A Guide to Selecting the Best Roof Shingles for Your Roofs

Roof shingles are crucial for any building as they act as a protective layer and help to keep water from entering the roof and building. There are different types of roof shingles. We will dive deeper into the topic in this blog, so keep reading till the end.

Understanding the Role of Shingles in Roofing

Roof shingles play a crucial role in your building as they protect it, be it a residential or commercial building, from water, snow, UV rays, or fire (if you have installed fire-resistant shingles).

What Should You Consider While Selecting a Roof Shingle?

Many types of roof shingles are available in the market, but how do you select the right one for your construction?

Here are the factors that you should consider while selecting roof shingles for your building-

• Durability
• Aesthetics fashion
• Maintenance
• Fire resistance
• Warranty
• Power Efficient

Durability: Install highly durable roof shingles in your price range/ budget. Ensure that the roof shingles you select protect your building from rain, hail, wind, snow, fire, and UV rays.

Aesthetics and fashion: You may be a homeowner or a builder. As you know, roof shingles come in various varieties with different designs, patterns, and colors; choose the one that suits the building and your taste preference.

Maintenance: A few shingles require frequent maintenance, such as cleaning and sealing. If frequent servicing is not your thing, go for low-maintenance roof shingles that don’t bother you for regular servicing.

Fire resistance: Only some of the roof shingles in the marketplace are fire resistant. If you want to fire-protect your building roof, be specific about it and go for a fire-resistant roof shingle. Fire-protectant shingles are a priority in the wildfire-prone areas.

Warranty: Shingle manufacturers provide different types of warranties. Select the roof shingle that provides a comprehensive lifetime warranty.

Power Efficient: You can easily find shingles that are power efficient. This means these types of shingles can produce energy for the entire home through solar power. Solar shingles are the perfect example of power-efficient shingles.

Also read: Roofing Myths and Misconceptions: Busting Common Roofing Stereotypes

Types of Shingle Materials

As we discussed previously, there are different types of shingles. Let’s see all of them one by one, with the pros and cons of each shingle material.

Asphalt Shingles

These shingles are made from fiberglass or organic mat bases. Asphalt shingles comprise asphalt (a semi-solid form of gasoline) and are topped with ceramic/mineral granules.

Metal Shingles

These shingles comprise various metals, such as aluminum, steel, or copper. These shingles are durable and don’t require any high maintenance.

Know more about: Shingles vs Metal Roof Cost | Compare Expenses, Characteristics, And Styles 

Wooden Shingles

These shingles are made of pine, redwood, or cedar. Wooden shingles can be your best option if you are looking for environment-friendly shingles.

Slate Shingles

These shingles comprise natural stone, say, slate. These shingles are highly durable and have the capacity and capability to stay intact if they are well-maintained for up to 200 years.

What Is the Average Cost of Roof Shingles?

The average cost to install roof shingles includes various factors such as material cost, labor cost for installation, type of shingle, quality, brand, etc.,

As we already discussed above, each shingle has a different cost. Below is a rough breakdown of the material cost of the roof shingles:

Asphalt Shingles:

These are affordable and cost-effective shingles. There are different types of asphalt shingles.

• Asphalt shingles range from $3 to $6 per square foot.
• Three-tab asphalt shingles are cheaper, ranging from $3-4/sq. Ft.
• Architectural shingles are comparatively more expensive, ranging from $5-6/sq. Ft.

Metal Shingles:

These shingles are expensive compared to asphalt shingles. But they are durable and highly power efficient. That is an undeniable fact. These shingles range from $200- $600 per square.

Slate Shingles:

These shingles cost between $600 -$1500 per square. These shingles are made of natural stone and can last up to 200 years. Hence, the acquisition cost is also high.

Wood Shingles:

These shingles are made from wood. Hence, the price varies according to the different types of wood you prefer. The primary cost ranges from $200- $400.

Solar Shingles:

These shingles are far more expensive than any of the above roof shingles, as they provide an energy supply to the installed building. The cost ranges between $60,000- $75,000 for an essential single-story home.

Choosing the Best Shingles Based on Roof Style

You can find the best shingle option based on roof style. There are two styles of roofs-

• Low Slope Roofs
• High Slope Roofs

Low Slope Roof

For this type of roof, the roof shingle should be purchased by taking into consideration the low slope. Choose the roof shingles that are particularly designed for low-slope roofing.

High Slope Roof

Unlike low-slope roofs, for homes/ buildings with high slopes, the roof shingles should be purchased based on the slope.

Installation and Maintenance Tips

Here are a few installation tips for your roof shingles-

Expert Installation Services

Appoint an expert to install the roof shingles, as they know how to place and install them in the right way. Don’t you think this is crucial for the long-term durability of the shingles? Regular maintenance is also important to ensure that your roof remains in good condition. Inspect your roof regularly for any signs of damage, and call a professional for repairs if necessary.

Ventilation

There must be enough ventilation provided to the roof shingles, which will help in long-term durability. Make sure to have proper attic ventilation to prevent moisture and heat buildup.

Nailing

Roof shingles come with a manufacturer’s guide. Follow the nailing as specified by the manufacturer in the guide provided. This will ensure shingles do not dislocate and stay intact, which helps prevent wind damage.

Trimming and Overhangs

Trim the roof shingles at the edges. This will give your home’s roof a clean and neat look. Don’t leave any sharp edges as such. For additional protection of roofs and walls, include overhangs.

Maintenance Tips:

Here are some maintenance tips for the roof shingles-

Consistency in Inspection

Installed roof shingles need regular inspection to check whether there are any damages, such as cracks or tile breaks, or any dislocation.

Removal of Debris

Have frequent cleaning sessions, as there are chances that any debris, such as dirt, leaves, or branches of trees, may pile up on your roof shingles.

Algae and Moss Growth

Take the necessary steps to prevent or remove any algae or moss growth. There are roof shingles available on the market that come with the added advantage of preventing the growth of such microbes on the shingles.

The Best Brands for Roof Shingles:

Selecting the best roof shingles is based on various factors, as discussed above in this blog. But here are a few suggestions of the best brand options you can consider/ rely on for shingles.

• Owens Corning
• GAF
• IKO
• Certain Teed
• Atlas Roofing

Conclusion

Are you lost in the above content, or is it overwhelming?

Let me help you summarize.

• Roof shingles play a crucial role in your building.
• Many types of roof shingles are available in the market.
• Factors that you should consider while selecting roof shingles for your building-
• Durability
• Aesthetics fashion
• Maintenance
• Fire resistance
• Warranty
• Power Efficient
• Different types of shingles include- Metal shingles, Asphalt shingles, Slate shingles, etc.
• Choose the best roof shingles based on your preference, budget, durability, and maintenance.