Most people don’t know what type of roof they have until they have to repair it unless they built the house from the ground up. The most versatile roofing structure is the shingle roofing. It comes in many different types so you have a variety to choose from. It’s extremely effective a majority of the time. However, it’s important to consider cost-efficient roofing materials versus long-term durability when deciding what type of roofing material to use. Shingle roofing comes in asphalt, wood, stone-coated steel, rubber, slate, and tile. The most common type of shingle roofing asphalt shingles.
Cost-Efficient Roofing Materials
ASPHALT SHINGLES
Asphalt shingles typically last about 15-30 years. They are very popular with homeowners simply because of their cost-effectiveness. When it comes to durability, never go for the cheapest asphalt shingles. You may end up sacrificing quality for monetary savings. Most asphalt shingles also come in an impact-resistant variation. To be considered impact-resistant, an asphalt shingle must have a Class 4 hail rating. Impact-resistant shingles come at a higher cost, but you may be eligible for savings on your insurance premium. It is important to compare the extra cost of an impact-resistant shingle with the savings you may get on your insurance premium to determine if the added cost is worth it. Because asphalt shingles are widely available and common, their quality also ranges drastically.
WOOD SHINGLES
Most wood materials will also last about 15-30 years before you will need to replace them. Tacking cedar shingles onto your roof will give your home a warm, welcoming appeal. Plus, over time, the shingles will naturally fade to give your home a rustic, high-character look. Wood shingles are usually made with wood that is fire-resistant. Wood can be prone to cracking and comes in many grades. It is important to make sure you are getting a high grade of wood shakes. The lower grades of wood shake shingles will degrade much faster than the higher grades. Again, it is important to compare the added cost and durability of higher-grade wood shakes versus the savings and lesser durability of a lower grade wood shake roofing material.
STONE-COATED STEEL SHINGLES
Stone-coated steel shingles are great because they offer durability, lasting 40-70 years. The last thing you want as a homeowner is to constantly have to replace shingles and spend money on roof repairs. With stone coated steel shingles, you won’t really have to worry about them warping, cracking, or breaking. These shingles are built to stand up to even the harshest weather. They are typically fire and hail resistant. You can rely on their superior quality and protection for many years to come. This is great news for homeowners looking for a long-term roofing solution. While a more expensive option than asphalt or wood, when factoring the longevity of this product some consider it to be a more cost-efficient roofing material option.
RUBBER SHINGLES
Rubber roofing is made of rubber or plastic polymers or a combination of both. Materials are eco-friendly, made from recycled tires, sawdust, and slate dust. Rubber roofing is used to reduce leaking and to produce more impenetrable sealing. Single-ply synthetic membrane roofing is strong, waterproof, and pliant. Due to its flexible nature, rubber roofing can go where typical asphalt roofing can’t. Rubber shingles can be less cost-efficient than asphalt shingles, but they are cheaper than slate shingles and equivalently fire-resistant. Rubber roofing is also more expensive than asphalt in the short term but considering it has twice the life span it might be a better option for long-term homeowners.
SLATE SHINGLES
Slate is essentially a rock, a homogeneous metamorphic rock that is derived from an original shale-type sedimentary rock composed of clay or volcanic ash through low-grade regional metamorphism. Therefore, this cost-efficient roofing material is millions of years old. Slate is an incredibly durable roofing material and can last several hundred years, often with little to no maintenance. It is safe to say that you will get at least 75 to 100 years or more out of your slate roof. However, it is also among the most expensive material option.
It is also important to consider the weight of slate shingles. You will want to make sure that the roof framing on your home is engineered correctly to handle the added weight to the structure. Also, with the extended life span of slate, it is imperative to make sure that the underlayments, flashings, and nails are made of a roofing material that can last as long as the slate, so you aren’t running into unnecessary maintenance on your roof due to these items degrading faster than the slate. Therefore, we recommend copper for the flashings and nails and a high-quality synthetic underlayment so they stand the test of time that your slate will hold up to.
TILE SHINGLES
Aside from the obvious aesthetic appeal and incredibly long-life expectancy of tile roofs (50-70 years), there are several other benefits of choosing tile shingles over a less cost-efficient roofing material. Tile roofs perform better under harsh conditions than many other roofing materials. They resist damage caused by hail, high winds, and other weather extremes better than most other options. Roof tile is also fireproof and carries a class-A rating. The weight of tile is similar to slate and the same considerations need to be made when it comes to the underlayments, flashings, and nails that are used in the construction of the roof system.
TALK TO A ROOF EXPERT at Mckinnis TODAY
If you are in the market for a new or replacement roof, you need the expertise of people who have been serving Omaha, Lincoln, and Blair, Nebraska for more than 39 years. The highly skilled employees of McKinnis will walk you through every roofing option to make certain you choose the roofing material that best fits the needs of you and your home. Give us a call today at 402-426-2644 or fill out our online contact form!