Roof shingles can be a great investment for your home. But, how much do you really know about them? Weatherproof roofing (roof shingles) will help protect your home from various extreme weather patterns, such as heavy rains and high-powered windstorms. But how much use can you get from these? And which roof shingles are the best? Let’s check it out!
What Are Roof Shingles?
Roof shingles are the most common type of roofing material used in homes today. They are made from various materials, such as clay, concrete, and asphalt, and come in a wide variety of colors and styles.
Most roof shingles are made with mineral granules that have been heated to approximately 1000 F and bonded together by an adhesive. This process creates a hard surface that can be used to protect the underlying structure of your home from the elements.
Shingles also come in many different shapes and sizes. But most can be easily identified by their distinct patterns. These patterns are created by adding colorants during manufacturing or by applying them after installation.
So what are the main purposes of roof shingles?
Purpose Of Roof Shingles
Roof shingles are a protective layer that protects the roof from making contact with its surroundings. They come in many different tones and materials, but they all have one purpose: to protect your roof from wear and tear as well as weathering. Although you may think of them as an aesthetic feature of your home, shingles are actually an important element of protecting it from damage over time.
🏠 Protection
Roof shingles help to protect your roof from the elements. They keep it dry and free of water damage, which can lead to mold or rot if left unchecked. Roof shingles also help to insulate the house so that heat doesn’t escape during winter months, keeping your home’s light and energy bills low. In the summertime, they keep the house cool by blocking out hot rays of sunlight as well as reflecting them away from the roof surface itself.
🏠 Durability
The durability of your roof is directly related to the type of shingles you choose. Asphalt, plastic, and fiberglass shingles all have their own advantages, like being easy to install or appealing in color. The average lifespan for asphalt shingles is 20 years, while plastic and fiberglass shingles last between 30 and 35 years.
🏠 Longevity
When it comes to roof shingles, you can’t go wrong with a product that lasts for years. Roof shingles are made from recycled materials and high-quality materials. This is in order to guarantee the longevity of your roof. Many people have found that their roofs only need one replacement after 50 years or more!
Roof shingles provide protection from the weather, which means that you’ll have fewer problems with leaks and cracks as time goes on. You won’t have to be distressed about any problems with your home if you install new roof shingles every few decades.
🏠 Aesthetic Appeal
The aesthetic appeal of a roof is an important factor in determining the value of a home, and roof shingles are one element that contributes to this aesthetic.
Shingles can be constructed from a variety of materials, each with its own unique properties. Some types of shingles will last longer than others, but all have their place on the market depending on what you’re looking for in your home’s exterior appearance.
Now that you know their purposes let’s check how to tell if your roof shingles can give you the best benefit.
Characteristics Of A Good Roof Shingles
One of the most noteworthy aspects of your home’s exterior is the roof. It protects you from the elements while also adding to the overall appearance of your home. There are many different types of shingles available on the market today. Still, here we will discuss what characteristics make a good quality roofing material for your residential or commercial property.
🏠 Durability
Durability is the most significant factor to weigh when choosing shingles. A good shingle should last for at least 20 years, so look for ones made of quality materials. For example, the best roofs are made with high-quality granules and adhesives. The best granules are crushed tin and gravel, which are both stronger than sand or clay. You’ll also want to avoid asphalt shingles because they deteriorate faster than other roofing materials.
Another thing to consider is that they should be able to withstand extreme weather conditions such as rain, ice storms, and snowfall without suffering any damage whatsoever. Suppose you live in a spot where there are high winds. In that case, this is also something that’s worth considering when choosing what type of roofing system will work best for your house or business property since strong winds can cause serious damage if not properly protected against it!
🏠 Ease of maintenance
The next characteristic to consider is the ease of maintenance. You should be able to clean it, replace it, repair it, inspect it and repair it with a minimum of tools.
Shingles will last longer if they are easy to clean. Cleaning the shingles will help keep the roof watertight by preventing dirt from clogging up the joints between shingles or around nails. If there are gaps between the shingles, moisture can get in and cause damage to your home’s interior over time.
🏠 Variety of options
There are many diverse options to consider when choosing a roof shingle. The first thing is to decide on the color and texture of the shingles you want. As these provide visual interest and can be used to enhance the look of your home.
You can also pick between various forms and dimensions. This will depend on what type of roof you have. For example, if your roof has steep pitches, you may want to opt for larger tiles than if it were flat. As well as being available in different colors and textures, there are also different materials that make up each type: some are made from asphalt.
In contrast, others contain a mixture of rubber or glass fiber (as in composite shingles). While these materials may sound similar at first glance, they have quite different properties when it comes down to their longevity over time.
🏠 Energy efficiency
If you want to buy good roof shingles, then you should know that there are some characteristics that all good roofs have in common. One of the most important things is that their material should be energy efficient. This means that they will help maintain temperatures inside your home at an optimal level throughout the year and also help keep it cool during hot weather.
🏠 Varying weather conditions
As mentioned above, good roof shingles should be able to withstand fluctuating temperatures. If you live in conditions where the temperature drops below 0° Celsius, it’s important that your roof shingles are able to withstand this extreme cold. The same goes for high winds. Good quality material will be able to withstand high-speed gusts without being blown away or damaged.
In addition, the materials must also be able to withstand rain, snow, and ice. These elements can cause your roofing system severe structural damage if left unchecked. While some weather conditions can be dangerous for your homes, such as hurricanes and tornadoes, other situations like sun exposure might not seem like they would cause any problems on their own. But even heat can lead to major issues over time!
Best Type Of Roof Shingles
It can be hard to choose the best type of roof shingles for your home. You want a roof that will last as long as possible and look great, but you also have to consider your budget and the climate where you live. In this section, we’ll cover four types of roofing shingles: asphalt, wood, clay, concrete tiles, and slate. Plus, some pros and cons for each so you can make an informed decision about what’s right for you.
🏠 Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt shingles are made of asphalt and mineral granules. They’re applied to a roof as either three-tab, architectural or dimensional shingles. Asphalt shingles have an average life expectancy of 20 to 25 years (depending on the manufacturer). Still, they do not last as long as other types of roofing materials like slate or metal.
Asphalt shingles are less pricey than other types of roofing textiles, but they also tend to be less durable and require more maintenance over time. The cost of asphalt shingle installation ranges from $3-$12 per square foot, depending on factors such as your location, the size of your home, and any additional materials needed for installation.
🏠 Wood Shingles
If you’re darting for a roofing material that’s environmentally friendly and can be recycled, wood shingles are a good choice. Wood shingles are also significant if you want to give your home a classic, rustic look or if you enjoy the idea of using materials that are renewable and come from the earth.
🏠 Clay and Concrete Tiles
Clay and concrete tiles are a suitable choice for people who want their roofs to last. These tiles can last up to 100 years. And this is a long time compared with other materials. Clay and concrete tiles are also very weather resistant, which means they will not crack or break under harsh conditions.
They’re heavy, though, so this might not be the best option if you have a low roof and live somewhere with strong winds or storms. If that’s the case, consider using something lighter, like asphalt shingles, instead!
🏠 Slate Shingles
Slate shingles are a durable choice for a wide range of homes. They can be used in any climate, and they’re a great choice for roofs that don’t get much sunlight. However, because slate is heavier than other kinds of roofing material, it isn’t ideal for low-pitched roofs.
Slate shingles have the longest life expectancy out of all other types of roofing materials: 50 years or more! This makes them an incredible investment if you plan on sticking around longer than most homeowners do these days (just kidding).
3-Tab Vs. Architectural Shingles
Many people are confounded about the difference between three-tab shingles and architectural shingles. It’s valuable to comprehend the differences so you can make an informed decision when choosing your roofing material.
Three-tab shingles are the most familiar type of asphalt roof on the market nowadays, and they tend to be less costly than architectural shingles. However, this does not mean that three tabs aren’t high quality or durable. Many homeowners have been using them for years with no problems at all!
Architectural shingles provide some additional benefits over regular asphalt because they have a longer warranty period (up to 50 years) and require fewer repairs over time compared with standard 3-tab materials. They also come in more colors and styles than standard three-tab materials, which makes them perfect if you want something more unique looking on top of your house!
Best Time To Re-Shingle
When it comes to keeping your home in good shape, you know how important a quality roof is. But how often do you wonder about replacing your shingles? We’re here to answer this question so that you can make an informed decision when it comes time to replace yours.
Re-shingling a roof is a great way to extend its lifespan and get the most out of your investment. To know whether or not it’s time for a new roof, check for these signs:
🏠 Missing or damaged shingles
Check your home’s exterior for missing or cracked shingles. If you find any, this could be an indication that the entire roof needs to be replaced soon. The same goes for damaged flashing, which protects the wood underneath from water damage.
🏠 Loose shingles and shakey chimneys
If there are any loose areas on your roof, or if you notice that your chimney seems wobbly or unsteady (this can often mean that there are other structural issues), then it may be time to invest in new materials before disaster strikes!
🏠 Water stains on the ceiling below
If you notice water blots on the ceiling of one room but not another (assuming both rooms have similar loads), this could mean that there’s more weight being put onto one part of your house than another. And thus, more stress is placed on those specific locations too! Re-shingling will help stabilize everything back into place again, so nothing falls apart unexpectedly later down the road.
Frequently Asked Questions
🟥 Why are roof shingles so expensive?
Roof shingles are an investment and one you shouldn’t take lightly. They’re made from asphalt, which is a high-quality material with a long life span. Asphalt is also very durable. Because of this, roof shingles are more expensive than other types of roofing materials (such as metal) that don’t last nearly as long and don’t require as much maintenance over time.
Roofing contractors know how important it is for homeowners to get high-quality products they can count on for years to come. That’s why they recommend roof shingles over other types of roofing materials when it comes time to fix or replace your home’s exterior covering.
🟥 Can I shingle a roof myself?
While it is possible to shingle your own roof, it is still not advisable. Doing so requires a lot of skill and experience, plus the right tools and materials. There are many different types of asphalt shingles, each with its own specific requirements when it comes to installation. You can make mistakes that can cause damage to your roof or even injury if you don’t know what you’re doing.
It’s also dangerous! Roofs are high up there in the sky, and you need safety equipment such as harnesses and ladders just to get started on this project (not to mention fall protection).
🟥 Why are roof shingles in a curve shape?
Curved shingles are more aerodynamic, making them easier to install and more durable. They also provide a seamless look that is more weatherproof. Finally, the curved shape helps make your roof more attractive by giving it a smooth, sleek appearance.
🟥 What color roof shingles should I use?
The first step to choosing a roof shingle color is to consider what color your house already is. You want the roof shingles to blend with the other colors in your house. So if you have a light-colored home and red or orange siding, then black or dark-colored roofs might not look great.
Black or dark roofs are also best to avoid. This is because they can fade when exposed to direct sunlight over time. Conversely, if you live in an area where there are a lot of sun rays, avoid using light-colored roofs because they’ll fade quickly and won’t last as long.
Final Words
The key is to choose the type of shingle that best fits your needs. If you want something that lasts longer than asphalt, then clay or concrete tiles are probably the way to go. But if money isn’t an issue and you need something super energy-efficient, then the metal or slate is your best bet. In any case, remember that there’s no right or wrong answer when it comes time to choose what kind of roofing material works best on your home!
If you have a flat roof, click here to know what type of materials is for you.
