. Homes in extremely dry, hot, or wet climates are not ideal for wood shingles. Fire codes in certain regions prevent wood shingle installation, so always check the fire code in your area to know for sure.
#3: Metal Shingles
Metal shingles come in steel, aluminum, copper, and alloy in various shapes and sizes. They are the most energy-efficient among all shingle types because they reflect the sunlight instead of absorbing it, which can decrease cooling costs. While metal shingles cost more than asphalt or wood, they have a longer lifespan, lasting as long as 50 to 75 years before requiring replacement. Metal shingles are resistant to fire, rain, rot, and hail, making them a good choice for homes in areas with significant yearly rainfall or hailstorms. One major drawback to metal shingles is the noise factor. Hail and even rain sound much louder falling on metal shingles than on a different type of shingles unless you install additional insulation or sheathing beneath the metal.
Other Shingle Types to Consider
In addition to asphalt, wood, and metal shingles, you may also want to consider slate, clay and concrete, and composite shingles. If you are struggling to determine which shingle type is right for your home, your best plan of action is to sit down with roofing experts who can go over the pros and cons and price points with you.
Get All the Information You Need about Roofing Shingles from Capital Roofing
At Capital Roofing, our friendly, experienced team is more than happy to answer all of your questions and help you make the best shingles choice for your unique home. Our customer service and expertise are second to none. From the first call to our office, you’ll know that we care about providing the best roofing services. Contact Capital Roofing online now to learn more about the different types of roofing shingles or to request a free estimate.