Are You Using the Best Roofing Shingles for Your Home?
When it comes to choosing the right roofing shingles for your home, the options can be overwhelming. From traditional asphalt to innovative metal and everything in between, each type of shingle has its own set of pros and cons. If you're considering a new roof installation in Tulsa, it's essential to understand the different types of roofing shingles available to you. Here, you read about the most common types of roofing shingles, and what you need to consider before making your final decision.
Classic 3-Tab Asphalt Shingles
3-tab asphalt shingles are the most basic and affordable option. They are made from a single layer of asphalt and are known for their flat appearance.
Benefits of 3-tab Asphalt Shingles:
Affordable
Easy to install
Lightweight
A wide range of color options is available
Typically comes with a warranty period of 20 to 30 years
Challenges Of 3-tab Asphalt Shingles:
Prone to wind damage
Shorter lifespan than other options
Stylish Architectural Shingles
Architectural shingles, falling within the premium tier of asphalt shingles, offer a superior alternative to 3-tab shingles. They are notably heavier, thicker, and more durable for new roof installation, consisting of two layers of shingle pieces laminated together to create a dimensional, sculpted appearance. This unique construction gives them the monikers of dimensional or laminated shingles, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of your roof.
Benefits of Architectural Shingles:
Longer manufacturer warranty, often lasting 30 to 50 years.
Some brands, like GAF, manufacture architectural shingles capable of withstanding higher wind speeds.
Resilience against various natural elements.
Relatively easy installation process.
Less prone to succumbing to heat and time-induced wear and tear.
Available in luxurious styles and a variety of colors.
Enhances roof texture and curb appeal.
Cons of Architectural Shingles:
Slightly higher cost compared to 3-tab shingles, though still affordable compared to many non-asphalt options.
Considerable weight necessitates homeowners to ensure their house's structure can support the added load.
Vulnerable to damage from hail.
Elegant Designer Shingles
Designer shingles are the pinnacle of roofing elegance, typically crafted from top-notch fiberglass or asphalt and available in a myriad of colors and styles. They combine the allure of materials like tile, slate, or wood with the practicality and affordability of asphalt shingles. Often the preferred choice for those with discerning tastes, designer shingles elevate the aesthetic appeal of any home.
Benefits of Designer Shingles:
Elevate a roof's aesthetic appeal significantly.
Durable, sturdy, and last more than 30 years easily, potentially eliminating the need for re-roofing.
Typically comes with a lifetime warranty.
Great for minimizing or concealing roof deficiencies.
Offer superior protection against the elements and can enhance a property's resale value.
Challenges of Designer Shingles:
More expensive than most roofing shingles but offer value and performance commensurate with the investment.
Durable Hip & Ridge Cap Shingles
Hip and ridge cap shingles are crafted from the same durable materials as regular shingles, offering a seamless appearance while serving a specialized purpose. These caps are specifically designed to cover and safeguard the high-stress areas of roof hips and ridges, providing enhanced protection compared to trimmed regular shingles, which are prone to cracking over time.
Benefits of Hip & Ridge Cap Shingles:
Enhance the overall aesthetic appeal of a roof.
Provide superior protection against moisture and natural elements for roof hips and ridges.
Complement 3-tab shingle roofs, adding depth and dimension.
Challenges of Hip & Ridge Cap Shingles:
Important to ensure a very close match between hip and ridge cap shingles and roofing shingles to avoid spoiling the roof's appearance with even a slight mismatch.
Natural Wooden Shingles
Wooden roofing offers two distinct styles: wood shake and wood shingles. Shingles boast uniform shapes, while shakes are hand-split for a rugged aesthetic. Depending on the wood type, shingles can endure for 15 to 50 years, with cedar shakes lasting 30 to 40 years.
Benefits of Wooden Shingles:
A natural, rustic appearance enhances the roof's aesthetics.
Weather-resistant, providing durability against various elements.
Installation and repairs are straightforward.
Challenges of Wooden Shingles:
Higher cost compared to asphalt shingles.
Maintenance demands time and money, including moss removal and resealing.
Flammability risk, despite treatment for fire resistance.
Luxurious Slate Shingles
When it comes to roofing options, slate shingles stand out for their unique qualities. These shingles are crafted from natural stone, giving them a distinct appearance and durability. Here's a closer look at the pros and cons of installing slate shingles for a new roof installation:
Benefits Of Slate Shingles:
Lasts 60-150 years, the longest among roofing options.
Resistant to heat, hail, snow, and moisture.
Minimal pollution during manufacturing.
Keeps home at a consistent temperature, reducing heating and cooling costs.
Challenges Of Slate Shingles:
Expensive, with substantial installation expenses.
Requires strong roof deck reinforcement.
Difficult to find perfect-fit tiles due to natural color variations.
Installation Challenges: Few experienced roofers are equipped for the job.
Traditional Tile Shingles
Tile shingles stand out as one of the most enduring and costly roofing options available today. They come in various types, including polymer sand, metal, composite, ceramic clay (terracotta), concrete, bituminous, and slate tiles. However, their roof installation can be challenging and requires skilled masons to ensure proper placement. If not installed correctly, they could slip off within a decade, especially if placed on a mortar bed.
Benefits of Tile Shingles:
Tile roofs can easily last 50+ years, with some lasting a century.
You have a wide range of options to choose from, and even lower-end tile shingles offer good value for money.
Challenges of Tile Shingles:
Installation can be complex and may come at a premium.
Strengthening your roof before installation to bear the weight of tile roofing shingles can add extra costs.
Modern Metal Shingles
Metal shingles stand out as a prime choice for environmentally conscious consumers due to their sunlight-reflecting properties, which reduce heat absorption and lower cooling costs. These shingles come in five main variants: aluminum, steel, copper, tin, and zinc, offering exceptional durability and longevity, sometimes lasting a lifetime.
Benefits of Metal Shingles:
Exceptional durability against high temperatures, winds, and hail storms.
Longevity, with a lifespan of 50-75 years if properly maintained.
Lightweight and leak-proof.
Aesthetic appeal.
Challenges of Metal Shingles:
Higher initial cost compared to traditional asphalt shingles.
Requires complete removal of previous roofing materials; layering over existing roofs is not possible, increasing installation costs.
Flexible Rubber Shingles
Rubber roof shingles closely resemble asphalt shingles but offer distinct advantages and disadvantages. They are available in various types, including TPO, PVC, and EPDM membranes, with costs varying depending on the material.
Benefits of Rubber Shingles:
Easy installation and low maintenance requirements.
Energy-efficient, potentially reducing energy consumption and lowering utility bills.
Challenges of Rubber Shingles:
Higher initial cost compared to asphalt shingles.
Key Factors to Evaluate Before Selecting Roofing Shingles
Your selection of roofing shingles for new roof installation goes beyond mere aesthetics and cost. Several critical factors should influence your decision-making process. Here are three key considerations:
Structural Compatibility
When selecting roofing materials, it's crucial to consider local business code requirements, as they may dictate specific materials. Additionally, ensure your chosen shingles are compatible with the rest of your roof's components to maintain structural integrity. Be mindful of warranty implications, as some materials may require specific underlayment or structural elements, which can impact overall costs.
Solar Panel Integration
Before installing solar panels, verify if doing so will void your shingle warranty. It's recommended to install panels over full shingle coverage to enhance protection against the elements.
Warranty Coverage
Many shingle manufacturers offer a lifetime warranty, but the actual coverage may be limited. Typically, manufacturers reimburse the full cost of defective shingles for the first 10 to 15 years, followed by reimbursement for their depreciated value.
Get A New Roof
Elliott Roofing is your trusted partner for enhancing your home's beauty and durability with our new roof installation in Tulsa. Our experienced team will guide you through the process, helping you choose the perfect roofing shingles for your needs. Don't settle for subpar roofing solutions. Contact us today.