Roofing Shingles - Three Choices To Get The Job Done

If it’s time to get a new roof, perhaps the biggest decision you make will be what type of roofing shingles you use. Don’t think you are simply limited to what you already use, there are plenty of choices out there to give you the look and durability you want. Of course you also want to stay within your budget, and if you plan on installing it yourself, you need something relatively easy to work with as well. True there are other options besides shingles, but this clearly remains the most popular choice. So what kind should you get?

What you want to do is look at the good points and bad points of each of the three major shingle types. How long will they last, what do they look like, and how much do they cost?

We’ll start by looking at the most common shingles, ones made from asphalt. These shingles are the lowest cost, but don’t let that scare you. Drive down any neighborhood and you’ll see that the majority of houses are probably roofed in asphalt. Generally these shingles will cost between $15 and $25 dollars per square. And if you have any experience at all, these will also be the easiest to install since they are lightweight and flexible. And if it’s been a while since you put on a new roof, you might be surprised at the number of color and style options now available. Getting the look you want will not be a problem. Add in the fact that they are fire resistant and durable enough to last up to 30 years with proper care, and you can see why these are so popular.

But that doesn’t mean these are the perfect shingles for everyone. Do you live in a high wind area where tornadoes and hurricanes are commonplace? If so you might want to look at other alternatives, since these shingles will be damaged by high winds. And make sure they are specially treated since they can also be vulnerable to mold as well. And even though they can last up to 30 years, other shingle types will last much longer.

Those few drawbacks obviously haven’t kept asphalt from remaining the most popular, but slate shingles are slowly closing the gap. There are several reasons for this. First of all, slate or stone will give your home a more natural look. And with so many choices available, you’ll easily be able to match the existing look of your home and still have it look different from every other home in the neighborhood. But most people who choose slate do so because of its durability. These roofs can last over 100 years. Choose slate now, and chances are you’ll never have to worry about putting on a new roof again.

But like all our choices here, there are some drawbacks to using slate. You can start with the cost. These are easily the most expensive shingles, costing in the area of $850 for 100 square feet. They are also so heavy that most home simply aren’t equipped to handle them. Chances are the rafters will need to be reinforced unless you want the roof to cave in. That weight plus the fact that they break easily also makes them difficult to install. It’s not a job you’ll want to do by yourself. You’ll almost definitely need to hire a professional.

Many people think the third option on our list looks the best. Wood or shake shingles can be absolutely beautiful. Treated cedar is the most popular, but you can also get these shingles in pine or spruce. In addition to looking good, shake roofs are not too difficult to install. And they will last about 50 years if treated properly.

But there are problems with shake roofs as well. The biggest one is that they are not fireproof. Not only is this dangerous, it can be expensive. In many places having a wood roof will cause your insurance costs to skyrocket. And while shake is not as expensive as slate, it’s still more expensive than asphalt. Chances are you’ll be paying about $250 per 100 square feet. Shake roofs also need more maintenance. If not maintained properly, the wood will rot, splinter, or mold.

Obviously there are pros and cons with all your roofing choices. Again asphalt remains the most popular because it can look great, last a long time, and is comparatively inexpensive. If money is no object, slate is a great choice. But no matter what you decide, if you don’t know much about roofing it’s best to have it professionally installed. You may end up saving money by not having to hire someone to come in later and fix any problems.